This is interesting. Someone opining on their blog that “The Food Network failing during its transistion“. What makes this more interesting a statement or opinion is it’s not from a food writer, not a post on a cooking forum, but it comes from a website that focuses on business and captial.

The crux of the post is the lost of Ming Tsai years ago and Mario Batali (excluding Iron Chef America) six months ago and now Emeril’s leaving. James Phillip says with the top chefs gone and the home cooks left “It almost seems like amateur night down at the Food Network.”

While I certainly don’t 100% argree with that, I have to admit I do see what he’s driving at, and there’s something to be said of it. Matt Jensen-Skinner has a similiar opinion in his blog entry “The Day the Cooking Died” where he lashes out with a tounge as sharp as a chef’s knive:

“Mario Batali is gone. So is Emeril Lagasse. Moe Green. Slacci. Cuneo. They are all gone. Food Network has settled all its family business.” He goes on to say that with talented five-star chefs bailing that leaves home-ec cutsy personality cooks who “are the instant mashed potatoes of existence – cultured and created to please everyone, everywhere immediately, but only just a little bit.” Whether you agree or disagree with him, I gotta say I love the way this guy puts together a sentence.

So, is the Food Network becoming the vanilla in a world of Baskin-Robbins flavors? Are the home cooks destined to rule that culinary universe? Is Iron Chef America the last oasis in a sea of “stoops” and jarred pasta sauces? What’s your opinion?

{01 Mar 2008}