Oooh, thanks for posting this dishesdone! I also really liked her on the Food Network, and will watch for this on PBS!

Emily

I've heard of her, but couldn't say I know who she is or what her cokking style is, but it's nice to see new blood on the public television cooking shows. I am not subscriber to cable, but feel with three different PBS channels available to me, I get teh same decent variety of programming that cable would offer.

Thanks for the link and info, I'm going to check it out now.

Maryanne

Finally! I missed Sara and her recipes. Kudos to PBS for bringing her back. I'll be watching. NancyLouise

Oh Maryanne, you'll probably recognize her when you see her. I really like her style. It is down to earth and informative. She doesn't try to be your secret-sharing girlfriend, psychiatrist or Zeus on high. She just goes about her business of helping people who want to learn more about cooking.
Jo

Thank you for posting this!!! I think Sara Moulton was one of the most talented chefs on the Food Network. A long time ago, 1999 - she had a show where she not only prepared the food or meal, but she took live calls from viewers about any cooking topic / question. She states on her website that she will be working with her favorite people from the Food Network - so it appears I will be watching more PBS Cooking shows (again) & less Food Network shows, as the trend at Food Network is contests, yelling (Guy) and travel. How much Guy & Rachael can we take?????? Yea for Sara!!!!

Sara's also been the Executive Chef at Gourmet magazine for years. I enjoy her practical down-to-earth nature in the kitchen. She's a bit ditzy though & never seems to finish anything on time. I remember her favorite phrase was, "Well, you already know how to do this." lol I also enjoyed the call-in portion of her earlier FN show..was it 'Cookin' Live'??

She was also the Executive Chef for GMA for a few years because of her friendship with Julia Child. I don't watch GMA anymore so don't know if she still is, or not?

/tricia

I started to watch her show on FN a couple of times since she's so popular on this forum, but both times she was making chicken dishes, so I turned it off. I really do need to learn what times the cooking shows on PBS are so I can tape them while I'm at work. Maybe if I saw enough of Sara Moulton, I'd find she knows how to make vegetable dishes, too.

Sally

i did look at her website and she does look a tad familiar - maybe from gourmet? who knows.

tricia, speaking of never finishing anything on time, i rememebr years ago a PBS cooking show - natalie dupree? what a mess she was - never finished things, made a mess, flour all over - acted as if she could care less, that she was there because she was being punished. we used to laugh.

maryanne

Tricia, she might still be with GMA as she was on just yesterday teaching ...I forget what she made! She did seem comfortable and familiar with the group!

Thanks. I always liked her cooking shows on FoodTV and was disappointed when they cancelled her. She wasn't goofy or silly (or drunk). Her recipes were practical and reasonable and were something I might make. I'm glad to know she'll be back on TV.

sally-The 1st recipe on her new website was for Asparagus Lasagna - looked interesting.
There is a tab on her website to check schedule times for her shows.
maryanne - The Washington Post has Nathalie Dupree as the featured Chef on Call today! I always liked her as well and still cook some of her recipes. Funny you would bring her up today.
Tricia- I was wondering what Sara's old show was called also. Cooking Live sounds right. I saw her catch a towel on fire with a guest chef on one of the first shows I ever watched - I thought yep - this is real - I've done that!
She worked behind the scenes when Julia Child was the GMA chef and they remained close. Sara has championed Female Chefs in the food industry also. I've always thought she was genuine and was in the business because she loved food and really didn't care about becoming a famous TV star.

Oh how I wish I could get her show here. Sara is one of my favourite TV chef's. She is a real chef not a hot dog, knows her stuff, knows how to cook.

The Food Channel is all but off my list to watch. A few shows are OK but mostly it is about everything but cooking. Contests, throw downs, makeovers, unravels, what about learning to cook well.......at least there still is Tyler, isn't there?

One of her first, if not the first, jobs out of culinary school was working for Julia Child.

She did an interview show with Julia a few months before she died.

Sara said that that first day on the job was one of the intimidating of her entire life, and Julia made it a breeze.

Things I really like about Sara...

1.) Practical - rarely prepares meals that cost $30/plate or call for exotic equipment most folks don't have;
2.) Admits when she doesn't know the answer to a question;
3.) If you can follow her babbling, she explains techniques;
4.) Nice variety that includes organic, vegetarian, stuff kids enjoy, meals when you have to juggle soccer & baseball practice & DH's running late;
5.) She's just enough of a 'bull in a china shop' that I can relate to her;
6.) She dresses appropriately, IMO;
7.) Nice blend of savory & sweet recipes;
8.) She always offers a lot of practical tips & suggestions.
9.) Her guests have included butchers, fishmongers, organic farmers, etc. I've really enjoyed those shows. It was on one of Sara's shows that I first learned of the Monterrey Bay Seafood Watch Program.

Downside...

Sara's shows are geared to beginner or early-intermediate cooking skills. I don't think I've actually ever learned a new skill from her shows. I have picked-up some useful tips. (She does, however, bring on guests that prepare more advanced dishes once in a while.)

/tricia

Yay for Sara! I've always loved her style and recipes. I enjoy the programs on PBS - much higher quality than Food TV has on now.

Don't get me started on Natalie Dupree....she would drive me crazy with her style when she was on PBS, although, I do like some of her recipes.

Ahem....did you know that one of our very own CF members did some 8 minute, early Sunday morning spots on one of our local stations? And....she had to answer viewers' phone calls at the same time she was demonstrating a recipe - now that was a fun chaotic time!! LOL! Probably only 3 people and my mom were watching - LOL!

she was gone before I got satellite TV, so I've never seen her. A check on that website shows that she will be available on my local PBS station, but times and dates at still to be announced.

Thanks, Carol, I'll watch for her. I can't stand one more cooking show that seems to be mostly about cleavage. Sigh.

Annie

Annie, Sara Moulton seems pretty short, I think we'd see more of the part in her hair rather than her cleavage, LOL!

She's pretty down to earth and straightforward, definitely not T & A :)

So, Teresa, how many of those three viewers called in? And what about your Mom? LOL

Actually, that's very cool, but what in the world could you cook in 8 minutes?

Annie

I'm a big fan of hers. She's really down to earth, and just likeable, as far as tv personalities go.

I wonder if I'll be able to see this up here in Canada?

Can't cook much in 8 minutes, Annie! I remember doing a stir fry one time- on a desk in the newsroom yet, use of a mortar and pestle to grind herbs, can't remember what else. The funny thing was that I was expected to explain what I was doing, educate the audience, answer the phone questions, and talk to the anchors all at the same time - AND make sense of it all and not look stupid while I was doing this!

We also went on location: to a nursery to discuss herbs and to the Farmer's Market to talk about apples. Now that was fun! I must have done o.k. because they had me back maybe 6-8 times over the course of several months.

Guess that was my 15 minutes - oops, make that 8 minutes of fame. LOL! I think Mom was proud of me!

Sara's "a little ditzy", tricia? How about a lot ditzy? lol

She seems so normal and nice that I hate to say this -- but I've never watched one of her shows that I didn't wonder how on earth she got her job (not to mention, how she managed to keep it!) This person whose cooking skills are just as mid-level as mine is the executive chef of Gourmet??? Boggles my mind! The fact that Julia loved her explains much.........

Her delivery is 'deadpan'. I find her voice irritating. And, as several have mentioned, timing ain't her strong point. On the other other hand, she sure beats Emeril and Sandra!

Maybe she'll kick it up a notch on her new show. I hope so, but she definitely doesn't seem comfortable with the camera.

sm

Sarah is an absolute DOLL!! I adore her.

She's extremely knowlegeable, and knows how to get her information across so anyone can understand it.

Short? yes, she's a bit short--but what a powerhose she is.

I once had the opportunity of meeting her and spending a couple of days at a small function where she was. Okay, she was the judge of a competition with only a handful of finalists. She actually memorized all our bio's ahead of time, so she knew all about us when she met us. What an amazing woman. She was absolutely so down to earth, so friendly, so welcoming, so giving. If you ever have the chance to meet her, definitely take it. And yes, when we had our pictures take with her, she was complaining about her height, so for some of the photos, the rest of us all crouched down so we were all of a height--LOL!

Truly, she's the most fun, most down-to-earth celeb I've ever met.

I was so happy to read that she will be back to PBS, where I think she started on TV. I can even remember episodes with both her and Julia Child, and learning much from her.

I was moved at her tributes to JC upon her death, and very disappointed when FN cancelled her show. She was just not flashy enough for them now I think. No cleavage or squeaky voice, no yelling of BAM...all annoying to me.

Welcome back!

I'm a fan too. I like her plain talking style, and soothing manor. Her shows and her appearances on network are helpful to novices (i.e. Thanksgiving 101) Perhaps that's her best asset; not to be intimidating. Sure, there may be less for the great cooks among us to learn but it's about encouraging the newcomers that's special. That's what teaching should be. So many food "stars" are braggadocios.

I say hurrah!

Bubbe

Thanks, Carol! I am a big fan. Loved her show. I even remember her daughter's name was Ruthie - LOL. Wonder how old the kids are?

Okay, have to add...

I get a chuckle when I read criticism of some of today's television chefs in regard to their voice, mannerisms, or mistakes and then Julia is always cited as the Queen.

I love Julia, too but man! The voice, the mannerisms, the mistakes! She was a hoot in the kitchen. Anyone remember Dan Ackroyd's impersonation on SNL? Hilarious and Julia herself thought it was funny and was very much about getting the everyday person to cook.

Sorry, that has been on my mind!

Teresa, cool! Do you have a clip? You can put it on you tube!

Oh, wait! Top Chef just came on and Rick Bayless is on. Perfect example of phenomenal chef that does not translate on tv (snooze). Others I can think of are Todd English and Charlie Trotter.

Did you ever notice that Todd English does not move his lips?

Carol, I've never seen Todd English but now I'm going to have to watch for him, just because you said that!

Julia did have some very interesting mannerisms and was quite funny, plus her voice was very grating, but her shirts were always buttoned, I liked that. (grin) She was just normal and likable and very knowledgeable.

I don't find most of the mannerisms annoying, I just want them to put on some clothes, then shut up and COOK! I gotta tell you, though, that if Paula LICKS one more guest I'm gonna barf!

So I'm assuming that Sara Moulton would never "taste" a viewer? :-)

Annie

IMO Paula is out of control!!! I'm embarassed for her, 'course she's probably laughin' all the way to the bank. I love Southern accents as much as any Southerner, but hers just grates on my last nerve.

I think Paula's lickin' the guests is pretty nasty, and although I really like Ina, her taking a bath before dinner was way too much. I totally agree with you, Teresa, she's definitely grating much more that ever.

Annie, I'd bet that Sara wouldn't taste :) PBS must have rules against that sort of stuff! I think Food Network brings OVEREXPOSED to a whole new level!

I saw about 2 minutes at the end of Paula's show yesterday. She was with brother 'Bubba'. OMG, she was so out of control I was embarrassed for her & had to hit the mute button. It was painful to watch.

I've also felt sorry for her sons on more than one occassion. I'll bet she's embarrassed them in public more than once?! Or, it might all be just a 'stage act'. Maybe, in person she's a different lady? She's paid very large money for that over-the-top southern drawl. Seriously, would she be as popular without it? Her recipes are so unhealthy I can't imagine many people would stay with her shows were it not for the so-called 'personality' she exudes. Her books continue to sell, she's got her own cookware line on QVC, FN expanded her shows ('Paula's Party) recently, & the lines are still forming at The Lady And Sons. Somebody must be amused by her antics...I'm not one of them.

/tricia

LOL, Carol. You are right - his mouth doesn't move!

So I'm assuming that Sara Moulton would never "taste" a viewer? :-)

ROTFL!!!!

I am thankful that I missed the episode where Ina was in the bubble bath! But now I have the image - thank you - and for some reason I am picturing one of those Champagne glass bathtubs they have in the Poconos. Was she waiting for Jeffrey? LOL

I loved Sara's show on TFN. Thanks for letting us know Carol. Woodie will be happy too I'm sure. I guess she is pretty basic but I did learn a lot from her and her guests way back when. Yes she would mess up, drop things, not get things done on time....happens to the best of us at one time or another. That's what I love about her, she is real and just being Sara.....

I remember Ina in the tub...I about fell of the couch when that scene came on the screen. She is still one of the few I try to watch though. I thought I heard she had new shows starting soon....I'm sure they have shown the others about a 100 times or more. I do like a lot of her recipes.

I miss that Michael, forget his last name, from the CA wine country. He had some good recipes and entertaining ideas. I'm tired of Paula too, to much is just too much...

David

well, at least we know Ina is clean :)

In reruns, David, Michael Chiarello! I like his show, too! I love the stuff in his catalogs! Fun style.

Michael Chiarello Napastyle on Fine Living

Michael Chiarello Easy Entertaining on Food Network

Napastyle

I checked out the website, and her show does air in Dallas. I'll have to remember to tape it.

Thanks for the tip.

Sally

LOL, Maggie, not the Pocono's, her bathtub. With bubbles :)

Based on the dishes I've seen her cook, I'm assuming that Paula would only lick someone if he was extra greasy.

Thanks for the heads-up on Sara's new show. I freelanced at Gourmet one summer, and whenever I encountered her, she was nice as could be, even though she had no idea who I was.

Well, I feel like a goober. It's not that I dislike Sara M. or anything. It's just that she always struck me as slightly disorganized and a little spacey. Since those are *my* problems, it seemed better to avoid her than emulate her. (A person who regularly catches dish towels on fire shouldn't gravitate towards another kitchen klutz, right?)

But so many people have posted nice comments about her, and it would seem that she's a genuinely lovely person. I'm now prepared to watch her show with a whole new 'tude.

Thanks for setting me straight, guys!

sm

SM, We're all here to live and learn! LOL

Michael Chiarello is a doll. I met him at Wm Sonoma years and years ago in NY when he was demonstrating a recipe with his flavored oils. It was a small store of theirs and empty so I had a long chat. BTW, I use the recipe from that day and his book a lot. It's Pastina Risotto with Roasted Peppers & Broccoli. I'll post if anyone is interested.

I loved Julia, warts and all...she still kills me when I see her old shows

Ina I find simply annoying because she is so monotone and her speech pattern seems patronizing. Besides, I'm sure that she is out to kill her husband by cholestrol poisoning. Legal, right? I watch anyway...sort of a fascination with the calm. Felt the same way about the old Martha Stewart; respect for talent notwithstanding. Glad I didn't see either of them bath. LOL

The there was the Galloping Gourmet! I loved him.

Hey, SM. Different strokes is what makes the world go round...or something like that - LOL.

I love Michael C./Napa style - great website, too. I do love Ina - I hope there are some new episodes soon!

I don't mind Ina, but I did miss tha thsow where she was in the tub, for which I will always be eternally grateful. LOL

I loved Julia too, because she DID have warts, but she sure knew her stuff, you just knew that she had made that suace a zillion times and was PREPARED. Plus, when things happened she just kept plugging along.

Bubbe, Grandma and I used to watch the Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr, way before he got healthy. I remember the "wine for the soup and wine for the cook" style he had, and his jumping over chairs. (grin) I liked him too.

Annie

I've always liked Sara Moulton. Her TV persona was certainly low-key. And like all celebrity chefs, she had her quirky little ways, which I found amusing.

For example, she would often look into the camera with a bewildered look on her face as if she weren't sure which camera to talk into.
And there were the times she'd ask her guests a question only to see them go off on a tangent, but she would try her damn best not to interrupt them in mid-sentence just to get back to cooking ... although, you could see the struggle in her face. Heh. What a sweetie.

Moreover, her rib cushions were always neatly tucked under her chef's jacket, never allowed any air time, and overshadowing the food.

In essence, she's like the level-headed (if a wee bit boring) friend your Mom would've picked for you, given half the chance.

Thanks Carol, I'll look her up on PBS.

Sol

I just finished reading all of this thread and I am laughing so hard! At first I thought you were kidding about Ina in the tub but obviously it is true! I can't believe it. I would have fallen on the floor with laughter at that! I like Ina too but NOT in a bubble bath.

I saw Sara interviewed after she was let go and she said she would be going to PBS so I am happy to hear that. I liked her also.

I like everything about Sara Moulton and can't wait for her new show.

I also like it because she doesn't put on "airs" and her program is always about cooking, not cleavage and trying to be Ms. Personality so the network will keep her. Although I think she does have a very pleasing personality.

The Food Network is pretty much off my viewing list anymore.