tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351655737864878604.post4895406693446965395..comments2009-05-01T17:07:39.437-07:00Comments on sonjabegonia in chicago: Cooking Shows to Inspire Creativitysonjabegonia in chicagohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15026132137089599098noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351655737864878604.post-50771299767268389002009-02-27T00:08:00.000-08:002009-02-27T00:08:00.000-08:00Top Chef is my most favorite reality show ever -- ...Top Chef is my most favorite reality show ever -- this season and last season were especially enjoyable because there was a higher level of cooperation amongst the contestants -- I like seeing people work *with* each other, even if it is a competition. My favorite guest judges are the ones who offer constructive criticism -- Eric Ripert has been one of the most positive judges they've had. (As an aside, did you see Bourdain's show the time he and Ripert worked the kitchen in Bourdain's old restaurant for a night??? Hilarious!!)<BR/><BR/>It's only been within the past couple years that I learned to enjoy cooking and not view it as a chore. I watched the "cook fast and use shortcuts" shows on Food Network, like Rachel Ray's show. Then, as I became more comfortable in the kitchen and more comfortable not following a recipe 100%, I started watching Ina's and Giada's shows -- everything is not rush rush rush with them, which appeals to me because I am not a rush rush rush person in the kitchen either ;-). Jamie Oliver is one of my favorite people to watch cook -- did you catch him on Iron Chef last year? It was fun to watch.<BR/><BR/>When I was growing up, cooking and cleaning the kitchen was viewed as a chore. It's pretty cool to be at a point in my life where I've figured out cooking can be fun and relaxing and an excellent creative outlet . . . and I don't mind cleaning up after myself either ;-).Glendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304081149041159520noreply@blogger.com