The Food Network, Siti Central
If you don't know, now you know. I was a food network kid, get with it.
I have a passionate love/hate relationship with The Food Network.
I love the nostalgia of Food Network circa
the early 2000s to mid-2010s.
Spending hours watching show after show with my Siti, making little comments about every dish we saw. What we thought looked good, looked easy to make (or what we should try making), or what looked downright bad.
Falling asleep to people who I will not name names…..(one of them may or may not be the Barefoot Contessa).
Growing up, it was always on! That, or Jeopardy. Or Young and the Restless from 11 am-12 pm.
Just sitting with her was one of the primary things we did together. Something that I miss a lot.
The majority of food media on TV nowadays consists of wild cooking challenges and competitions. It’s not a bad thing, but there’s something incredibly therapeutic about simply watching a recipe from start to finish.
Here is a highlight of chefs I watch now (because I don’t have cable or the time to watch full-length episodes of daytime television) that give me that same feeling of watching the Food Network with my Siti.
Bonus: I’d like to believe she’d also be a fan of these people as well.
*also, the majority of this list are former Bon Appetit employees, don’t think about it too hard.
Sohla El-Waylly
Sohla’s approach to cooking is simple and joyfully at ease. She breaks down cooking techniques and any “why”s cooks at any stage might have.
One of my favorite things about her is how human she is. Her kitchen and recipe setup is flexible for change and offers a plethora of solutions along the way.
Plus she’s fun! She also has a cute newsletter called, “Hot Dish with Sohla” which I always look forward to seeing in my inbox.
Sadia Badiei
Sadia is the primary creator of the YouTube channel, website, and app, “Pick Up Limes”, a plant-based approach to cooking that is affordable, easy, and ultra-comforting.
While I’m not plant-based, I always think about making the switch when I watch her recipes, along with moving to the Netherlands where “Pick Up Limes” is based.
Claire Saffitz
We know her. We love her. Enough said.
Just kidding, I will never not take the opportunity to talk about Claire Saffitz.
While Clarie is down to earth, her recipes are far from it. She takes some pretty glamorous spins on classic western bakes, as well as being mindful of what’s in season and acclimating for every baker.
John Kanell
I’ve mentioned a handful of John Kanell’s recipes on the blog, but never properly introduced him.
John’s channel reminds me most of Food Network nostalgia. He focuses on the basics of recipes without removing the joy of simplicity.
Another call to Food Network is how often his family is at the forefront of most of his recipes. Super sweet, super simple!
Priya Krishna
I. Love. Priya.
While Priya has taken a minor step back from recipe-making, her work in Food Journalism is astonishing.
Over the last two years, she’s taken the lead in highlighting overlooked culinary culture in her series “On The Job” with the New York Times. Some examples include what it takes to run a bodega, feeding the largest middle school in NYC, and the life of a streetcart vendor.
Big fan!
Also, if you’re in the Houston area, Priya Krishna will be participating in Chris Shepherd’s Table to Stage series in June.
I will be sat.
BONUS: I’m currently reading “Food and the City” by Ina Yalof which has the same energy as “On The Job”. Yalof highlights overlooked individuals that make New York’s food scene what it is. Very interesting, very easy read!
Rick Martinez
Last but certainly not least is Rick Martinez.
Rick’s cooking style sticks to his roots but adds a flare for the eccentric. His series “Sweet Heat” with Food52 is a channel favorite, developing recipes with (you guessed it) a little bit of sweet and a little bit of heat.
Rick feels like the cool uncle at the party who brought the fun drinks and desserts, and I want to party right alongside him.
To wrap it up, my Siti would’ve eaten all these people up (and their recipes).
Give them a watch!
With Love,
Cara