Food shows

I’m such a sucker for food documentaries and shows featuring celebrity chefs. Presently I’m watching Nigella as I am typing. And it’s making me drool non-stop. Even though I just went to Blooie’s. Even though I just had a whole bowl of fruit. And this is despite the flu that is threatening…

Nigella is preparing some cold soba noodles now. And it’s mixed with spring onions and sesame seeds. That’s the thing. Everything she makes looks deceptively simple, so much so you think you can manage it yourself. And once you open your horizons to the possibility of making the dish yourself, you can’t stop thinking about it, till you actually try the recipe out. Arrggh. I will have cold soba noodles on my mind for a very long time. Now she is making a meringue dessert involving fresh raspberries and tons of egg white whisking. This is doable too. Thankfully fresh raspberries are less attainable, what with the cost and the lack of gourmet cold storages in town. And thankfully I’m not so much of a meringue fan. Otherwise, I’m marching myself into a Jason’s and making me some of that tomorrow… Oh man, as I speak, she is pouring in shavings of dark chocolate and thick cocoa. I must move away from the TV.

Nigella isn’t even my favourite chef. I like Jamie Oliver too. He’s endearing, in a messy boyish way. He concocts some honestly disturbing dishes sometimes. Fruit and chocolate don’t always go well… But other than the occasional faux pas, he’s pretty good with his use of herbs. And he makes the most use of the grill. It makes me one to go out, buy a grill and grill me some garlic bread and steak. NOW. Slurp. Jamie Oliver has a way with shops. Before he starts the actual cooking, he’d go buy his ingredients. He’d step into the most delightful chocolate shop, where they actually bother to distinguish between the fine Valhornas and the shabbier cooking cocoa, where they present them in thick industrial bars, and they discuss the different purities and percentages with such precision that it makes you want to go to the store and peruse each shelf. The cheese shops he visits are also tempting. Especially when they mix some cheese on the spot. Haiz.

Anthony Bourdain… This is one man I admire. I like his wit(or at least, the wit that his persona on tv has) I understand that this wit is the culmination of many a witty comedic writer, but the whole show is delivered with panache. And a passion for good food, whether cheap or fine. This is one skinny man, but he seems to be able to go on and on and on… … I take my hat off to him. I really loved the episodes where he visits the places I've already visited myself, like the Taukiji fish market in Tokyo, the random tapas bars in Barcelona, and even the bars in New York.

I'm not so much a Chinese food fan, so no Martin Yan for me. Plus, I think part of the lure is the novelty. I get to see my mum cook anytime I want. I don't need to watch Martin Yan play with his knives.