Jamie Oliver
Cooking shows are the most popular programmes on television. Nia Jones looks at whether this culinary entertainment is just a tasty treat or something more ...
C
ooking has been deconstructed and demystified in recent years, it isn’t just about food anymore; it’s about lifestyle and the knowledge that food is fashionable and inspires
a certain kudos. The trends fed to us by celebrity cooks have become a shrine of authority; can they really show us how to find personal contentment by mastering the domestic cooking skills and make our lives better beyond the stove? Here are the five most popular TV cooks who have the greatest influence on society and the way we live.
Television Shows: The Naked Chef, Jamie at Home, Jamie's Great Britain, Jamie's 30 Minute Meals, Jamie's 15 Minute Meals
A big hit with foodies Jamie Oliver has established himself as an unpretentious, young and funky chef; advocating fresh local produce and ingredients. His wife and 4 children have played a large role in his social image. Apart from his popular and simple family orientated cooking Jamie has a platform to share his food revolution philosophy. Opening a cookery school for under
privileged young people with his restaurant Fifteen, Jamie Oliver has used his celebrity to educate and pioneer positive changes, his campaigns have included reviewing the quality of school dinners, childhood obesity and the issues surrounding the lack of healthy food education and skills within our society, few have been unsuccessful.
Gordon Ramsay
Television Shows: Gordon's Great Escape, Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course
Gordon Ramsay has a reputation as the bête noir of gastronomy, his background hailing from fine dining and Michelin Stars. But at his core Gordon is a staunch
follower of light simple food, beautifully cooked. Sourcing the best and freshest local ingredients, he wants to show us we can all cook. Gordon’s image is of an aggressive potty mouthed perfectionist who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, even celebrities. What has inspired many about Gordon Ramsay’s style is that his
inspiration lies in his heart and his genuine passion for what he does. As well as being a savvy business brain his trademark wrath is only displayed by frustration, taking his expertise around the UK and America to trouble shoot failing restaurants.
Nigel Slater
His Shows: Dish of the Day, Simple Cooking, Simple Suppers
Nigel Slater began being interested in food at age 9 after his mother passed away. Studying catering and being an apprentice chef in various places including The Savoy, he eventually became a food writer and editor. Nigel Slater’s style is very much about
comforting, wholesome and uncomplicated healthy dishes for busy people. Growing and using fruit and vegetables
from his own garden, he encourages people to “think out of the box” when trying a recipe, seeing it as merely a guideline and to veer away from rigid instructions. His cooking is fastidious yet leisurely, he
embraces the use of leftovers to impress, is giving useful and practical tips to promote positive frugality among those wishing to eat well and cheaply.
Nigella Lawson
Television Shows: Nigella Bites, Nigella's Christmas Kitchen, Nigella Express, Nigellissima
Nigella Lawson is hailed as a ‘Domestic Goddess’ and has never trained as a chef or worked as a cook in any professional capacity, her love of food and cooking was ignited as a child learning from her mother. Anything goes regarding Nigella’s cookery
style, cooking what she enjoys to eat; her recipes are really geared towards people who have a love of food, indulgence and extravagance in a simplistic form. Blending beauty with a quirky intelligence; her image is one of flirtation and gives us a sense of food not only being about social history but firm family history nostalgia. Nigella has had her fair share of tragedy, losing her mother, younger sister and first husband to cancer she presents food as part of emotional comfort, memories and celebrating shared pleasure; which makes her extremely endearing.
Ina Garten aka Barefoot Contessa
Barefoot Contessa, From Martha's Kitchen: Ina Garten's Kitchen Clambake
Ina Garten hails from the east coast of America and cooking was merely an interest to her, she opened a gourmet food shop called ‘Barefoot Contessa’, supplied private catering and the rest is history. Her surroundings are the exclusive super-
rich playground of The Hamptons, but what makes Ina popular is that her reputation is based on recipes that actually work and are easy to administrate. A seemingly warm presence, her style exudes a whiff of mother hen, making you feel welcome and cosy. Her methods produce stylish delicious, yet effortless looking food. She doesn’t offer a comprehensive party guide, but her recipes should help you make any gathering impressive with a touch of class regardless of status.
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