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Original poster

TV Cooks and Chefs

15 replies

FridgeJenga · 21/12/2023 06:58

It seems they’re all over the place at the moment, with the festive season upon us.

I have a fondness for Nigella and Nadiya, and Monica and Marcus of course.
And the late, great Keith Floyd.
Also the Two Fat Ladies, does anyone remember them?

Who are your favourites and who can get in the slop bin?

OP posts:

Original poster

FridgeJenga · 21/12/2023 07:05

Oh and Delia Smith. I grew up watching her shows, wish she’d do some new ones but a quick google tells me she’s 82 and retired from television.
Which also brings to mind watching the original masterchef presented by Loyd Grossman, back in the days where the majority of the contestants were housewives from the home counties. They used to cook wearing twinsets and pearls 😁
My sister and I were obsessed!

OP posts:

MerryMidwinter · 21/12/2023 07:08

Early Nigella and any Nigel Slater are my ultimate Christmas comfort tv, also love Mary Berry and the Hairy Bikers.

Greenpolkadot · 21/12/2023 20:54

Watching Nigella in Amsterdam at the moment.
I enjoy watching her but the constant smirking gets in my wick.
She was much more natural in her early shows

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grayhairdontcare · 21/12/2023 21:01

Nigella and Nigel

Elderflower14 · 21/12/2023 21:13

Keith Floyd went out with a family friend for a while and came to stay. He was great fun. Asked my sister for a mallet to shut me up with and was very sweet to me when a family member was unkind.
Jean Christophe Novelli was very kind to my Wilf at a dog show a few years ago. I still have my Novelli apron which he gifted to me. He's planning on sending Wilf.his new cookbook signed.
Can't be doing with Ramsey
If he started shouting and swearing at me in a kitchen he'd soon find he'd met his match!!!

newnamethanks · 21/12/2023 22:16

Haven't got a favourite but can't stand Nigel who looks grubby. I'm sure he's not but no thanks. And, not cook, but GregG Wallace. Get off my bloody tv please. AND STOP SHOUTING.

bellac11 · 21/12/2023 22:18

I like them all except perhaps Ramsey and perhaps Nigel Slater, I find him a bit precious. I do like his stories about his childhood though

newnamethanks · 21/12/2023 22:19

Oh I forgot Fanny Craddock. Maybe still on iplayer. Awful but frighteningly hypnotic. Especially the green mashed potato.

Gilead · 21/12/2023 23:14

Loved Floyd, also like Nadia and Hairy Bikers.

suki1964 · 22/12/2023 00:27

Usually I enjoy The Hairy Bikers. Having to cook for a multi generational family , I love their no nonsense approach ( their curry cook book has been my most used since it came out )

And I like Jaimie. I know hes marmite but he does make cooking easy. I watch him more for inspirations then actual recipes

BitOutOfPractice · 22/12/2023 00:28

Hairy Bikers. Actual gods chez boop

CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau · 22/12/2023 00:36

Lots of time for Nadia here too (sp?) and I like Nigella but she makes me crack up half the time, as she reminds me of the parody line from “men writing women”, “she boobed boobily down the stairs”.

Prue Leith strikes me as a general good sort but more like a strict domestic science teacher.

She’s dead, but I liked the two fat ladies and once bumped into Clarissa Dickson-Wright in the marketplace who asked to film a vox pop. Really polite, magnetic personality. She explained the benefits of eating rabbit and then asked if I’d consider introducing it into my diet. I said yes, it sounds interesting, and only as I walked away did I remember I was actually a vegetarian!

LuluBlakey1 · 22/12/2023 00:38

I never watch cooking shows but I did watch The Hairy Bikers Christmas Show and I cried. I am feeling very emotional at the minute, an old friend has just died- 3rd this year- and I am missing my mam and dad too, and the show just made me cry; proper crying, not damp eyes.

I like recipes. My favourite cookery book is Claudia Roden's Mediterranean Cookery. I think it came out in the 1970s. Someone told me about it about 20 years ago. I love it. I like Ottolenghi too. James Martin for British hot puddings. Can't bear Gordon Ramsey or Jamie or Nigella (so smug).

newnamethanks · 22/12/2023 07:51

Clarissa Dickson Wright, when asked her greatest regret, was something along the lines of 'that I didn't kill my father when I was able to'. Interesting woman who had a very unhappy childhood.

Damnloginpopup · 22/12/2023 08:03

I don't really watch any of them but I love some of them for the bookery. (Early) Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein are my mainstay. Val Warner writes enjoyably. I have the bikers curry book awaiting my full attention but so far so good.

Years ago I hosted Val Warner during Coast to Coast. Absolutely excellent food! He's really tall and a glutton too. Smoked heavily back then too. Top fella, loved food. Did enjoy watching the series but obviously biased.

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