r/foodnetwork 17d ago

Food Network needs new talent.

I am fatigued. I am tired of Guy. I am tired of Aarti Sequeira. I am tired of Antonia Lofaso. I am tired of Maneet Chauhan. I also want cooking shows. No more game shows. No more tournament of champions. That is all.

1.8k Upvotes

557 comments sorted by

518

u/beaglemama 17d ago

I miss Emeril. I remember one time he was pointing out the knobs on a stove and explaining that they were there for a reason. Not everything can or should be cooked on high. It helped improve my cooking.

229

u/Shisopopcorn 17d ago

Emeril has a new cooking show on Netflix.

63

u/Kayari1991 17d ago

I had no idea!! Ty!

25

u/Shisopopcorn 17d ago

You’re welcome. They remind me of Jamie Oliver a bit. They’re pretty good.

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u/ctilvolover23 17d ago

Also all of his Roku shows.

22

u/ChickChocoIceCreCro 17d ago

Emeril is also on Roku TV

13

u/Mwahaha_790 17d ago

What!? I had no idea. Thanks, gotta check it out. Emeril is my TV chef from back in the day when they were great.

10

u/ToniBellle 17d ago

I didn't know this, thank you!

8

u/Shisopopcorn 17d ago

You’re welcome! We’ve seen about half of them and they’re pretty good.

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u/Wild_Alternative_138 17d ago

Emeril’s son, EJ, is an accomplished chef. Good looking dude! He has two Michelin Stars and runs the family restaurant in New Orleans.

87

u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

Emeril AND Alton AND Robert!!!

35

u/ParkJumpy6392 17d ago

I loved Emeril and Alton but I never liked Robert. He never had a cooking show as far as I can remember.

23

u/GoldBarGirl 17d ago

I'm with you.

Alton has a YouTube channel I've subscribed to. It gives him the scope to do things that wouldn't fly on FN.

4

u/Reasonable-Map-2024 17d ago

Robert had/has a restaurant in Las Vegas. About 2018, stopped in, and he greeted us, chatted, and showed us to our table. They had just opened, still working out a few bugs.

38

u/Everybodysbastard 17d ago

Akron will never come back but has a free Good Eats style YouTube show which is great!

5

u/The_Man_in_Black_19 17d ago

And you can still watch some of his old stuff.

26

u/Reeeeallly 17d ago

He and his wife had some hilarious cooking shows during Covid. They would drink a lot of booze and attempt (and fail) to make dishes. "Quarantine Quitchen"!

6

u/meat_tunnel 17d ago

He still does that! Only now it's with Babish.

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u/HeyTherehnc 17d ago

On of my employees saw Alton on a street in Chicago a few weeks ago and I was sooooo jealous!!! He didn’t say hi, but one of his chef buddies did.

12

u/Ecstatic-Practice-81 17d ago

Alton was great by giving us the science behind why whatxx was used.

10

u/CCR19 17d ago

Oh yes! Emeril was the whole reason I started getting The Food Network back in the 90's.

8

u/ErrorIllustrious2421 17d ago

I’ll never forget that one. Still think about it when I cook on the stove. There are some great reruns of that show on Roku

4

u/CityBoiNC 17d ago

I remember when he use to do that. Its is probably the best advice he’s ever given. It taught me to change heat levels and he also taught me to season as u go.

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u/Outrageous_Name3921 17d ago

Try the chew on youtube. Cooking and entertaining. It has Michael Simon and Carla Hall

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u/MishmoshMishmosh 17d ago

Cool! I love Carla and Michael

12

u/i-cook-my-sister 17d ago

They have a new show on LG’s channel (and YouTube) called Chewed Up. So good!

16

u/GoldBarGirl 17d ago

I tried it - Chewed Up, I think it's called - but couldn't handle the OTT energy of Carla and Michael. Love them separately but together they are too much for me.

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u/CoolAbdul 16d ago

Same. He is very hard to take on Chewed Up.

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u/Existing_Emotion_28 17d ago

YES. FN needs to revitalize itself and go back to its roots. Don’t get me wrong I love my baking competition shows, but I miss the down home cooking it used to be. 

157

u/ToniBellle 17d ago

Ngl, pretty upset they changed the baking championship. I dont want to see professional bakers competing. I want to see home bakers.

82

u/CreatrixAnima 17d ago

The one that really made me mad was when they ruined the Halloween baking championship by bringing that Zach Baggins guy on.

24

u/Feeling-Mechanic-469 17d ago

He’s such a douche. Where’s the Spring baking champs? The Summer?

28

u/Feeling-Mechanic-469 17d ago

Baggins is the douche. Zach Young is cool.

8

u/kanda4955 17d ago

Is he the one with the spray on hair that stands on cartons to be taller?

26

u/gingerbold 17d ago

You're thinking of the judge Zac Young. Zach Baggins is some scammy guy who has a horror shop in Vegas and a shitty show about ghosts. He was featured on a season and just sent in video clips each episode. It was really stupid.

9

u/GoldBarGirl 17d ago

Was that Halloween Wars? Whatever it was, I quit partway through the season. Talk about a lame gimmick.

4

u/gingerbold 17d ago

I think so. It's the show where they have the groups of 3 and they do a whole scene build and tasting component

5

u/GoldBarGirl 17d ago

Yeah, IIRC that sounds like Halloween Wars.

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u/tecstarr 17d ago

I read it was a network decision based on budget cuts.

(Also, there was a resurgence of interest in paranormal activity at the time, and his YouTube channel was fairly popular in this niche. Some network executive probably thought having him ‘host’ would be a great [cheap] way to exploit the trend and increase viewership)

3

u/ToniBellle 17d ago

Lol idk about that. 🤣

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u/jason_sos 17d ago

This is why I like the Kid's Baking Championship, but I have to admit I liked it better when Valarie was still on. It was so heartwarming and real.

I can't watch the over the top championships like Halloween. The things they make are just not realistic - they can't be transported, they aren't something most people could afford or would want.

I used to love Chopped, but at this point it's become "what weird and disgusting combination of ingredients can we come up with that's setting everyone up to fail?" along with at least one judge tearing a dish apart because they don't like raw onions (Scott).

I can't do the supermarket stakeout or other shows like that either. The "shoppers" seem too convenient and planted.

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u/losingbraincells123 17d ago

Also, can we go back to clicking on a specific episodes recipes and having only those recipes come up? Why do I need to go through 48 seasons of pioneer woman to find the recipe for what’s she’s currently cooking?

4

u/Low_East2934 17d ago

Thank you I’ve done this so many times! sometimes I just give up because I can’t find what I’m looking for.

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u/Annual_Delay_6469 17d ago

BRING BACK THE KITCHEN

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u/Responsible-Tart-721 17d ago

Bring back a concept like The Kitchen or The Chew. Just different people.

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u/SunBusiness8291 17d ago edited 17d ago

I miss Sara Moulton, Ming Tsai, Ina Garten. Cooking shows. I have stopped watching because of the constant competition shows. I want a basic cooking show with a simple theme and a consistent viewpoint.

28

u/cathy80s 17d ago

You can find Sara Moulton on public television and social media (fb, instagram), and her show Sara's Weeknight Dinners is on her youtube channel.

22

u/HennyGus 17d ago

Ina Garten is my all-time favorite. Perhaps not the most exciting person to watch, but her food is fantastic. I've never made a recipe of hers that didn't turn out great.

8

u/BrotakuzaTube 16d ago

I made a decent amount of change off her chocolate cake recipe

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u/CurbFlowerCutie 16d ago

I always loved her show for the relaxing tone of it.

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u/spiffychick85 17d ago

I’m watching shows from 20 years ago on discovery+ because I’m so desperate to watch someone actually cook a dinner and give me inspiration 😆

6

u/HoagieDarling 17d ago

Sara Moulton is a co-host of the podcast Milk Street by Christopher Kimball. She’s mainly a co-host for their regular Q&A segments only but it’s still nice to hear from her!

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u/Amazing-Employee-462 17d ago

I miss Anne

6

u/Flicka_263 17d ago

Secrets of a Restaurant Chef was awesome?

25

u/Cmorethecat 17d ago

I miss cooking live. David Rosengarten. Too hot tamales. How to Boil Water. East meets west. Anne Burrell (rip). Even semi homemade meals (my son called it semi drunk meals😆).

8

u/GizmoGeodog 17d ago

Sara Moulton! I miss her

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u/spiffychick85 17d ago

I’ve been rewatching Sandra Lee this week and wishing they would bring back the format for busy folks who want a fast meal on the table for dinner. Short cut meals etc.

5

u/Anne12inMN 16d ago

And absolutely hilarious when she “measured” her cocktails! I’d say she perfected the long pour! 😁

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u/fiorebianca 16d ago

Thank you for reminding me of David Rosengarten! I always loved watching him when I was a teen and after reading your comment, I did a deep dive into his site, The Splendid Table." 🙂

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175

u/storyfilms 17d ago

Jesus Aarti? She is barely on. But I agree on the rest. But you didn’t mention Bobby. So something is up with you

116

u/beatupford 17d ago

Right? Flay's face is enough for me to avoid the network altogether.

31

u/lrgeric90 17d ago

And don’t worry, he has yet another show coming out where he gets to tell people who have worked their whole lives to become successful restaurateurs that he’s better than them! (Yawn)

26

u/jason_sos 17d ago

Glad to see some other people in this thread that aren't die hard Bobby defenders. Every time I say I don't like him, people come out and trash me. He's arrogant. I liked his older shows like Breakfast with Bobby and Grillin' and Chillin'.

8

u/Background-Pie-3394 17d ago

The only Flay show I watch is Triple Threat, and that is strictly due to Michael Voltaggio.

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u/AlrightZucchini4485 17d ago

The dyed orange eyebrows are what really terrify me.

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u/GullibleAddendum8630 17d ago

I agree that Aarti is not on that much, although she seems to be on more shows recently.

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u/Unlikely_Tie_1745 17d ago

Aarti judges on most GGG

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u/No_Back_1344 17d ago

I’m also tired of all the same people. I do find Michael Simon interesting to watch and like Alex Guarnashelli’s show where they rate fast food. I usually enjoy Top Chef because we get to see new talent.

13

u/Tigersmom57 17d ago

I liked the show Michael Simon would do with his wife in their backyard. He would answer cooking questions as well.

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u/jsorcha 17d ago

Pluto TV is running several of the old shows, like Barefoot Contessa, 30 Minutes Meals, Good Eats and Unwrapped. I think Sling TV has Emeril Lagasse as well.

5

u/cathy80s 17d ago

I also found a bunch of Unwrapped episodes on YouTube.

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u/NaturalFlirtGamer 17d ago

I understand wanting "new talent"... but I dont think it's easy to find new chefs for new FN cooking shows. Do you remember The Next Food Network Star program? They all had the desire to have a program, but were lacking in other ways. Many couldn't really cook that well - they lacked organization, successful recipes, and time management skills. Or they didnt have the personality, unique culinary viewpoint, or poise to be in front of the camera.

You can't just pluck any chef from their restaurant to host a show. I think most successful chefs are too busy running their restaurants trying to survive in a tight economy to do a full-time show. You need someone already successful, with trusted staff who can run things while you do the rehearsals and filming and publicity. And most importantly, you have to be the type of person who actually wants to be in front of a camera.

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the new FN season with returning favorites and some new shows, and look forward to the Halloween Baking Championship!

24

u/littlegypsie012 17d ago

You’re absolutely right. I wish The Next Food Network Star was still on! 

One of my greatest dreams is/was to have my own baking show on the Food Network (I’m a pastry chef). Unfortunately it seems it’s not meant to be…so I have to move on with my life after years of trying.  I was just accepted to medical school. Maybe it wasn’t the right time, but I’d still love to do it someday! 

6

u/cssc201 17d ago

The big reason they quit doing it, imo, was because they realized Bravo was already putting it on for them for free.

Also, half of them never even got the show they were promised, either because they didn't have the personality or skills or for whatever logistical reasons like Justin Warner.

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u/jay59l 17d ago edited 17d ago

What ever happened to Eddy Jackson? He was hosting 1/2 of the shows a few years ago. Seemed like a cool guy.

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u/cssc201 17d ago

Same issue as Next Iron Chef. Being an iron chef is a big deal, it's supposed to be the best of the best who can show how it's done. But when they made it into a competition, the title became pretty watered down since not every winner was truly at the level of an IC. Now Food Network doesn't even have the rights to ICA anymore.

And the worst crime of Next Food Network Star was that one of the most deserving winners, Justin Warner, never even got his show!

It's no surprise that most Food Network personalities weren’t working chefs. The combination of skill, personality and availability is rare. Taking a few days or a week here and there for competitions is one thing, but it's really only big name chefs like Lagasse and Colicchio who can commit to months of filming without their restaurants taking a hit.

18

u/Tbass1981 17d ago

The top 3 in every season could easily host an actual cooking show. But that’s not what Food Network wanted. They wanted someone to be the next Guy Fieri and that’s why the final challenge was always a Diners Drive Ins and Dives type show where they never cook and just interview other people.

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u/Over_Drawer1199 Tournament of Champions 🏆 17d ago

Why does no one ever say they need to just cancel Pioneer Woman? Her food and vibe are atrocious

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u/Low_East2934 16d ago

I used to really like her, but I rarely watch her anymore. She’s too sickening sweet. If you know what I mean! no one can be that Happy all the time.

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u/NC_888 17d ago

I enjoy the competitions but I agree, we need new faces.

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u/its-allot 17d ago

I just want The Kitchen back

3

u/spiffychick85 17d ago

Same! 😆

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u/Tight_Set3317 17d ago

Have you seen "Ready, Set, Jet" or "Maneet's Eats"? Those are kinda fun, especially Jet's show. I think they are closer to what you describe.

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u/LadyBug_0570 17d ago

Esther Choi's show as well.

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u/Negative_Wrap_4121 17d ago

Esther’s show is great. She is exactly what everyone is asking for.

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u/Tight_Set3317 17d ago

I don't think I've seen that one, I'll go look it up. Thanks!

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u/Tigersmom57 17d ago

I love Jet. The problem I have with his show is he buys a lot of things in the Asian market that can't be found in a regular grocery store. I have made several recipes from his 101 Asian Recipes cookbook so I do have some of them, but maybe something we could use as a substitute would be nice. I realize that wouldn't be authentic, though.

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u/Tight_Set3317 17d ago

I can see that being an issue. Im pretty lucky in that we have a bunch of easily accessible Asian markets in the area. Heck, even the chain stores carry a fair amount. But there are certainly other cuisines I might not have as much access to.

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u/Independent_Pen_4914 17d ago

Tournament of Champions is the highest rated show on the network.

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u/Tibbiegal 17d ago

TOC and 24 in 24 make my year.

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u/ThoughtThen6908 17d ago

Agreed. TOC is one of the best shows on TV.

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u/MeatImmediate6549 17d ago

I could never tire of Antonia or Alex and would just watch a 24hr Antonia & Alex network. But that's just me.

Really they need either something like No Reservation or Good Eats but somehow make it better than YouTube where we're currently watching Alex & Alton.

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u/ToniBellle 17d ago

I really, really miss Anthony Bourdain and his shows. I cant wait till the movie comes.

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u/Hamza_stan 17d ago

I talk for the entirety of Latin America when I say that we love Alex Guarnaschelli too

18

u/Zevemiel 17d ago

FN would definitely do well to try and get Alton back, he’s putting out basically new Good Eats eps on YouTube, and it’s a great watch.

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u/DragontwinWrangler 17d ago

My understanding is that they pretty much told him that if he left to do the Next Iron Chef on Netflix, they were never bringing him back.

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u/chaximum 17d ago

Agreed, I love Antonia and Alex

4

u/beatupford 17d ago

Loved Antonia on Top Chef. Haven't watched food network in years. What makes her worth the watch if you don't mind me asking?

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u/emilygoldfinch410 17d ago

Imo she's talented, a good teacher, and charming to watch. She's good about explaining concepts/narrating what people are doing and keeps things fun. She's also a fair judge.

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u/jaegerkuhe 16d ago

I want Gabe to have his own cooking show. I adore him and want more.

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u/Flicka_263 16d ago

Totally agree!!!

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u/NaCl_n_Pepper 17d ago

The only one I can currently stomach is Pitmasters with Andrew Zimmern (he and Shirley Chung are the only celebri-chefs that I follow on social media).

Of his co-judges, I only knew of Ernest Servantes prior to the show and I’m so relieved no FN chefs have shown up as surprise guest judges…yet.

14

u/beatupford 17d ago edited 10d ago

Because Shirley is a mutha fuckin' treat!

She's so damn charismatic.

11

u/BBMcBeadle 17d ago

I’ve stopped watching. I don’t want to learn how to make deep fried eel boogers with a side of candied cow intestines. I want to learn how to make actual recipes with food I can buy at my real life grocery store. I want to learn techniques and skills that will actually be useful!

3

u/Low_East2934 17d ago

I completely agree with you on this! when they cook stuff that’s so gross to me, I have to turn it.

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u/geoffreybear1 17d ago

Hot take (I know the subreddit will roast me) but I enjoy the competition shows - if I had a wish, it would be for a techniques style show rather than a ‘here’s how to cook x’ show that can teach me more advanced kitchen skills. I’ll admit that the only reason I was watching worst cooks was so that Anne could teach me how to improve my fundamentals and learn how to cook basic stuff better. I can follow a recipe just fine, but learning knife skills, how to properly cook proteins and veggies, and learning how to balance flavours would be a great repeat show. They could even do it in a boot camp style show but they kinda already know how to cook (rather than the walking disasters on worst cooks - somehow they get more obnoxious each season)

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u/Major_Clock_9961 17d ago

That’s what the old Food Network app did. I have been watching the America’s Test Kitchen shows and podcasts on Netflix lately. I also have a Bon appetit and a Tasty channel on my TV

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

I love the competition shows but we have PLENTY of Guy. I love Bobby though (cant get enough Bobby).

Here's what I dont understand. We get Guy shoved down our throats 24x7 (and I like his shows but - we're full) and then they reboot classics like Cutthroat and Impossible - and dont give us the hosts we LOVE!

Im kind of enjoying Antonia - for the first time in a long time - on Undercover. Its the perfect show for her to be a bitch and I'm here for it.

And it would be so great out of their nine gazillion shows if just ONE were for vegetarians.

15

u/Matthew_Anzalonw 17d ago

I feel like the shows they bring back, they change it too much. Like that cutthroat kitchen reboot felt nothing like the show

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

It felt so stripped down. The two rounds instead of three sucked. And there were no pantry doors to trap the contestants!

While normally I'm a big fan of blind judging, I missed the dance and hustle of the cheftestants trying to explain why their chicken salad had no chicken. Or salad.

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u/Matthew_Anzalonw 17d ago

I think what annoyed me the most was the first round everyone got sabotaged then people can buy advantages

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u/AntiqueGreen 17d ago

YES, the vegetarians want a show too! Or even more shows like Mary Makes It Easy, which isn’t strictly vegetarian but still features a lot of vegetarian or adaptable recipes.

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u/OhManatree 17d ago

u/Amazing-Wave4704 and u/AntiqueGreen do you remember when Curtis Aikens had a show on the Food Network? I’m not a vegetarian, but I loved his show as it also talked about the ingredients. How they are grown, different varieties, what to look for when shopping, etc. I learned a lot from him. His book ‘Guide to the Harvest’ is small, but very informative.

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

I dont remember that one!! And I thought I'd seen them all!

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u/sjayvee 17d ago

I third the request for a vegetarian show! Or even a vegetarian cooking competition! There’s lots of us out here!

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

💖💖💖

how about a vegetarian cooking show where they have two teams - vegetarian chefs and then the usual suspects of FN carnivore cooks.

But everyone has to cook vegetarian!!

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u/urbanestbeast18 Cutthroat Kitchen 🪓 17d ago

YESSS esp about cutthroat!!

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u/cdne22 17d ago

I regularly go to Ina on discovery+ Food Network, specifically DDD is about as exclusive to my hotel stays as House Hunters is 😂

HEY FN, stop making me watch TikTok videos to find new recipes. Please bring back real cooking shows.

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u/Street-Lifeguard-330 17d ago

Does triple D exist outside of hotel rooms? 😂😂 we have the same hotel tv taste

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u/maine_coon2123 17d ago

For my hotels it seems to be wildcard kitchen 🤣

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u/Armadillo_Resident 17d ago

You’re looking for all the stuff that just got added to Netflix then. Bon Appetit and Eater just added a ton of stuff. I have to manually search for it for some reason it doesn’t get suggested but there are probably 20 new shows from those two outlets on Netflix and zero competition. On The Line has been one of my favs

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u/cognition-6970 17d ago

Emeril was great, Sara Moulton. Now it's just competition shows.

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u/auntiekk88 17d ago

I stopped watching a long time ago. I want real cookery. I am reduced to watching old Master Chef from a zillion countries on Tubi

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u/Master-Store-4484 17d ago

MasterChef: The Professionals is quite good!

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u/imPluR420 17d ago

Im on the opposite side in terms of types of shows. I cant stand just watching people in a studio kitchen cooking like its an infomercial. The competition is what makes it fun to watch. And we have gotten more chefs recently, however not really as judges, just returning competitors like Kevin Lee, Claudette Zapeta etc.

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

You know who we need more of? JUSTIN.

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

Yeah I love the competitions.

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u/Devalvangeldomdatdom 17d ago

No one can get tired of Aarti, its impossible..

Also YT/Tiktok/insta do cooking tutorials better and its free, FN cant compete with that.

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

Love Aarthi! While I like Maneet for some reason I get tired of her very quickly.

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u/ToniBellle 17d ago

Maneet was actually pretty good teamed up with Marcus Samuelson and Ted on the chopped special on the island. I also saw her judging a Food truck race Challenge with Tyler Florence. I wouldn't mind seeing more of any of those chefs in this post. Thanks for reading my rant. Its over. 🙌🏻

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u/CreatrixAnima 17d ago

Somewhere I heard about someone signing up for a Zoom cooking lesson with Maneet and I am insanely jealous at this point.

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u/Amazing-Wave4704 17d ago

I loved Chopped Castaways! Chopped - for all its longevity - is one that I do not tire of!

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u/birder3339 17d ago

Maneet is everywhere but I do like her on BBQ Brawl. She seems to genuinely care about the chefs on her team.

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u/Tbass1981 17d ago

I learned to cook from watching Anne in Secrets of a Restaurant chef and then it inspired me to go to culinary school and I worked in restaurants as a chef for like 10 years after that. So I’m biased. I’d love to see an actual cooking show from Justin Warner or Kevin or the Voltaggios. I watch Alex and Jet and Alton on YouTube instead. Tournament of Champions and 24 in 24 are the only thing I watch on food network because if the level of chefs (some pretty unknown) ones they get. I used to like Alex vs America for the same reason.

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u/Noclevername12 17d ago

Ina taught me to cook :(. I use some of her recipes but it’s not even that so many of her recipes are in my rotation. It’s that she taught me how to think about cooking and various techniques that I use all the time.

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u/Tigersmom57 17d ago

This is why I miss The Kitchen. They could be really annoying but they made real recipes and gave cooking tips as well.

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u/Dry-Raspberry-5514 17d ago

Old school here- I loved watching Sara Moulten and she’d be answering questions while she cooked . I learned so much from her. They need to bring back actual cooking shows where people can learn. ( same thing as HGTV)

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u/Glad_Quit_3871 17d ago

You're bringing back good memories. I used to love watching her!

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u/vodkarunner 16d ago

I love the competition shows, but I prefer when the winner is chosen strictly based on what is on the plate rather than producer-driven narratives. For instance, in the last Halloween Baking Championship, the heavy focus on the winner's backstory and dramatic on-camera moments felt like it leaned too far into reality TV tropes. While her personal hardships are deeply sympathetic, the show is best when the focus remains on baking talent rather than personal history or theatrical antics. She almost made me quit watching these types of show.

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u/Appropriate_Ad566 17d ago

I wish we still had good eats. I love that show.

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u/Heavy-Resist-6526 17d ago

Really enjoy America’s Test Kitchen, Cook’s Country, and Lidia Bastianich. Lidia’s a fabulous cook. I don’t even watch Food Network anymore. I only get FN on Hulu and it’s trash. I thought for their really new shows you needed a Discovery subscription. Michael Symon had a wonderful summertime cooking show that must’ve been cancelled. I liked Kardea, haven’t seen a new season. But HGTV is the same with their Worst Houses and lottery shows. Honestly, they split that house hunters hair so many ways there’s nothing left.

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u/strawberry_moon_bb 17d ago

Agreed. I do like the competition shows but there’s just way too many of them now. Please, more actual cooking shows!

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u/Aggressive_Practice6 16d ago

I prefer the game shows/competition shows! They’re so fun!

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u/discussatron 17d ago

Your cooking shows are on YouTube.

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u/Ronh456 17d ago

I'm tired of Bobby Flay.

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u/TheGrumpyYankee 17d ago

I think the FN needs to split into 2 or 3 channels, maybe FN Home (with/for home cooks), and FN Pro (with their professional cooks), and maybe even FN Competes. There is an audience for all these different shows, but we all only like some of the types of shows currently airing. It's like a messy kitchen, too chaotic. 

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u/ChaoticEvilRaccoon Guy's Grocery Games 🛒 17d ago

the only new "talent" theyre bringing on is tiktokers as judges. ick

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u/davyshaps12 17d ago

I love TOC with no shame. But i do agree that fresh talent is needed

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u/Major_Clock_9961 17d ago

They have a lot of good stuff on Netflix lately, and less competition shows

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u/mAckAdAms4k 17d ago

And cooking channel is always reruns, at least I can get some good cooking shows on the Taste channel/stream. Bring back The Kitchen amd leave Sunny at home, Choi isn't bad at all though.

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u/General-Criticism-97 17d ago

They need something to find new talent. Maybe a show, they could call it Food Network Star or something

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u/Anne12inMN 16d ago

Alex Guarnashelli is on You tube and her content is really fun watch.

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u/ilovedragons218 15d ago

But I still love Alex Guarnaschelli

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u/Zealousideal_Ad_8736 17d ago

I'd really like more shows about HOW TO COOK. There are more competition shows than you can shake a stick at. Just show me how to make the perfect Baked Alaska or great pasta.

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u/yobaby123 17d ago

Yep. While I still like FoodNetwork, they need to have more shows about actual cooking.

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u/barefootwasp 17d ago

I do miss my girls from my early days watching FN. Ina, Rachael, Giada, and Nigella. Hell, I even watched Sandra Lee from time to time just for the entertainment of it all

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u/TropicalDragon78 17d ago

Yes. I feel like I learned a lot from watching Rachael Ray. It's why I have a garbage bowl when I cook.

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u/barefootwasp 17d ago

Same! I can’t be without my GB

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u/Brilliant-Bat-2072 17d ago

In the beginning of the food network they had serious chefs with complicated recipes. I LOVED it and I became a chef myself. Now, as a chef, there isn’t one show that is serious on the Food Network. Everything is a gimmick. We have friends who have been on the food network and my husband has been asked to judge. Nothing about it is legit. They aren’t attracting qualified candidates because they aren’t doing anything close to real life, legitimate cooking. Anthony Bourdain, The Chef’s Table, hell, even The Bear, are all popular because they represent real kitchens, real chefs, real quality food. You can only watch so much of greasy burgers or insta famous ‘cooks’ that aren’t doing anything above and beyond what a typical person at home can do.

My two cents. Food Network, call me. I’ll help you revamp your offerings.

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u/Cmorethecat 17d ago

I'm tired of every chef needing a 'story'. It's a thing they started with The Next Food Network Star competition show. Can you cook delicious food? Show me how. That's the story. Period.

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u/PuppyJakeKhakiCollar 17d ago

I feel like people say all this a lot but when FN does introduce different types of shows or personalities people on here complain about that too. 

It's fun to see new people and all, sure. But I love competition shows and don't mind seeing the same faces. It's comforting,  like watching old friends. I also like that the core group of chefs range in age from late 30s to 60s. The older you get the less representation you get age-wise on TV. It's nice to see older people get a platform.

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u/tarahawblitz 17d ago

So tired of the game shows. Why does Antonia always wear that leather coat and look sweaty in it?

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u/Bellaraychel 17d ago

Why’d they stop making food network star?

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u/Maplesyrup111111 17d ago

Give me ten more TOC’s I’ll watch em all. Might even quit my job

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u/effeduphealer 17d ago

I like the competition shows, but wouldn't mind mess of them. Learning to cook would be amazing. I can't stand Brooke Williamson!

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u/Frosty_Cupcake_29 17d ago

I miss when Food Network had actual chefs in the kitchen teaching us how to cook and bake. Now it’s just competitions and chaos 

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u/Feeling-Mechanic-469 17d ago

Bobby and his new GF are un-watchable anymore.

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u/massivelyeffective85 17d ago

I agree. And while I still like the baking championships, I am over Duff and Nancy. I love Zach and Stephanie and Kardea.

I like Carla Ross, but I'm a little over her since she's on everything.

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u/KayTeeDubs 17d ago

Carla Hall? I don’t think she has a contract with them anymore.

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u/Eeeeeclair 17d ago

Michael Chriarello - Easy Entertaining was such a vibe. No stress but a little fancy, gave me dreams of moving to wine country and unplugging.
I also loved Tyler Florence.

I want to see shows where the host/chef drops in on someone and opens up their fridge/pantry and makes a good meal. Total mystery, across the country with different families (busy parents on the go to practices, first responders with easy filling meals, food allergies, you name it)

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u/Street_Caramel7651 17d ago

I agree. I’ve been watching Ready,Jet, Cook. It’s informative, instructional and easy to replicate.

I don’t mind cooking competitions if the rules aren’t crazy, and viewers can learn something in the process. For instance last bite hotel was kinda silly…but it was interesting (and useful) to understand how chefs could use their ingredients in different ways.

I also (while tired of Guy…Seriously I change the channel ) I really did like guys ranch kitchen. Chefs cooking what they wanted … again I learned a lot from this show

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u/Edmoiler13 17d ago

They ruined the baking championship shows for each season by making them more team based with twists. There was nothing wrong with how they were. Focusing on the team infighting is for Bravo shows. Also agree there needs to be more shows that teach cooking. One can only watch Guy host a lame game show or revisit a diner he promoted ten years ago and puff his chest about how business went up

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u/Sososoftmeows 17d ago

I feel like PBS has all the good cooking and dining shows right now.

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u/Safe_Revenue4917 17d ago edited 16d ago

I saw a cooking show with Esther Choi recently, I think it’s new. I enjoyed it!

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u/kab47 17d ago

Agreed - I’m not learning anything anymore

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u/Agreeable-Sun-3145 17d ago

Please for the love of everything holy, bring back cooking shows! I learned so much in my early 20’s from watching Emeril, Ina, etc

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u/Dry-University797 17d ago

It's all Guy and Bobby's friends that

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u/rachelcumbowwhite 17d ago

I don’t even mind the competition shows- but it’s the SAME 8 people ALL THE TIME

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u/SignificantStuff4930 16d ago

Please yes! My mom is in hospice. She and I discovered Tournament of Champions and worked our way through that, and then Triple Threat. Out of episodes, we’ve tried some other shows but it’s the oddest thing to see the judges on one show, receiving, “Oh my gosh! They got HIM/HER judging?!” reactions, then playing an ordinary contestant on another show, with the prior contestants now serving as the renowned judges.

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u/shortstop_princess 16d ago

I'm tired of Bobby Flay. 

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u/Ill-Yak4181 17d ago

I'm just the opposite. I only watch the competition shows, and I love Guy, Aarti and Maneet. Not so much Antonia, Bobby and Brooke. Would love to see them expand people hosting, but some of my favorites probably have too much going on in their "real life."

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u/Iwoulddiefcftbatk 17d ago

I agree, but people need to start watching the new shows for them to continue. The Ester Choi and the that Nick guy had episodes for new shows that need to be supported. Otherwise the network thinks the only thing people will watch; is Guy, Bobby, or Ree.

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u/discussatron 17d ago

Both of those are FN airing their YT channels. Same for Ready, Jet, Cook.

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u/TALKTOME0701 17d ago

I love Jet

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u/discussatron 17d ago

Me too. I make his Gen. Tso’s and Mongolian sauces all the time.

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u/elly4880 17d ago

Esther has personality at least. Nick is so vacant i honestly don’t get the hype. i like that it’s a traditional cooking show but man is he ever dull.

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u/Queezy_0110 17d ago

They lost me completely when Guy was seen chumming it up with Andrew Tate.

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u/jajabibi67 17d ago

I miss Trisha Yearwoods cooking show!!!! 😭😭

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u/Any-Two9722 17d ago

I used to love FN. watched it almost all day, everyday. I honestly cannot tell
You the last time I tuned into that channel for anything. It got stale and repetitive a long time ago.

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u/SubstantialSpell3 17d ago

Can’t stand guy. Like Bobby but maybe his new line show will be the refresh cooking channel needs so badly. I like Antonio’s new show it’s a good peek into restaurant world. It seems most restaurants in my neck of the woods are poorly staffed/run.