Food Network Changes are Sensible

  • Posted by Editor
  • February 19, 2008

Posted by Ramsey Merritt on Edible TV.

The Food Network’s gradual shift from highly-trained chefs with culinary degrees to personality-driven hosts continues. 

With Emeril Live’s cancellation, Mario Batali slowing fading from the network and Sara Moulton long gone – true chefs are scarce around the Food Network.

The main block of daytime, “in-kitchen” programming is anchored by: Bobby Flay, Ina Garten, Sandra Lee, Paula Deen, Giada, Emeril and Rachael Ray.  In that mix only three – Flay, Emeril and Giada – are true “chefs,” meaning each possesses a culinary degree.

For example, Paula and Rachael have both appeared as contestants on Iron Chef America and Chairman Kaga chose not to call them chefs, as he does with most other challengers.  Kaga instead addressed them as “Ms. Deen” and “Ms. Ray.”

But when is the last time you heard someone question Paula Deen’s culinary credibility (sans butter grievances)?  The credibility of the network itself has gained celebrity-status for these chefs hosts, regardless of their culinary training.

The key to the Food Network’s shift is: executives have quit aiming at gourmets per se because the majority of viewers don’t belong to the upper echelon of the culinary world, rather the average viewer is just that – an average person with a love for food.

So, while serious food critics take issues with the “dumbing down” of Food Network, it seems more like a smart move.  Who wouldn’t prefer to watch bubbly Rachael Ray over the less-than-perky Sara Moulton?  Remember Sara’s Secrets?  While the show was informative, it was rather boring.

Point is: Most will sacrifice Moulton’s culinary training for Rachael Ray’s easy recipes and smiling face.  And that, my friends, is what Food Network execs are banking on.



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February 19th, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
Heather
Posted on:
February 20, 2008 at 11:51 am

Exactly!

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
dawgbite
Posted on:
February 20, 2008 at 12:35 pm

“Who wouldn’t prefer to watch bubbly Rachael Ray over the less-than-perky Sara Moulton?”

ME. You say “bubbly,” I say loud, obnoxious, and frequently misinformed. Look, I understand that FN wants to expand their viewers, but I’m afraid they’re going to lose their core viewers, those of us who actually CARE about the FOOD.

Rachael Ray isn’t fit to do Sara Moulton’s dishes.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Ali
Posted on:
February 20, 2008 at 2:01 pm

I’m glad to finally see a well written article from the stand point of the changes possibly being good for the Food Network. Most of what I have read is so snobby and “I’m better than you because I only cook recipes that REAL chefs have written,” and it just gets OLD. Wonderful article. Just because most people use regular recipes and techniques in their home kitchens doesn’t mean that they are idiots or ‘Sanda Lee wannabes.’ I get so sick of reading that sort of sentiment. Anywho, I’m off on a tangent here. Great article.

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Dan
Posted on:
February 21, 2008 at 12:12 am

dawgbite, the “core viewers” for Food Network are the people that will go their Web site and buy the under-engineered, over-priced garbage from their online catalog, and from the stores of their advertisers. Is that you?

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Ramsey
Posted on:
February 21, 2008 at 3:27 am

I agree that Rachel can be hit or miss for people when it comes to her personality. However, “core viewers” are not enough for a cable channel. Viewers need to span quite a few demographics to reap those advertisement dollars. Also, I don’t agree that the FN should only cater to “foodies” or “gourmets” - or the “core” as you refer to it. Let’s remember that it is the “Food” Network, not the “Exclusive Gourmet Chef” Network. It’s almost like saying that only doctors and nurses are supposed to watch the (soon to be deceased) Discovery Health Channel. Keep in mind that I was only speaking of daytime programming and not the nightime, which has been inundated with travel and feature-type programs. Daytime programming still has a solid block. Who doesn’t respect the likes of Ina Garten, Emeril, or Giada?

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Ronnie
Posted on:
March 15, 2008 at 6:59 am

If it’s such a good move for the Food Network then why are their ratings going downhill and they themselves admit that they have to find a “new direction” for the network? They are getting less and less respect from everyone, including the “average person” who misses the likes of Emeril and Mario.