Right now, I am going to giveaway Barefoot Contessa's latest cookbook, "Barefoot Contessa Back To Basics". I love Ina Garten. She has great recipes, great taste and great style. Is she a bit pretentious? A bit. But I feel like she can be. She is the real deal. She has worked hard to get to where she is and she is completely legit. Her cookbooks are always very well done. The recipes are always perfect and the photography is superb. If you like to cook, this is a great basic cookbook. If you aren't a cook, this is some excellent food porn.
Leave a comment to enter this giveaway. You have until Saturday evening, April 10. In your comment, tell me who your favorite TV chef/food personality is. Me? I love Bobby Flay. He is smart, gracious and makes my favorite kind of food. I also adore Alton Brown. He is the ultimate geek and something about that makes him appealing.
146 comments:
I love Ina - we share the same birthday. But I don't know if I would want to hang out with her. She is too rich for me.
I am being very inspired by Jamie Oliver right now.
I fluctuate but yes Alton is definitely up there! I'm also digging Guy F although I know a lot of people hate him, I think he is hilarious!
Dude, what are the chances #3 is going to get picked. Lame. I should have waited. Anyway, my favorite tv chef is Bobby Flay (I swear I'm not trying to suck up) and/or Giada and/or Ina. I agree, that Ina Garten is totally the real deal.
I love Alton Brown, one of my favorites because my husband and I can both watch...I love the food, he loves the science. I also love Paula Dean just because she makes me feel loved over the TV. Isn't that funny?
OMG I love contessa! Her books are beautiful! And I actually really like Giada, even if she has a massive head.
Who me? Rocco Dispirito...I love his passion for food.
In an episode of "The Restaurant" a few years ago he went into detail about how sacred cooking can be and how important it is to express love through food.
I've been in love ever since.
I think my favorite chef would have to be Giada, her recipes work and they're not too pretentious.
i really love bobby flay, and rachael ray's recipes. and paula makes me laugh!
I don't watch any cooking shows on a regular basis, but I always enjoy Giada when I catch her during my lunch break. I have a number of her recipes on my list of things to try next.
I haven't watched much Food Network lately, but I have a few of Ina's cookbooks and like her recipes. I'm also excited to learn more from Jamie Oliver and his philosophy.
I love me travel food! I love Guy Feretti and Rachael Ray!
While I've only seen his actual cooking show a few times, but thanks to Food Nation I have a soft spot in my heart for Jamie Oliver. Mainly because he has the cutest lisp and isn't ashamed to run around in a pea suit.
I really like Alton Brown and Bobby Flay but I'd have to go with Christopher Kimball of America's Test Kitchen on PBS. I'm not sure if he's even a chef or a qualifying personality but I like his New England down to business attitude to cooking and the books his company put out are the best.
My husband and I watched Alton Brown a lot while dating (geeks we are) so I have a soft spot for him. I agree with David and the love for Christopher Kimball- ATK is one of my first stops when looking for a tried and true recipe.
I want to marry Jamie Oliver, but I want Paula Deen to be my mother-in-law.
There are so many great ones. Ina Garten is probably my favorite!
Ina is actually my favorite. Yes she is a tad pretentious (have you heard she lives in the Hamptons? maybe once or twice? yes?) but her food is just good, GOOD food. And she likes to entertain and cook for people and so do I.
Great giveaway!
My favorite is definitely Ina.
Hmm, I love all that have been listed so far. I'm right there with Chrome Plated Girl and The Dunford Family. I love watching Paula because I can just tell that she loves what she does and I love Jamie Oliver and his philosophy, like Lori said. :)
This is probably the most boring answer, but I like Rachael Ray, mostly because she's the only TV food personality I've really seen much of. One of these days, before we leave the city, I want to get tickets to a taping of her show.
I really like Giada. She makes scrumptious looking dishes. i love how she likes to make a crust on cheesy dishes, and how she says "just like that" whenever she is demonstrating how she cuts, sprinkles or tastes something.
I don't know if her show is even on the food network anymore, but I loved watching Nigella Lawson. She was fun without being over-the-top, and she knew what she was doing but didn't seem all crazy and uptight about it. I miss her...
Oh how exciting! In terms of fattening, not good for you food - Paula Deen. But for every day meals Jamie Oliver.
I most like watching Ina. She's messy and perfect. And I also love Alton Brown. He's like the epitome of sexy nerd.
How do I choose just one? Each personality has something interesting to offer. My husband likes Alton, I would lean towards Ina or Giada or Guy or......
oh man, it's SO much easier to mention the food personalities I don't like. for instance, if Giada's teeth get any straighter, or whiter, or anymore vaseline on them to make them shiny, i'm going to lose it! i can't watch her at all, she makes my skin crawl. and besides, who wears those outfits and jewelry when they're cooking?! (i know, i know, it's TV).
So my favorite? Paula Deen. lol. Of course. Because girl is all about the BUTTAH! and because instead of OIL, she uses OLE. lol. say it out loud, you'll know what i mean.
Ahh! There are so many! I like Rachael Ray's food but I need to put her on mute when I watch her. I also love Paula Deen(she's so cute) but I feel my arteries clogging when I watch her put all the butter in everything she makes. Oh and Tyler Florence is some nice eye candy! You can tell I love food so much that I watch a lot of it on TV! =)
Bobby Flay. I love how gracious he is when he loses on Throwdown. And his recipes are great.
Definitely Alton or Guy. Although I also really like Michael Symon on Iron Chef -- his laugh and love of bacon kills me.
I love to look at Rocco and Curtis, but paula's butter takes the cake!
I love Ellie Krieger. She makes amazing, healthy dishes that taste SO delicious! I am a huge fan of hers...I own all of her cookbooks!
CherryBlossomsDesign at hotmail
I love Ina's recipes and think this cook book would be superb! I like Paula too- I would love to just hang out with her! I think she is hilarious.
I love Bobby Flay! He cooks all kinds of things, and always keep me interested; P.S. Don't you love watching his Throw Downs.
I love Rachel Ray! She is down to earth and I always feel like I can make whatever she is making. :)
AB, of course. Though I faithfully follow Ina, Giada and Alex Guarnachelli.
Love Alton Brown (Good Eats and the commentary from Iron Chef America are fabulous) and Bobby Flay (who doesn't love a good ThrowDown) and Paula Dean (love butter).
Okay I don't even get Food Network here but my sister-in-law loves that pretty, Italian girl, my mother-in-law has a thing for Rachel Ray, and I hear a lot of raves about Alton Brown- does that vote count. Maybe I do deserve a cookbook just so I can have something to contribute to the conversation
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Ina is my favorite. Hers is the only show I record no matter what she is cooking.
I think if I had to choose just one it has to be Mike Symon. He seems very down to earth and I love to watch him on Iron Chef.
I love Giada even though I envy how pretty she looks cooking. I would love this book!!
I like Paula Deen. She is wonderful.
I'm a big fan of Alton Brown but Ina, Giada, and Paula are way up on that list too...
Alton Brown is my favorite. Not only do I love his show, but I actually replicate the recipes pretty often. Thanks for this generous giveaway!
I'm torn between Christopher Kimball (ATK), Alton, and Tom Colicchio. I like them all. (I also love Ina, of course!)
Ina is my total favorite. She's a lovely compromise between complete abandon (Paula Deen) and too much science (Alton Brown). I mean, don't get me wrong. I'd eat whatever Paula or Alton would cook for me. I'd just probably have a better time hangin' out with Ina.
I adore Ina. I want to be her when I grow up. I am also enjoying Giada's new show. But at the moment my favorite is Tyler Florence. It switches all the time, so my answer will probably be different in a week!
I haven't made an Ina recipe that wasn't delicious so I'd have to pick her. I hear the brownie recipe in this book is to die for! :)
I vote for Curtis Stone simply because he himself is delicious. I dunno about anything he cooks, but his accent alone makes my mouth water.
And you totally should pick me because I can bake just about anything, but cooking is highly intimidating to me, so a good basics book would be appreciated. 'specially if it doubles as food porn. My bishop says that's okay.
My favorite is Ina - she just has such a genuine love for food that is contagious.
Nigella Lawson.. how can you not love a woman who sneaks extra helpings of her food in the middle of the night? I love how much she ENJOYS what she cooks. Christopher Kimball is also a fav.
Jamie. I have been a fan since the early days of Naked Chef and Oliver's Twist! I love what he's doing with his Revolution.
i was watching barefoot contessa one day when my little girl was 4, and she loved it! ever since then we've watched it together (she's almost 7 now.) so ina is definitely up there, but i absolutely love jamie oliver the most.
I love Paula Deen! Despite the fact her meals made with tons of butter & cream, you can't help but love her because of her southern charm & accent.
I like to watch Giada because she drives me absolutely crazy. She moves so slowly, has those big old teeth, and when she says "spaghetti" it makes me want to die inside, but I think that's part of the fun.
(My real favorite is seriously Ina. Though nobody can touch the culinary mastery that is Sandra Lee, please.)
I was just coming over here to say you're cool.
am i allowed to choose giada simply because i saw her on the today show right after she had a baby and she looked incredible?! she is just so cute! i also think that paula is hilarious!
I'm going to have to say that my favorite is Rachael Ray. Not because she is the best, but because she is the only TV cooking personality that I watch (we don't have cable, and she is on at the right time). I have made several of her recipes and they were yummy!
I really like Bobby Flay -except when he does his "Throw Down" who wants a challenger when you have finally perfected you signature dish!?
I really like Alton Brown too. My boys are really into watching him so we watched him a lot this winter when I was hugely pregnant! And to be totally honest I have a bit of a crush on Bobby Flay (don't tell my husband!).
Jamie Oliver, he's all his own. I love Alton Brown too, I feel like a food genius after watching him for an hour. And of course Paula, someday I will give her a big long hug since we've been friends for ages. It's true; she calls me honey and darlin' all the time.
NOT Paula Dean, that's for sure. I guess I'd have to go with Bobby Flay. He and I are a great grilling team. :-)
I love watching Jamie Oliver, his recipes are so lovely and makes me want to cook outside over an open fire and wish I owned an outdoor pizza oven. I love his back to nature, back to the earth ideas. I also love, love Michael Symon! I am also from Cleveland and it has been so cool watching one of our own make it big. Plus how can you not love his laugh!?
Bobby Flay is my tv/chef boyfriend. He is so dreamy. I wish I really had a famous little recipe cause I would love to have a Throwdown, if ya know what I mean. Okay, I'll settle down now. I also love Paula. My favorite is to watch her while I'm on the eliptical. It feels so wrong, but those 30 mins go by so quickly when you're watching her add all that heavy whipping cream. I'm also surprised that so many people like Giada because she annoys me almost as much as Emeril. Enough from me. I'd love the cookbook. :)
Love Guy F cause I think he's rad, and I love Diners, Drive Inns and Dives. But Ina's recipes are yummy and usually easy to accomplish.
I used to like Alton till he turned all skinny on us. What kind of foodie should be rail thin?
Anthony Bourdain....but does that count?? His show is a travel foodie show on the travel channel?? Hmm...runner up, Paula Dean...typed with a southern accent. ;)
I like how simple Rachel Ray's cookbooks are but watching her is kind of annoying.
I LOVE Ina's food, but she kind of annoys me. I will go with Giada Delorentes. She's like the cute gorgeous girl in high school you wanted to hate but she was too nice which pissed you off even more. And her recipes are yummy too!
Ok, I am slow and Rabid took what I wanted to say. I too love Mr. Flay. Throwdown is my fav.
You stole mine- I love Alton too! I never watched The Food Network until I saw Alton's show. I love that he explains the science behind cooking.
Choosing one would be tough. I think Rachael Ray is super cute and I love how she reinvents EVERYTHING. I love how Bobby Flay is so humble I like the throwdown show and how he just "takes it" and is so funny if he loses which is a good portion of the time. I think that takes guts to do a show like that. And I love that Ina Garten is so calm and lovely. And you know-honestly I love and hate that Martha Stewart thinks she is so wonderful! Hahahaa
I really like Alton Brown and Paula Deen.
I have to admit, I don't actually watch any Food TV! So the best thing I can say is that I usually LOVE browsing the Pioneer Woman's recipes on her website. I really need to get her cookbook!
You know how food savvy I am. Top that off with the fact that we don't have TV in our house, I'm left with not very many options. I'd probably have to say the crazy, red-head chef on the Muppet Christmas Carol. Ya know, the one with the mustache and no eyes. Yeah...definitely him.
Alton Brown is my favorite! Rachael Ray comes in second!
It's a toss up between Guy and Alton... but I think Alton wins out because I have learned so much from watching his shows and reading his books!
I would love to win this cookbook! My favorite TV chef would have to be Curtis Stone!
Alton Brown. But with our new found love for the Food Revolution saga we're really enjoying Jamie Oliver right now too!
I don't watch cooking shows on TV, but the cook that has recently inspired me is a food blogger. I know she likes Ina and her recipes quite a bit.
Jamie Oliver is a huge inspiration right now, but I've always been a fan of Alton Brown! I love knowing the science behind the scene!
I'm a Paula Deen fan :)
I heart Bobby Flay and his challenges!!
But I am a sucker for a ginger!
Hmm...well, we don't get any cooking shows in the evenings with our limited channels. BUT...I love Barefoot Contessa's recipes I find ounline =o)
I really like Alton Brown, but I'd say my favorite chef is probably Giada simply because I'm secretly jealous of her gorgeous beach home and I love most of the Cali-Italian cuisine she makes.
I am a Jamie Oliver fan and every once in a while I can handle a little Giada.
I have gotten hooked on one show and it is Ina's back to basics show! I've printed a couple of the receipes and tried. Love the Lemon Yogurt cake! Given it to several friends as gifts. Would love to see the cookbook! :)
Stumbled along your blog! Quite delighted by it! My favorite Chef is Gordon Ramsey! His attention to detail is fantastic! During college I did a whole bio on him before his series hells kitchen & kitchen nightmares!
I love Alton Brown!
Thanks for the chance to win Ina's new book. I have her others and they are all super. In fact my 4-year old daughter asks to watch Ina on tv. (She pronounces her name "Eye-un" though which is so cute I can't bring myself to correct her.)I would have to say that Alton Brown is my favorite, he is goofy, not afraid to look silly and has some great info. His shows are just plain fun and my four kids all love to watch him. Thanks again!
OH how fun...I have been wanting this book! My favorite Food Star is either Ina - I love her chuckle, or Giada - (don't love her cleavage! makes me jealous)
Thanks! Love your stuff!
Ellie Krieger is my fav! I love how she makes eating healthy so good and simple! Ina is so fun to watch!
I have to say Jamie Oliver and his food revolution. Brilliant.
I LOVE INA!!!! LOVE HER!!!! She is my favorite! I also adore Nigella Lawson - wish more of her shows were on t.v.. Hope I win - I don't have this book yet! :)
When you're on TV I'll get cable and you'll be my favorite TV chef.
First of all, I just ran across your site and I'm enjoying it very much. I'm going to try many of your recipes.
I would have to say Curtis Stone is my favorite TV Chef, even though I haven't watched in awhile. I like most of the things he cooks and well, he's cute! :)
I love watching Giada, because for me, she is not the cute girl you wanted to hate in high school, but she is the curt girl you wanted to date in high school.
I think you should pick me, because I just admitted I am a lesbian(former mormon) on a mormon blog with a bunch of mormon readers! lol!
I LOVE the Contessa!!
I don't really watch food TV but I have been known to check out old Julia Child shows from the library.
Oh I just found your blog and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I don't watch TV so I'm not sure who has TV cooking shows. Tell me...who should I check out? Who do you recommend?
However, I have checked out several of Ina Garten's books from our public library and LOVE them.
Im hoping some fellow Canadians will know who Im talking about... theres an old Italian man with his own cooking show (its been on for years) called Pasquale's Kitchen Express. He is so cute (in a grandpa kind of way) and has such a strong accent. The food he makes is always simple but makes your mouth water, traditional homemade italian food. And the best part is he sings Italian opera while he cooks!! -Misia
I would have say it's a toss up between Giada and Paula. I like the stuff that Giada cooks, but Paula cracks me up!
I've loved every single one of Rachael's recipes that I've made (there have been many) and Tyler has this amazing talent where he makes really good looking stuff, and talks about it in a way that makes it sound even BETTER. But my true favorite has to be Michael Symon..I know it's cheesy, but he's a fellow Clevelander and he's really awesome in person. His burgers are awesome, his pork is awesome, and being able to make awesome desserts that include bacon is just amazing - Vanilla Bean Apple Pie Bacon shake, anyone? (Trust me - it's heaven in a glass)
Alton Brown, all the way. Love the science-y explanations of why this and that.
It's hard b/c if we're going off of personality alone, I love Guy. I don't however care to try most of the recipes you see on his cooking show. Just not my thing. Paula Deen is also a personality favorite. Her food looks delicious but like some have said my arteries clog just watching the show.
So for healthy edibility sake, my favorite is Ellie Krieger. I wish they would produce more shows with her.
Hey Rookie!
I really like that cute little girl from 5-ingredient fix. Her recipes are really do-able, and her personality makes the show flow really well. I do love Ina also. Her cookbook would be most welcome in my kitchen. Ina has the sweetest marriage too, with that short little guy. He is always smiling.
Kind Regards,
Brandee
I think it's a toss-up between Alton Brown (he's just so brainy and down-to-earth at the same time) and Guy Fieri. Man, his hair rocks! And his "dives" always make me drool!
I love me some Paula Deen on occasion, but Alton is definitely at the top for me. My hubby likes Giada... gee, I wonder why. ;)
julien @ alumni dot clemson dot edu
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Bobby Flay is also my favorite, but my favorite cooking show is Alton Brown's - my cousin is on it too!
My favorite personality is Guy Fieri. I can't help it. Also love Ina Garten and Alton Brown as well.
I'm a big fan of Alton Brown, too. But Ina is really fun to watch. Thanks for the giveaway!
jmhamlin826 AT yahoo DOT com
I really love both Ina and Paula - so hard to decide!
Guy Fieri.
I love that man.
I love to watch Alton Brown!
I love and will always love Paula Deen. I am addicted to the Food Network, but I do think most TV/Food Chef's have characteristics that are kind of annoying, but you just gotta love Paula!
I love Giada! I also like Jamie Olivere! What a great giveaway!
I love Rachel Ray and Sandra Lee!
I'm going to be totally honest and say that I don't really know any TV chefs! I love to cook, but I never watch any cooking shows...maybe I should =)
Ina all the way!! Thanks for feeding us new recipes!
Around here, my better half drools over Giada...he has the same name as her husband (Todd Thompson), so I am sure he secretly wishes he were HER Todd Thompson, and not the one married to ordinary me, (although my juggs are just as nice as hers), and she and I were born in the same town in Italy.
My husband protests that I should smile more, like Giada does...
...as for me, I have had sex dreams about Alton, so he must (subconsciously) be my favorite!
I do also love that dah-ling Ina and that darlin' Paula too...
Tyler Florence is my fav. I think he really loves to cook and it shows when I watch him on the Food Network. Did that sound totally ridiculous? Oh well, it's true.
I don't have cable or satellite or anything like that (PBS Kids is the only thing on at my house), so I don't get to watch cooking shows. But friends have shared Paula Dean recipes with me that I have enjoyed. Does that count?
I like Ina, but I like Giada just a little bit more . . . perhaps a Barefoot Contessa cookbook would change my mind!?!?
Oh I love so many! It all started with Rachel Ray. I have eaten at Bobby Flay's and Mario Batali's restaurants in Las Vegas and they were both SO yummy. Right now, my favorite TV chef is Duff- I love the Ace of Cakes!
I love the Neelys
I love Ina, mainly because I want to be Ina! Hello gorgeous house in the Hamptons and her own gourmet food store. Yes please!
Paula Deen is my favorite! She is funny and creative and doesn't care one bit how much fat is in her food! I wish I didn't care, because eating would be so much more fun!! Everything tastes better deep fried!
I love Ina, but I also love Giada. Her recipes are delish and simple.
Alton Brown, or recently Jamie Oliver. Can't get enough food revolution.
Curtis Stone is my guy. I'd love to have him follow me in the grocery store and then come home to cook a fabulous meal. Plus his accent is enough to make me weak in the knees!
No cable for me so I have to say based on CookBooks, I love Ina! Everytime I try one of her recipes it's always a crowd pleaser;) Can't wait to try the Back to Basics Book!
Oh Ina Garten all the way! I love her recipes (esp. her "dinner spanakopita," yum). I actually watch her show each day while on the treadmill--I'm starving every time I step off. Having her book would be wonderful!
We love to watch America's Test Kitchen with Christopher Kimball together (we don't have cable) but when we visit the in-laws condo if the tv's on it's Food Network 95% of the time. So fun but often creates an impractical craving late at night!
I love to watch Giada but I have to say I have all of the Barefoot Contessa's cookbooks EXCEPT for this one!
Paula. She makes me smile every time she's on. I'd eat at her table any old day.
Without a doubt, Giada de Laurentiis. How can she cook all that pasta and be that thin? =)
I like Jamie Oliver and Barefoot Contessa. Thanks for the giveaway!
okay so i love ina... i think she does everything just right. and i also love giada.
there are many on hgtv that i cannot stand to watch, but the shows i am enjoying right now is throwdown w/ bobby flay and triple d. a lot of good recipes going on in those shows.
Paula Deen is fun to watch but I would actually make Ina's food. Her truffles rock!
I love Ina! She's my favorite.
I'm really inspired by Jamie Oliver's show on ABC right now, so he's my fave of the moment. I also love Paula Dean, mostly for her rich, southern accent, not so much for her rich, southern food.:)
How to pick just one?! I can't do it. I love Paula Deen, I wish I was a part of her family. I love Bobby Flay, I want to plan a trip just to eat in one of his restaurants. A new fav may be Melissa D'Arabian...$10 Dollar dinners, who doesn't need to save a buck? I'll have to stay tuned to her to see if she makes the fav list. I just love the Food Network, I could watch it all day.
I like Paula Dean....everything I've made of hers is great comfort food and delish!
I don't have a favorite TV chef. I really should watch some shows on Food Network because I would probably enjoy them. To be completely honest, I usually just use Rookie Cookie recipes! My family tries a couple new recipes each week from your website. We are trying your Zucchini Enchiladas tonight and your Chocolate Strawberry Tart tomorrow! Can I pick you even though you aren't on TV?
Such a great giveaway! I love Ina, she's so laid back and real. I think she and Alton Brown are my favorites. I love what a dork he is :)
sporadiccook@gmail.com
I completely adore Giada and the parties she throws for her family, but I have a fondness for Ina as I find her so comforting. I can totally veg out when I watch her and her calming ways. Love them both.
I am a fan of Sandra Lee and Semi-Homemade. Since I'm a busy mom (like most of your readers)and self employed, I have to be ultra organized. Your blog helps me accomplish that. It gives me great ideas and wonderful recipes - and a little chuckle to boot! Keep up the great work.
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