> >I'd argue about these being "TV chefs." *Their stints on TV have come
> >about because they're great chefs and restaurateurs, not the other way
> >around. *I don't think Bayless has a regular show any more, and I
> >don't think Chiarello's food network show is making new episodes
> >either. *I've never seen Hubert in his own show on TV; don't know if
> >he ever had one.
>
> Isn't Bayless still doing his PBS show? Yes, it looks like there is
> another season of "Mexico One Plate at a Time" coming out. Chiarello
> has stopped making new shows since 2008 to concentrate on his
> restaurant. Though he's obviously not given up totally on TV given his
> appearance on "Top Chef Masters." And looking at Hubert Keller's web
> site it appears that he does have a TV series coming out called
> "Secrets of a Chef." Though I think up till now he's just appeared as
> a guest on many other cooking shows instead of having his own TV
> show..
>
> I do agree though that these gentlemen were all famous for their
> cooking before they started doing regular TV appearances. Without
> their ability to work magic in the kitchen they wouldn't have become
> famous on TV unlike many of the chefs we see on the Food Network now.

I don't think our PBS has ever carried Secrets of a Chef. (Not all
PBS stations buy the same programs. For instance, the Iowa one still
shows Lawrence Welk once a week. ARRRGGHHHH!)


Anyway, that was exactly my point - I think it's a mistake to call
these "TV chefs." A TV chef to me would be Big Daddy, the Neelys,
Robin Miller, Amy (short-lived) whoever, and Melissa D'Arabian, and
the like....rightly or wrongly. Even Rachel Ray - if she's never had
a restaurant in which to be a chef -- although she says she's not a
chef, she's just a cook.

N.