Ingrid Hoffman Makes Summer Sizzle
Posted by Stuart Reb Donald on Edible TV.
The Food Network has had its fair share of celebrities with sex appeal, or more accurately, chef appeal. From Jamie Oliver to Tyler Florence to Bobby Flay, the ladies have had plenty to spice up their viewing. On the female side, Cat Cora, Giada De Laurentiis, and Sandra Lee have kept otherwise bored husbands awake whenever the wife controls the remote. And Rachael Ray’s sparkling eyes and Cheshire Cat grin have propelled her past even the great Emeril Lagasse as the most recognizable Food TV personality in the nation.
This summer TFN’s line-up gets even hotter with the addition of Ingrid Hoffman. Despite the Germanic name, Hoffman has been the toast of Latin TV with her cooking show Delicioso on the Spanish language network Galavisión. Originally from Colombia, Hoffman has described her show as, “Sex in the City meets Martha Stewart.”
Hoffman’s arrival at TFN marks the latest in a massive public relations campaign aimed at crossing her over into English speaking markets. In April 2006, she secured a deal with the prestigious Clarkson Potter division of Random House for her first cookbook, she has filmed cooking segments for Walmart’s in-store television network, and has been featured in American newspapers from Seattle to Miami (where she now resides). DirecTV has been airing English and Spanish versions of Delicioso for sometime now and she has been doing live cooking demonstrations on the most popular Spanish television morning show in the country, Despierta America on Univision.
The fact that she is wicked-hot has not hurt Hoffman’s career, but it is her hard work, spirited personality, and, most of all, her creativity that have brought her to the brink of superstardom. Lost in the Hoffman-hype is the fact that she has some very innovative recipes that combine Latin and American flavors like Crackling Fish Tacos, Broccoli/Poblano Casserole, and Roasted Pork in Coffee and Cola.
Simply Delicioso with Ingrid Hoffman makes its debut on The Food Networkthis July.
While I respect her accomplishments and future endeavors I can’t help but to be dissapointed at the negative stereotype this woman perpetuates. During her appearance on “Regis and Kelly” She all too readily performed the “cuchi coo” schtick for Regis that Charo made famous back in the 70’s and seems to lean on her “latin sex appeal” more than I think is necessary. Our culture has more to offer than sex. Degrading yourself for Regis was deplorable. Thanks for setting our culture back 30 years.