Who's your favourite chef?

Naffa · 13 May 2011 at 23:59

Who inspires you to get in the kitchen and make some great food?

My favourite chef, without a doubt, is Raymond Blanc. I love his food, but his passion is just what does it for me. Seeing how emotional and excited he gets about simple things such as herbs, in the kitchen, is just so inspiring. Eating at his restaurant is one of life's great luxuries, as well.

I really enjoy seeing Gordon Ramsay cook, and similarly, seeing him eat food that he really likes, as well. Again, I think it's the passion that does it for me. I think Heston is a great chef, but he just doesn't inspire me to get in the kitchen and start cooking (probably because I wouldn't be able to make anything that he does, beyond bacon and egg ice cream

). I'd also have to mention the main man, Ainsley Harriott, if only because he inspired me to start cooking in the first place. I think it's his beautifully simple food that excites me, and he's also very passionate.

Who's food inspires you?

uv · 14 May 2011 at 00:01

Rick Stein, definitely.

I can't help but read his books in his voice in my head

J1234 · 14 May 2011 at 00:07

Quite like Jamie Oliver's style of cooking and agree with you about Raymond Blanc, I really like him. Same with Ramsay and enjoy eating at his restaurants too.

aceface57 · 14 May 2011 at 00:10

For me I think Valentine Warner, I would have said Hugh but he does annoy me sometimes.

Stupot_ · 14 May 2011 at 00:27

Definitely Raymond Bland and Rick Stein for me too. I enjoy Ricks programs where he's touring around places, he just cooks good simple stuff and enjoys himself without having an annoying tv persona. Raymonds just a god in the kitchen, would love to go to his restaurant one day.

I think it's pretty good that there are so many celebrity chefs on tv now, whether you like them or not. Cooking is definitely becoming a cool and trendy thing, it can only mean we're eating better, healthier, and hopefully buying better produce from home too. They're doing a good job I reckon

Naffa · 14 May 2011 at 00:32

Stupot_ said:
Raymonds just a god in the kitchen, would love to go to his restaurant one day.

I just have to say this... I know it's an expensive experience, but it's something you have to do in your life. The food is quite honestly, unbelievable. But the service is also on a different level, you can tell that there are lots of waiting staff, but they are never waiting around or getting in the way. They made me (who was fairly scruffy compared to the other guests) feel like royalty, and they were so attentive without being overbearing. It was quite literally a perfect dining experience.

Cybermyk · 14 May 2011 at 00:48

Rick Stein is OK as is James Martin. Deliah is pretty good and Keith Floyd should get a mention too but Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is probably my favourite.

Shadz · 14 May 2011 at 01:01

Would have to be either Gordon Ramsay or Gary Rhodes, they are both excellent chefs.

J-FRO · 14 May 2011 at 01:18

Ive been to restaurants owned by Gordon ramsey, Michael Caine, Jamie oliver and anthony warrall thompson.

And I couldn't possibly choose tbh.

dpbadger · 14 May 2011 at 01:42

Hugh F-W is my favourite. But I do like Jamie and Rick Stein as well.

McPhee · 14 May 2011 at 01:50

Raymond Blanc for me. His passion is unrivalled by anyone else cooking in this country today and his level of skill and understanding is up there with (and maybe even beyond) Ramsey and Blumenthal.

I do love Rick Stein's travel programs though. He has this talent for making me want to go everywhere he's been in a way that maybe only Michael Palin can match.

Jolteh · 14 May 2011 at 01:58

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall for me probably.

It's a bit of a false answer since he's more of a journalist and probably far less experienced than the other obvious candidates. That said, I love his cooking philosophy and his personality makes me feel warm inside.

Naffa · 14 May 2011 at 02:03

Jolteh said:
That said, I love his cooking philosophy and his personality makes me feel warm inside.

That's what it's all about.

Tonyator · 14 May 2011 at 05:06

I'd have to say Jamie Oliver.

oli collett · 14 May 2011 at 08:35

Heston Blumenthal & Sat Bains

alexakasloth · 14 May 2011 at 09:38

Jamie Oliver definitely, his relaxed style made cooking seem accessible.

Glaucus · 14 May 2011 at 09:44

I can't pic, it depends what I want to eat, or of we are talking tv programs what I want to watch. Much prefer travel type food programs.

I do like marco pier White though. Well until he did that stupid turkey advert.

Skidder · 14 May 2011 at 10:15

Michel Roux (and family!) and Raymond Blanc probably are my most inspiring but depends. Gary Rhodes recipes always work fantastically well and I while I'm not crazy about him on TV I trust his cook books. I'm finding the Two Greedy Italians show very inspiring with Carluccio and Contaldo and its a brilliant bit of social commentary - I did the gnocchi they did on the show last weekend and it was great and I'm trying the sausage, beef and rib ragu tonight.

Jamie Oliver is the only person that rarely excites me. I admire what he's achieved but don't get very excited about his cooking. Think it is aimed at people who don't cook as much, which is fair enough.

Liking locatelli at the moment as well as I have a bit of an italian thing going on currently.

Skidder · 14 May 2011 at 10:17

AcidHell2 said:
I do like marco pier White though. Well until he did that stupid turkey advert.

and that knorr stock advert 'it's jellylike like a good stock' - it's not a good stock, it's like a good stock!

Zip · 14 May 2011 at 10:36

Heston Blumenthal.

That man is a creative genius! :cool: