Best FOOD Network Chef?

[rucky]

Poll question: Best FOOD Network Chef?

Didn't Count Iron Chefs

[Lavender Brown]

1. Mario all the way.

I fail miserably trying to follow the recipes in his cookbooks, but I love watching his shows (though they don't seem to be on as much as before).

[rucky]

2. Seriously? No votes for Moulton?

she & Mario are the best chefs by far.

and Rachael Ray?! I suppose if you're into wonder bread & velveeta puddin'...

[terrya]

3. Is Jamie Oliver still on the Food Network? I vote for him.

[rucky]

4. adding...

[Whitacre D_WI]

5. Mario is the best chef.

Eat at one of his restaurants.

He is also the best chef on TV. By far.

Alton Brown is the best TV personality. He has a great presence on camera, and he makes the science of food accessible to the unwashed masses. But Mario is the best chef.

Emeril is crap. All theatrics. He may have been a good chef at one point, but no more. To be fair, I haven't eaten at his restaurants; but I know some who have, and they say the food is absolute SHIT for the price. Bam indeed. If you try making his food at home, you will fail to make anything good. It will only taste like his "essence," whatever the fuck that is.

Rachel Ray is not a good cook. At least not on "30-Minute Meals." Half-hour chili? Get real. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts? Anathema to all who love food. Some think she is okay as eye candy, but her GRATING PERSONALITY AND ALL-AROUND ABRASIVENESS even make that aspect fall short.

Sarah Moulton is pretty good at what she does. She knows how to cook, and she knows how to present it to her audience. She is not flashy, nor is she very exciting (food-wise) -- but she is VERY competent, and that puts her above most of the other, IMO.

Bobby really knows what he's doing. His punk-ass Bronx attitude (don't get me wrong, some of my best friends are from the Bronx -- okay, one) gets to me sometimes; but he seems nice enough most of the time. He has a good grasp on flavor.

Tyler seems more a technician. He doesn't excite me, but I do watch his show sometimes because I'm a food nerd. Ina Garten (she's the Barefoot Contessa, right?) is pretty good -- sometimes outstanding, but usually banal.