skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Another, do not watch for me: Extreme Chef

15 years ago

Food Network's Extreme Chef competition is a no winner. My opinion only.

delete delete delete from future viewing.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Georgysmom
15 years ago
You're just going to have to go to reading....or, ironing sheets!
redcurls
15 years ago
Agree again!
Related Discussions
Calling all MIELE Chef and Master Chef oven owners
Q
Comments (3)
I have the Master Chef 30" oven for almost 2 years and I haven't used the Master Chef settings once. So...of course that means I would say if you can buy a Miele oven without the MC settings, you'll be fine. Maybe one of these days I'll have to try it out. larsi said she didn't bake often, but I do bake often (mostly cookies, breads and pies) and my Miele oven is better than any other oven I've ever used, which was a surprise to me because I didn't think there could be a noticeable difference from one brand to another other than the extra features and the price. But, I've found the performance to be excellent and consistent, paired with good service from Miele. (total of 4 Miele appliances) When I read other threads about Miele oven owners having problems or non-Miele oven owners making negative remarks about the oven, I usually don't respond because my goal is not to sway someone's opinion into buying one brand over another. Everyone has their reasons for their appliance choices. Personally, I'd buy another Miele without giving it a 2nd thought. I have another oven at my baking center at the other end of the kitchen and how I wish I would have just sprung for two Miele ovens (even though I only use the 2nd oven 1 or 2 times a month). DH knows how much I like the Miele and our plan is to replace it with a Miele if it starts to be problematic, or we'll wait a few years and just change it out for a Miele. Maybe we'll get lucky and find a nice display model for a tempting price.
...See More
Miele Chef versus Master Chef Speed Oven
Q
Comments (15)
The resurrection of this thread is perfect timing. I'm planning on a six burner 36 inch Culinarian range, and had been up in the air about an additional oven. DW and I were in an appliance store in Tampa yesterday, and since we don't do a tremendous amount of baking, the Miele Speed Oven and a warming drawer seem to be a good complement for us to the large gas oven of the range (whether an additional full size wall oven, in addition or instead of the Speed Oven, would be better or resale purposes at some point down the road is another matter). In comparing the two, my bride much preferred the more conventional controls of the Chef series SO. Even though she's still likely to want a dedicated microwave oven (doesn't trust that the SO will do that and hold up over time), she didn't like having to push the Master Chef menu buttons through about three levels to get to the point where she could enter the numbers for a straight microwave task. OTOH, the combination of different modes one can use is so staggering to an untutored barbarian such as me that I have to wonder whether the Master Chef would ultimately show me how to get that much more value/use from the SO. For example, DW likes to take a frozen filet of salmon and nuke it. To me, it's hot and edible, but that's about all I can say for it. I can imagine the Master Chef first defrosting, then roasting that same block of salmon in a much more appealing fashion than straight nuking. I just wonder how many pieces of fish I'd ruin if experimenting with the Chef oven before breaking the code for times and modes of cooking. :-) I grill 90% of the fish I prepare (gas grill or over hardwood charcoal on the back porch), so the oven roasting would definitely be a new experience for me.
...See More
A Chef would kill me but.......
Q
Comments (29)
Back to the "poke test"....which isn't really a poke but more of a wiggle to test the firmness of the meat beneath. those things about if it feels like your nose or your thumb are just "guides" for beginners. To really know, you need to feel test lots of pieces of meat and then see what the inside looks like. It's feel thing and you can cook a piece of meat to your liking anywhere without an instant read thermometer. It's experience....sort of like feeling when the texture of bread or pastry is just right or knowing when the bechamel has cooked enough. There was a cook book years ago called something like "Cooking by Hand" or "Hands on Cooking" and it touted knowing what a teaspoon of salt or a tablespoon looks like in your hand....how long it takes to pour a table spoon of olive oil into your pan, how to break up tomatoes by hand and how to separate an egg by hand. I could make a pie crust with just a bag of flour and a can of lard...it would take longer than measuring because I might have to add a little more flour or fat....but I could do it. And I could ( and have!) made breadw ith flour, yeast, salt and water....no measure, no bread pan....just the ingredients....by feel! Feel your steaks ( I almost said meat but remembered Jessica is peeking here!) and learn what "done to your liking" feels like, you'oll save lots of time over the years..... My son is so anal that he uses an instant read to check the temp of the water for proofing yeast! He is so anal that he proofs his yeast!! Linda c
...See More
Can't record 1 show, watch another??? sheesh!
Q
Comments (18)
We are recording on one channel while watching on a different channel, and we are doing this through the air with rabbit ear antenna. However, we are experiencing less signal and more drop outs than we had with the older analog TV. Our setup is listed below: 1. Amplified "rabbit ear" antenna. 2. Co-axial lead from antenna to recorder. 3. Co-axial lead from recorder to TV. 4. Output cable from recorder to TV. Inserting the recorder between the antenna and the TV likely reduces the broadcast signal to the TV. My son has a slightly different arrangement and his apparent signal strength is greater. He uses 2 Antennas: one for the recorder and a second one for the HDTV. The connection from the recorder and TV are the same as the single antenna setup.
...See More
matti5
15 years ago
As soon as I saw the ads for it I removed it from my watch list. I'm getting tired of all the food competitions that's why I watch PBS cooking shows. No gimmicks, no frills, just cooking.
jannie
15 years ago
I too am tired of cooking "competitions". I rarely watch Emeril, Alton Brown, Rachel Ray, Ina Garten. And I hate Paula Deen, so cutesy with that exaggerated Southern accent. The only show I can still tolerate is Guy Fieti, or is it Guy Fieri? And I miss Mario Botali, who was so good when Food Network was just starting.
sushipup1
15 years ago
Is anyone watching The Next Food Network Star? That's very good. Especially when there's someone you love to hate! ;-o
glenda_al
Original Author
15 years ago
Yes, I enjoy that show! Plus Iron Chef!
marie_ndcal
15 years ago
I watch the Next Food Network Star just to see the different personalities. I thing many of the people trying out are really not that good, even though they do have their own places. They just are not capable of making good decisions in a snap, which I think is very important for any chef/cook/owner to do.
glenda_al
Original Author
15 years ago
I don't enjoy Gordon Ramsey's Master Chef!
OklaMoni
15 years ago
Thanks to this post, I remembered to turn on PBS. The Oklahoma Gardening show is next. It usually features a quick dish with fresh produce this time of the year.

The person I miss is the guy from Louisiana, what was his name??? He was good.

Moni
liljunkr
15 years ago
I agree Extreme Chef was awful. I'm not planning to watching it again. I do not believe anyone would go through such conditions to put a gourmet meal in front of real people. I'm sure if gourmet cooking is ever called for in those ridiculous circumstances no one would eat. On the other hand and not in extreme contest conditions I have used a car engine heat to cook a 3 course meal. I've done Hobo Stew cooking in a large tin can over an open fire during a survival training course. I made an unleavened bread on flat rocks by the fire with 'found' natural growing ingredients. I cooked many many many meals over a camp stove in 100+ degree heat after we lost power over a month during 2004 hurricane season. I've made perked coffee in cobbled together beer cans because DH forgot the camping coffee pot. Arrrggggg No coffee in the morning!?!?! Out of the question. We ate good tasting, attractive food even if it wasn't on pretty plates and drenched in "sauces" and/or garnished gourmet style. LOL

LIL
jannie
15 years ago
When they started up (maybe 20 ? years ago) I loved Food Network and HGTV. But Food Network has dropped chefs over the years and now has so many "competitions" I can't stand it. The Next Food Network Star? Phooey! And HGTV should be ashamed of itself. They lost (tossed) all the good gardening shows I loved: Paul James, Gardener's Diary, Gardener's Journal. I watch very little TV these days, except for the Old Stuff-Old Movies on Turner Classic movies and Old TV shows on TVLand. I spend much more time on my 'puter these days!
OklaMoni
15 years ago
Oh, I remember now, it was Justin Wilson. :)

Here is today's recipe from the Oklahoma Gardening show:

Spicy Green Bean Salad

2 cups green beans (about 1/2 to 2/3 pound fresh)
1 cup finely chopped peeled cucumber
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons white wine, cider or sherry vinegar
2 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Trim stem ends from green beans. Cut beans into 1/2-inch pieces. Bring a large saucepan 3/4 full of water to a boil. Add beans and cook 2 to 5 minutes until they turn bright green and are tender-crisp. Drain beans, and then submerge in a bowl of ice water for 2 to 5 minutes, until chilled. Drain again and set aside.
2. In a large bowl mix all ingredients. Cover and store in the refrigerator at least 2 hours to allow flavors to blend.

Serves 6.

Nutrition Facts
Servings per recipe: 6
Calories 23 Calories from fat 0
% Daily Value
Total Fat trace 0%
Saturated Fat trace 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 181mg 8%
Carbohydrate 6g 2%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin A: 6% Vitamin C: 14% Folacin: 5%
Calcium: 2% Iron: 3% Potassium: 4%
Barbara Brown, Food Specialist
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service 6/11
glenda_al
Original Author
15 years ago
And the Galloping Gourmet. He was fun to watch!
Tally
15 years ago
I love Top Chef, Master Chef and Hell's Kitchen. They are competitions, not heres-how-to-make-an-apple-pie show.

If you are watching these shows thinking you're going to get cooking tips, you're going to be disappointed. It's all about the people, not the food.
Georgysmom
15 years ago
I loved Natalie DuPree and Jacques Pepin. Frankly I'm getting sick of reality shows!!! Hopefully, they will soon run their course. I know it's cheap T.V. but enough is enough.
pekemom
15 years ago
I don't like any shows where there is big drama, angst,
yelling, crying and other extreme behaviors thought to
be more entertaining. This is not limited to cooking
shows either....

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Trend Watch: 13 Kitchen Looks Expected to Be Big in 2015

By Natasha Saroca

3 designers share their thoughts on what looks, finishes and design elements will be on trend in the year ahead

TASTEMAKERS Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Michael Symon Shares His Tastes

By KitchenLab Interiors

What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here

KITCHEN DESIGN Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Paul Kahan Shows His Urban Sanctuary

By KitchenLab Interiors

Peek inside Kahan's newly redone home kitchen and learn what he considers most important for a cooking space

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Confidential: 9 Trends to Watch for in 2016

Two top interior designers share their predictions for the coming year

BUDGET DECORATING Pop Culture Watch: Get a Good Rap With Thrift Store Scores

By Becky Harris

Eight rooms that rock secondhand finds, in an ideabook inspired by rappers taking YouTube by storm

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Watch a Sliding Wall Turn a Living Space Into 5 Rooms

By Mitchell Parker

A clever custom storage piece transforms this New York City microstudio into multiple living spaces

FUN HOUZZ 15 Cool Rooms and the TV Shows They Want You to Watch

By Becky Harris

Get nestled in with the fall 2014 premieres, some old favorite shows and a coordinating nosh

REMODELING GUIDES Watch an Entire Kitchen Remodel in 3½ Minutes

By Mitchell Parker

Zip through from the gutting phase to the gorgeous result, thanks to the magic of time-lapse video

CONTRACTOR TIPS Contractor Tips: 10 Remodel Surprises to Watch Out For

By Buckminster Green LLC

Know the potential setbacks before you start to save headaches and extra costs in the middle of a renovation

SMALL SPACES Watch an Entryway Bar Transform Into a Table for Two

By Mitchell Parker

On the heels of his ingenious folding apartment, an architect turns his talent to a versatile feature for a Manhattanite

Sponsored

More Discussions

What are you reading? August 2026 Edition

23

Smile today - 8/8/26

5

Spots on my philodendron.

2

I'll show you mine/ysmy - Su 8/9/26

20

The book you're reading is fascinating -- what do you do?

9