to think the BBC should show less programms of people making cakes, sweets and deserts

[tmhop]

Just looking at the iplayer and 4 of the top 20 programs are just about making junk food.

With 70% of adults over weight I don't think the state broadcaster needs to encourage more people to eat junk.

I think the tax payers money should go towards making guilt free treats or meals with lots of beg.

Anyone else for a Nicole vs Mary celebrity death match? I reckon Mary would kick the botox out of Nicole.

Oh and you're talking total crap OP.

Iconfuseus (can I point out that my spell check turns your username into 'Icing Users', which is wonderfully ironic!), I agree with your point about certain cookery programmes dispatching middle-aged white guys off to patronise street food makers in the developing world. I suppose Keith Floyd had drunken comedic value, but Rick Stein's Asia programmes make me shout at the TV, the way he almost pats people on the head.

There was one programme (in Thailand or Malaysia, maybe?) where he went out fishing in a trad boat with its owner for some local delicacy, asked the fisherman's wife to cook it the way it was traditionally eaten locally, and then was explicitly disappointed with the simplicity of the resulting dish.

But I don't think there's a particular lack of simpler cooking programmes on TV - the Hairy Bikers cook quite plainly, and lots of Nigella Lawson's stuff is quick and simple, and there's Jamie Oliver's entire back catalogue of 'bish bash bosh' food, even if he doesn't have a show at the moment...? Even annoying Paul Hollywood's Pies and Puds was pretty straightforward stuff.

Glad I wasn't the only one who thoroughly appreciated the wonderful Mary Berry's expression of disgust at shop bought fondant man. I laughed out loud. You knew that guy wasn't going to do well.

OP you're bring too damn precious by far,although I agree that some more shows about day-to-day family cookery would be helpful.

I know she's a camp baking caricature now but I can recommend Nigella's How to Eat for good everyday ideas. I seem to refer to it a lot. It's one if her earliest books - no pictures of saucy spoon licking!

And while it's not on bbc, there are plenty of food programmes on the food channels that show regular simple fare - such as Delia and Nigella and the like.

Personally, I think that a show like GBBO is good for the public.

1- it often highlights some traditional baking product from British past. There have been a number of bakes that were items that I previously wasn't sure how to make them, but after seeing them on the programme, I was more confident to try them.

2- it often inspires people to try baking themselves. And isn't baking one cake at home better for you than buying a basket full of junk at the supermarket??

3- people are sometimes more willing to try baking first, as it appears simpler. They then can build up the confidence to try more meals made at home and improve their cooking skills overall.

Again, all positive things IMO.

And yes, the atmosphere chilled immediately regarding that fondant!! Was hilarious!

I do concur that Rick Stein is incredibly smug and patronizing but I think the point of having the presenter cook the food is to show how you can take the food influences of a particular country and try to reproduce it yourself as a non-local. In Asian cooking there are hardly ever precise measurements and the local cooks just know by instinct how much of something to use whereas the presenters will give metric measurements more in keeping with a western approach to things.

Two words:

Personal. Responsibility.

I find it verging on the offensive when Rick Stein takes the time to visit local chefs/cooks and then 'improves' what they are doing. I can understand little substitutions for things that are hard to find in the UK, but what he seems to do presents more as cultural imperialism. Maybe it's just his presenting style.

Yabu

People should be able to control themselves, as adults.

How much of a nanny state do you wish to live in?

How exactly is suggesting the BBC should show less junk food advocating a nanny state?

People enjoy these programmes, they want to watch them.

So because some people are overweight they shouldn't been shown? Right ok then.

By the same logic, because some people are alcoholics nobody should be seen drinking alcohol on television/films?

Because you're implying that people cannot control themselves... like cookie monster, see junk, eat junk.... and suggesting that our viewing habits should be steered towards things that are "good for us" instead of allowing people to just watch whatever they want.

I know personal anecdote is not evidence etc but when I look around at the people I know who are obese, or even just a bit overweight, they generally are not the people who are interested in food, in ingredients, in baking, in knowing where stuff comes from etc. And they're not even all that interested in cake, certainly not in baking cake.

I watch cookery programmes, don't think I have ever copied a recipe from a tv programme.

tmhop

Home baking is not "junk food"
The phrase "guilt free treats" is a poor choice, linked as it is to disordered eating.

People can't control themselves generally.

The combination of fat and sugar makes the vast majority of people unable to control how much they eat. This combination doesn't exist in nature

Home baking sweets and cakes is still junk food as it contains lots of calories and virtually no nutrition.

tmhop out of interest, can you control yourself?

Or do you mean other people can't control themselves?

People can't control themselves generally.

Sits back to watch. This should be interesting. What a lovely blanket statement.

OP did you join just to start this discussion???

So yes, you would prefer to live in a nanny state.

Yabu.

People can't control themselves generally.

Do you also believe there's a direct link between watching violent tv shows and committing violent acts? Because I think most people manage to control themselves on that front...

Oh - a first time poster?

Of ffs I hate it when this time of thread turns out to be by a first time poster.

What a waste of time responding.

Maybe it's a journalist wanting to write an anti BBC article?