The Evolution of Food Programming

About one hundred years ago, when I was growing up television food programming included two chefs Julia Child, seen on PBS stations, and Graham Kerr, known as The Galloping Gourmet. I remember my mom being an avid fan of Kerr’s, he was goofy and charismatic, and British, and drank copious amounts of wine. That was then, this is now. Now chefs are warriors, celebrities, heroes going to battle and waging war weekly (or even more frequently) in our living rooms and bedrooms. How did we get here, and my question is, can we dial it back, just a little?

For years Food Network was my default station. Rather than watching the idiocy on display with the various Housewives franchise, or any other reality programming which has all but swallowed up prime time, I had food network as a refuge. Those days it seems are a fond memory. I am growing weary of endless competitions and reruns of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives… The shows airing now are pushing some sort of envelope that defies my understanding. I thought I was their demographic, perhaps I was 21 years ago at its inception, but it seems they’re focusing on twenty-something guys who want to see combat being waged in kitchens as well as on football fields. Food Network used to be where I could go when everyone else was watching The Game, whatever the current game is/was. What happened to cooking really awesome food? What happened to shows that talked about food? When did Food Network become a sports station?

Sure there are still some actual cooking shows left, but so many, and so many new shows are competitions of some sort. Chopped, Cutthroat Kitchen, Worst Cooks, and any number of wars, from Cupcakes to Halloween. I can watch chefs and amateurs alike try to cook while being hobbled, or given crazy ingredients. I can watch people scamper around a grocery store madly searching for something they would never buy, much less cook with. Food Network, you are losing me, and I am losing you.

For me the burning question is why. Why are these competitions and battles so popular? I suppose they are entertaining, but they aren’t about food, or ingredients or cooking. They’re about stamina, and the ability to think on your feet (a worthy quality), they’re about trickery and meanness and outdoing the other guy. Watching people cook on a miniature stove, or with one hand tied behind their back doesn’t convey the art and beauty of creating wonderful food. it’s not about learning or love or passion or seasonality. 

I have spent my life exploring the wonders and joys of food and cooking and love to hear about what’s happening in that world. I want to watch someone really skilled and talented making something I will try to make at home. I want to watch Food Network and get inspired and hungry and feel the urge to go to the market and get some new ingredients and make something wonderful. And I used to find that inspiration on Food Network, but those days seem to be over. Food programming rather than evolving is devolving and I’m out!

Are there any shows on Food Network you love to watch because they inspire you?