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Earlier today, Joanne gave you the results of the Food Network Awards, and now chef/writer/adventurer Anthony Bourdain gives his opinion of the ceremony.
Bourdain hasn't been shy in giving his opinion on what he thinks has become of the Food Network (too much focus on "star" chefs, bad food being cooked, an emphasis on too many things that have nothing to do with cooking, etc), and he has some choice words for the awards show:
"Okay ... so some brain dead douche bags from Ad Sales and 'creative' got together and cooked up this hybrid, fur-bearing catfish of a beast, this jackalope of a High Concept. Fine. That's what they do. But who green lit this monstrosity?"
"The production itself - above and beyond the witless, ill-considered, just-plain stupid "concept" of an Awards show where most of the awards' went to inanimate objects (accepting the award for Best Comfort Food is ... Macaroni and Cheese!!), appliances or cities (Portland's mayor wisely did not bother to show), - the production values - were lower than whale shit."
He also discusses an infamous Hollywood story involving Robert Mitchum, but you can read the whole post above and see what it is.
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4-19-2007 @2:07PM Why are these dumb blonds so overratted?! said... I love Anthony and could not agree more!
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4-19-2007 @2:45PM William said... I guess I'm the only one who's tired of his endless negativity. I started reading "Kitchen Confidential" a while ago and stopped because I had about a 1000 other things to do that were more fun.
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4-19-2007 @2:56PM Foodie Bride said... The whole awards show thing was a pretty silly concept.
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4-19-2007 @3:08PM Samantha said... I love his writing and will read anything he writes.
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4-19-2007 @3:52PM Brian said... I'm not a fan of Anthony because he's generally far too negative, but it pains me to agree with his sentiments... this time.
Thankfully my opinions about the slow advance towards oblivion of the Food Network were formed long before I heard any of his rants on the subject.
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4-19-2007 @3:44PM Beth said... I agree with William. Bourdain insults the common cook and the shows on food network that helps the common cook deal with everyday cooking. It would be great if we could all afford to cook the type of things he cooks, but simply not everyone can afford lobster or some of those expensive cuts of meat. I am one that likes to make a good meal that doesn't blow the budget for the month. I feel he needs to learn that he is not god and he is only an opinion. and like hinney's everyon has one. As for the awards I really didn't pay much attention to them.
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4-19-2007 @4:04PM amanda said... You know, it's not that I disagree with Bourdain's comments, but isn't there a saying about those in glass houses? He criticizes other celebrity chefs an awful lot for a guy who has had a couple of t.v. shows, books, and an updated fancier 'do from when he got started.
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4-19-2007 @5:12PM Southern said... From what i understand, what he can't stand about the Food Network is the "chefs" like Rachel Ray who will slab up a frozen pizza, sprinkle some semi fresh basil atop and proudly announce 'Voila, homemade pizza!' The rest of the chefs on the network just gets thrown in there for good measure.
Besides, no matter what you think about his prose, the guy has humor.
www.a-stove.com
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4-19-2007 @5:28PM xian said... Anthony rules. that is all.
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4-19-2007 @5:45PM Len said... My favorite curmudgeon! I'm not sure which I enjoy more, though - his food-related commentary or his crime novels, which are dark, vulgar, and funny ... in fact, so is his commentary :-)
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4-19-2007 @6:51PM Peter said... AB rules!
Hmm... Anthony Bourdain... Alton Brown... AB. Coincidence? I think not!
Just wish Alton could break away from the FN and get shows on another network. The FN is a sinking ship.
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4-19-2007 @7:30PM tmworld1200 said... hmm where does he get off with comments like that yes the food network award show was fluff but hey thats why we watch it
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4-19-2007 @9:20PM LeiAtLarge said... Beth: I'm not sure if you've actually read any of Anthony's books or seen his No Reservations show... He's pro-food, pro-hard-working-chef, pro-authentic-homemeals and anti-celebrity-chef. The majority of the praised he gives to food are the street food, the home cooked meals, and simply prepared but hearty meals. In France, his highest praise went to a neighborhood restaurant that made country-style food that's full of all the things that'll give you a heart attack. No shaved truffles, caviar or lobster. On the US-Mexican border his love went out to the home cooked meal prepared in the back of a convenience store. His whole negativity comes from the lack of effort put forth when cooking. If you're going to make food, make a great food. That's all he's saying.
Bourdain is a man of extremes. He pours out high praise and fierce negativity when the occasion calls for it. You may not like the way the way he voices his negativity but he's at least honest. I can't say the same about the other chefs on TV.
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4-20-2007 @6:19AM Angela Pitt said... Mr. Bourdain is a rebel. What can you say? All rebels
have an illusive appeal whether they are well liked
or not. I guess their appeal lies in the fact that they could give rat's ass about what people think.
In Mr. Bourdain's case; I like him. He's got the guts to speak his mind.
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4-20-2007 @10:26AM Adriane said... I think AB simply dislikes when food is taken out of its context and "chefs" are celebrated for being "perky and nice" rather than for creating spectacular food.
... To that I say here here. AB may be brash, but if you've ever read his books or watched his shows, you know he loves and lives food- You know he has a deep and lasting appreciation for real people and real cultures. Many other "chefs" on the food network may LIKE food but they don't live it.
Heck, even I agree that the Food Network is going down the tubes. When you realize your favorite food shows are on the TRAVEL channel (Bourdain, Zimmerman's Bizzare Foods) you know something is wrong!
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4-23-2007 @1:50PM Eli said... I don't care for this Bourdain guy, I just find him annoying. But I do agree that a food award show is stupid and about as pointless as those ridiculous fondant(yuck) covered monstrosities they call cakes.
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5-03-2007 @7:22AM PTboat said... Sure he's negative and scrappy, but he's one of the few working chefs on any of these shows. Work in a few kitchens and you'll find out just how surly most chefs are. It's all part of the persona.
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