Cooking For Engineers

ERdept · Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 39 Location: LA

I actually like Gordon Ramsay, though he's a arse at times. Seems many good chef's have an angst built in to them and are perfectionist.

Interesting history with him as a former athelete. But he's got solid credentials.

His books are classically inclined toward French and Spanish, and are not for the cook looking for a quick an easy meal, but a good meal. They're complicated and involved and require non ordinary ingredients (truffles, creme freasch, etc)

My first favorite was Juia Child. As a kid who liked cooking, I'd watch her with my mom and we'd write recipes and try them.

Who's your favorite celebrity chef and why?

kgb1001001 · Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 108

Our favorite is Alton Brown (although he would never label himself a chef, nor would have Julia Child) because he appeals to both the engineering/science side of things (you gotta love his cold bacon smoker from the "Scrap Iron Chef" episode or his cardboard-box hot smoker from his Salmon episode) and has a very python-esque sense of humor.

GaryProtein · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 535

My favorite celebrity chef is Bobby Flay because he is a great chef and has wonderful recipes. I have eaten in his restaurants numerous times when he was actually there, he is very knowledgeable, and with his Cooking Network program, Showdown, he isn't afraid to lose, he often does, and he is a great sport about it.

I would love to see Alton Brown compete on "The Iron Chef." I know it would be a great contest, except Alton would need his sous chef to do the plating, since he admits he likes it very simple and doesn't think much about plating the dishes.

jonah523 · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 2

Anthony Bourdain is my favorite, mainly because I like his "try everything" philosophy, even though I may be a little squeemish at times to follow it.

Dilbert · Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 1306 Location: central PA

.........My favorite celebrity chef is Bobby Flay because he is a great chef and has wonderful recipes. I have eaten in his restaurants numerous times ...

interesting.

I was working Vegas for 3 yrs; went to Mesa Grill.
Flay's 'sauces' are a thing of delight, even for me who is not a 'burn off yo' lips' fan.

I found Mesa Grill extremely overpriced. like double any imaginative number.

had the shellfish on rocksalt appetizer (Oysters Rockefeller...?) found it over cooked, dry and tough, the waitstaff said I should sent him a email.
not exactly my anticipated reaction.

otoh, done Emeril's steak joint and the fish joint - and was very pleased.
did Delmonico in New Orleans and altho the dishes were very good, the noisy echoing dining 'Saal' severely detracted from the experience.

Paul79UF · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Florida

Brent01 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 2

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:22 am Post subject: General Food Discussion

Anthony Bourdain is my favorite again..No words for his food.

RobertGarcia · Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:24 am Post subject: General Food Discussion

Martin Yan..because I love his food. That's all.

grover · Joined: 26 Sep 2011 Posts: 2

Anthony Bourdain

there is something unnaturally happy about celebrity chefs. at least Anthony Bourdain is believable. take that paula deen.

diymonkey · Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 5

1 more vote for Gordon Ramsay because of the great show
Not that I know most of the other celebrity chefs though

jqueeng02 · Joined: 18 Oct 2011 Posts: 17

That would be Anthony Bourdain...I love his show NO reservations although he doesn't cook in that show.

Dude111 · Joined: 23 Sep 2010 Posts: 147

Mine used to be JULIA CHILD before she passed away.. (BEFORE SHE STARTED HAVING OTHER PEOPLE ON HER SHOW,THEN IT STARTED TO SUCK)

ajimmyadams · Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

my favorite chef is India's akshey kumar because he is also a good actor and fighting hero!

KitchenBarbarian · Joined: 10 Feb 2012 Posts: 11

A favorite? Only ONE?

I don't think of any of the ones I actually like as "celebrity" chefs. But quibbling over nomenclature aside and in no particular order:

Martin Yan
Julia Child (even though I would actually cook almost nothing from her show)
Galloping Gourmet
Alton Brown (even though he gets it wrong, he gets it right more often than most anybody else)
The Cajun Chef - Justin ... ??? Wilson???? can't remember his last name
Frugal Gourmet, scandal notwithstanding
The Vah Chef = vahrevah.com = Sanjay Thumma