This week's FN Dish takes me into the kitchen of Anne Burrell who you may recognize as Mario Batali's sous chef on Iron Chef America. She's also the chef at Centro Vinoteca (pronounce it "CHENtro" or she'll correct you!) and the host of the brand new Food Network show "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef." For those of you who, like me, bemoan the loss of "Molto Mario" and other authentic cooking shows on Food Network, this is a show to watch and support.
Leave a comment on the video page with your best cooking secret and enter to win a Chrome-Plated Al Dente Pasta Machine by VillaWare. Then click here to watch my Next Food Network Star viewing party with Sunny Anderson.
Comments (31)
http://thefoodmonsterblog.blogspot.com
Wow, I've never seen such gigantic noodles before. I am going to have to try some of those.
Posted by The Food Monster | June 24, 2008 12:32 PM
I'm so happy about this new show. I'm tired of the "fluff" shows on the Food Network.
She always made the pasta for Mario on Iron Chef and I can't wait to learn her techniques.
Posted by Debbie | June 25, 2008 7:40 PM
I definitely shouldn't have watched this before bed. Surely I'll be dreaming of that delicious looking bolognese...and that pasta!!!
Jules
House of Jules
Posted by HouseofJules | June 26, 2008 3:02 AM
Good day,
So, where is Mario going, I work, cook, write, and I do not have a life except occasional Food TV or the HGTV, something like that. So, it sounds like you are an expert of minutia of FTV. I so miss Barefoot Contessa everything looks like reruns and Cookworks the guests were dorky but the food was totally different from all shows. It sounds like the FTV likes you: let them know that "this is not america", give them real ideas that effect the world of overworked, poor, single parents, lonely people, grannies once again raising grandchildren. I love FTV but one reason why is because there is no violence.
Posted by olivu | June 28, 2008 10:21 AM
But olivu, haven't you heard the veggies screaming on the chopping block?
just kidding...
(or am i?)
Posted by zeep | June 28, 2008 8:21 PM
I just tried (and subsequently, fell in love with) the pici pasta at CV and must say that it rivals any of Batali's and Bastianich's best pasta dishes. Great clip, FN Dish: Anne seems totally down to Earth and a chef completely deserving of a FN show.
Posted by Le Disher | June 29, 2008 11:29 PM
We just loved Anne's show. "Cook the crap out of it!" She's a breath of fresh air, she's real, she's not Rachael Ray, Giada, or Paula! How nice! Keep the shows coming!
Posted by Buddyb | June 30, 2008 11:57 AM
Anne, doesn't have to cook, just let us look at her for thirty minutes, she is uncomparable!!!!
you certainly have a super star instantly...
please please keep her coming....
Posted by genice carpenter | June 30, 2008 6:45 PM
Anne, doesn't have to cook, just let us look at her for thirty minutes, she is uncomparable!!!!
Posted by genice carpenter | June 30, 2008 6:47 PM
So, being a huge fan of Batali, and Anne on Iron Chef, I really really really wanted to love this show.
I found it to be unwatchable. Sorry Anne, I'm sure you're a fabulous chef, but the arm motions? the voice thingo? I was cringing after just 5 minutes and had to turn it off. And then my husband, wanting to know what the Sunday morning ruckus was about, came in and turned it on and he couldn't take it either.
Please, PLEASE, Anne...you're a great chef, stop bastardizing your personality into "food network star" constraints. And (the ultimate FN makeover), what's with the cleavage in your profile shot? Oy vey. FN has truly sold their souls to the devil.
Posted by auralais | June 30, 2008 10:25 PM
I will watch every episode. Anne is the real deal. I thought the bolognese recipe was grand, just like mine, but I add a touch of milk.
Posted by Christyne | July 1, 2008 10:34 PM
[i]I found it to be unwatchable. Sorry Anne, I'm sure you're a fabulous chef, but the arm motions? the voice thingo? I was cringing after just 5 minutes and had to turn it off. And then my husband, wanting to know what the Sunday morning ruckus was about, came in and turned it on and he couldn't take it either.[/i]
Totally disagree! This is what I found so likeable about Anne and her new show. This is not a fluffy show - this is real cooking! I was hooked within 5 minutes!
Posted by TW | July 2, 2008 6:06 PM
I absolutely love this show - the content, the presentation and of course, Anne's contagious personality.
Please keep this show going!
Posted by Shari Murphy | July 20, 2008 10:15 AM
I love Anne, her approach, and her skill; however, this show does not show her in the best light.
My recommendation - give her an on-set "audience" of 3-4 people that she can teach, talk to, and interact with - rather than have her performing for the camera. Much like Mario's old show. You can tell she's a fun, engaging person; unfortunately, this one-on-one with the camera appears to be constraining and unnatural for her - she needs people to interact with. I think her personality will shine through and soften her rough on-camera edges. She's an experienced culinary teacher - let her do her thing.
Also, get rid of that boring, drab, dark set - AND - put her back in her Chef's whites. This is secrets of a restaurant chef; make her look like one!
Posted by Love it..but..... | July 20, 2008 10:16 AM
I love her! A breath of fresh air. I want to make everything she does. Keep em coming, and I will be watching!
Posted by Anne | July 20, 2008 8:08 PM
Can she use a spoon instead of stirring brine with her hand? UGHHH Get her off!
Posted by Jacqueline | July 27, 2008 9:47 AM
My recommendation - give her an on-set "audience" of 3-4 people that she can teach, talk to, and interact with - rather than have her performing for the camera. Much like Mario's old show. You can tell she's a fun, engaging person; unfortunately, this one-on-one with the camera appears to be constraining and unnatural for her - she needs people to interact with. I think her personality will shine through and soften her rough on-camera edges. She's an experienced culinary teacher - let her do her thing.
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE APPROACH- TO FILM THIS SHOW IN A SMALL TUSCAN LIKE KITCHEN- WITH A FEW STUDENTS (ALL AGES) SO SHE CAN INTERACT WITH THEM. SHE WAS MY INSTRUCTOR IN CULINARY SCHOOL YEARS AGO- AND BELIEVE ME- WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCRENE IS NOT HER- SHE SEEMS UNCOMFORTABLE SPEAKING= FOOD FLYING EVERYWHERE (SWISS CHARD)- HER ARM MOTIONS AND FAKE LINGO HAS TO GO. SHE IS A SERIOUS CHEF- AND THE FOOD NETWORK IS READY FOR A TRUE TECHNICIAN- UNLIKE HOUSEWIFE GIADA AND RACHAEL RAY- WHO ARE USELESS TO FOODIES- THEY ARE INSULTING TO THEIR CULINARY INTELLIGENCE.
I HOPE ANNE FINDS HER GROVE, AND FINDS A WAY TO TEACH WHILE HER HANDS ARE FOCUSING ON THE FOOD. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING A GOOD SHOW.
Posted by ICE grad | July 29, 2008 9:05 AM
Where has Anne's show gone? The FN website doesn't show any future shows?
She is so great compared to some of the other silly cooking shows-you actually learn something!
Posted by SG | August 1, 2008 8:53 AM
Where has Anne's show gone? The FN website doesn't show any future shows?
She is so great compared to some of the other silly cooking shows-you actually learn something!
Posted by SG | August 1, 2008 8:53 AM
I'm so upset because it appears that FTV has deleted all Anne Burrell info from the website...cannot even access old shows! I just LOVE her show...she totally cracks me up! At last, a real restaurant chef teaching valuable skills and it seems that once again the FTV is going to "dumb down" its schedule by dropping Anne's show.
Do us a favor, FTV, and keep those "open a box and throw together with a pound of butter" cooking entertainers for those who watch FTV for entertainment, but also bring us some quality programming like Anne's show and Wolfgang Puck's Cooking Class. I am sick of the fluff and want more substance.
Posted by Debbie | August 3, 2008 10:57 AM
I'm so upset because it appears that FTV has deleted all Anne Burrell info from the website...cannot even access old shows! I just LOVE her show...she totally cracks me up! At last, a real restaurant chef teaching valuable skills and it seems that once again the FTV is going to "dumb down" its schedule by dropping Anne's show.
Do us a favor, FTV, and keep those "open a box and throw together with a pound of butter" cooking entertainers for those who watch FTV for entertainment, but also bring us some quality programming like Anne's show and Wolfgang Puck's Cooking Class. I am sick of the fluff and want more substance.
Posted by Debbie | August 3, 2008 10:57 AM
Please don't tell me you're taking Anne off! She's the first new FTN new show I really like. I was already a fan of Anne from Iron Chef.
If they take her off it's just more proof of the dumbing down of television.
Posted by Jayne | August 5, 2008 12:35 PM
Not only is Anne Burrell a wonderful chef, she is a wonderful teacher. I know this first hand because she was one of my favorite instructors in culinary school.
I have been cooking professionally for about 9 years now, and every day I use skills that Anne Burrell has taught me.
I have also worked many times with Chef Anne as her chef's assistant and I haven't seen anyone else that is more suited to teach, "The Secrets of a Restaurant Chef."
I wish her luck and prosperity with her show and her restaurant, as well.
We are all lucky to have her as a teacher.
Posted by Colette Hylan | August 17, 2008 4:47 PM
I can see Ann's superstar qualities, and think she's a great addition to the network! Very inspiring, and brings back a lot of restaurant memories for me.
There's just one thing, STOP THE FAT ALBERT VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It totally kills the show. Please, I'm just trying to help here. I enjoy the show but the deep voice is so unattractive it makes me want to change the channel.
I wish you the BEST Ann, and let your skills shine without an annoying voice inflection trademark. That's not what you want to be known for!
Posted by Shannon | November 8, 2008 2:13 PM
I can see Ann's superstar qualities, and think she's a great addition to the network! Very inspiring, and brings back a lot of restaurant memories for me.
There's just one thing, STOP THE FAT ALBERT VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It totally kills the show. Please, I'm just trying to help here. I enjoy the show but the deep voice is so unattractive it makes me want to change the channel.
I wish you the BEST Ann, and let your skills shine without an annoying voice inflection trademark. That's not what you want to be known for!
Posted by Shannon | November 8, 2008 2:14 PM
Anne,
We LOVE your insights and experience regarding food and cooking. Finally, a show worth watching on FN. Congratuations on a great show!
Posted by cindy | December 30, 2008 3:45 PM
Anne,
We LOVE your insights and experience regarding food and cooking. Finally, a show worth watching on FN. Congratuations on a great show!
Posted by cindy | December 30, 2008 3:46 PM
Anne,
We LOVE your insights and experience regarding food and cooking. Finally, a show worth watching on FN. Congratuations on a great show!
Posted by cindy | December 30, 2008 3:46 PM
I love that she's a traditional cooking show because FN has strayed from that for so long.
What I cannot stand is her excessive use of the words "lovely" and "beautiful" and that HORRIBLE voice thing.
There is no doubt she's great chef but her on screen appeal is lacking. Hopefully she'll get better; she can actually cook.
Anything to take air time away from Aida. That show is crap.
Posted by Sara | January 4, 2009 7:54 PM
Love this show! I cant wait til she writes a book! In the mean time, I just keep printing her recipes to keep in a binder. I've grown to love her quirky body language and quips. She gives out really useful tips and secrets...awesome recipes! Anne, if you are listening give us a book!!!! You are awesome!
Posted by Ruthanne | February 7, 2009 11:10 AM
Love this show! I cant wait til she writes a book! In the mean time, I just keep printing her recipes to keep in a binder. I've grown to love her quirky body language and quips. She gives out really useful tips and secrets...awesome recipes! Anne, if you are listening give us a book!!!! You are awesome!
Posted by Ruthanne | February 7, 2009 11:10 AM