After Hours with Daniel Boulud

In the early days of food TV, the pickings were slim.  I wasn't fond of Graham Kerr or the Frugal Gourmet, though I (and probably everyone else under the sun) loved Julia Child.  Later on there was a series to which I was completely addicted:  "Great Chefs."  It featured chefs from some of the finest restaurants in the world sharing recipes and techniques.  Great food, great visuals and best of all, chefs prepping and cooking.  It was what I wanted to see in food TV.  And when Food Network came on, I was pretty much glued to the screen because some of the early programs were just awesome.  Sara Moulton, Ming Tsai, the Fat Ladies and Jamie Oliver.  I could have watched the original Iron Chef over and over and over again.  Repetition never hurt.  The Food Network -- then -- just rocked.

I can't say that's true anymore.  In the last few years, I've found the shows packaged, processed, and flat, less about food and more about food "personalities."  I'm sorry...but I can't stand most of the personalities on the Food Network now.  Excepting the ever excellent Alton Brown, I find them about as charming as a roll of toilet paper, and there's nothing visceral or compelling about the food they're making. 

I've found myself seeking food programming elsewhere  -- chefs with real personalities and shows that celebrate the joy of food -- making it, eating it, sharing it.  I followed Anthony Bourdain to the Travel Channel.  BBC America provides me with Gordon Ramsay at his finest and foulest (and so does Fox!).  And Bravo gives me "Top Chef."

This is my opinion and strictly my opinion -- Sandra Lee is probably a really nice person -- but she doesn't appear to be passionate about cooking and I'm pretty much grossed out by her approach to food.  But that's me.  I'm sure other people absolutely love her and they're within their rights; am I a food snob?  Sure.  But my brand of food snobbery means that food, no matter how plebian or haute, needs to be delicious, and the cook or the chef needs to be passionate -- it's not about high prices and expensive ingredients. 

Thank God for food blogs -- I've found more superb discussions and gorgeous food pictures on several of the blogs on my blogroll than has been provided by the Food Network in years.  Just about everyone whose blog I visit regularly is madly, wildly and unashamedly crazy about food, cooking, eating, and the joy that comes with sharing meals.  Heck, our last food blog event was all about making and sharing food.

It's as if they took the magic that made the Food Network the FOOD NETWORK in the first place and they've dumbed it down.  They went from gourmet to fast food.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  But it just doesn't call to me.  It doesn't fill my culinary entertainment needs.

So a few weeks ago, I got a hold of Season One of a new series called "After Hours with Daniel," which showcases Chef Daniel Boulud at his favorite haunts after he gets off work.  I'm hooked.  It's the sort of insider's view on the world of chefs which I looooooooooove -- it's hanging with the cool kids of the cuisine world as they meet, eat and talk food at some of their favorite joints (I wonder how I get an invite?).  Chef Boulud is the quintessential charming host and Frenchman.  He seems like the kind of guy you can just hang with.  This -- this -- is a personality.  And he loves food. 

The show comes on the Mojo HD Network.  Season One has Chef Boulud eating with chefs friends and celebrities at restaurants like WD-50 and Dinosaur Bar-Be-Que.  Season Two should be coming on soon and features Chef Boulud at Ford’s Filling Station, Providence and Sona.  Sona, by the way, is where I got a terrific recipe for a chocolate pistachio cantuccini.  I think for Season Three Chef Boulud needs to invite food bloggers to join him (volunteering).  You can find more information here.

I'm generally not given to flacking products but I'll pimp for great food entertainment any day of the week -- because this is the sort of food TV that I love (and want to see).  Oh and here is Puggle, spellbound by Chef Bourdain, one of Chef Boulud's dinner guests on the Blue Ribbon Sushi episode.  If my six month old finds it interesting enough to stop walking and stay still for 15 minutes, I'd say that's pretty good TV.  On the other hand, to his half year old eyes, there's this big box with light, warmth and color...still entertaining though -- and that's the point, right?

Comments

[beastmomma]

That is such a great photo of Puggle. I'm glad that you found some good food televison. Sorry that I could not see you last time I was in town; my life was consumed with wrapping up my internship.

[cath]

Can you believe how big he's gotten, J.?! No apologies necessary - come back soon and see us; or, we may be heading to Seattle for a visit. We'll call you when we do!

[Aoife]

The Food Network is cooking for people who are afraid of cooking. I really love Great Chefs, except Great Chefs Hawaii, which is invariably just cutting up fresh fruit. The great part was how the chefs were focused solely on the food, completely ignoring the camera, leaving only the soothing Southern tones of the narrator to guide us.

[Tanna]

How perfectly fabulous to find Puggle so with it at only 6 months!
There was a long time when I couldn't get enough of foodtv. Now it's almost never on. I try to time ironing with Alton's shows . . . all I iron are napkins.

[cath]

Aoife, amen! And the Great Chefs Hawaii comment made me laugh -- I forgot about the fruit thing but it was such gorgeous fruit...

Tanna, yep, I'm right there with you on ironing napkins and Alton Brown. And Pug surprised me really...Normally he's disinterested in anything that doesn't assist his being upright and bouncing. Maybe it was the sound of Bourdain's voice or something, but he literally stopped hopping in his walker and just watched the last fifteen minute segment with me.

[s'kat]

I've been so pleased with many of the programs on Mojo, but ths one is definitely a favourite. I get so excited when I see a new episode pop up on the DVR!

[Heather]

I wholeheartedly agree with you both about the food channel & "After Hours with Daniel". The food channel used to be such fun, now it's boring. Except for Alton of course & I actually Like the "next food network star" from Last year Guy Feiri now that they've finally let him interact with people. He needs an audience to play on to be good. Cute baby! Mine is 27 and quite a foody himself. :-)

Heather