I should have been a chef

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:07 am

Any idea how much money those TV chefs make? Check out the top 10 at

http://www.forbes.com/2008/08/08/celebr ... d=rss_news

Guess I should master a grilled cheese sandwich first.

kssunflower · Post by **kssunflower** » Sun Aug 10, 2008 11:39 am

I love Tony Bourdain and his show No Reservations. Also have two of his books.

DJ · Post by DJ » Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:20 pm

Harry,
Thanks for the info-- am nuts for the Food Network and have learned plenty from watching its various and sundry programming. Am not surprised about Rachael Ray, as she has the syndicated program on top of all her Food Network shows, plus her publications.
I like RR, and Southerners Paula Deen and Tyler Florence (from Greenville, S.C.).
Still, I think Ina Garten ("Barefoot Contessa") is my fave. I love when she sits down and eats with her friends, and I love all those shots of the Hamptons, including her manse.
I like Dave Lieberman, too, but his on-air time has been cut down to nothing.
Least faves: Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay.
I like the new show with the wife-and-husband Neelys, who are part owners in a BBQ emporium in Memphis.
Don't mind Sandra Lee, but she drives me over the ledge with all her "tablescapes." Honey, just put some flowers on the table, and serve some decent food!!!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:58 pm

I was surprised that Fall River's own Emeril wasn't on that list.

I like the show on the TLC channel where the chef goes to the person's home and cooks a meal. It's appropriately titled "Take Home Chef".

Sometimes I think half the books in Barnes and Noble are by Rachel Ray. I like her personality and she's a fellow New Yorker!

DJ · Post by DJ » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:53 pm

Rachael Ray still comes across as genuine-- I've picked up a lot of tips from her "30 Minute Meals," and I like her travel programs, across the U.S., and abroad.
Hey, that EVOO works for me! (On many levels.)
I'm not going to try everything RR does, but I'd try at least half of it.
Emeril is just a little too complicated on most of his dishes. Read: If you went out and bought all the ingredients, you'd spend a fortune, so you might as well go out to a restaurant.
I'm sure he'd prefer that you frequent one of his!

SallyG · Post by **SallyG** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:47 am

I like Emeril quite a bit. My husband tells stories of how, when Emeril worked at Commander's Palace, he was so shy he would not even come out when customers asked to see the chef to congratulate him on a wonderful meal. He obviously overcame his shyness!!

My husband has been a chef for over 30 years and, while he's not on the list of highest paid chefs, he's enjoyed a good deal of success. He was recently recruited for a private club in South Florida and we are moving down there next week.

A chef has to be passionate about cooking, because it's plain hard work, long hours, 110 degree kitchens, etc. Personally, I could never do it! It's not an easy career by any means...nor is it glamorous.

Those that make the big bucks have surely earned it!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:58 pm

Got to ask, SallyG ...who does the cooking at home?

Good luck on the move to Florida.

SallyG · Post by **SallyG** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:12 pm

Thank you, Harry. I am looking forward to the change...I hate cold weather!

My husband does all the cooking at home. That actually evolved because every time I started to cook something (and I actually CAN cook), he would step in and show me how to do it "right"! I decided I had a good thing going, so I let him do it all...I go to the kitchen to make a soda or some coffee..but that's it!

I just have to be careful of how much I eat, practice moderation and get adequate exercise!

twinsrwe · Post by **twinsrwe** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 8:19 pm

I have to say my favorite is Emeril, and I am also surprised he was not on this list.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:12 pm

Wow, I'm surprised that one of my favorites didn't make the list; Giada De Laurentiis. Though I do love to watch Rachel Ray and Paula Deen on any of their shows. Oh, and of course Ina Garten. Makes me wonder if Julia Child ever saw that kind of earning power during her life, she was always so much fun to watch and was one of the pioneers in the TV cooking field.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:42 am

Ah, yes, Giada! Hard to keep my mind on what she's cooking though.

DJ · Post by DJ » Wed Aug 13, 2008 4:19 pm

Yes, yes-- Giada.
Her Mom's no schlep, either, Har.
That aunt is a scream!
That program Giada did on Capri is one of my all-time FN faves.

kssunflower · Post by **kssunflower** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:05 pm

kssunflower @ Sun Aug 10, 2008 10:39 am wrote:I love Tony Bourdain and his show No Reservations. Also have two of his books.

My favorite globetrotting, irreverent chef is coming to K.C. tomorrow night. For $125, you can attend his presentation and a private reception. I guess I'll have to settle for catching him on the Travel Channel.