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Category: Serendipity | Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 5:58 pm

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I dearly love to cook, and being able to grow and use our own produce gives me the chance to experiment with, and even develop recipes.


Bounty from the farm ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden )

I also love to bake, especially breads.


Homemade breads ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden )

That is why I don't understand "cooking" shows like Hell's Kitchen and Master Chef. These shows have nothing to do with the joy and satisfaction of creating good food. It's all about competition and yelling at each other and chefs that don't teach the contestants anything, just criticize and belittle their efforts. Personally, if Gordon Whatshisname spoke to me like that, he'd meet my cast iron frying pan!
I love creating a nice meal--balanced with flavors and colors and textures--and having someone enjoy it. Cooking a nice stew and taking a bowl to someone who may not bother to "cook for one" or giving a bag of new potatoes, some green beans, and a small loaf of bread to a neighbor makes me feel so good. Cooking should be satisfying, both in the preparation, and the eating. Having some son of a Bastianich spit out food and make a caustic comment doesn't help the fledgling chef--it just shows how cruel he can be if given the opportunity.
I love to watch Jacques Pepin, and Eric Rippert--they love food and love to cook! There is a basic respect for both the ingredients and for those who are going to eat the result in their style of cooking. I don't think either Jacques nor Eric have ever been "bleeped".
I have no talent for painting, have a tin ear for music, and can't do much in the way of crafts. Cooking is a creative outlet, even if it's just a batch of cookies I've made dozens of times before. My kitchen creations are something I can share, and enjoy.
I wonder if there is an opening on the Food Network for someone who doesn't swear (at least not on camera) and who just really, really enjoys cooking?






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toni wrote on Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:51 pm:

Those programs aren't meant to be compared to cooking shows, they are reality competition shows made and shown for sensationalism and nothing else. Not even sure if any of the series winners have even been qualified enough to remain in the head chef position that was to be their prize.

I love the Jacques & Julia - Cooking at Home series. I don't like to cook but that program was a joy to watch.

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Donna S wrote on Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:18 pm:

I love cooking and baking from scratch. It's even more enjoyable now with my own veggies and herbs. I just wish I didn't like eating so much. Your bread and bounty look wonderful.

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Frank wrote on Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:16 am:

Speaking as someone who knows relatively little about cooking I think that Gordon Ramsey's shows actually succeeded in getting me to watch a cooking related show. The guy is just too entertaining!

Having said that I do see your point MG. If I had a natural interest I may feel these reality shows are cheapening the world of cooking.

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mart wrote on Sat Jun 30, 2012 5:21 pm:

You sound just like me MG !! I think cooking is its own art form !! BTW watch Duck Dynasty on A&E Wed nights, !! A lot of it is centerd around food, it actually has values and morals and ends every show at the dinner table with a prayer !! Its about time we got a change from all the 4 letter words that I can`t repeat,, except a few that are Texas english !!

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