Anyone who's into cooking or eating delicious food will have spent some time watching the Food Network. Even those who severely lack anything that might resemble cooking skills can take great pleasure in pretending they'll one day recreate that mouth-watering dish they just witnessed being made by their favorite chefs. At least that's what the Food Network's execs and bigwigs were thinking would happen when they got it right!
While there have been some great cooking shows, there have certainly been some that managed to mess up the recipe for success. It's not all bad, though, seeing as instead of wasting our time watching the bad shows, we can actually spend some time practicing the number one thing that the Food Network has taught us - seeking out the best ingredients and preparing our own food... or simply sitting back and enjoying our favorite cooking competition shows.
15. Paula's Home Cooking Involved Copious Amounts Of Butter
Via NY Times
Paula Deen's culinary style involved hearty meals and copious amounts of butter. That alone overshadowed what would have otherwise been a great show... but it didn't overshadow the show as much the star's personal life did. According to The Guardian, Deen was accused of using racial slurs and admitted to it.
14. Semi-Homemade Was Comprised Of Some Remarkably Bad Recipes
Via Pinterest
This was one of those shows that should never have aired, Semi-Homemade had some pretty horrible recipes and meals. From the horrendous Kwanzaa cake to the white chocolate polenta. Sandra Lee's semi home-cooked meals usually involved a lot of pre-made ingredients available in most grocery stores- probably not the healthiest option.
13. Guy's Grocery Games Is Like A Bad Version Of Mission Impossible
Via Memphis Flyer
Guy's Grocery Games is one of several cooking shows hosted by Guy Fieri and it's kinda dreadful. There's so much going on, it's hard to follow. The contestants are subjected to strange and sometimes ridiculous challenges, but the worst of it all is watching the contestants run through the mock grocery store.
12. Sandwich King Taught Us That You Can Make Any Meal A Into A Sandwich, And Sandwich Into A Meal
Via Eater Chicago
Jeff Mauro AKA The Sandwich King puts his spin on everyday sandwiches and creates his own deliciously mouth watering 'wiches'. Mauro's sandwiches were made on the premise that you can practically stuff anything into a bun and make it work. There are no rules when it comes to making a perfect sandwich.
11. Mexican Made Easy Was Simple But Brought The Flavor
Via Pinterest
Chef Marcela Valladolid made complex Mexican dishes seem easy to make, whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice Valladolid had you covered. Mexican Made Easy was the kind of show you tuned in to when in the mood for some tantalizing homemade Mexican dishes but didn't know how to go about it.
10. Beat Bobby Flay Is Entertaining And Leaves Us Wanting More
Via Eater Dallas
This is one of those "keep you on the edge of your seats" kinda show, where you root for the underdog to beat chef Bobby Flay in a culinary battle, but that rarely happens. Iron Chef Bobby Flay is arguably one of the best chefs on the Food Network, but watching him annihilate the contestants on his show is getting old.
9. Diners, Drive-Ins, And Dives Is Guaranteed To Take You To Flavortown
Via Port City Daily
Diners, Drive-Ins, And Dives is a fantastic show that showcases small-town restaurants and goes behind the scenes to show viewers how some of their favorite meals are prepared. Triple D features a lot of exceptional cooking and a wide array of meals and recipes. It is by far one of The Food Network's most popular shows.
8. Everyday Italian Was A Guide To Traditional Italian Cuisine
Via Spoon University
Everyday Italian was a fan favorite as host Giada De Laurentiis delivered classic Italian inspired dishes and put her own spin on them. De Laurentiis's recipes were flavorful but light, healthy, and easy to make. The only downside to the show was the host's over-articulation of Italian words. It was overdone.
7. Food Network Challenge's Over The Top Recreations Keep Viewers Tuned In
Via Entertainment Weekly
Not to be confused with Food Network Star, Food Network Challenge is equally just as interesting and fun to watch. Contestants compete in timed challenges which can range from ice sculpting to cake decorating - competition is usually stiff and the pressure is high. If you love cake as most people do, this is the show for you.
6. Food Network Star Gives Aspiring Chef's Their Big Break
Via Multi Vu
Food Network Star has birthed the likes of Guy Fieri and Jeff Mauro, two of The Food Network's biggest stars. It is such a versatile show, where contestants exhibit their impressive culinary skills while entertaining us simultaneously. The hosts of the show, Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay, add some star to the show's popularity.
5. The Pioneer Woman's Comfort Food Recipes Are A Big Hit
Via Meet Mags
The Pioneer Woman's easy and quick to make recipes are guaranteed to make cooking fun and enjoyable. The star told Today in part, "Just throw this in and throw that in and you don’t have to be so precise all the time. Just make it. Enjoy what you're doing and love the people you’re making it for."
4. Chopped Always Brings The Drama And Mystery
Via Niagara Frontier Publications
Chopped is unlike any other cooking competition show, as watching the chefs whip up creative meals from mystery ingredients is exciting. Sometimes the results are excellent and other times downright disastrous... which is dramatic and makes for good viewing. It's one of those shows that keeps you glued to your seats and leaves you asking for more.
3. Iron Chef America Is Over The Top And Addictive
Via Delish Good Eats Was Informative And Fun
Iron Chef America was adapted from the Japanese show Iron Chef and was an instant hit. The combination of impressive culinary skills and theatrics was extremely appealing. There's no denying that Iron Chef America was entertaining and sometimes over the top - it's for those reasons that it was a fan favorite.
2. Good Eats Is Back And Better Than Ever
Via Eater
Alton Brown's Good Eats ran for 249 episodes - it was that good. Good Eats was informative, humorous, and nerdy - it was basically a cooking show that explained the science of food to viewers in a way that made it fun and piqued your interest. Brown described the history of food in a manner that only he could.
1. The Barefoot Contessa's Sumptuous Meals Have Viewers Glued To Their TV Screens
Via Vogue
Ina Garten AKA The Barefoot Contessa is the belle of The Food Network and although she is not a classically trained chef, Garten is proof that passion goes a long way. The Barefoot Contessa teaches viewers how to make yummy hearty meals, using only the best ingredients with such ease and laid back sophistication.
