I like ATK but only watch it when come across it. I did not know that Christopher was leaving until now.

I think story is her stomped off, taking his ball and going home, but don't recall the reason for the "tantrum". ATK and Cooks Country come on my public TV stations on Saturday and Sunday (most weekends) and are a great excuse to just lounge on couch and do nothing... and being entertained/informed. I think he left over a year ago, but has been on (previously taped) episodes until just the past few weeks. Same set, same people cooking, taste testing, product testing, etc.

Do a search, NY Times and Wash Post have articles on what happened and when.

The short version is that he sold the business in 2015 (Cooks Ilustrated, the TV shows and podcast). The agreement included his staying for the TV show for 2016 and a contract negotiation at a later time. The contract negotiation became acrimonious awhile back and he was dismissed. He's started new ventures, perhaps competing in some way, and has been sued.

I credit Kimball (a journalist, by the way) for popularizing and educating, with his army of test chefs, the knowledge of the science and alternative process involved with cooking particular items. And their methodology of iterative testing to come up with the best combination of ingredients, process, etc., to get easy, predictable and delicious outcomes. He opened a window that has now become more popular, with many cook books offering the same orientation. J Kenji Alt-Lopez, one of the more illustrious of the Cooks Ill alumni gang, has a website entitled Serious Eats with more of the same.

I'm a long time Cooks Illustrated subscriber, more than 10 years. In recent years, his "Editors Page" at page one seemed to always contain random and off the wall musings about his farm in Vermont and life as he saw it. With stupid topics having nothing to do with the issue or what was in it. It was like he was beating his chest to say "This is mine and I can do whatever the heck I want to."

When a founder sells something, it rarely works out for the new owners for the old owner to stay around. I'm sure Kimball made good money on the sale. I found his mannerisms and attitude to be annoying so I don't miss him. I hope the venture continues to be successful with the new owners.

WELL< there you have it! Thanks for the info, Elmer!

We see it on Sunday on PBS, and have yet to see Chris not there. I guess they're still airing 2015, as he left last year.

Not to hijack the thread... but I would like to know what they do with all the "rejects" they make that don't quite make the grade but are still edible. I mean 40 - 50 beef roasts don't go in the trash, do they? Thanks, if you have an answer.

I think the major activity of this kitchen is work for the magazine, not the tv shows.

They've mentioned before that the kitchen staff is allowed to eat what's produced, for lunch and take home at the end of the day. I think that came up when they were working on a dessert item.

I only catch the program occasionally but always enjoy it. Chris is never annoying or snobbish in my opinion, but I also won't miss him for a second.

I've always enjoyed ATK and Cook's Country and while I was never a super fan of Chris, I thought the on air chemistry between Chris, Bridgette and Julia was good. I have only seen one episode of the new season, but thought Bridgette and Julia were uncomfortable working together during their segments, it seemed forced. Perhaps they need time to find their footing, but I'd rather see them solo in each of their segments.

I bought Milk Street and thought I was reading ATK or Cooks.

Another one who misses Chris, plus I miss his writings on "Editors Page" because I love New England and am always willing to absorb more information about it. Then on to the cooking as variety is the spice of life.

He is still on here on both PBS stations. I have not seen a new show yet without him.

Sue

Chris Kimball will be on the Today show with Willie Geist this morning - sometime in the next 45 minutes (on the east coast).

The "rejects"... think I recall a comment about the staff eating very well. I imagine the reason for most rejections is appearance only... not flavor or out right fails.

We just saw our first ATK this year, and Chris was not on it. Somehow, for some reason, I think the 2 girls are working too hard, or too chummy. I'm not sure what it is. I'm glad the whole staff stayed. I like the young man, too.

He wsn't on ATK yesterday (WHYY) but was on Cook's Country today (NJTV).

I think the two women will do just fine. I understand what it is about Chris' demeanor that makes some people think snobby, but I don't see him that way. Like rhizo_1, I won't particularly miss him, but I did think he was fine on the program. I did not know he was gone. The person I really like is Jack, who does the kitchen product test segments. He's a smiley guy and I'm just drawn to people who smile a lot and seem happy.

Jack reviews pestos