What an unappetizing person.
6
Look, seriously. The NY Times on food is for people dazzled by ridiculous tweaks on good solid recipes, or who want to make dinner in twenty steps instead of three.
Cooking shows on basic cable are reality junk viewing. They*re not for learning how to cook skillfully but easily and put reasonable meals on the table.
And it*s hilarious to me that so many commenters are reviling McDonalds but were going to order Dora Charles* cookbook *right now*--a guide to making really healthy food like grits sandwiches...
People who pontificate about food probably don*t have much of a sense of the pleasures of life, which are more often simple than not.
Craig, Julia, Graham--miss ya a lot. Nobody here to replace you...
Cooking shows on basic cable are reality junk viewing. They*re not for learning how to cook skillfully but easily and put reasonable meals on the table.
And it*s hilarious to me that so many commenters are reviling McDonalds but were going to order Dora Charles* cookbook *right now*--a guide to making really healthy food like grits sandwiches...
People who pontificate about food probably don*t have much of a sense of the pleasures of life, which are more often simple than not.
Craig, Julia, Graham--miss ya a lot. Nobody here to replace you...
5
Thanks for the pickle recipes, Alton. They are the best.
1
Let me get this straight, the host of "Camp Cutthroat" feels that he has the right to be critical of anyone?
13
"Nutritonal slavery" is the takeaway here.
2
Who gives a rat's patoot what this guy thinks?
6
The Food Channel has jumped the shark for me. Cooking contests and people like the woman who cooks with half packaged foods, and the tv star cooks are awful. Paula Deen's food was atrocious.
10
I would love to ask Alton Brown why the Food Network subjects us to back-to-back full evenings of Guy Fieri wolfing down the worst food possible on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We turn the channel when he is on because we can't bear watching him. I would love to see Fieri replaced by real cooking shows, such as Good Eats and Avec Eric.
9
Actually, DD&D is my guilty pleasure. His corny jokes aside, I never really think about Fieri when I'm watching the show, so much as the attention and recognition that he has given through these last many several years to often mom-and-pop, out-of-the-way, smalltown eateries whose owners and workers seem to really show their love for the food they make and their loyal customers they serve, across the USA. His is one show that seems to spotlight the everyday restaurants, owners, and clients, and their love of food, not just their love of cooking it. I see a lot of good recipes on his show, and I've learned a lot about all the prep work, ingredients and effort that goes into not only cooking it, but presenting it and how the whole operations work.
2
Why do you feel guilty then? You should free proud.
What in heck does "pornification" mean? Food well-prepared and composed on the plate, whether it's pigeon under glass or a cheeseburger with a tomato peeking out from inside, next to a log cabin of crisp French fries, next to a long green pickle, sets off feelings of sensual desire. On the hyperkinetic Food Network, the interplay between human hands and raw food - slicing, shaping, massaging, stirring, serving - appeals irresistibly to our voyeurism. Transforming raw rice into a risotto is one of the most magical things that can happen in a kitchen, as any watching small child will tell you. "Pornification" is an ugly Puritan term that is totally out of place when it comes to the subject of food.
4
As informative and entertaining as "Good Eats" was, Brown seems to have been an obsessive control freak which is why the show ended. There's an interesting interview with Andrew Zimmern on Zimmern's podcast "Go Fork Yourself" where Brown seems like a really burned out dark guy who probably needed to take a break from the business.
2
Boy is this rich: one of media's most visible ringmasters in the circus of food porn now getting all serious and reflective. Whatever value he may have offered early n in Good Eats has been undone by years of loud, coarse mugging on an endless chain of insulting competition shows. And last I looked, he didn't run a professional kitchen, so he';s not a chef, either.
13
"We have designed our system to force people into nutritional slavery."
Oh, please. Nobody is forced to eat at McDonald's. And even if they were, they don't have to order the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, large fries, and large Coke. People make choices for good or bad, and then they need to live with those choices. "Nutritional slavery"? Give me a break.
Oh, please. Nobody is forced to eat at McDonald's. And even if they were, they don't have to order the Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, large fries, and large Coke. People make choices for good or bad, and then they need to live with those choices. "Nutritional slavery"? Give me a break.
2
Food, good food as in fresh fruits and vegetables are too expensive if you are the working poor, or have a low income. I challenge you to subsist for 6 months on what average budget would be for such a person, and not including staples already stocked at home. Please report back in detail.
3
@Cindy -- I'm working poor and we do buy, cook & eat vegetables. We grow some of them, too. I want to put a fork into the idea that we poor people are either too stupid or unskilled to feed ourselves well. It implies that we subsist on Mountain Dew, Oscars Meyer Lunchables, and fast food; and that our situation is hopeless. I have oatmeal every day for breakfast, it's pennies per serving and delicious. My favorite soup, split pea that I'll spike with either ham, carrots &potatoes or parmigiano is also pennies per serving. The hot thing these days is avocado toast, and I can't make that cost more than $1.00 per serving. Well maybe I could if I wasted money on some expensive bread, but even then it would be difficult.
I didn't do the SNAP challenge as a stunt to see how hard it was; I lived it for the year in which our household had zero income.
I didn't do the SNAP challenge as a stunt to see how hard it was; I lived it for the year in which our household had zero income.
10
I have been quite poor, raised by a single mother among the working poor. More recently, I have been affluent.
Please believe me – – economics, and the amount of time and energy left at the end of long, hard days, have a lot to do with food choices in modern society.
Please believe me – – economics, and the amount of time and energy left at the end of long, hard days, have a lot to do with food choices in modern society.
3
Just watch Jacques Pepin, if you can.
6
He has a sweet soul.
2
"Yes, but the second that our society starts thinking that shoveling Big Macs into our face is a disease then we’re done, we’re done as a culture."
I Guess we are Long Done then
I haven't been in a Mcdonald's in Many Decades. Why? Because it's Garbage
I Guess we are Long Done then
I haven't been in a Mcdonald's in Many Decades. Why? Because it's Garbage
3
I have had it with the term "Foodies".
6
I see lots of hate against Alton here for his obesity remarks, but calling obesity merely a "disease" makes it seem like obesity is just something that happens to you, rather than something over which people have some amount of control over reducing or eliminating.
6
I enjoyed the first 2 seasons of Good Eats. It wasn't just recipes or "food porn". And the segments that featured Shirley Corriher, the food anthropologist (yes, there is such a thing!) were fascinating. He taught technique, how to select ingredients, and often threw in a bit of cultural history. Later seasons I found less enjoyable. They seemed to be scraping the bottom of the barrel for ideas. No matter. I think he's a refreshing change from the Guy Fiero school of "food celebrity".
But AB, please stick to what you know. Unless you've recently gone to medical school, you cannot expect anyone to take your opinions on obesity seriously. It's a complex metabolic disorder, and if there was a simple fix, the many people struggling with this disease (and it IS a disease, just as much as alcoholism) would have taken it. An intelligent man, and one who claims to be a Christian, should show a bit more compassion and not fall for the "calories in/calories out" mantra that has been debunked so many times.
But AB, please stick to what you know. Unless you've recently gone to medical school, you cannot expect anyone to take your opinions on obesity seriously. It's a complex metabolic disorder, and if there was a simple fix, the many people struggling with this disease (and it IS a disease, just as much as alcoholism) would have taken it. An intelligent man, and one who claims to be a Christian, should show a bit more compassion and not fall for the "calories in/calories out" mantra that has been debunked so many times.
5
Nearly every obese person we see is drinking soft drinks rather than tea or water. Snacking on high fat high sugar intend of protein or vegetables. Complex metabolic? No, it is bad habits and/or an inability to self-discipline. Those with a medical condition are less than 1% of obesity and should not be in this discussion.
4
Please Google "observation bias."
Please provide a source supporting your contention that "those with a medical condition are less than 1% of obesity."
Neither your opinions or those of Mr. Brown are facts.
Please provide a source supporting your contention that "those with a medical condition are less than 1% of obesity."
Neither your opinions or those of Mr. Brown are facts.
7
I never liked Alton Brown. Watching him for more than 5 minutes spoils my appetite.
5
Cutthroat Kitchen and its ilk are not really about cooking, but competition and games. Alton and the others responsible have a lot to answer for. Once Alton gave up teaching about food and cooking he became boring. There are still some chefs who make teaching an essential part of their shows, and so their shows endure. Alton, I miss the guy I admired. I'm sorry you lost your way and became seduced by celebrity.
5
It is remarkable how many commenters are unaware that the Food Network is a business in search of an audience by using a fixed, repeatable, episodic, formula so they can reliably generate a revenue stream and Alton Brown makes a living in that fashion. Teaching cooking show audiences were mined out.
Does trash result? Duh. Competition with Vain Judges who actually lack authority, hard luck stories about contestants selling their souls for some air time, and free PR for local businesses to whom being featured means revenues is the result. America.
Does trash result? Duh. Competition with Vain Judges who actually lack authority, hard luck stories about contestants selling their souls for some air time, and free PR for local businesses to whom being featured means revenues is the result. America.
9
Yup, that's the American way, though Food Network started out with much higher quality programming. For years now, PBS has been a far better network source for serious programming about food.
5
Actually, commenters are aware of it. We're just disgusted and disappointed by the trend.
1
I used to like Alton Brown and thought "Good Eats" was both educational and witty. His role as MC of Iron Chef America was also enjoyable, but that's about it. I used to wonder why he went from owning a niche where he clearly sought to educate viewers about food and eating to exemplifying the mean-spirited and sadistic game show host on "Cutthroat Kitchen", but not anymore. THIS is clearly his real personality.
Food Network used to be about cooking, about educating Americans about the joy of cooking. Now it's about gluttony (Diners Drive-in and Dives) and a winner-take-all mentality (the aforementioned Cutthroat Kitchen) that have about as much to do with cooking as Donald Trump has to do with good governance.
Food Network used to be about cooking, about educating Americans about the joy of cooking. Now it's about gluttony (Diners Drive-in and Dives) and a winner-take-all mentality (the aforementioned Cutthroat Kitchen) that have about as much to do with cooking as Donald Trump has to do with good governance.
17
I agree; I enjoy watching shows that teach me how to cook. And while I think Guy Fieri is a major d-bag, I enjoy seeing the places around the country that he highlights on his show. But I have zero interest in watching people compete to see who can prepare the best meal out of squid, gummi bears, and marshmallows in 20 minutes. No thanks.
6
I used to like to watch "Good Eats" hosted by Mr. Brown on the Food Network. It was a little campy, but I learned a lot about the science behind food preparation. I've watched him on episodes of Iron Chef and enjoyed that he has such an expansive knowledge of food preparation that he could guess what the chef is creating just by watching the first step in the process. But I have only seen 2 minutes of his current show, Cutthroat Kitchen, and I find it to lack in any quality as a cooking show or a presentation of cuisine. In fact, almost all of the content of programing at Food Network has become about competition and celebrity that it no longer makes for enjoyable and informative food television. If he truly has had it with foodies, I would like to see him go out on his own and secure a food-based program on some other cable network. Good luck to him. Oh, one more thing, if there is a remote chance he is reading these comments, CINNAMON DOES BELONG IN APPLE PIE!
13
I was expecting something more exciting here, something about the informative cooking scientist on TV. What I came away with is - nothing. Except he's into guns, and it has nothing to do with where his office is.
Yawn.
Yawn.
10
Food can be cheap if you cook it yourself and don't exotic ingredients you don't need:
20 lb rice costs around $20
5lb bread flour costs $5
milk 1 carton(.5gallon) costs maybe $4
So, if you are *efficient* with cooking, ie., can cook something good in 30 -45 mins you are all set.
The important part, often left out, is *efficient* cooking. i.e., you are set up with required equipment and make 3-4 different things at the same time. Otherwise, it will take 2hrs and one will lose interest and it becomes a form of punishment.
This efficiency requires practice. The first time someone cooks, it may take 2 hrs. Overtime, it will come down to 30 mins.
So, the real thing is to not be put off when it starts 2 hrs and go at it until it comes down to 30 mins.
One does not always cook for 2 hrs(or later 30mins). It would be fine to take a break and use microwave or whatever to get things done in the meantime.
So, in the end, it is all in the mindset. So, the minimum required would be to have a desire to cook. Before desire, one needs to have an interest. For interest, one needs to have curiosity. If macdonald kills this curiosity(i will have a burger and I am done), one would never even get started.
20 lb rice costs around $20
5lb bread flour costs $5
milk 1 carton(.5gallon) costs maybe $4
So, if you are *efficient* with cooking, ie., can cook something good in 30 -45 mins you are all set.
The important part, often left out, is *efficient* cooking. i.e., you are set up with required equipment and make 3-4 different things at the same time. Otherwise, it will take 2hrs and one will lose interest and it becomes a form of punishment.
This efficiency requires practice. The first time someone cooks, it may take 2 hrs. Overtime, it will come down to 30 mins.
So, the real thing is to not be put off when it starts 2 hrs and go at it until it comes down to 30 mins.
One does not always cook for 2 hrs(or later 30mins). It would be fine to take a break and use microwave or whatever to get things done in the meantime.
So, in the end, it is all in the mindset. So, the minimum required would be to have a desire to cook. Before desire, one needs to have an interest. For interest, one needs to have curiosity. If macdonald kills this curiosity(i will have a burger and I am done), one would never even get started.
1
I enjoyed watching “Good Eats” with Alton Brown. The show was humorous and informative. He had interesting guests. (I particularly liked Shirley Corriher). He taught his viewers how to cook. I thought he was a positive influence on the American public’s knowledge and attitudes toward food. Now he is a game show host and part of the problem.
13
Brown states that some people are too poor to afford anything but bad food, but I wonder how true that is. Maybe he's talking only about restaurant food? Lots of food available at supermarkets is inexpensive--a bag of rice, a bunch of carrots, bananas, etc., tend to be quite cheap. Maybe it's more about knowledge, and maybe just a lot of people today do not know how to cook even in the most basic ways. One can prepare a decent meal at home in the time it would take to drive to a hamburger joint, wait in line at the drive-through window, and then drive home with the burger and fries.
4
Laughing at all the hilarious limousine gourmets, here who find it soooo obvious and easy to consign a whole segment of our society to a life sentence rice and beans. A challenge to you all -- try it for 6 months and document your experience without benefit of any existing staples you possess. Please report back! It will be sheer agony, I promise you, and deprive you of the energy, will and desire nessessary to aspire to further arrogant presumptions.
1
If there is no grocery store close to you that sells those things and you don't have a car, you're probably not going to make a long journey on public transportation to go shopping if you can get something else quickly closer to home. People forget that many poor neighborhoods are lacking in grocery stores.
6
Cindy and Peg – –
Thank you for your empathy. I grew up poor, and the beans-and-rice scolds really have no comprehension of the many complex factors that can lead many hard-working low income people into a cycle of relying frequently on cheap fast food. My mother never could have fed me the way I feed myself now. There weren't enough hours in the day or enough places to store the bulk sacks of beans and rice.
As to the commenters on whether obesity is a disease or a character flaw:
Some people are fat because of a metabolic propensity to gain and hang onto weight.
Some people are fat because of a dysfunctional pattern of taking in too many calories.
Some people are fat because of some combination of the two.
All deserve our empathy. No one is happy to be fat.
Empathy can help people to change where change is possible. It can also simply give them comfort. Expressions of contempt do neither.
Thank you for your empathy. I grew up poor, and the beans-and-rice scolds really have no comprehension of the many complex factors that can lead many hard-working low income people into a cycle of relying frequently on cheap fast food. My mother never could have fed me the way I feed myself now. There weren't enough hours in the day or enough places to store the bulk sacks of beans and rice.
As to the commenters on whether obesity is a disease or a character flaw:
Some people are fat because of a metabolic propensity to gain and hang onto weight.
Some people are fat because of a dysfunctional pattern of taking in too many calories.
Some people are fat because of some combination of the two.
All deserve our empathy. No one is happy to be fat.
Empathy can help people to change where change is possible. It can also simply give them comfort. Expressions of contempt do neither.
1
Cooking shows have gone from instructional to entertainment. This is a very sad state of affairs. Mr. Brown has gone from an interesting food instructor (one of the best), to trained monkey with an organ grinder. This too is a sad state of affairs. I am sure he did it for money, because he too wants to be a star!!!
10
I kind of liked him. After reading this, not so much.
18
Mr. Brown's old series, Good Eats, was the most intelligent and entertaining show of its genre. The viewer learned useful things, even about food chemistry, without hearing a lecture.
5
I met Alton over lunch at his alma mater in Montpelier, Vermont. He was a very congenial person and we had a nice chat.
I stopped watching the Food Network years ago when they replaced instructional cooking shows with ridiculous cooking competitions.
Quite frankly, these boob tube, celebrity chefs could not wash Julia Child's dishes or mop the kitchen floor of Jacques Pepin's country home no matter how congenial they are in person.
I stopped watching the Food Network years ago when they replaced instructional cooking shows with ridiculous cooking competitions.
Quite frankly, these boob tube, celebrity chefs could not wash Julia Child's dishes or mop the kitchen floor of Jacques Pepin's country home no matter how congenial they are in person.
9
His show "Good Eats" was brilliant. Something went horribly wrong on Cutthroat Kitchen; was unable to watch his unpleasant transition. I think he is a true food genius who needs to get back in touch with his playful, creative side again.
8
I don't watch the Food Network, so I've never seen Alton Brown perform. I did however get a serviceable Alton Brown recipe for granola forwarded from a friendly neighbor, and have since been making it every other week instead of buying inferior granola from the store. So thanks, Alton.
10
Food is just a gimmick for the Food Network, most shows are "reality" competitions (if it is real) hiding behind food. Ask Tony Bourdain what he thinks.
3
Isn't "Cutthroat Kitchen" worse than pornification of food? From the moronic name of the show to the ridiculous gimmickry of using irrelevant ingredients and substitutes for tools it is an abomination.
His original show, "Good Eats", at least showed techniques with rational explanations and tips, and a little bit of well-intentioned humor and stunts thrown in for those who like that kind of stuff. But the present shows are just substance-free garbage and a criminal waste of resources and insulting a generation of viewers who are going to grow up thinking this is how food can be made "fun".
To read Mr. Brown to pontificate so much about others it is quite strange. Is this man that out of touch? Or is this all just part of some cynical act? Like I suspect Ted Cruz' persona is.
His original show, "Good Eats", at least showed techniques with rational explanations and tips, and a little bit of well-intentioned humor and stunts thrown in for those who like that kind of stuff. But the present shows are just substance-free garbage and a criminal waste of resources and insulting a generation of viewers who are going to grow up thinking this is how food can be made "fun".
To read Mr. Brown to pontificate so much about others it is quite strange. Is this man that out of touch? Or is this all just part of some cynical act? Like I suspect Ted Cruz' persona is.
8
As always, Alton Brown has his finger on the pulse of American food. His inventive Good Eats shows made food and cooking accessible to millions, and helped to inspire my ChefMD series. He is a great teacher.
Mr. Brown also anticipates food's next direction; self-direction. Our system at a macro level is broken--if that what he means by "nutritional slavery". The health crisis in America related to obesity, heart disease and diabetes is directly related to the quality and quantity of food we eat.
But I find that real food, if simply construed, is getting cheaper. The healthiest diets cost about $1.50 more per day than the least healthy diets, according to a 2013 Harvard study.
What people are missing are the skills and the time: to cook anything, to grow anything they eat, to buy locally from other gardeners and farmers, to cook in quantity, to forage in their own refrigerators, even to read labels well.
These are the things it's tough to teach in an office medical visit, easier and fun to teach in a cooking class, and really fun to teach on TV. I hope that's next.
Mr. Brown also anticipates food's next direction; self-direction. Our system at a macro level is broken--if that what he means by "nutritional slavery". The health crisis in America related to obesity, heart disease and diabetes is directly related to the quality and quantity of food we eat.
But I find that real food, if simply construed, is getting cheaper. The healthiest diets cost about $1.50 more per day than the least healthy diets, according to a 2013 Harvard study.
What people are missing are the skills and the time: to cook anything, to grow anything they eat, to buy locally from other gardeners and farmers, to cook in quantity, to forage in their own refrigerators, even to read labels well.
These are the things it's tough to teach in an office medical visit, easier and fun to teach in a cooking class, and really fun to teach on TV. I hope that's next.
9
For God's sake people....Please take the challenge I offer and read my comments to other limousine experts....there is nooooo amount of teaching to the unwashed masses you presume could eat well if they were simply educated as to techniques, and nutrition, vegetables & cooking rice and beans, etc. Food, as in fruits or vegetables are simply out of the question no matter what! Please report back after you've learned your lessons class!
I live in San Francisco, and people here have made a fetish of food. Yes, the emphasis on fresh and local is worthwhile. But I rebel against how food preparation has become so twisted and caught up with our identities. I have a hard time going to restaurants here. Many are great, but others are overpriced and serve dishes that are merely byzantine. Ditto for the crazy concoctions of cheeses, wines, etc. Like the three kinds of saffron. Fortunately, we also have a good selection of untrendy places that serve honest dishes--especially but not exclusively from Asian families.
4
Alton... Bring back Good Eats.
3
Mr. Brown started out with a cooking show, "Good Eats," that was well-researched, informative, and entertaining. But since then he has been perhaps the leading schlockmeister of the Food Network which has become a cesspool of crude cooking competitions and reality shows. If Mr. Brown is tired of foodies, just imagine how tired we serious cooks are of the antics he has promoted. He has basically undone everything the late, great Julia Child did for television cooking shows. He should be ashamed of himself.
16
since i don't own a TV, i had never heard of this man before. apparently i haven't missed much. may he and his guns again recede far back into the miasma of the media.
7
that hostile edge that makes him hard to stand certainly comes across loud and clear here:
The snark, the dodging of questions, the self righteousness, the anger and hostility towards the masses (his audience), and the general assiness of the guy.
You can see why "The Next Food Network Star", silly and bad as it is, is so much better with him gone.
He is not a nice guy.
The snark, the dodging of questions, the self righteousness, the anger and hostility towards the masses (his audience), and the general assiness of the guy.
You can see why "The Next Food Network Star", silly and bad as it is, is so much better with him gone.
He is not a nice guy.
11
I have seen many interesting episodes of Alton Brown's "Good Eats" show over the years. I have found them quite informative and entertaining. From this show I thought Mr. Brown was a congenial person who had an interest in educating the average individual about many aspects of food preparation. Was I ever wrong. The curtain has been removed. It was all an act!
This interview with Mr. Brown demonstrates that he is just another cynical, narcissistic performer who actually has a great disdain for his audience. This explains his totally inane and idiotic program Cutthroat Kitchen, which I found contemptible and utterly unwatchable.
Guess I'll stop watching any show with Alton Brown associated with it.
This interview with Mr. Brown demonstrates that he is just another cynical, narcissistic performer who actually has a great disdain for his audience. This explains his totally inane and idiotic program Cutthroat Kitchen, which I found contemptible and utterly unwatchable.
Guess I'll stop watching any show with Alton Brown associated with it.
25
I don't know how won the school contest. The journalist for a day or being Alton Brown for a day.
I grew up by the knee of our family cook on our farm in Morristown, NJ. Although she never wrote down her recipes, they sung a song of the South that no other person my age could sing. And as I grew older and moved down South from NJ, I realized that I could cook all the things that they said I couldn't cook. The parts you know... and most you don't...
The Food Network vilified good food in favor of garbage pail cooking. A hundred disparate ingredients, clogging our brains with flash and sass, when all I really wanted was a plate of fried chicken from Martha Lou's Kitchen in Charleston. I could watch her cook all day long.. Guy Fieri who?
The Food Network vilified good food in favor of garbage pail cooking. A hundred disparate ingredients, clogging our brains with flash and sass, when all I really wanted was a plate of fried chicken from Martha Lou's Kitchen in Charleston. I could watch her cook all day long.. Guy Fieri who?
2
This man is smiling in his fancy suit because he's pulled a fast one over on the American public. Ugh...this did not paint a very endearing picture of Mr. Brown to me. His personal philosophy about food is disappointing at best. I think there is a difference in the vocation of being a chef and wanting to prepare unique and beautiful dishes, and a passion for food and sharing it with others. I'm not sure he was making that distinction nor did he acknowledge that some people can be amazing chefs and also spiritual about sharing food. And I know people who really don't care for food...they see it as a necessity. So not everyone LOVES food. I also took issue with Mr. Brown's statement that some people can only afford to "...fill their stomachs with bad, cheap food." Well, yes, if eating at restaurants is all you do. I disagree that low-income individuals are consigned to a fast food diet. There are plenty of inexpensive and nutritious foods, and I am sure Mr. Brown knows this. I believe the problem is knowing how to prepare these foods, or committing to the time it takes to prepare these foods and perhaps, having a place to prepare food at all. WIC programs and SNAP will pay for foods purchased at farmers markets making access to fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. Usually these programs are accompanied by courses on how to prepare and even preserve the foods purchased at a farmers market.
2
Someone who exercises his 2nd Amendment rights -- the NYTimes.com commentators won't like that.
Actually, I have read all of the comments, and virtually no one has focused on that. Except for you.
3
There's food for thought that comes with ev'ry byte from Alton's lips.
I hunger for his insights like I do potato chips.
I envy him his svelte physique, after so much noshing;
unless he throws his meals away and all of us are joshing.
I hunger for his insights like I do potato chips.
I envy him his svelte physique, after so much noshing;
unless he throws his meals away and all of us are joshing.
1
Obesity is a disease.
And Alton Brown is not a doctor.
His show back in the day where he scientifically analyzed food was, however, fun.
And Alton Brown is not a doctor.
His show back in the day where he scientifically analyzed food was, however, fun.
4
Correction to me previous comment earlier this morning: PW will be marking its 99th self serve anniversary on Sunday sept 6.
Jim Lahey's recipe for no knead bread - which was a sensation when it first became popularized - was acknowledged & promoted by the NYT's own Mark Bittman, as was proper & appropriate. Mr. Brown didn't bother mentioning Jim Lahey when he introduced no knead bread on his TV show "Good Eats". He gave the distinct impression it was his own idea. Mr. Bittman has class. Mr. Brown doesn't.
8
Stopped watching the Food network years ago, and he is a big reason why.
5
In a perfect world we'd all "take responsibility" for ourselves so we don't offend those around us, harm ourselves, or others, with our poor choices/decisions. But we don't live in that world. Alton Brown is clearly out of touch with the world and has disdain for those he is in touch with (Food Network contestants, for example.) As a counselor I'd like to remind him that there are many emotional causes for obesity and eating disorders. These things aren't "rare" as he asserts, but actually quite common. One of the most prevalent psychological concerns in the world right now is anxiety. There are millions of people who eat/drink/medicate/workout/overwork/sex/shop, and more, to soothe anxiety and which ever of those methods that grabs someone really isn't determined by a conscious, "responsible" place within us. It doesn't come from a selfish, gluttonous, lazy place either. It comes from pain. I've never watched Alton Brown because he always seemed boring to me, now he just seems boorish to me.
19
This is exactly right. It's so easy to suppress, ignore, discredit, and undervalue your own emotions that many people are simply out of touch with them. What you're left with when you don't have empathy is reason, and the absolute logic of "they ate too much, they're gluttons and don't care" is what wins. This can give people justification to bully and dominate people they've judged as overweight.
And if you're shamed into losing weight, every time you deny yourself food you will be doing it out of self hate. If that's the recommendation of the "reasonable," then the cure is worse and should be loudly shouted down. Hate on top of hate is not what brings happiness.
And if you're shamed into losing weight, every time you deny yourself food you will be doing it out of self hate. If that's the recommendation of the "reasonable," then the cure is worse and should be loudly shouted down. Hate on top of hate is not what brings happiness.
3
Alton Brown's current TV shows are unwatchable and belong on the Game Show network instead of the Food Network. Bring back good eats -- at least that taught us something.
He's has a strange few years, rising to prominence on Food TV, ending the show that made him successful, losing a ton of weight and disappearing for a time, then returning to show up on every show with Giada De Laurentiis, only to drop off those shows too.
He's has a strange few years, rising to prominence on Food TV, ending the show that made him successful, losing a ton of weight and disappearing for a time, then returning to show up on every show with Giada De Laurentiis, only to drop off those shows too.
4
Sounds like Mr. Brown is proof that it's never too late for a human to mature and become enlightened, first dropping the Baptists, then recognizing the economic inequities that mean fast food may be the only nutrition available to the poor.
4
He makes a point. In this world of Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc. the concept of dining is being pushed aside in favor of instant photos of food truck meals. People are losing the ability to enjoy the social and community aspect of a meal, not that Americans in general have ever understood the joy of the long luxurious dinner.
I cringe when He's unkind to people. I don't think you're superior or better than other people because you've been given so much....We all have to make our way in this world, but I know there's always a way to be honest with people without being cruel.
4
Ah, Mr. Brown, I hardly knew ye. But thanks to your own words, now I do, and, boy, have I been wrong. The two words that come to my mind for you now are smug and ignorant.
14
Mr. Brown's Good Eat series is a classic. It is innovative and funny and elevate the culinary skills of many people. However, as Food Network morphed into a channel of mostly mindless reality shows from its origin of informative "how-to" programs, the quality of Mr. Brown's works track the intellectual decline of the channel. It is a pity.
4
Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
5
This interview reminds me of an expression I learned while living in Texas. "All hat, no cattle."
I'm not familiar with the Food Network or Mr. Brown. But, I'm a pretty fair judge of character...particularly ego driven personalities that depend on impressing impressionable people.
He says many of the "right phrases," but there appears to be some transparent superficiality about the meanings in his conversation.
If I'm incorrect, I apologize, in advance. If I'm accurate, why is he featured in the NY Times?
I'm not familiar with the Food Network or Mr. Brown. But, I'm a pretty fair judge of character...particularly ego driven personalities that depend on impressing impressionable people.
He says many of the "right phrases," but there appears to be some transparent superficiality about the meanings in his conversation.
If I'm incorrect, I apologize, in advance. If I'm accurate, why is he featured in the NY Times?
10
I'm a long-time fan Alton. Always enjoy your knowledge and take on food. I especially admire your cleanliness in the kitchen. Wish all chefs were as careful about food preparation as you are.....
1
This defines biting the hand that feeds you.
6
We've seen the pornification of food before--in wartime Europe, with a decent meal being a black-market affair.
Good, healthy eating should be everyone's right, and the ability to prepare good, tasty, nourishing food should be taught to everyone.
Good, healthy eating should be everyone's right, and the ability to prepare good, tasty, nourishing food should be taught to everyone.
1
I do think that the best of you got lost after you stopped making "Good Eats". You were an educator who truly communicated with the audience. The most recent shows you have engaged in are truly unwatchable except if you are a sado-masochist. I'm sorry, Alton. I used to be a big fan. Now, meh.
10
Interesting insights into one of my favorite chefs mind. It's great to hear that he not only believes in personal responsibility, but also stands up for our constitutional right to protect ourselves.
1
Oh, anybody who watches the Food Network's "reality" shows doesn't have a clue about A.B. Those are stupid television, nothing to do with food. But if you can catch his own creation, "Good Eats," you'd see what a thoughtful, delightful, entertaining person he is ... and his recipes don't fail, either.
So-called competition shows make everyone appear small-minded and mean-spirited; it's what pays the bills, I suppose. I find them tedious and a complete waste of time. "Good Eats," on the other hand, showed one a lot about why cooking and baking work the way they do, as well as how-to. And it was funny.
So-called competition shows make everyone appear small-minded and mean-spirited; it's what pays the bills, I suppose. I find them tedious and a complete waste of time. "Good Eats," on the other hand, showed one a lot about why cooking and baking work the way they do, as well as how-to. And it was funny.
3
The Times can do much better than this article. What a waste of space.
13
I admired Mr. Brown's old show "Good Eats" because he actually taught about nutrition and technique above and beyond food porn, and showcased ways to make tastier (not necessarily less healthy) versions of everyday dishes. As an instruction filmmaker by profession, he got his message across with with wit and creativity.
But he has never been an easy man, nor sympathetic, nor tactful; not usual for a chef or a filmmaker, and he is both. I don't care; I admire what he achieved with Good Eats. I will say that, in the part of the country where Mr. Brown lives, most obesity is most likely caused by poor eating habits and lack of knowledge of healthy eating. Mr. Brown could be more positive about what is needed than what is not needed. But then he would not be Mr. Brown.
But he has never been an easy man, nor sympathetic, nor tactful; not usual for a chef or a filmmaker, and he is both. I don't care; I admire what he achieved with Good Eats. I will say that, in the part of the country where Mr. Brown lives, most obesity is most likely caused by poor eating habits and lack of knowledge of healthy eating. Mr. Brown could be more positive about what is needed than what is not needed. But then he would not be Mr. Brown.
5
I disagree with Mr. Dobbs from Santa Cruz, who said, "But he has never been an easy man, nor sympathetic, nor tactful; not usual for a chef or a filmmaker, and he is both."
In defense of Alton Brown, I have met many chefs and filmmakers who are unsympathetic and tactless at times. It comes with the nature of the job. Producing excellent food under horrible duress in hot kitchens with the slippery remnants on the floor, is frustrating. A filmmaker's vision is often trampled to death by actors, writers, and studio heads who think they know how to realize the filmmaker's vision better that (S)he does.
The result is someone (chef or filmmaker) who is frustrated, often tactless, and not terribly sympathetic to those who would change the chosen course of creativity.
In defense of Alton Brown, I have met many chefs and filmmakers who are unsympathetic and tactless at times. It comes with the nature of the job. Producing excellent food under horrible duress in hot kitchens with the slippery remnants on the floor, is frustrating. A filmmaker's vision is often trampled to death by actors, writers, and studio heads who think they know how to realize the filmmaker's vision better that (S)he does.
The result is someone (chef or filmmaker) who is frustrated, often tactless, and not terribly sympathetic to those who would change the chosen course of creativity.
What I liked about his nerdy approach was that I always learned something about cooking or baking from him. For joy in cooking there are livelier people, but most of the cooking shows are rehashes of old recipes.
The food competition shows, saved for the dubbed Japanese Iron Chef episodes, are pretty miserable no matter who is the host. As for Mr. Brown, the Good Eats show he was on was entertaining and instructional. I highly recommend his recipe and "how to" for brining a turkey.
1
he's a TV personality that really knows food science, good on him, but he's just a TV personality, necessarily obsessed by his own looks, and things that matter for doing good TV. And to be clear, good TV is simply what allows for the most advertising dollars and advertisements are possibly one of the most destructive things to happen to the human animal in recorded history.
1
I have had it with Foodies too. Gag me with a spoon in fact.
I love great food, but that doesn't mean I'm entertaining enough to have my own TV show. My version of great food also isn't the kind of food that comes stacked on to of each other on a huge plate with some type of sauce drizzled all over hit.
I am sick of these words:
- sourcing
- chatting
- slow food movement
- liking
But I like eating, driving a car and being self-reliant. I I enjoy eating out, if the prices are not obscene and the service from gooey dip-roys.
I love great food, but that doesn't mean I'm entertaining enough to have my own TV show. My version of great food also isn't the kind of food that comes stacked on to of each other on a huge plate with some type of sauce drizzled all over hit.
I am sick of these words:
- sourcing
- chatting
- slow food movement
- liking
But I like eating, driving a car and being self-reliant. I I enjoy eating out, if the prices are not obscene and the service from gooey dip-roys.
I love that Alton Brown had the guts to say what he thinks. Do I always agree with him? No. But then I've never met anyone I always agree with. I do agree with him a lot though. It's about time people stopped being afraid to have an opinion and spoke their minds. I am a fan of his from the various Food Network shows and have become an even bigger fan since I have started reading various interviews he's given. Keep up the good work Mr. Brown!
1
There was a time when he actually taught the viewer about cooking, explaining the science behind the recipes. No longer. He's a sellout. The Food Network really has very little to do with cooking these days, more with promoting products with blatant corporate sponsorship. Now, that I know who he is, what he represents, I turn him off.
5
"I do believe that there is a spiritual act in breaking bread and sitting down and being thankful."
Thank you so much for this, the essence of food. I often find it hard to participate in events (meetings) where food is just being as a cover for awful behavior.
Thank you so much for this, the essence of food. I often find it hard to participate in events (meetings) where food is just being as a cover for awful behavior.
Thank you for the lecture, Mr. Brown. I'll try to remember all the lessons you're trying to teach us. Big Macs are disgusting but shoveling millions of dollars into your pocket while you cater to the lowest common denominator isn't? Seems to me you loved people who loved food for a long, long time. Now that you've made your fortune you can turn around from your armed, very high perch, and tell other people what's right and wrong with their lives.
10
WHY? was this article written? I'm used to the NY Times writing things of substance. This is a piece of fluff, an embarrassment. The person interviewed is clearly unacquainted with the facts, that frequent consumption of fast foods, of which a Big Mac is one very popular sort, is feeding our bodies empty calories containing too much fat, salt and refined carbohydrates. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the US. It increased dramatically among children because schools were put under great pressure to permit vending machines that offered products containing mostly empty calories were offered. As a result, the more balanced school lunches were shunned, as were homemade lunches, for "cool" vending machine food. Now, the tide has turned, and what was illegal before 1980 has now become opposed again, so children will have the chance to eat well. Lastly, one could only make a frivolous statement about three types of saffron without understanding the meanings of the words in the statement. Perhaps the person interviewed is a pleasant conversationalist, but I do not think that he offers much of any substance in conversations about the area where he considers himself to have some expertise: Food.
2
"Good Eats" was perhaps one of the best and most innovative shows that ever appeared on the Food Network. It was a combination of food; science; and humor all rolled into one satisfying hour of television. Thank heavens that Brown had the good sense to pull the plug on this series at the top!
Likewise, as much as Brown is a welcome sight on any Food Network show, I was pleased when he cut the chord with "The Next Food Network Star" simply because the show's become a joke. Don't believe me? You can count all the winners of this contest that presently have a show on the Food Network on one hand (four) and two (2) of those are, effectively, reality show hosts.
Likewise, as much as Brown is a welcome sight on any Food Network show, I was pleased when he cut the chord with "The Next Food Network Star" simply because the show's become a joke. Don't believe me? You can count all the winners of this contest that presently have a show on the Food Network on one hand (four) and two (2) of those are, effectively, reality show hosts.
I love, love, love Alton. I wish he's quit the stupid cooking challenge shows, and go back to his very appealing and humorous teaching show, and the equally amusing and informative, motorcycle travel show. Those shows were showcases for his wonderful talent.
As someone who's never cared much for Alton Brown on food TV, I'd rather focus our attention on the hypocrisy of food pornography and food porn addiction.
Like other pornographies, food porn arouses our voyeurism and transactionalism over participation of equals -- replacing genuine experiences with the vicarious thrills of spectators.
We should not be surprised that food porn took hold in a nation where people spend freely to watch sports, but invest little in exercise. We should not be surprised that our daily bread became fodder for pornificaton when decades of corporate practice have systematically and systemically alienated us from cooking our own meals in favor of gorging on reheated, take out, fast food, and, more recently, fast casual caloric assembly lines.
Alton Brown can continue posturing on TV, but that doesn't mean we have to watch. We can choose to put down the remote and turn off the video in favor of going into the kitchen, picking up a pan, and transforming nature's bounty into a creation which is deliciously of our own making.
In this way, we can use our kitchens to stage ongoing protest actions against the ignorance and rubbish that corporations feed us.
Like other pornographies, food porn arouses our voyeurism and transactionalism over participation of equals -- replacing genuine experiences with the vicarious thrills of spectators.
We should not be surprised that food porn took hold in a nation where people spend freely to watch sports, but invest little in exercise. We should not be surprised that our daily bread became fodder for pornificaton when decades of corporate practice have systematically and systemically alienated us from cooking our own meals in favor of gorging on reheated, take out, fast food, and, more recently, fast casual caloric assembly lines.
Alton Brown can continue posturing on TV, but that doesn't mean we have to watch. We can choose to put down the remote and turn off the video in favor of going into the kitchen, picking up a pan, and transforming nature's bounty into a creation which is deliciously of our own making.
In this way, we can use our kitchens to stage ongoing protest actions against the ignorance and rubbish that corporations feed us.
2
wow. I used to love Alton Brown. He was so interesting and knowledgeable. I think I may have to rethink that. Not because of his comments on foodies. I agree with that, but the other stuff makes him seem... well not someone I should actually even like, let alone love.
5
I've watched and enjoyed those shows and some of the others. I think the biggest problem with the popularity of food shows is that a lot of young people think they're going to become an "executive chef" and own their own restaurant, and the reality is that most aren't. It's nice that television producers can make even cooking seem exciting, but really, it's just food. It's also a little elitist, as if we need all the fancy spices and little sprigs of unusual greens for the food to be cool. Basic food is still good.
This is the guy that makes me change the channel faster than any human. Congratulations!
5
I don't understand the need to vilify food at either end of the spectrum. Other than that it seems to provide a platform for folks like Mr. Brown. "Pornification of food"? I'm a foodie and I love to look at delicious pictures of food. Shoot me.
2
Watching cooking shows used to be a fun family activity for us. We enjoyed learning about new techniques and new cuisines. But the game show format is loud, artificial, and boring. We stopped watching long ago. Alton Brown's cynical disdain for what he has helped create is very hypocritical.
6
I hope Alton Brown is called out for this interview. His views on obesity do not seem very judgemental ,not based in science,or facts, which seems to be a result of his Christianity he practices. The owners of Food Network must be delighted that a man who hosts swill like Cutthroat Kitchen insults millions of its viewers.
7
Did Ted Cruz eat the gun or the bacon?
What I think is missing from many Food Shows is the real bond that cooking creates. I often put a good deal of time and effort into preparing meals for people that I love. When I'm not rushed I enjoy it immensely. My lovely wife once told me I should have my own Cooking Show as I prepared a nice dinner while wearing a tool pouch. I was also repairing our screened porch at the same time. So I shook her a martini then kissed her. She said I should shower. Dinner was served cold.
What I think is missing from many Food Shows is the real bond that cooking creates. I often put a good deal of time and effort into preparing meals for people that I love. When I'm not rushed I enjoy it immensely. My lovely wife once told me I should have my own Cooking Show as I prepared a nice dinner while wearing a tool pouch. I was also repairing our screened porch at the same time. So I shook her a martini then kissed her. She said I should shower. Dinner was served cold.
I love how Ina Garten's show often included the element of food's social function
My cable TV package only gives me the three major networks, PBS and CSPAN - yes, I'm cheap. So, I've never seen Alton Brown, nor heard of him, nor watched the Food Network.
But from what I've heard of it, it's taking cooking to the "celebrity" status and forgetting all the great chefs who are out there in restaurants, preparing wonderful meals for people every single day. I want to evaluate a chef by EATING what he prepares, not watching him/her celebrated on a food show.
I do find it interesting that these shows are so popular yet fewer and fewer people actually ever prepare any food at home from scratch. Sort of like why they need a "chef's kitchen" and burners that would be used for welding. Really?
As for the poor not being able to afford healthy food - that has been shown to be a myth. Beans, rice, various greens were the mainstay of the diet of the poor for generations and they all didn't weigh 350 pounds. When I read articles in the NYTimes, quoting a poor couple in West Virginia about their plight, living out in the country, where they say they are going hungry since their car broke down and they can't get into town to the fast food restaurants. I'm betting their grandparents raised chickens, had a vegetable garden and a few fruit trees, and really only bought grains and dairy (assuming they didn't have a cow). Instead, they prefer to watch TV all day - most likely the Food Network!
But from what I've heard of it, it's taking cooking to the "celebrity" status and forgetting all the great chefs who are out there in restaurants, preparing wonderful meals for people every single day. I want to evaluate a chef by EATING what he prepares, not watching him/her celebrated on a food show.
I do find it interesting that these shows are so popular yet fewer and fewer people actually ever prepare any food at home from scratch. Sort of like why they need a "chef's kitchen" and burners that would be used for welding. Really?
As for the poor not being able to afford healthy food - that has been shown to be a myth. Beans, rice, various greens were the mainstay of the diet of the poor for generations and they all didn't weigh 350 pounds. When I read articles in the NYTimes, quoting a poor couple in West Virginia about their plight, living out in the country, where they say they are going hungry since their car broke down and they can't get into town to the fast food restaurants. I'm betting their grandparents raised chickens, had a vegetable garden and a few fruit trees, and really only bought grains and dairy (assuming they didn't have a cow). Instead, they prefer to watch TV all day - most likely the Food Network!
I defy and challenge you to eat on such a budget for 6 no w/o benefit of stocked larder. Report back.
Alton Brown's Good Eats is/was the best cooking related show on TV, in my opinion.
Because it teaches you something about the history of the ingredients and techniques and the science behind the preparation.
It's actually interesting to watch even if you have no interest in cooking the dish at hand.
And most of the episodes focus on what you might describe as traditional, mundane or everyday foods. It's not foodie trendy at all.
I think it was more "deep" than the reality competition style food shows, which are also entertaining because of the cuisines highlighted, the improvisational creativity showcased and of course, like any reality show, the personal drama.
Because it teaches you something about the history of the ingredients and techniques and the science behind the preparation.
It's actually interesting to watch even if you have no interest in cooking the dish at hand.
And most of the episodes focus on what you might describe as traditional, mundane or everyday foods. It's not foodie trendy at all.
I think it was more "deep" than the reality competition style food shows, which are also entertaining because of the cuisines highlighted, the improvisational creativity showcased and of course, like any reality show, the personal drama.
Food network and its 'stars' ARE responsible for turning TV cooking into stupid contests which promote phony rivalries and horrible messes on plates.
When FN first launched more than a decade ago, I was excited. I thought it would be a source of knowledge, information, guidance on how to be a better cook. Wow, was I wrong.
After Emeril introduced 'bam' , the network soon shifted to nothing but cheesy programs filled with silly people of no talent, all eager to make fools of themselves in order to be on TV.
Alton Brown is a major factor in making cooking shows palatable only to couch potatoes.
When FN first launched more than a decade ago, I was excited. I thought it would be a source of knowledge, information, guidance on how to be a better cook. Wow, was I wrong.
After Emeril introduced 'bam' , the network soon shifted to nothing but cheesy programs filled with silly people of no talent, all eager to make fools of themselves in order to be on TV.
Alton Brown is a major factor in making cooking shows palatable only to couch potatoes.
3
Is there any technical reason why the interview needs to be condensed and edited? Why can't the NYTimes post a link to the entire transcript or a like to the un-edited audio recording or video recording?
1
Wow, I liked Alton Brown -- or thought I did. Reading this sure makes me like him a lot less.
7
Why have all life’s simple pleasures become an Olympic style competition? At the risk of showing (or bragging about) my age, I remember taking Arthur Murray dance lessons in the 50s. Ballroom dancing required a bit of skill, but mostly it was about having a nice time moving around the dance floor, hand-in-hand with a pleasant partner. Today it’s become so competitive, there’s no joy in it for those of us who just want to have a nice time. You could say more or less the same about sex, athletics, food, and almost every other formerly enjoyable pastime.
Some pleasures are best when discovered on our own, without feeling pressured to compete with reality show superstars. I don’t think anyone should be supporting these so-called “reality” shows.
Some pleasures are best when discovered on our own, without feeling pressured to compete with reality show superstars. I don’t think anyone should be supporting these so-called “reality” shows.
5
Watching Good Eats I learned a lot about cooking methods and became a better home cook. That was the good Alton
Now sadly he has become a clown.
Now sadly he has become a clown.
8
Excuse me, but "Loving Food" is enough to make you fat! We have a very slick food marketing industry in this country! And look at all those supposed celebrity overweight chefs! It's a fact of life that extra weight contributes to a slew of human ailments! My mom always felt better the less she ate! (Except for the chocolate and watermelon!) And she made it to a vigorous one hundred and one! Thanks again, mom!!!
1
Oh, Alton, I love you man, but you are too good at math for this:
"But the price gap between junk food and real food only seems to be widening, so I wouldn’t say that anymore. We have designed our system to force people into nutritional slavery."
Anyone who can afford three fast food meals per day, can well afford good, nutritional food. It's that our tastebuds are addicted to salt, fat and sugar in junk food. Junk is not cheaper, it tastes better. We're also a lazy species. We'll spend more time in a drive-thru for coffee and a McMuffin than we would scrambling a couple of eggs in our own kitchens because we get to sit the whole time rather than stand to shop for it, stand to cook it and stand to do the clean up.
"But the price gap between junk food and real food only seems to be widening, so I wouldn’t say that anymore. We have designed our system to force people into nutritional slavery."
Anyone who can afford three fast food meals per day, can well afford good, nutritional food. It's that our tastebuds are addicted to salt, fat and sugar in junk food. Junk is not cheaper, it tastes better. We're also a lazy species. We'll spend more time in a drive-thru for coffee and a McMuffin than we would scrambling a couple of eggs in our own kitchens because we get to sit the whole time rather than stand to shop for it, stand to cook it and stand to do the clean up.
Please read my response and challenge to others who made arguments in kind. Please report back!
The star of CUTTHROAT KITCHEN has the AUDACITY to criticize foodies?
The STAR of Cutthroat Kitchen has the audacity to CRITICIZE foodies?
The star of CUTTHROAT kitchen has the audacity to criticize FOODIES? Who, more than Alton Brown, has "pornographied" food?
The STAR of Cutthroat Kitchen has the audacity to CRITICIZE foodies?
The star of CUTTHROAT kitchen has the audacity to criticize FOODIES? Who, more than Alton Brown, has "pornographied" food?
9
I sense an undertow of anger or hostility, which is disturbing given his public persona. That said, I suspect he is now sharing with the public what might be lurking beneath the pithy one-liners and witty prose. While I've enjoyed Good Eats and his cross-country Food Network program, during recent live interviews (e.g., CBS Morning Show) he seemed caustic, which was unsettling. There's now a sharp edge that wasn't fully evident before now. Perhaps he's revealing more of his true self, or may be he's tired of the same shtick (i.e., the cleaver producer turned-chef-turned-T.V. celebrity that's constantly thinking of ways to sell more {fill in the blank: macaroni, grape juice, etc.]. He's a gifted TV entertainer, but he doesn't walk on water. He has the right to voice his opinion. If he finds obesity and the lack of low-cost nutritional foods problematic, perhaps he can be the miracle to help address those societal problem
2
Obesity is a disease. It's a form of addiction. Mr. Brown suggests that it's a moral failing. Shame, shame.
4
I don't like his new(ish) show, Cutthroat Kitchen. It's clearly a poorly conceived Chopped knockoff. It almost feels like AB was annoyed that somehow Ted Allen got assigned to Chopped, which went on to become one of the network's most popular shows, and AB wanted his own version of it to try to keep up.
3
Over the years I have enjoyed Alton Brown's earlier show Good Eats. I found it informative as well as entertaining.
I am surprised at Mr. Brown disdain for his audience.
I find his current shows such as Cutthroat Kitchen ridiculous and unwatchable.
I am surprised at Mr. Brown disdain for his audience.
I find his current shows such as Cutthroat Kitchen ridiculous and unwatchable.
6
Sorry, but no. If we were still in the Good Eats days where you were a champion of technique and skill, perhaps. When you serve as the circus ringmaster of every American Gladiator-esque cooking show on the Food Network (that serves to facilitate the very pornification you speak of) it becomes very hard to consider you a thought leader.
6
If Mr. Brown can't tell the difference between - and see some value in - someone who has a passion for food vs.someone who just likes to eat it, then I don't know what in the heck he is doing on the Food Network, or any food related show for that matter. Maybe he should be flipping burgers at McDonalds.
2
Sorry, in my last sentence I meant "thin" people who eat terribly, not "then" people. Typing too fast.
So--the NYT published my correction to my first post, but not my first post. Weird.
What I'd said was that Mr. Brown (whom I've never heard of before) makes the old, tired error of talking about obesity as a *behavior*, when in fact obesity is a *body size*. You cannot tell what someone eats from looking at them. There are many thin people who eat absolutely horrible diets of nothing but junk food and never exercise but remain thin (I know several). There are many fat people who cook all their own food, use no added sugar, eat small portions, exercise daily, and remain fat (I know several, and am one). The assumption that any and every fat person you see is downing "several Big Macs a day" is not just insulting to fat people, it's lazy and unintelligent thinking.
What I'd said was that Mr. Brown (whom I've never heard of before) makes the old, tired error of talking about obesity as a *behavior*, when in fact obesity is a *body size*. You cannot tell what someone eats from looking at them. There are many thin people who eat absolutely horrible diets of nothing but junk food and never exercise but remain thin (I know several). There are many fat people who cook all their own food, use no added sugar, eat small portions, exercise daily, and remain fat (I know several, and am one). The assumption that any and every fat person you see is downing "several Big Macs a day" is not just insulting to fat people, it's lazy and unintelligent thinking.
3
"to actually take responsibility for what we’re putting in our mouths. Obesity is not a disease. Can it be caused by diseases in certain rare cases? Yes, but the second that our society starts thinking that shoveling Big Macs into our face is a disease then we’re done".
Well put. I have traveled to many other developed countries. In none of them is there such a high percentage of overweight people as in our country. Do the math. Let's not deceive ourselves.
Well put. I have traveled to many other developed countries. In none of them is there such a high percentage of overweight people as in our country. Do the math. Let's not deceive ourselves.
I disagree with Alton Brown - I think the foodie movement is a good thing. Maybe it seems excessive at times, but it is a reaction to the state of food in America during the 90's and before, when an awareness of fine and healthful eating was sorely lacking in the US, especially compared to our European counterparts. I remember how sadly uninformed most people were about food and nutrition. A typical "healthy" meal before the foodie movement was also depressingly boring... think steamed vegetables, lightly buttered white rice, dry grilled chicken breast, etc... no wonder most Americans turned to the junk food that lead to our obesity crisis! Over the past decade, the foodie movement has coincided with the health movement. We are learning how to make vegetables and other healthy foods seems tasteful and interesting, instead of punishing and bland. I don't see how that can be a bad thing.
3
Alton Brown and the food network are more responsible for the worst aspects of the foodie trend than anyone else. His new show "cut throat kitchen" epitomizes the ego driven foolishness that is food entertainment today. The only show worse than this is "food network" star which unwittingly show cases the manipulative, dumbed down and completely phony nature of the food network and it's ilk.
6
Not exactly sure who this guy is except the oblique mention that he worked for Food Network or something. What exactly qualifies him to comment on food, diet and why do we need to know that he is a gun owner?
5
Alton Brown's transition from a goofy, geeky food scientist to a bitter and hateful man should serve as a warning about the perils of celebrity. I was a huge devotee of Good Eats---an amazing exploration of food and its origins---but find all of his programs today cruel and unwatchable. Even as I generally agree with his comments here, particularly about the recent "orgy of the unfamiliar", I can't feel any goodwill for him anymore.
5
With about two-thirds of US adults being either overweight or obese (according to the CDC's 2013 data), I can understand Alton Brown's statement that "Obesity is not a disease." It is the prevailing human condition in the US and gaining throughout the developed countries as a result of evolution and technology which allows us to exercise our natural preference for calorie dense food and consume more than we need. It is a disease we give to ourselves and that is perhaps his point versus the bad luck of getting an infectious disease or genetic mutation. That being said, although I don't watch much of the Food Network, I do have a number of Alton Brown's recipes as reliable go-to recipes in my recipe file. Encouraging people to cook their own food is a good thing in that people can actually see how much fat and salt goes in and measure their portions more accurately.
1
Who, more than the host of Cutthroat Kitchen, has pornographied food?
4
I miss you, Mr. Brown.
I so loved "Good Eats" with its irreverent blend of humor and information. The "Fried Turkey Derrick" episode was a riot. You taught me food wasn't that pallid stuff on styrofoam trays covered in plastic in a chiller--it had a history and a soul.
It seems your evil twin, AB, has taken you over in your latest incarnations. "Iron Chef" is amusing but a bit over the top. Cuthroat Kitchen and Camp Cutthroat are just mean.
With a nod to Kevin McCarthy and Donald Sutherland, was there a large pod in your kitchen a few years ago?
Please return to your roots, literally and figuratively.
Thanks.
E-mail: [email protected]
I so loved "Good Eats" with its irreverent blend of humor and information. The "Fried Turkey Derrick" episode was a riot. You taught me food wasn't that pallid stuff on styrofoam trays covered in plastic in a chiller--it had a history and a soul.
It seems your evil twin, AB, has taken you over in your latest incarnations. "Iron Chef" is amusing but a bit over the top. Cuthroat Kitchen and Camp Cutthroat are just mean.
With a nod to Kevin McCarthy and Donald Sutherland, was there a large pod in your kitchen a few years ago?
Please return to your roots, literally and figuratively.
Thanks.
E-mail: [email protected]
Mr. Brown's show "Good Eats" was actually pretty darn good. He imparted a great deal of useful information about food, and if you could get with the vibe, in a fairly entertaining fashion. He clearly knows food.
I have been steadily losing respect for Mr. Brown over the years. Some of the stuff he is doing now on the Food Network as host is absolutely shameful. Who decided that fine cooking was a competitive sport?
Sold out, Mr. Brown is nothing but a worthless game show host. He has forfeited any right he has to comment on the food scene in America.
I have been steadily losing respect for Mr. Brown over the years. Some of the stuff he is doing now on the Food Network as host is absolutely shameful. Who decided that fine cooking was a competitive sport?
Sold out, Mr. Brown is nothing but a worthless game show host. He has forfeited any right he has to comment on the food scene in America.
3
I don't agree all of Alton Brown's politics but I do applaud his strong stance against fast food. In 20+ years in France I have witnessed the parallel rise of fast food "restaurants" and obesity in French people. Fast food makes you fat. No medical study, much less wikipedia "expert" could possibly claim the contrary.
2
Except that many people eat fast food and stay thin (I know several) and many fat people never eat fast food, never eat fried food, never eat sugar, etc. I have been in a fast food restaurant exactly 3 times in the last 20 years. Those three times were when I was on the interstate and had no other choices. Each time I ordered a plain baked potato and a grilled chicken sandwich WiTHOUT the sauce or the bun. I cook my own food, limit salt, use no added sugar whatsoever, never drink soda, never eat candy, exercise daily. My BMI is 36. You *cannot* assume that all fat people are eating fast food, nor that all thin people eat only healthy food. I wish it were that simple. But it simply is not.
1
"The pornification of food takes away the importance of sharing it with one another and instead focuses only on the food"? What nonsense! The pornification is about the sharing, not the food. Eating is about food.
If I want a decent meal, I don't need anyone's company or help to enjoy it. Indeed, nothing's as offensive as walking into a restaurant and hearing, "Just ONE? Would you like to sit at the bar?"
I've hereby demonstrated that I'm a better curmudgeon than this Brown character, and I still care and know about food. Now I want his job!
If I want a decent meal, I don't need anyone's company or help to enjoy it. Indeed, nothing's as offensive as walking into a restaurant and hearing, "Just ONE? Would you like to sit at the bar?"
I've hereby demonstrated that I'm a better curmudgeon than this Brown character, and I still care and know about food. Now I want his job!
1
Come, let us consume mass quantities.
I used to like Alton. Now it sounds like the guy's GOP. The clues are everywhere. 'Christian.' Guns. And oh yeah: "self-reliance."
5
Alton Brown is simply a repressed comedian whose former schtick was giving people the impression he was a food "Guru." I don't care what his opinion is, on any subject! Now he's gone over to the absurd with his two "Cutthroat" shows. Disclaimer I did watch one episode of Cutthroat Kitchen, the promos for the Camp are unbearable.
Most of the shows on the Food Network are simply asinine. The only one worth my time is Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa. OK she can be pretentious at times but at least she actually cooks food people want to eat.
Most of the shows on the Food Network are simply asinine. The only one worth my time is Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa. OK she can be pretentious at times but at least she actually cooks food people want to eat.
3
I think his outfit is silly. He has a classic bankers suit, including the watch pocket, but what does he do with it? He slouches, he puts his hand in this pocket, he wear a *brown* belt with a horrible buckle. it isn't even pressed! How do we know it is even clean?
And the shirt and shoes, obviously he is making a subversive statement of some sort, otherwise there is no excuse whatsoever.
I don't know who this guy is and I don't care.
He contributed to what he despises, and millions are starving. This is our culture.
And the shirt and shoes, obviously he is making a subversive statement of some sort, otherwise there is no excuse whatsoever.
I don't know who this guy is and I don't care.
He contributed to what he despises, and millions are starving. This is our culture.
2
What an unpleasant man.
11
Obesity is a problem. For some people it may have a medical cause. But I agree with Mr. Brown - For the majority fast food eating does cause obesity. And if a person is poor, they do have less options for better food. (There is also a lack of exercise, but a poor diet is a real bottom line on gaining weight.)
By personal experience , I lost 47 lbs just cutting out all fast food. I made myself do this and I believe if others did the same, they would have similiar results.
By personal experience , I lost 47 lbs just cutting out all fast food. I made myself do this and I believe if others did the same, they would have similiar results.
Cooking should be an act of love, if its not, you are simply a fryer of protein. What ever you do should contain some of you in the final product. To prepare a well made meal that is beautiful to behold, tasty and nutritious is one of the best ways I know to say "I love you." Before you ask, yes, even the morning cook at Denny's can do this, and many have.
1
The headline writer got it wrong. Alton Brown has not had it with foodies. He is upset with people who want to be celebrity chefs.
2
Go elsewhere on this website and find the video of Jacques Pepin making an omelet, and you will see just how far food television had declined. If not the prime example, Alton Brown is at least a symptom of that decline. The Cooking Channel and the Food Network could be so attractive and helpful, but have chosen to go the reality TV route with meaningless "competitions" and washed up "celebrities" preparing so-so dishes. I suppose Naked Kitchen is next.
5
just like some of the other really big food network stars, he used to be very likeable. now, not so much.
4
"There is more to the act of sharing food with one another than simply saying 'Here is some food.' I do believe that there is a spiritual act in breaking bread and sitting down and being thankful. The pornification of food takes away the importance of sharing it with one another and instead focuses only on the food." - I tend to agree with him.
I have only a vague idea who this guy is, but what he says is true, nutritional slavery is real and it's one root cause of our national eating disorder. As for obesity among the underprivileged, it’s cruel but necessary to ask: If we can’t afford to eat well, how is it that we can afford to eat too much? We can afford soda, but not water? Two Big Macs, but not one Big Mac?
OK, obesity is the disease of eating too much...if that makes you happy. But I urge you to consider the viewpoint presented in the recent book, “The Biology Of Desire, Why Addiction Is Not A Disease.”
The genetic basis for overeating is a dangerous ruse. We make choices with every bite. Put that donut down and it won’t end up on your hips. That’s the horrible horrible, truth.
OK, obesity is the disease of eating too much...if that makes you happy. But I urge you to consider the viewpoint presented in the recent book, “The Biology Of Desire, Why Addiction Is Not A Disease.”
The genetic basis for overeating is a dangerous ruse. We make choices with every bite. Put that donut down and it won’t end up on your hips. That’s the horrible horrible, truth.
4
Yes, we do make choices with every bite. And some of us make all the right choices and are fat. So what do you say to someone like me, who has cooked my own healthy food for the last 10 years, uses NO added sugar, EVER, has not eaten a donut in over 15 years, has not eaten a Big Mac (or any beef, pork, lamb, or other meat) since 1976, has not drunk soda since 1982, never eats seconds, eats off of salad plates rather than dinner plates to control portion size, exercises daily, but remains fat?
1
Empiricist – –
I'd say that you are just like my maternal grandmother was. And like my freshman year college roommate as well. Neither over-ate, and I was in a position to know, day in and day out. Both were quite heavy.
Let's contrast that with my in-laws. My mother-in-law is a great cook in the "heavy sauce" tradition, and both she and my father-in-law eat three large and highly caloric meals per day, amply lubricated with lots of wine and scotch! Like my husband, both are bean poles.
It is obvious to me that there are individual differences in the body's propensity to cling to calories and convert them into body mass. It is hard to fight one's own set point, in either direction.
A little more empathy and a little less judgment would be a good thing all around.
I'd say that you are just like my maternal grandmother was. And like my freshman year college roommate as well. Neither over-ate, and I was in a position to know, day in and day out. Both were quite heavy.
Let's contrast that with my in-laws. My mother-in-law is a great cook in the "heavy sauce" tradition, and both she and my father-in-law eat three large and highly caloric meals per day, amply lubricated with lots of wine and scotch! Like my husband, both are bean poles.
It is obvious to me that there are individual differences in the body's propensity to cling to calories and convert them into body mass. It is hard to fight one's own set point, in either direction.
A little more empathy and a little less judgment would be a good thing all around.
While I like his recipes and the idea of Good Eats, he's an apologist for the Food Network. There is so much going on in this country that doesn't need to be cleansed by the Food Network.
Food is love but the seminal work of Pat Benatar in the early 1980s established that Love is a Battlefield. Thus cooking is war!
He is beyond annoying, as are 99% of all Food Network show hosts, chefs and pseudo-chefs.
5
Who is Alton Brown?
5
I would like to ask him if he thinks Americans have a fear of food. For the past several years I see people overly cautious about what they are eating to the point where I think it has become an obsession. Recently I heard someone ordering salmon in a restaurant and they asked if it was wild or line caught; if it was a sustainable fish; if it was fresh or frozen; or if it was frozen fresh. Then he began to ask if the vegetables served with the fish were locally sourced. Was the butter from grass fed cows? It's crazy, and ironic because we have such a high rate of obesity in our country. By the way, I think Alton Brown is amazing. Big fan.
What a down to earth realistic view on food and it's reflection, or reaction rather, to todays culture. Alton Brown's evolution from querky food "scientist" (Good Eats) to todays powerhouse presence in a multitude of food shows ( Food Network Star, Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America. ..etc) has made the former cinematographer hard to miss. With so much clout it is nice to see that his judgement has not been over seasoned.
I had it with Sir Brown a long time ago. Switch off the program as soon as his face appears.
3
He is a gun owner.
2
Thank you, Alton Brown, for the GOOD EATS series. Great food ideas, fun and science all in one.
"My way of liking this thing is better than your way of liking this thing." What a self-important interview.
The notion that obesity isn't a disease takes the cake for the stupidest thing I've read this week. Is lung cancer not a disease because it's usually caused by smoking? Is cirrhosis not a disease because it's caused by alcohol intake? Is mesothelioma not a disease because it's caused by exposure to asbestos? I don't think that word means what he thinks it means, but it sure gave him another opportunity to be smug & condescending.
The notion that obesity isn't a disease takes the cake for the stupidest thing I've read this week. Is lung cancer not a disease because it's usually caused by smoking? Is cirrhosis not a disease because it's caused by alcohol intake? Is mesothelioma not a disease because it's caused by exposure to asbestos? I don't think that word means what he thinks it means, but it sure gave him another opportunity to be smug & condescending.
7
Alton packs heat? Oh Lord!
1
Love his recipes, his cooking show GOOD EATS, and his campy, "wink and a nod" attitude on Iron Chef.
However, "Cutthroat Kitchen" is idiotic and beneath his talents. Somehow, it must be worth it to him.
Most of all, it is too bad that Mr. Brown does not embrace the monster he has helped create.
However, "Cutthroat Kitchen" is idiotic and beneath his talents. Somehow, it must be worth it to him.
Most of all, it is too bad that Mr. Brown does not embrace the monster he has helped create.
7
I fear the dude doth protest too much.
3
I've enjoyed Alton Brown's show "Good Eats," but I was disappointed to hear him talk favorably about gun ownership in this interview.
So soon after the (latest) horrendous mass shooting, we certainly don't need celebrities who have the media spotlight encouraging Americans to own guns and to look to guns as the solution for their problems.
So soon after the (latest) horrendous mass shooting, we certainly don't need celebrities who have the media spotlight encouraging Americans to own guns and to look to guns as the solution for their problems.
4
What Alton Brown did with Good Eats was wonderful … what he does now with the silly Cutthroat kitchen is on a par with Keeping up with the Kardashions … he sold out a long time ago, but then so did Food Network
6
interesting article. in the early days of food network, i thought alton brown was a smart, funny guy. then food network got uber-mass oriented and i left the campus. with this article, i see how wrong i was about him. he's really a rather common individual. too bad.
2
I've had it with foodies as well, but not for the reasons Alton Brown talks about. The reason I've had it is because being a gourmet, which is the old name for being a foodie, is expensive, time-consuming, elitist, and often not enough better than cheaper, quicker food to be worth pursuing.
Just as an example from this interview, define "fast food". It is always code for McDonald's, Taco Bell, and the like. But Chipotle? Is that fast food? T.G.I.F/Friday's, is that fast food? What's the cut-off point. What marks an acceptable dining experience from an unacceptable one? These are matters of taste. The definition of "fast food" is so imprecise as to be meaningless. Is the speed of the preparation always a bad thing? Is me taking a very expensive cheese out of my refrigerator and cutting off a piece of it "fast food"?
Foodie = gourmet = snob with money.
3
"Good Eats" was, and remains, by far the best food show on TV. Alton taught the science behind the art of cooking and he did it in a way that was understandable to high school students and grad students alike. He is a very gifted educator. In fact, many who watch Good Eats do not realize they are being educated because they are having so much fun being entertained. He is an amazing person.
I briefly met Alton Brown in the early '80s when he was an undergraduate and I was a graduate student at UGA. I was seated at a table with other graduate students who had come of age in the '70s. He was coming of age in the '80s. We were drinking beer and eating pizza. If memory serves, he was wearing tennis shoes as in the picture here. He was introduced to the rest of us by a female undergraduate one of the graduate students had earlier invited to join us. Brown sat down, declined any beer or pizza, and said a few things here and there. He smiled a lot. He didn't stay long. I ran into him once or twice after that, always when I was with one of the other graduate students who seemed to know him far better than I. Only a few years ago did I connect that undergraduate with the guy on television.
I do have to disagree with his response to the first question here. I realize he is comparing our attitudes toward food now with our attitudes toward sex in the '70s and '80s. But the idea of "potentially appropriate austerity" of the '80s doesn't really reflect anything actual about the '80s, even its fearful sex. Decadent acts of sex in '70s were repressed and returned in the '80s as acts focused on money, power, the privileging of appearance over reality, and the branding of each aspect of our lives. There was nothing austere about the '80s. Certainly not its food. To twist Tolstoy, every age is decadent in its own way.
Mr. Brown, however, seemed and seems truly authentic.
I do have to disagree with his response to the first question here. I realize he is comparing our attitudes toward food now with our attitudes toward sex in the '70s and '80s. But the idea of "potentially appropriate austerity" of the '80s doesn't really reflect anything actual about the '80s, even its fearful sex. Decadent acts of sex in '70s were repressed and returned in the '80s as acts focused on money, power, the privileging of appearance over reality, and the branding of each aspect of our lives. There was nothing austere about the '80s. Certainly not its food. To twist Tolstoy, every age is decadent in its own way.
Mr. Brown, however, seemed and seems truly authentic.
2
I disagree with the comment regarding nutritional slavery. It's not cheaper to eat fast food; that is an urban myth. On another note, when will Mr. Brown create another Feasting on Asphalt? Those series were some of the best offerings
on Food Network.
on Food Network.
My least favorite shows on Food Network were the ones AltonBrown was on - especially when he cooked. His recipes were overly complicated and not very tasty if I ever actually followed one.
1
I like Alton because his focus really seems education and the science of food. As for his beliefs and personal foibles my knowledge of him is simply professional. He does his job well. As for Senator Cruz cooking bacon on the barrel of a gun. Its just too stupid for comment.
1
THANK GOD we are over "foodies."
A great example of the almighty dollar winning over personal and professional integrity. Alton was once the last good reason to watch that horrible infomercial network, now he is right up at the top with Guy as a reason to avoid it at all costs.
4
I laughed when I read about the phrase pornification of food as his role in the early years of Iron Chef was to be the barker outside the strip club, shoving his mike into the faces of the chefs as they cooked or plated their food. There were times that I thought he was going to climax all over himself doing so.
I have no respect for him or the Food Network. I was gifted a subscription to Food Network magazine by someone and it is rubbish--cover to cover sat fat recipes. He dare not point fingers as he played a role in the obesification of our population who watches Food Network's equivalent of junk food TV.
I have no respect for him or the Food Network. I was gifted a subscription to Food Network magazine by someone and it is rubbish--cover to cover sat fat recipes. He dare not point fingers as he played a role in the obesification of our population who watches Food Network's equivalent of junk food TV.
1
This is a pretty useless interview with an otherwise deservedly popular and thoughtful guy. Mr. Brown's 'Good Eats' seasons were informative on nutrition and the how and the why of cooking techniques and his cookbooks provide excellent recipes. I own the complete set of Good Eats and use them. He provided the best contemporary home economics cooking class in America.
Toward the end of his Iron Chef days, Alton gave an interview where he said he now listed his occupation as 'gameshow host.' That self-awareness is carried over into this interview. Is this the 'dumbing down' of Alton Brown??
Toward the end of his Iron Chef days, Alton gave an interview where he said he now listed his occupation as 'gameshow host.' That self-awareness is carried over into this interview. Is this the 'dumbing down' of Alton Brown??
1
This article has come off beyond elitist. Maybe Alton, who's shows I quickly switch off as I find him profoundly annoying, especially his voice, should be grateful for said "foodies" - due to the interest in food culture is the sole reason why this clod has all the shows he does have, as well as a network to broadcast them on.
12
Nutritional slavery is wonderfully descriptive of forced fast food, but false. Nobody's forced. Beans and greens and non-worshipped grains are cheap and plentiful. People need to take ownership in what they chose.
Great interview, all the way around and interesting, I do love AB.
Great interview, all the way around and interesting, I do love AB.
Alton Brown talks about the the "The pornification of food". He talks about how the "Love of food" is not enough to make you a "Food Network Star".
His show "Cutthroat Kitchen" is a perfect example of of how to maltreat food. He ran out of ideas so lets disrespect food for the sake of ratings.
Please Alton, cooking food in hats and handling it with shoes while bidding on items that will abuse food for the sake of ratings is really of bad taste.
Its time for you to find another line business or retire.
His show "Cutthroat Kitchen" is a perfect example of of how to maltreat food. He ran out of ideas so lets disrespect food for the sake of ratings.
Please Alton, cooking food in hats and handling it with shoes while bidding on items that will abuse food for the sake of ratings is really of bad taste.
Its time for you to find another line business or retire.
1
You can pervert anything including motherhood and apple pie. Both have been perverted. You can also pervert food. Instead of enjoying it as a treat in life you can fall in love with it, get addicted to it, and let it control and ruin your life.
1
Food as porn? Why not? Given our waistlines, its obviously the most abused pharmacological we have.
The pornification of food reflects the reality that there are many, many people in the West who really haven't much to do. If we weren't so rich, instead of having time to pornify food, we'd be scratching and clawing to get it.
The meaning of life is ultimately, lunch, or specifically acquiring and eating food. If you don't believe me, try going without it for a few days or weeks. But if lunch comes too easy, as it does for most people in the West, we fetishize the appetite to make it seem something more than it is. Thus we have organically grown, stone ground, free graze, artisanal, heirloom grits, or the sort. When regular old grits do just fine.
It's like fetishizing writing, using ten dollar words when two dollar words get your point across just fine.
The pornification of food reflects the reality that there are many, many people in the West who really haven't much to do. If we weren't so rich, instead of having time to pornify food, we'd be scratching and clawing to get it.
The meaning of life is ultimately, lunch, or specifically acquiring and eating food. If you don't believe me, try going without it for a few days or weeks. But if lunch comes too easy, as it does for most people in the West, we fetishize the appetite to make it seem something more than it is. Thus we have organically grown, stone ground, free graze, artisanal, heirloom grits, or the sort. When regular old grits do just fine.
It's like fetishizing writing, using ten dollar words when two dollar words get your point across just fine.
7
The Food Network - make that Food Frolics Network - is THE prime example of the pornification of food, Brown and his fellow food competition judges the stark naked offenders. Treating food solely as fuel for wall-to-wall, absurd, repetitive and tiresome competitions is an insult to one of our most basic needs as well an astonishing snub to the countless quality, creative chefs who have much to teach and inspire us.
Stunning that a networks ENTIRE programming is about silly competitions yet it bills itself as being about food - especially in an age when healthy eating and living is even more essential than ever. It's porn alright, even exploitation and abuse of it's main star:food.
Stunning that a networks ENTIRE programming is about silly competitions yet it bills itself as being about food - especially in an age when healthy eating and living is even more essential than ever. It's porn alright, even exploitation and abuse of it's main star:food.
3
Concentrate on making good food affordable for all
1
Interesting man. Sorry the interview was "condensed." I would have enjoyed hearing more!
.."Obesity is not a disease. Can it be caused by diseases in certain rare cases? Yes, but the second that our society starts thinking that shoveling Big Macs into our face is a disease then we’re done, we’re done as a culture."...
Thank you! Are you listening America?
Thank you! Are you listening America?
1
One of the things I really enjoyed about Brown's original show was the science -- I can cook pretty well, but having a better of understanding of WHY things happen when we cook had a big impact on me. It wasn't just teaching people how to prepare the specific recipes he was making -- it was learning about the techniques and ingredients, so that you could then go and apply that knowledge to other dishes.
But somewhere along the line, Brown (kind of like Mark Bittman, IMO) started believing that his opinions about other things were relevant. The notion that people become obese simply because they are "shoveling Big Macs into [their] faces" is immature, uninformed and mildly offensive. I'm not sure where Brown got his medical degree, but maybe he should leave defining disease to the professionals and focus on getting people interested in and confident about cooking.
But somewhere along the line, Brown (kind of like Mark Bittman, IMO) started believing that his opinions about other things were relevant. The notion that people become obese simply because they are "shoveling Big Macs into [their] faces" is immature, uninformed and mildly offensive. I'm not sure where Brown got his medical degree, but maybe he should leave defining disease to the professionals and focus on getting people interested in and confident about cooking.
3
My daughter and I would enjoy Alton's...Good Eats... show. When he started with the convoluted cooking competition/reality shows...he lost me..and her.
Cooking should not be stressful...should be the anti stressful...lol..what we do for fun and health.
Still like his re-runs though.
Cooking should not be stressful...should be the anti stressful...lol..what we do for fun and health.
Still like his re-runs though.
1
Bravo! To share food with another being is possibly the highest form of welcome. The world needs more of this and less pornography as Alton so clearly states.
The panphagous (= omnivorous) human species likes to cook ever since the discovery of fire. Cooking is in particular recommended to those of us who are kreasphagous (= carnivorous).
As far as the social role of food, I do not subscribe to the idea of business meals: business discussions detract from the appreciation of good food, and food detracts from the business.
I saw the video of the Texas senator cooking bacon on the barrel of an automatic rifle and I found it wholly in bad taste. Besides, bacon is much inferior to cured or smoked ham, and the video only reflected the poor gastronomic taste of the Texan.
As far as the social role of food, I do not subscribe to the idea of business meals: business discussions detract from the appreciation of good food, and food detracts from the business.
I saw the video of the Texas senator cooking bacon on the barrel of an automatic rifle and I found it wholly in bad taste. Besides, bacon is much inferior to cured or smoked ham, and the video only reflected the poor gastronomic taste of the Texan.
Oh Alton. Food shows are now what exercise and crafting shows were in previous decades. Mindless entertainment that people love to watch and never do. It's moving wallpaper.
1
Ever since Alton Brown left "Good Eats" behind him I have been unable to enjoy any show he has been on. I don't enjoy the competitive "reality show" creations that are offered up as representations of what cooking is all about. Having been a chef, including culinary school, I find those shows to me a bastardization of the trade, just another search for a few ratings points at a relatively small cost to the producers. People familiar with my cooking background ask me all the time if I watch Top Chef or any of the other shows of its ilk and I tell them politely no. Then I think to myself that I'd rather watch a well scripted drama or comedy any day rather than that detritus. Go back to your Good Eats roots Alton. At least that was informative, educational and fun. Cleverly done too.
1
I loved Alton Brown's first Good Eats program series. That was a funny, smart program that actually taught a lot about how to cook and what to eat, and Mr. Brown deserves kudos for that program no matter what your politics are. I don't know much about his other programs as I haven't kept up with Food Network since I cut the cable cord, but I do not think he deserves to be put down as making money off the "pornification" of food as the other commenters state. Watch the Good Eats show and you will learn something useful about nutrition and food and how to cook food well. All while being entertained - what's not to like!
18
I've never understood the appeal of watching people cook - unless they're cooking something I like and I'll get to have some of it when they're done (I'll do the dishes as a way of saying "Thank you.")
But then, I've also never understood watching other people play sports. I'd rather play myself. Same with sex - DIY is a lot more fun.
The older I get, the less connected I feel to most of what constitutes popular culture in this country. And the better I like my life. I think our society is becoming increasingly stupid, and it doesn't look to me as if all that self-indulgence, laziness and ignorance are bliss. Quite the opposite.
I missed lunch, so I'm off to make a sandwich. Easy, nutritious and delicious. And I didn't have to watch some egomaniac bloviate about it on TV to show me how to make it.
But then, I've also never understood watching other people play sports. I'd rather play myself. Same with sex - DIY is a lot more fun.
The older I get, the less connected I feel to most of what constitutes popular culture in this country. And the better I like my life. I think our society is becoming increasingly stupid, and it doesn't look to me as if all that self-indulgence, laziness and ignorance are bliss. Quite the opposite.
I missed lunch, so I'm off to make a sandwich. Easy, nutritious and delicious. And I didn't have to watch some egomaniac bloviate about it on TV to show me how to make it.
3
I liked Alton Brown when he did the nerdy but informative "good eats" but his current show (cut throat kitchen) is disgusting. It is absolutely the worst of the worst of food network. I would say the worst is "food network star" but it shows us just how manipulative, cynical and phony the food network really is so it serves it purpose.
2
What's wrong with cooking shows is that they largely ignore the pain and suffering of the animals that are involved in cuisine.
Besides that, if food is one of the most important things in your life or takes up more than the minimal amount of brain time, you are clearly lacking enough emotional and intellectual maturity to lead a worthwhile life.
Besides that, if food is one of the most important things in your life or takes up more than the minimal amount of brain time, you are clearly lacking enough emotional and intellectual maturity to lead a worthwhile life.
1
Isn't the pornification of food precisely what Alton Brown and the Food Network have done with their 24-hour non-stop serving of games shows and competitions that literally exploit food as the fuel?
Such end-to-end adrenaline-driven challenges against the clock have so little to do with the essentials and attributes of er...food.
Whatever happened to teaching, demonstrating and informing audiences about healthy, appetizing food, cooking techniques and such.
Such end-to-end adrenaline-driven challenges against the clock have so little to do with the essentials and attributes of er...food.
Whatever happened to teaching, demonstrating and informing audiences about healthy, appetizing food, cooking techniques and such.
1
Jesus, you can always change the channel! However, Alton you know what's like slavery: slavery.
1
With the promise fecal transplants shows for diseases like diabetes its possible everything we think we know about nutrition could be turned on its head.
Research shows that obesity is tied to poverty. Low nutrition, fatty food is cheap. Macdonalds can be cheaper than a home cooked meal, and supermarkets are often non-existant in poor neighborhoods.
However, the obesity epidemic that impacts wealthy and middle class americans is due to poor food choices and poor (or no) exercise habits.
However, the obesity epidemic that impacts wealthy and middle class americans is due to poor food choices and poor (or no) exercise habits.
Wow, tough room.
I don't remember anything austere or the least ascetic in the eighties, but other than that, I've always appreciated the candor of Alton Brown.
AB has made the science of food interesting AND relevant, paving the way for some of my favorites like Meathead Goldwyn and the fine folks at ChefSteps. It's long been time to abandon the blind veneration of traditional food and find out why things work.
Nice article.
I don't remember anything austere or the least ascetic in the eighties, but other than that, I've always appreciated the candor of Alton Brown.
AB has made the science of food interesting AND relevant, paving the way for some of my favorites like Meathead Goldwyn and the fine folks at ChefSteps. It's long been time to abandon the blind veneration of traditional food and find out why things work.
Nice article.
9
As The Food Network descends into food warfare, incoherence and little semblance of cooking sense (exception: Ina Garten) Alton Brown of all people should not have this platform Has anyone watched Cutthroat Kitchen? I lasted through two episodes only because I was too stupefied to turn it off. It makes chopped look like Julia Child Cooks. So he's made his money, his name and now sounds off. I have always loved to eat and cook -- come from an ethnic family -- grow my own vegetables, eat and cook well. Share the harvest and receive in return. It's a good life without all the associated nonsense and stupidity. And I am grateful.
2
I think Mr. Brown has been consistent in his career with the message of "food as a cultural proxy." When I consider his "best" works, in my opinion, they were things like Feasting on Asphalt. FOA, especially in the book, was an exploration of Americana via food.
For that matter, very few episodes of Good Eats didn't include a helping of cultural relevance and often a distinct anti-foodie bent.
His views on obesity hardly "fly in the face of current medical research." Current medical research on obesity tends to focus on a handful of ideas that have been inherited from false premises. That same "current medical research", for instance, tell diabetics to eat lots of fruit and whole grains. That's ridiculous; no diabetic who actually monitors their glucose levels would continue eating a diet largely consisting of fruits and grains as a long-term diet. People who go on eating plans, literally almost any eating plan but especially carbohydrate restriction, lose weight. Obesity can be classified as a disease, but it's not viral; it is behavioural.
I freely admit to Cutthroat Kitchen being awkward to watch, though. To me it's largely due to the uncomfortable feeling of watching misfortune. The opposite of schadenfreude?
I'm not in the business of defending famous people; I've never met Mr. Brown, but classifying him as "vile" seems overly hyperbolic.
For that matter, very few episodes of Good Eats didn't include a helping of cultural relevance and often a distinct anti-foodie bent.
His views on obesity hardly "fly in the face of current medical research." Current medical research on obesity tends to focus on a handful of ideas that have been inherited from false premises. That same "current medical research", for instance, tell diabetics to eat lots of fruit and whole grains. That's ridiculous; no diabetic who actually monitors their glucose levels would continue eating a diet largely consisting of fruits and grains as a long-term diet. People who go on eating plans, literally almost any eating plan but especially carbohydrate restriction, lose weight. Obesity can be classified as a disease, but it's not viral; it is behavioural.
I freely admit to Cutthroat Kitchen being awkward to watch, though. To me it's largely due to the uncomfortable feeling of watching misfortune. The opposite of schadenfreude?
I'm not in the business of defending famous people; I've never met Mr. Brown, but classifying him as "vile" seems overly hyperbolic.
I know I'm not alone in calling him vile, and I certainly didn't pin that adjective on him just because of Cutthroat Kitchen. I would cringe every time the camera turned to him on Iron Chef America—uninformative commentary served with a healthy dose of treacle. And this article certainly illustrates just how vile he is as a person. He bites the hand that feeds him (the audience) and then wonders why so many of us just abhor him.
It really is all about money isn't it. Celebrity, star, all equates money, which in turn equates power. Some people just need to feel powerful.
1
It sounds like you guys didn't even read the article.
And I've had it with Alton Brown. Full of himself, arrogant and condescending "foodie" himself.
4
I saw a paragraph plucked out from this article on Facebook and responded there. This man hosts one of the most mean spirited shows, Cutthroat Kitchen. Someone on Facebook asked if I really knew what the word cutthroat meant because how could I call it mean spirited. Well there is a difference when something smacks of cruelty. I agree with Kofender that it is a cringe worthy show. Alton Brown has been a part of many, many shows on The Food Network and I hope that the CEO of it reads what he really thinks of people. Shame on you Mr. Brown I never liked you before and now I can't stand you. You are a snob of the first order.
5
Food and alcohol should be shared with family and friends. Taken alone, they can be disappointing.
These competition shows are tiresome and defeat the most important part of food, the sharing.
These competition shows are tiresome and defeat the most important part of food, the sharing.
Curious to know what this "questionable part of town" is where Alton Brown is strapped...
1
"..."the second that our society starts thinking that shoveling Big Macs into our face is a disease then we’re done, we’re done as a culture." Better call time of death on culture.
Wow.
I'm really glad that in his world there is no such thing as food addiction or binge eating. My worst ever binge did in fact include a Big Mac. Good thing I look to Alton Brown for entertainment rather than knowledge about my own body.
Wow.
I'm really glad that in his world there is no such thing as food addiction or binge eating. My worst ever binge did in fact include a Big Mac. Good thing I look to Alton Brown for entertainment rather than knowledge about my own body.
2
And nary a mention of his stint as a spokesperson for Monsanto? Can't see how that doesn't inform his evolving take on junk food.
4
What an unpleasant little man. My guess is that foodies have had it with him, too.
2
No, Alton Brown made a living bringing knowledge of food preparation to people. The "pornification" of food is the wild excesses we've seen over the past decade. Look how trendy pork belly has become, for example. Alton Brown's "Goid Eats" focuses on (mostly) common ingredients and food science, with some history and a few laughs thrown in. It doesn't even try to attract the "foodie" crowd. "Foodies" are looking for the new indulgence, "re-inventing" dishes with exotic ingredients, and that has never been Alton Brown.
It's sad that he went from helping people learn to cook on GOOD EATS to do TV that he only now realizes was exploitative theater.
1
Seriously? He has no room to criticize anyone. His shows are unwatchable.
4
Alton Brown for White House Chef.....
So Alton Brown has "had it" with foodies ? Well, I guess I've had it with self-styled one trick publicity ponies who, when sensing the cameras lights slowly turning away, then try to re-manufacture themselves into some other sort of slef promoting sideshow act merely to lure the spotlight back onto themselves. Trump, Hilton, Kardashian-Jenner, Cyrus...add the name Brown to this sad list of "look, look, look at me" types.
5
I had never heard of this person before reading this. Now I see how fortunate I was.
4
I do appreciate his weight loss and focus on healthy food.
That said carrying a gun can't be good for wellness. What if a kid gets it, do you want to worry about where it is every minute of the day?
And what do you own that you would not give up to have to live with the understanding that you killed another human being to keep it? I own nothing that is not insured I'd ever think of killing someone for. Somebody pulls a gun on me they get my wallet in a second, as well as my car keys, and I'd tell them that the passenger door is hard to shut, pull extra hard.
Nobody shoots to wound. Carrying a gun makes, to me, about as much sense as believing in a vengeful old man in the sky... one who cares about who marries who.
That said carrying a gun can't be good for wellness. What if a kid gets it, do you want to worry about where it is every minute of the day?
And what do you own that you would not give up to have to live with the understanding that you killed another human being to keep it? I own nothing that is not insured I'd ever think of killing someone for. Somebody pulls a gun on me they get my wallet in a second, as well as my car keys, and I'd tell them that the passenger door is hard to shut, pull extra hard.
Nobody shoots to wound. Carrying a gun makes, to me, about as much sense as believing in a vengeful old man in the sky... one who cares about who marries who.
1
I've got some mixed feelings about this. I never really liked the term "foodies" and have never thought of myself as one, just someone that enjoyed cooking and like to eat good stuff. As an engineer, I always liked the way you would either explain the "whys" related to the chemistry of cooking or bring in experts to discuss them on Good Eats. All of that is missing on the vast majority of the shows now presented in commercially oriented food programming including shows like Food Network Star and the other various competition and "tour guide" oriented shows.
Having run into you around town and talked to you on occasion covering various topics (never about food though), you struck me as a pretty reasonable guy. However, the 'pornifcation" of food is indeed something brought about with shows that moved beyond the more or less instructional and into "can you believe this" realm. I saw a show description the other night where they were going to Cattlemen's in Fort Worth. I grew up out there and have gone to Cattlemen's many times so I thought I'd watch it. It turned out that in addition to going to Cattlemen's, they went to a place in Dallas where they prominently featured chicken fried lobster tails. Chicken fried Lobster tails, if that's not food porn, then I just don't understand the concept of food pornification.
Having run into you around town and talked to you on occasion covering various topics (never about food though), you struck me as a pretty reasonable guy. However, the 'pornifcation" of food is indeed something brought about with shows that moved beyond the more or less instructional and into "can you believe this" realm. I saw a show description the other night where they were going to Cattlemen's in Fort Worth. I grew up out there and have gone to Cattlemen's many times so I thought I'd watch it. It turned out that in addition to going to Cattlemen's, they went to a place in Dallas where they prominently featured chicken fried lobster tails. Chicken fried Lobster tails, if that's not food porn, then I just don't understand the concept of food pornification.
Alton Brown's comments about being an observant Christian and carrying a gun were sure to bring out the NYT haters, and I haven't watched the Food Network since the channel became more about eating and less about cooking, but I found his comments about personal responsibility refreshing.
He's right. Making good choices is not easy in many instances, not just with food. An inability to do so isn't always a disease. Calling obesity a disease isn't likely to make people feel capable of mustering the discipline and commitment to even try to change their eating habits.
He's right. Making good choices is not easy in many instances, not just with food. An inability to do so isn't always a disease. Calling obesity a disease isn't likely to make people feel capable of mustering the discipline and commitment to even try to change their eating habits.
14
I don't watch cooking game shows. But many years ago, he had a show called "Good Eats." He really explored the science and first principles of making food. I learned so much from that show.
And as far as his opinions on obesity - he got pretty pudgy during the "Good Eats" years. Then he started losing weight, and adressed ways of making healthier food on his show, as he was changing his own eating.
I'm a fan.
And as far as his opinions on obesity - he got pretty pudgy during the "Good Eats" years. Then he started losing weight, and adressed ways of making healthier food on his show, as he was changing his own eating.
I'm a fan.
13
Who cares about your opinion Mister Brown? Maybe you have "had it with foodies" but I can't agree more with Famdoc's comment.
If you are unhappy then just quit.
http://Sugarsheet.com
If you are unhappy then just quit.
http://Sugarsheet.com
4
I was done with the Food Network when they dropped Emeril.. All these game shows about food are jokes just like this guy. I like cooking shows, check out Frankie cooks and Create TV.
1
I learned a lot from Alton Brown and his original show, "Good Eats." He explained a lot of food science and made it interesting.
That said, look at shows he's doing now - pablum for the masses. Teaching adults how to be mean to others and prizing winning above al else. Hey, he needs to collect a paycheck too but my wife and I both believe he sold out - and looks silly doing it.
That said, look at shows he's doing now - pablum for the masses. Teaching adults how to be mean to others and prizing winning above al else. Hey, he needs to collect a paycheck too but my wife and I both believe he sold out - and looks silly doing it.
36
AB has inspired me and millions others to make elegant, simple,and surprising meals for our family and friends. Certainly understand why he's "had it" with the silliness. I get it. For the uninitiated, "Feasting on Asphalt" was arguably some of the best food TV ever produced. Thanks, AB.
5
"I think all food media certainly bears responsibility, which is not the same as saying we are at fault." I call copout on that statement. The Food Network has contributed heavily to the pornification and fetishization of food. I was also surprised at clueless Mr. Brown appears to be about the causes of obesity.
26
Why have cooking shows in prime time become either competitions or restaurant visits? Alton's original shows, the Julia Child shows, the Sara Moulton shows and so on gave us helpful techniques and ideas. The current prime time mix is all about drama and personality,
11
Alton Brown, the man who's propagated so many bad food myths and has taken a direct role in causing today's celebrity food culture has had it with foodies? Just sounds like he's had it with not getting enough attention lately.
10
Alton,
Thank You.
Thank You.
1
Any positive thoughts about Alton Brown were dashed when I watched his television show "Cutthroat Kitchen". If that represents Alton's view of good television...it is worse than fast food. Come on Alton, you can do better!
10
Alton, the reason that I have watched your programs was that I learned something about food, cooking that I didn't know. "Good Eats" was a treat and pleasure to watch. That said, and there is always the "but"; this whole new genre of faux competition contested programming is bad farce and thus I will not view that claptrap. It may seem like it's not as "entertaining" but programming that is designed to illuminate and educate is far superior to that mind-dulling "who's the next star" nonsense.
19
I have not watched food TV in many years. I remember Alton's earlier days and his shopping in Kroger's.
This Saturday Piggly Wiggly will mark its 99th year as the first true self service grocer. Before that customers were not allowed in aisles. You made a shopping list because you had to hand it over to a clerk to be served. Through the years mark the change we have observed in shopping:
Stores have added refrigeration and technology.
Stores have meats, dairy, produce.
Stores have added shopping carts instead of bringing your own shopping basket.
Stores have moved from the downtown areas to the outskirts of town, making downtown areas empty.
Stores started taking credit cards.
Stores have added liquor in some states where allowed. Promotions include buy six and get ten percent.
Stores now have cup holders on the carts for those who have to drink during the dehydrating activity of grocery shopping.
Besides food and chefs and foodies and fast food, look at the actual structure behind food supply. In the college town we have a stratification of Kroger, one being the Kroghetto and the other called the Krogucci, where the store actually has small games in going through the store with various tasks to win gift certificates.
While I cannot complain of availability of products, I agree something bothers me in the pit of my stomach about this, and I do not think it is the actual food.
This Saturday Piggly Wiggly will mark its 99th year as the first true self service grocer. Before that customers were not allowed in aisles. You made a shopping list because you had to hand it over to a clerk to be served. Through the years mark the change we have observed in shopping:
Stores have added refrigeration and technology.
Stores have meats, dairy, produce.
Stores have added shopping carts instead of bringing your own shopping basket.
Stores have moved from the downtown areas to the outskirts of town, making downtown areas empty.
Stores started taking credit cards.
Stores have added liquor in some states where allowed. Promotions include buy six and get ten percent.
Stores now have cup holders on the carts for those who have to drink during the dehydrating activity of grocery shopping.
Besides food and chefs and foodies and fast food, look at the actual structure behind food supply. In the college town we have a stratification of Kroger, one being the Kroghetto and the other called the Krogucci, where the store actually has small games in going through the store with various tasks to win gift certificates.
While I cannot complain of availability of products, I agree something bothers me in the pit of my stomach about this, and I do not think it is the actual food.
4
Nancy,
Just so I'm clear, was it your intention to post a laundry list of the ways in which grocery stores are different than they were 99 years ago, hoping that it would congeal into something coherent afterwards?
Or is there an actual 'point' that you will eventually get around to making now that you're done slobbering that poorly conceived rant all over the Times comments section?
Just so I'm clear, was it your intention to post a laundry list of the ways in which grocery stores are different than they were 99 years ago, hoping that it would congeal into something coherent afterwards?
Or is there an actual 'point' that you will eventually get around to making now that you're done slobbering that poorly conceived rant all over the Times comments section?
"I sure miss the days of meatless, unrefrigerated-food supermarkets!"
and then there's that 'downtown' comment which you treat like a universal truth despite the fact that where I live, one of the biggest grocery stores in the city is located downtown and has a huge (and free) parking garage underneath it.
find something else to hang your hat on, because making political commentary is beyond your abilities.
find something else to hang your hat on, because making political commentary is beyond your abilities.
I don't think fast food is necessarily cheaper than what you can cook for yourself, unless you're time-poor in addition to being money-poor. And even then, if you know what you're doing, you could cook nutritious food cheaply. I think a lot of basic cooking has been forgotten. And nutrition has been subjected to so much quackery that people are confused and have very little idea what's even good for them. A lot of our food problems are a case of Advertising meets Ignorance.
7
Great interview with a great personality. Mr. Brown IMO, represents what is best about TV-land; informative, fun, and genuinely entertaining. I think Food TV has done wonders for the public's knowledge of food, and the selection of items available in the grocery store. The pornafication tendency is a built-in aspect of the huckster vehicle that TV has become in our huckster based culture.
4
Years ago I read a book by MFK Fisher called "How to Cook a Wolf" instructions on how to make cheap, nutritious and good food....if the wolf is at the door, cook it! We seem very far away from that.
6
My favorite were "Good Eats" - in which Alton actually explained much of the science behind cooking - and "Feasting on Asphalt". I'm an engineer and ride a BMW; what more can I say?
Alton is correct about the "pornification" of food shows. The media has "pornified" anything they think can sell advertising, and there is little knowledge passed on through what is on the myriad of channels now available, whether food, home design and construction, interior decorating, etc., is the purported subject. All for the almighty dollar. There is no reality in reality TV.
Communism meeting its well-deserved end is no reason to think that the current version of Capitalism is the proper way to run the country or the world.
Alton is correct about the "pornification" of food shows. The media has "pornified" anything they think can sell advertising, and there is little knowledge passed on through what is on the myriad of channels now available, whether food, home design and construction, interior decorating, etc., is the purported subject. All for the almighty dollar. There is no reality in reality TV.
Communism meeting its well-deserved end is no reason to think that the current version of Capitalism is the proper way to run the country or the world.
8
Yea! Alton Brown.
How about a hit list or DVD of your shows focused on what young people should know. I'd love to show it to my high school health students. SuperSize Me changed a lot; students still eat MacDs, but they all know eating it everyday is dumb. I think your cooking techniques can give them a really good next step.
How about a hit list or DVD of your shows focused on what young people should know. I'd love to show it to my high school health students. SuperSize Me changed a lot; students still eat MacDs, but they all know eating it everyday is dumb. I think your cooking techniques can give them a really good next step.
When this guy left his Good Eats show and started acting like every other goofball on Food Network with their reality based and timed shows, he lost all credibility.
30
Alton was one of the few Food Network personalities I enjoyed watching when the topic was actually food. The network then focused on competitions, stressing out chef wannabees, and just plain forget about the basics which is what drew me to them. When Giada, Rachel and Paula are hailed as chefs, the end must be near. I would not let those three set the table let alone cook but it does symbolize the low level at which the Food Network has sunk.
8
Said the pot to the kettle.
23
my guess: this article was titled before an over-zealous editor removed all mentions of foodies?
Too bad the interview omitted the fact that Alton Brown just seems to be having so much fun in his gigs on the food network. I have always enjoyed his overt playfulness on "Good Eats" and his message that cooking isn't a chore but something to be enjoyed in and of itself. As for myself I believe that preparing a good meal for friends, family and strangers is a very intimate act of love.
21
Keeping it real. You're a good man Alton Brown!
Good food is as cheap as fast food, people just do not know how to cook or eat.I can make a salad and a vegetarian dish or a chicken dish for less than 10.00 which is what fast food costs.This should be taught to all school kids , boys and girls instead of them growing up on microwave food and big macs.
3
You don't take into account that grocery stores can be nearly non-existent in many neighborhoods where people have very limited food budgets. The lack of access to good food is a crisis in many areas of our country. Also you can get food cheap at fast food places. For many people $10 is an unreasonable amount for one meal.
That said, we should focus on providing access to healthy foods and teach nutrition and cooking in our schools.
That said, we should focus on providing access to healthy foods and teach nutrition and cooking in our schools.
"I think all food media certainly bears responsibility, which is not the same as saying we are at fault."
You should run for office, Alton.
You should run for office, Alton.
4
Obesity, wikipedia
"At an individual level, a combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity is thought to explain most cases of obesity.[68] A limited number of cases are due primarily to genetics, medical reasons, or psychiatric illness.[69] In contrast, increasing rates of obesity at a societal level are felt to be due to an easily accessible and palatable diet,[70] increased reliance on cars, and mechanized manufacturing.[71][72]
A 2006 review identified ten other possible contributors to the recent increase of obesity: (1) insufficient sleep, (2) endocrine disruptors (...), (3) decreased variability in ambient temperature, (4) decreased rates of smoking, because smoking suppresses appetite, (5) increased use of medications that can cause weight gain (e.g., atypical antipsychotics), (6) proportional increases in ethnic and age groups that tend to be heavier, (7) pregnancy at a later age (...), (8) epigenetic risk factors passed on generationally, (9) natural selection for higher BMI, and (10) assortative mating leading to increased concentration of obesity risk factors (...).[73] While there is substantial evidence supporting the influence of these mechanisms on the increased prevalence of obesity, the evidence is still inconclusive, and the authors state that these are probably less influential than the ones discussed in the previous paragraph."
Alton, right but for "a limited number of cases." Easy.
"At an individual level, a combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity is thought to explain most cases of obesity.[68] A limited number of cases are due primarily to genetics, medical reasons, or psychiatric illness.[69] In contrast, increasing rates of obesity at a societal level are felt to be due to an easily accessible and palatable diet,[70] increased reliance on cars, and mechanized manufacturing.[71][72]
A 2006 review identified ten other possible contributors to the recent increase of obesity: (1) insufficient sleep, (2) endocrine disruptors (...), (3) decreased variability in ambient temperature, (4) decreased rates of smoking, because smoking suppresses appetite, (5) increased use of medications that can cause weight gain (e.g., atypical antipsychotics), (6) proportional increases in ethnic and age groups that tend to be heavier, (7) pregnancy at a later age (...), (8) epigenetic risk factors passed on generationally, (9) natural selection for higher BMI, and (10) assortative mating leading to increased concentration of obesity risk factors (...).[73] While there is substantial evidence supporting the influence of these mechanisms on the increased prevalence of obesity, the evidence is still inconclusive, and the authors state that these are probably less influential than the ones discussed in the previous paragraph."
Alton, right but for "a limited number of cases." Easy.
11
"At an individual level, a combination of excessive food energy intake and a lack of physical activity is thought to explain most cases of obesity."
That's basically what Alton Brown said.
That's basically what Alton Brown said.
1
To just report this uninformed buffoon's ideas about the basis of disease without comment is simply irresponsible. I know it's only in the Magazine, wink, wink, and we know that basically it's just a celebrity weekly, but this is just like FOX extolling the creationist views of a GOP mouthpiece. News flash, if it's all the new that's fit to print, this doesn't pass the smell test. The roots of obesity, a serious public health issue, are not merely a matter of opinion.
55
Right, very few obese people 100 years ago and now something like 30% of all adults are obese - if only we could find a vaccine for the scourge of obesity, it certainly has little to do with diet and exercise.
"to actually take responsibility for what we’re putting in our mouths. Obesity is not a disease. Can it be caused by diseases in certain rare cases? Yes, but the second that our society starts thinking that shoveling Big Macs into our face is a disease then we’re done"
please link the medical research that disputes this,
horrible, horrible, horrible, commenter.
please link the medical research that disputes this,
horrible, horrible, horrible, commenter.
31
After all the fighting is over - 4500 calories a day is too much and will lead to excessive weight. Watch what you eat, you may still be overweight due to factors beyond your control BUT you will not be a 600 lb. reality t.v. star.
Seems to me this man has made a fortune from the pornification of food, from the massive food media complex and from cultivating foodies. Now he says he's had it? Biting the proverbial hand that feeds him.
193
"pornification"???
If educating others and entertaining them at the same time is what you consider 'pornification' of food, you deserve to go to bed with no supper....
If educating others and entertaining them at the same time is what you consider 'pornification' of food, you deserve to go to bed with no supper....
I don't believe I'd class "Good Eats" as food porn. Something like 'Master Chef' with 3 star Michelin chefs is food porn.
Seems to me you have never seen his show.
Most of what he's don has been to explain the science of food preparation and how to improve cooking skills.
Most of what he's don has been to explain the science of food preparation and how to improve cooking skills.
Here I thought Mr. Brown's television persona was just an act (and a pretty vile one at that). His current shows on Food Network, Cutthroat Kitchen and the limited Camp Cutthroat, are unwatchable (they simply makes me cringe, and he's the reason). This interview makes clear this persona IS Alton Brown—and he's, well, disgusting. His views on obesity fly in the face of current medical research, but why let facts get in the way of a good foot-stomping—one of his specialties. Very typical of this horrible, horrible man.
192
I understand that sometimes people return to society from underneath rocks after extended spells of somnolence. Perhaps you are one of them. Junk food is bad, mmmkay? Alton is good.
1
Your captors won't let you change the channel?
1
Horrible, horrible man? OK buddy
1
Most of the current food network shows sre unwatchable, IMO. I miss the old food network.
Thank goodness at least we still have Ina Garten keeping it classy.