My Favorite Television Foodies... Inspiring Women Edition

I must admit I am picky when it comes to food stuff I watch on television.  I am not into the newer game show type programs that have consumed food television in recent years.  Oh, I won't say I NEVER watch the occasional episode of Chopped or Cupcake Wars or whatever but as a general rule I tend to gravitate toward real cooking shows.  

There was a time in the culinary world where women were just not allowed to enter that world but ladies like the ones I am sharing below plus many others have changed that for so many of us.  Here I am in 2016 when just 50 years earlier I would not have even been allowed to attend culinary school.  This post is in praise of the women who have knocked down and continue to knock down walls in the culinary world.  It is a better world for knowing these ladies!

Here are three of my most favorite ladies to watch...

1.   Julia Child

Well, duh.... she started this whole thing and I love the older episodes with all the mistakes and funny little quirks as she shows us how to cook classic French food.  There is just nothing better than a simple show on how to cook potatoes or how to make a giant piece of meat encased in pastry dough.  She would even make something as simple as a salad that you could make with ingredients you had on hand in any given pantry and fridge seem so elegant and then she would call it Salade Nicoise and everyone wanted it!  I remember watching her on Saturday mornings after cartoons on the local PBS station.  There should be a Julia Child channel playing around the clock.  I could watch them every day!  If you are looking for more information and some videos that are still being shared you can check out her page at PBS.org

I don't even have to mention that she wrote cookbooks, do I?  

I have a copy of the original one that started her on this journey.... 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking.

2.  Nigella Lawson

The camera loves Nigella and so do all the men who have ever seen her!  LOL  The coolest part about Nigella is that she is so much more than a beautiful woman.  She is a writer and a home cook who manages a small enterprise that has become world renowned.  She is not some skinny little person who is afraid to eat.  She is gorgeous and healthy and is not afraid to sneak chocolate cake from her refrigerator in the middle of the night for all the world to see.  She makes real food for all occasions and have you heard her speak?  Well, then.... I rest my case!  She is practically perfect in every way! 

She is also super knowledgeable about the food world and entertaining.  I have secretly wanted to be her for years when it comes to the writing and cooking.  I do own all of her cookbooks.... and I do mean ALL that she has written.  I use her recipes quite often and at the top of that list is a recipe for red velvet cupcakes and a Guinness Beer Cake.  If I could own all of her video series I would but I settle for indulging when I can find them online.  She has her own website and she shares recipes regularly there.  Her story is amazing and sad and triumphant all rolled into one.  You must check her out!  She does a monthly cookalong for those interested

Oh, and have you seen her library???  That is just cookbooks and food books!

3. Vivian Howard

Vivian stole my southern girl heart from day one!  She is a professional chef in North Carolina who uses local farmers and ranchers to provide great modern twists on old southern classics.  She is creative and smart and very down to earth.  She recently wrote a cookbook called Deep Run Roots.... that I own... and I love!  It is an absolutely beautiful book.  She breaks the book down into ingredients and shows us how to use each ingredient in some very delicious classic recipes but she also adds some more creative elements, too.

Vivian is also a very knowledgeable woman who loves sharing her love of food with everyone.  She is the mother of twins and wife of an artist and co-foodie and she juggles that life with a restaurant, promoting a book, being active in her local community and celebrating all the big and little stuff with her extended family.  If you have never seen her show on PBS it is called A Chef's Life and if you are a foodie it is a must see!

So, those are my favorites!  When I need inspiration in the food world I just spend some time with these ladies in digital and cookbook form.

Do you have a favorite chef or food person you enjoy watching?

Do you have someone that inspires you to cook?

Do you have a favorite cookbook you use often?

Please feel free to share with us in the comments!

After thought.... 

One game show I do enjoy, because they actually cook and have lots of info on food history, is called The Great British Bake-Off but that is about the limit for me.  It is also nice to watch Mary Berry.  You should probably know who she is but I won't go into any detail here about her.... feel free to check out her website, though.  I have two of her books, too!