Before I received a copy of The Fat Duck cookbook by Heston Blumenthal, I (somewhat foolishly) envisaged doing the usual treatment, a review accompanied by a recipe. A little part of me, a devil on my shoulder did whisper “What do you have to do with molecular gastronomy exactly? You barely know your way around a bunsen burner!” and soon after I received it, I realised that making a recipe for Fat Duck wasn’t quite on the cards.
Sounds of the Sea
Although it does provide plenty of recipes, the pleasure I got out of it was getting a glimpse into Blumenthal’s mind. He shows us recipes such as Snail Porridge, Apple Pie Caramels with an edible wrapper and his famous “Sounds of the Sea” where he provides diners with Ipods to listen to the sound of the sea while eating a dish with oysters, sea urchin, seaweed and faux sand. The book is full of illustrations by Dave McKean which lend it an almost whimsical children’s book quality and is broken up into three parts. Part one is the history of the restaurant, part two is all about his signature recipes and part three is devoted to the scientific aspect of the food that he makes.
Snail porridge
Almost like spending hours and hours with Blumenthal himself, it’s fascinating stuff and beautifully done and resembles one of those art books but one with text, substance and theory. Mr NQN was riveted by it and asked me just yesterday “Have you got any spray dried carrot powder?”. SadlyI replied in the negative although I was pleased that he came closer to making a meal for the first time in a long while.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin, we have four copies to give away! For a chance to win a copy of The Fat Duck Cookbook valued at $85 each! Just tell me who is your favourite celebrity chef and why. Add your entry via a comment to this story. You can enter once daily as long as your answer is different. This competition is open to Australian residents only. This competition finishes midnight AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time) on the 7th of March, 2010.
**THE LUCKY WINNERS ARE:
Amy S., Joy N., Sophy M. and Jenny T.!
***
Lots of love,
Lorraine
xxx
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
210 Comments | Add your own
I really wish I lived in Australia! I think Heston is a wonderful mad genius… I love the way his mind works and the way he grabs inspiration from the oddest places like a tornado picking things up as it twirls madly about!! I do think I’ll get the book!
Oh my goodness, how amazing does that book look? I honestly don’t think that I could pick just one celebrity chef because I love so many for different reasons. Since we are allowed to enter once per day, I’ll tell you them all!
At the top of my list has to be Nigella. Nigella was the first celebrity cook that I really got into. I love how familiar she is with food and I think it was her enjoyment that got me to really enjoy food as well. I love so many of her recipes even though a lot of them are “sometimes foods”, but she will always be my number one tv cook/chef to me.
I was looking at this book in Border’s just last week…what a stunning presentation it is!
My favourite celebrity chef…I’ve always liked Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall. His ideas of simply, seasonal and delicious food has always appealed to me. I have all of his books and dvds (most personally signed) and look forward to each of his new shows.
When the weather is too wet and dreary to go out, there’s nothing ike veging out on the lounge to a marathon of the original 3 River Cottage series!
Second place goes to the Two Fat Ladies. Their no bullsh*t approach to cooking and love of butter, cream and all things bad for you will always have a place on my bookshelf!
It has to be Michel Bras , for spreading his passion and knowledge of a range of edible goods( mostly plants) that the public had never heard off and still championing an approach that promotes sustainable and local cooking.
I love Christine Mansfield, her food is devine, incredibly fresh, and the balance of flavours spot on!! I have had the pleasure of meeting her too and she is so nice!!
I would love to get my hands on a copy of Master Heston…. Shannon Benton in my opinion is on similar Mastership, on visiting Vue De Monde, Shannon’s Restuarant blows your senses on every single level, from decor, food, entertainment down to the french soaps in the bathroom, the visual and decadent works of art he serves, blows you away with gasps of pure……..WOW!!
Jamie Oliver as so young & vibrant has all ages wanting to try his unique & healthy recipes
Heston is without a doubt my favourite. I love watching In Search of Perfection and his Christmas special cemented him in #1 spot in my mind forever. The lengths he goes to to create not only the most delicious food but also a wonderful experience is so inspiring.
After all these years I’ve still got a soft spot for Jamie Oliver. I really admire him not just for being passionate about what he does, but for really going out and sharing his passion with others. He can come across as being a bit patronising at times but his heart is in the right place. He’s definitely more socially and politically active than your average celebrity chef, but he’s also an amazing chef and his cookbooks are ones I turn to the most often when I’m looking to cook something simple, fresh, and tasty.
Gordon Ramsay is my favourite chef because he is real. He has an incredible way with food, he’s hilarious, charming and completely focused on his goals and has the determination to achieve them. (given he has gotten into a bit of trouble in the recent past, poor Gordon..) Because of Gordon I was inspired to start an apprenticeship and I’ve worked in kitchens for the past 10 years and never looked back
I even got to meet my hero last year at the Good food and wine festival!! He is by far my favourite celebrity chef 
ps. I do love Heston too, so can I pleeeeease have a book?
I think the ideas Heston has are amazing. Did you watch the show on tv where he did a different “era” for each dinner party. The one where he joined different animals etc.. duck, pig etc for a Medieval feast was amazing. Everything on the table, including the candles was edible. I think it was on SBS
To win a book called Fat Duck,
Your thoughts had to run slightly amok,
Jelly of quail or cream of crayfish,
Bacon and egg ice-cream, oh what a dish!
So all I need now is a little good luck.
My favorite celebrity chef has to be Jamie Oliver. He got me interested in cooking & food with his enthusiasm and simple approach to cooking dishes. He also taught me to be adventurous with my food, which has allowed me to explore many new foods & cuisines. I have got a lot of his cookbooks and I still cook a lot of his dishes for family and friends.
I love Mark Olive aka The Black Olive. He’s so watchable and so personable, and I love what he does with Aussie bush tucker ingredients.
From Lemon Myrtle Chocolate Crackles (which I’ve never tried) to Honey and Wattleseed Icecream (mmmm!) he’s definitely my kind of celebrity chef!
wowsers that book is a MUST HAVE the graphics are fabulous!!
Nigella would definitely have to be my first favourite celeb chef – I , along with many others first went on the lucious journey with Nigella through the decadent chocolate cakes ……
thanks for the opportunity once again to win this very individual cookbook!!
Nigella and Jamie Oliver would be my favourite celebrity Chefs, Nigella has some amazing ideas and tips which I love especially her comfort foods. I love Jamie’s roasts and he his vegie garden.
Nigella Lawson, because she oozes love and adoration for food. I can find her a little twattish on tv sometimes, but her books, particularly How to Eat, are like my bed time novels. I have copies in the kitchen and next to my bed. Her colourful language and conversational tone is delightful.
i love hestons shows especially the one he did inspired by alice in woulderland….
my favourite chef’s would have to be matt moran had dinner at aria once was just beautiful food …
my next one is jamie oliver lovely food and so simple even i (who is not a very good cook) can use and turn out ok….
my next one is a cook nigella her recipes are delicious and i love her passion for food and there is nothing diet ….
my next one is my brother inlaw gavin head chef of selah ,we are very spoilt having him in our family his food is amazing.
Oh, I saw this in Borders the other day (it had no price and I was too afraid to ask!) – Dave McKean is one of my favourite illustrators, he illustrated a lot of Neil Gaiman’s Sandman graphic novels. A gorgeous book. My favourite chef would have to be Mr Blumenthal himself at the moment ever since I saw him trying to cook a cow or was it a pig in a spa tub!
Heston Blumenthal, because he definitely is one of the most interesting and passionate chefs out there. I think its great that he is self taught as well.
Define CELEBRITY, TV cooks or TV chefs, I find the celebrities are the ones who SHINE, like Heston, Shannon (mentioned before) and Mark Best (Marque)….talented (Australian) chefs, that go beyond the cooking, they turn food into art, on every aspect. Quirky, unquie foods combined not just as flovours but presented outside the box.
Curtis Stone, has an easygoing approach to great Australian produce, especially seafood, and being pretty easy on the eye is an added bonus. He can bring his whisk and spatula to my kitchen anytime he likes.
My favourite would have to be the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten! She is so funny, so happy and so down to earth, has the most gorgeous kitchen (which is always a plus in my book!) She always uses the freshest ingredients and not only does she cook but she also shows how to decorate the table and surroundings aswell…She caters for everyone, she does alot of meat dishes but she also does alot of Vegetarian recipes and some orgasmic desserts too!
Padma Lakshmi. Of all the desserts I’ve seen celebrity chefs make, I still haven’t seen a dish as delicious as her (although admittedly I haven’t tasted her yet)
I could pore over this book for hours! Heston is a genius, I can’t believe he is largely self-taught.
As for favourite chefs, I love Rick Stein. His early programs converted me to a fish-lover after years of being afraid of seafood. I love his tv programs, he is so passionate about food, not simply seafood, as well as the local producers of it. His recipes are simple and no-nonsense, meaning they are easily replicated by little ol’ me! His love of butter fills my heart with joy and his devotion to his beloved Padstow is endearing, such that I made a trek there on my first trip to the UK and it was the highlight of my holiday, and am looking forward to revisiting (and attending his Seafood School!) this coming January!
Plus, his enthusiasm is obviously contagious – my husband has started watching his programs of his own accord and has developed a real interest in cooking as a result (so Rick is also capable of performing miracles!).
Jamie Oliver for being so vocal about healthy eating, his vegie patch to dinner plate approach & his ideas on how to turn old, comfort favorites into something more.
What a great giveaway and a fantastic book! I especially love that “Sounds of the Sea” idea!
Heston Blumenthal! I love his childlike curiosity and lust for the exciting. The series ‘Heston’s Feasts’ left me completely smitten and wishing I had a labratory in my kitchen. Alas I don’t however Heston has influenced the mix of ingredients I use that has elicited a wow factor to some of my dishes.
OMG! Do you think that’s a real snail? It’s so crazy! This book is on my wish list, but unfortnuately I can’t afford it with student wages.. I am a student studying Medical Science and love food. So this book is the best of both worlds for me.
I’d have to say my one of my favourite celebrity chef would have to be Nigella because she is so down to earth about cooking. I love how she doesn’t knock back the sweets and shows that she enjoys it immensely. The other would be Manu Feildel, he is funny and makes everything sound sexy…
Who do I turn to for inspiration? Well without a doubt that would be Nigella and Jamie Oliver. TV shows that are watched and re-watched? Heston of course and new kids for me Tommy and Guy the wild gourmets. If you haven’t seen the wild gourmets on Spain you’ve definitley missed a very special treat. It’s all about fresh wholsome produce with loads of flavour – yep we’ve made most of the dishes!
Well, she’s NOT a celebrity chef but Chris Manfield should be. Talented, vivacious, innovative and Australian. (And she’s a hoot on the dancefloor.)
What a gorgeous book…I can look at it for hours…love nigella and Jamie Oliver for their no nonsense approach to cooking and for making it easy for the masses!
My favourite chef is Neil Perry. His passion and enthusiasm is inspiring and he has the ability to make seemingly difficult dishes easy for the home cook to make.
My farourite celebrity chef was the late Keith Floyd who sadly past away last september while watching his new TV show,after celibrating a friends lunch at a restaurant that day.He was one of the first tv Chefs with attitude always with a glass of wine in hand and sometimes quite sloshed Kieth had a great infectious attitude to traveland food and bringing the gastronamic world of food to the viewer, he past away at 65 which is a great pity .
Poh from masterchef! (i think she would be considered as a celebrity chef)
she had my family at the edge of our seats throughout the whole season… i couldn’t believe my mum tuned in every ep of a reality tv show!
Fergus Henderson. I adore Fergus Henderson. Even though I am vegetarian, his cookbooks are my favourite. I love his whole beast philosophy, I love his sense of humour.
I know there are a few Jamie Olivers already, but I have been completely inspired by the Jamie at Home series. All the petunias and daisies in the garden have been replaced by lettuce and carrots and herbs. The flavours that come from home grown are so worth the effort! Nothing like ambling on out and plucking some fresh chives and parsley to toss through a salad or lemon savory for the green beans.
Favourite celebrity chef… Heston Blumenthal himself!
I love the very meticulous manner that he designs his dishes, trying to “perfect” it to his specifications.
I’m with Highlands Foodie….I’m smitten with Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall !! His passion for home grown fresh produce, no nonsense cooking and the welfare of livestock is inspiring. He can park his gumboots at my door anytime!
matt moran as he is so clever and makes everything seem easy for the average person to try.
Rick Stein – he’s down to earth, natural, uses fantastic ingredients and produces incredible dishes plus I ran into him at the hardware store and he was really friendly !
I love Nigella Lawson because I’m really into watching Nigella Express at the moment =) She makes cooking look so simple and fun at the same time.
Right now my favourite would have to be Michael Voltaggio…winner of the last season of Top Chef who may not be yet but is well on his way to celebrity chef. I think its a 50/50 mix of both being in love with him and how amazingly creative his food always looks!
Chef Ferran Adria must be my favorite. No, I haven’t been to his restaurant El Bulli. Wanted to go for a very long time. Once again, got a “No” for this year’s reservation. Maybe is the disappointment, make me more eager to go to El Bulli and meet Ferran Adria. He must be the chef that makes me realize food is not simply to fill your hunger anymore but it’s a sophisticated art form to enjoy.
Adored Heston’s Feasts, which screened recently here in Oz. My current fave celebrity chef is Tommi Miers, or Wild Gourmets in Spain, a wonderful show rich in olive oil and paprika and all the flavours I truly love!
Rachel Allen.. Maybe it’s her accent, but she seems so down to earth and so helpful to the families and students that she teaches and gives helpful tips
Well, she’s not really a chef, and she’s definately not rock and roll, but I really love Maggie Beer. She’s such a mother duck and I love how geeky she is. I also love the richness of her food and the ‘farm quality’.
That said I love Kylie Kwong, Nigella, Manu, and sooo many more.
Gosh, that must be one of the most creative cookbooks I’ve ever seen!
Poh Ling Yeow is my favourite celebrity chef . Although she is actually a professional artist working mainly with acrylic paint on canvas , her enthusiasm for food is inspiring . I really enjoyed her energy . I only started to cook since I began to look after myself , my daughter calls it Asian/Australian , I’m slowly improving but need all the help I can get.
My favourite chef used to be Gordon Ramsay, his passion for food is awesome. Recently though, after reading Kitchen Confidential and seeing his documentary on Ferran Adria’s El Buli, I would have to say that Anthony Bourdain has taken his place as my number 1. His passion for food, plain speaking descriptions, and explanations on the food industry as a whole have really been both informative and very enjoyable. Highly recommend his books, and his tv series’
Maggie Beer. For inspiring Australians to use local produce thereby eating fresher and helping the local economy.
Bill Granger – his recipes are simple and reliable. His TV show was on the BBC when I lived in London, and it always made me miss Australia.
I have 2 favourite and they aren’t the best chef or cook in the world but they got my started.
One of them is Rick STein. Very old skool and skeptical about many new methods and sometimes cranky. But his food is simple but big on flavours. The most important to him is the produce. And I love seafood.
I love Heston – whilst I would never cook a meal the way he does, the way his mind works is simply fascinating. There was this series called ‘Heston’s Feasts’ over here, and the things he cooked simply made my eyes pop (in a good way)!
I can’t enter – but my favourite chefs are Nigella and Bill Granger. (not sure if Bill qualifies as a celebrity?) Am on a ridiculous Bill Granger cookbook buying spree at the moment, lol.
I’m partial to Mr Ramsay myself. Despite all the hoo hah in the media about him recently.
I will always have a soft spot for Jamie Oliver, he was the first chef who’s book I bought and actually cooked from!
Masaharu Morimoto. Because he is so entertaining and such a talented chef. He inspires me because he is innovative but also manages to exhibit his traditional Japanese training. Plus he can be really freaking funny!
have to say Janelle Bloom on Ready Steady Cook – she always seems so happy, and she always makes delicious-looking desserts on the show
It’s a tough call between Heston Blumenthal and Ferran Adria but for me Heston wins out. The playfulness of his food, the desire to explore ways of turning comfort foods into gastronomic delights and his willingness to shock the diner all appeal to me. I also love his willingness to bring good food to “the masses”, the fact that The Fat Duck is slightly easier to get into than El Bulli and oddly enough I like Heston’s glasses.
I any case, everytime I look at the Fat Duck Cookbook I tell myself I should buy it but I can’t justify the expense on a student budget so it would be great to experience the written side of Heston’s work rather than just his TV roles.
Jamie Oliver – he’s a Pukka Tukka Motha-F*kka!
Curtis Stone – when it comes to cold cooking, he’s got a real ‘Art’ of Stone!
I will vote for Ferran Adria, Yes, he is creative and has stretched the culinary arts way out past the boundaries. But he is such a prima donna that he only works six months a year and has to relax and retreat the rest of the time because he claims to be burnt out.
Too hard to narrow down!
But it would be a very close finish between Nigella Lawson and Gordon Ramsey.
Nigella because she absolutely, truly adores food. She loves the complicated, the easy, the fancy and the sloth. And she makes cooking it AND eating it so damn good. I think I may even have a little mini-crush on her. I love how she eats the leftovers out of the fridge in the middle of the night (just like me) but gee I wish she would use some Gladwrap!!
Secondly Gordon Ramsey because I was lucky enough to meet him several times – many times as a waitress when he was a regular with his family. And then when I helped manage a kitchen and our kitchens combined for corporate Charity events. His food is divine, slaved over and magical. He is not the ogre he appears to be on TV – quite the opposite, and I think i like that as well
Hugh Fernley Whittingstall is my favourite celebrity chef. I love how he and his chef mates can take the most boring home grown vegetable or random ingredient and somehow make a usally fabulous dish (or 3) with it! I loved that he tried to find a way to make a slug palatable, I think this may been his only failure!
the book looks delightful! like something out of the grimms brotherS!
that snail can be a little …er..of an obstacle course..:D I must say
Wish I lived in Australia.
That snail looks a little on the rare side!
Quite a book too, giving a glimpse into a very complex mind.
So many to choose from. Nigella Lawson, Jamie Oliver, Ina Garten, Ben O’Donogue, Curtis Stone are all fabulous for their accessibility and creating a desire for people to want to cook. Being a self confessed food/cooking addict I look for someone who inspires me to try new things, completely out there stuff. Although maybe not a celebrity chef perse, first place would have to go to Ferran Adria of El bulli for me. His dedication to creating individual dishes, for shocking even the most seasoned diner and for nurturing young chefs is admirable.
PS – Love your site!
This is way too hard,Lorraine. There are so many chefs around the world, each with their own particular styles and buckets full of enthusiasm.
If you have a look at my Foxtel IQ recorded shows, they’re all about food and chefs,LOL!I devour these shows with the same gusto as a delicious meal cooked by a Masterchef.
I love watching Giorgio Locatelli cook ( although I wish he’d tie back his hair ) and if I ever go to London again, I just have to eat at his restaurant. Heston is a fantastic cook but a little ‘out there’ for me.His book looks amazing and I could spend hours digesting each and every page!! Once things get too technical though, I tend to lose interest, it’s all about the taste, smell, look and texture of food that keeps me coming back.
I like Donna Hay. She has made good cooking accessible through her easy to read and follow cokbooks and her magazine is not overly fussy with out of everyday reach ingredients. i love a good challenge, but she is a hero of the people!
I like Heston Blumenthal for his creativity and passion and scientific knowledge. The TV show Heston’s Feasts was sheer brilliance, especially the frog in the lilypond creation.
A few years back, I studied molecular gastronomy for a journalism assignment and found it utterly interesting. If you would like a copy of my feature article, please contact me through my blog.
Thanks for giving people a chance to win this book. I love your blog.
My favourite chef is Rose Gray of the River Cafe. She’s so passionate about Italian food, and good produce, and keeping it simple to let the ingredients shine through. On the River Cafe cooking series on telly, she looks so happy to be cooking the beautiful food; she’s unpretentious, she doesn’t yell, she makes it all about the food. Makes me want to hug her. Then ask her to cook me pasta.
Probably Jamie Oliver for simple healthy food. The book looks great and I would love a copy to add to my large cookbook collection.
I am actually a massive fan of Heston. While I would not quite class him in the celebrity chef category I do think he is a fine ambassador for new age cuisine.
Why I especially like Heston is his scientific approach to food. i have always sat and pondered some of the questions he answers in his series Kitchen Chemistry. He breaks down things such as how to make the perfect Mashed Potato. He explains the science of the potato which has given me a whole new outlook when cooking with potatoes and I have seen a significant improvement in all my potato dishes.
While other chefs show you how to do things Heston actually breaks it down to its core and explains why it happens which I think is far more beneficial to my style of cooking
Do bloggers count as celebrity chefs? I’m pretty much in love with Beatrice from La Tartine Gourmande… I don’t have television so don’t watch any cooking tv shows. Although I admit to adoring Julia Child, who doesn’t?
The book looks stunning!!
Michel Roux Jr – i appreciate the sense of heritage he brings to cooking which is counterbalanced by a laid back understanding of lay cooking.
mmmmmm…..Nigella she got me into the kitchen and made me think of it more as a studio than a drudgery. I lived in a house full of boys then and she was such a fun female to have around, along with her forum. Especially I love her books, not so much her TV series.
But I cant leave Jamie out … he has tried so hard, with success, to make cooking good food a positive. He reinforced the idea to my sons that it was def. OK to cook, which they now do very well. Thankyou for your fab. blog. xx
NQN you always tempt me with your posts – if its not the delicious things that you eat, its the chance to win fabulous things.
As for celebrity chefs, I am a little obsessed with Mr Blumenthal since having the chance to dine at the Fat Duck in Bray – the mousse of green tea, vodka and lime cooked in liquid nitrogen is the single most amazing dish I’ve ever eaten.
I’m also addicted to his ‘Feasts’ on SBS – it is simply amazing what that man can do with food, but what I like most of all is his sense of whimsy and playfulness with everything he creates.
Obviously I’m not in Australia but I do have a friend in Adelaide who might like to receive this…
I picked copy up in Waterstones once, I was terrified of the contents!!!!
I would have to say my favourite celebrity chef is Justin North (he featured in one of your previous blogs, so I think he’s sufficiently celebritised). It stems from my visit to Becasse during the Sydney International Food Festival where I was impressed by his theme in which he paid hommage to the great chef’s of the world and even more impressed when he answered a few questions that I had about a dish (ingredients and prep wise) during service. Brilliant chef, great guy and seems to be very business savvy too!
ps. Anthony Bourdain and Heston are also way way up on my list, make great efforts in converting people to foody-ism
Lorraine, can you shift continents…pretty please? What an interesting book!
Wish I lived in Australia!! This cookbook looks fabulous!
For everyday, fresh and reasonably healthy cooking, I love Bill Granger. While Nigella is for special occasions and indulgences, I tend to use Bill’s food philosophy for everyday cooking. I love how he writes his books and I love his recipes
Wow – what an interesting concept
I am a Jamie Oliver fan…I love his way of cooking …so casual
Amazing response to a fantastic competition. I’m surprised to see my favourite chef Michel Bras, absolutely LOVE his food, hotel and vision. However, I would not classify him as a celebrity chef. In that category I vote for the ever entertaining, and at times annoying, Anthony Bourdain. He lives for food in all forms. Since we don’t have a TV I’m not sure if he’s on the tube here (Oz). You can see his show Cook’s Tour on youtube. His visit to the temple of poutine with fois gras in Montreal was hilarious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SD2HxJoCD54
This book (and Heston’s other books) looks so interesting. I would love to know the science behind cooking and his dishes (as I am in a science field myself). I only recently became aware of Heston, I think a bit more time and he may become a favourite chef of mine.
I must admit, Gordon Ramsay was actually extremely lovely to me when we met at the Good Food and Wine show, so he would certainly be on my list. Adriano Zumbo has recently come into the lime light too, and he has an amazing talent when it comes to pastry, flavours and baking. Manu Feildel has a great accent and it always a charm on tv. And then there is Katrina Kanetani, who’s desserts are absolutely amazing! It is difficult to choose. I guess I would have to go with Katrina (even though she may not be as well known as the others), as her desserts cannot be matched.
MELBOURNE: Shannon Bennett – Vue de Monde – V.high standards of classic french cooking, but with modern tricks and whimsy.
SYDNEY: Neil Perry – Rockpool. A fabulous restaurant experience with v.high quality produce cooked with honesty and flair. A franchise and committment that has transported itself v.comfortably in Melbourne, too.
My favourite celebrity chef is Nigella Lawson – because she makes cooking and eating look like the most pleasurable activity on earth and with never a hair out of place.
Call me sad, but I like Jamie Oliver! His latest series – Jamie at Home, is really good! The way his enthusiasm pours out of him, its just good watching (and learning!).
I cannot believe no one has mentioned Tetsuya Wakuda. His mix of Japanese and French style with the best Australian produce and imagination makes his restaurant a must visit at least once in a lifetime.
without a doubt Tony Bourdain! His unpretentious, no nonsense approach to eating and appreciating food is what draws me to his TV show; blog and novels! Seriously, this guy does it all. Further, his sense of humour and lax approach to the ‘other reasons’ for being in a country apart from the food is a refreshing take on any show on the Travel Channel. (eg. no visit to the pyramids in Egypt!? -unfathomable for any other host).
Jamie Oliver has to be my favourite chef but also the one I love to hate. I can’t stand his persona or celebrity status but the way that he simplifies everything down into principles is great.
One obvious but very useful pieces of advice he’s given is to mix any type of oil with anything acidic (lemon, vinegar etc.)and add seasoning to make a simple salad dressing. I use this principle everytime I make a salad of my own invention.
Hi
Since I have a sweet tooth, then I have to nominate Adriano Zumbo.
I like his dedication to his work, making his patisserie no 1 in Australia with his unique creations and flavours.
ST
Wow! First of all.. Thank you for all your posts. Out of the 100 emails plus that I receive – I eagerly await your updates. And have on occasion made a few of your recipes you have posted. Merci. With much gratitude.
Favourite Celebrity Chef – oh so many and oh so many categories.
I admire Heston Blumenthal. Such a character. What I love about his cooking, brining elements of science and ingredients into a gastronomical adventure.
My nomination for celebrity chefs are Bobby Flay for his execution, grace, and his charming character. Bobby always deliver entertainment, education and fun.
And Thomas Keller for his expanding mindset and how he has applied that to everything re: the operation of his establishments. It all begins in the produce selected/grown, then the attitudes of staff and Thomas has that down pat.
Both these chefs are engaging and I love to see that in a Master.
Bourdain is another favourite – whilst spending 3 months in N.Y last year we visited just about every establishment he recommended in his book. Yes it was well worth it. And Les Halles has some amazing food on offer. The fries are by far the best we ever tasted anywhere in the world. The hanger steak ohhhh need I say more…
Have a fabulous day…
Hiroyuki Sakai! After years of watching the Japanese Iron Chef, he’s made some strange and memorable dishes which are amazing. The King of kitchen combat!
Definitely, Jamie Oliver. he is a great chef with cute accent, creative and nice personality.
He always brought up an interesting and different type of cooking shows. i love the ministry of food where he tried to teach people how to cook with pass it on method and pursuade them to live healthy in his home town.
I’m love Maggie Beer, she is passionate and charming and has such a broad knowledge. I admire her for being a fearless working mother who never sent her children to school with Vegemite sandwyches despite their constant pleading.I spoke to her once on talk-back raido, and shared my version of the humble roast leg of lamb, she was so gracious and charming. I think Maggie is fully appreciative of fine dining, and so respectful of basics and cooking within your comfort zone. I would be very chuffed to win a copy of the Fat Duck Cookbook if I were chosen!
The number of ‘celebrity’ chefs seems to grow every day, but like movie stars, there are those that keep getting Oscar nominations due to their talent and consistency, and those that may just be flavour of the month (excuse the pun) on the cover Who Weekly.
For me Ferran Adria is truly the king. While not one to court fame, his inventiveness, his passion and his consumate skill make him untouchable. He is the Meryl Streep of food.
On the other hand, those that use their fame to achieve change and a broad based understanding of real food in our sadly processed driven community deserve their due as well. For that I nominate Jamie Oliver for making it cool for 7 year olds to cook (in the world before Masterchef.) Let’s call him the Matt Damon, not yet an Oscar winner, but box office gold.
Please consider this my entry for the glorious Fat Duck Cookbook. (I love Heston too of course.)
I will have to say that my favorite ‘celebrity chef’ is Ferran Adrià!I think he is such a genius that creates the most amazing creations!Every time i pick up his book, I am always mesmerized by his creations, talents and skills that i can’t never put down the book unless i finish it. I truly think he is one of the most amazing chefs in the world!
Heston Blumenthal is another chef who i think is on par with Ferran Adrià! I would really like to see the unique creations and uses of molecular gastronomy by this genius!!!
Please consider my entry for this competition!! i would be the most excited person if i’d win one of these copies!!! Many Thanks, Lorraine!
I remember first seeing Heston Blumental on pay TV while on holidays a few years ago. I spent most of my days inside, glued to the set, watching his shows – and the gorgeous Whitsundays were just outside the door.
The book looks so sumptuous, Heston has to be my favourite chef, with Nigella Lawson a close second.
I am almost a little scared to enter this competition – thats an impressive looking cookbook! My fave celebrity chef is George Calombaris – loved him on ready, steady, cook, loved him on masterchef and really love his restaurants.
My new favourite celebrity chef is Thomasina Miers. Her show on the ABC The Wild Gourmets In Spain has had my mouth watering for the past few weeks for the taste of gazpacho, strong cheese and air dried ham.
Should I also mention Stephanie Alexander and Gay Bilson because both are ex-librarians?
I’m not sure if you remember him, but my favourite celebrity chef is Emmanuel Stroobant. He may not be as famous as Jamie or Gordon but his culinary skills and especially his humility wins me over.
I’d have to say Heston rates highly in my book. His sense of theatricality make his food unlike any other. Each dish he creates has its own wonderful story and i think that’s what good food is all about. His ingredients relate to each other in a playful, unexpected way and challenge the way we think about food. Genius. I would love this cookbook!
Anton Mossiman, I saw a documentary about this brilliant chef in 1998 and I have followed his works ever since.
His philosophy was to engage the people in Britain who had limited resources to show them quality wasn’t about quantity ( of wealth) rather, a desire to taste, appreciate and embrace what was available to them. He is a passionate teacher and showed respect for produce and having a considered approach to preparing a meal. I wish I could one day work in his kitchen ….
I can never go past Geoff Jansz when it comes to fav celebrity chef questions! The dashing good looks!! The saucy innuendos!! I love the way his tongue is firmly planted in cheek when he cooks with other celebs, he’s so down to earth and utterly charming, in my humble opinion, and the man can cook! one of these days I’m going to petition all tv stations to get him back on air, what a legend!
my favorite TV chef is Lidia Bastianich from America as a lover of italian food her easy home cooking is very easy to reproduce.
One of my favourite celebrity chefs is Nigella Lawson, she loves food in all it’s delicious decadence & isn’t afraid to be curvy…both things I adore, admire & emulate! =)
It has to be Keith Floyd. He was the original Celebrity Chef and the best for my money. His shows, 20 in all, were informative, funny and great travel logs. He never took himself too seriously and lets consider that we are talking about cooking, not brain surgery. He never had the celeb ego that spoils so many of them. He laughed at himself and had a real and obvious passion for what he was doing. Yep, Keith Floyd for me.
Although not a trained Chef I enjoy the food and approach that Nigella takes (actually Nigella is why I was drawn to your blog), which I found a link to from fat mum slim. The name Not Quite Nigella enticed me.
If I had to choose a trained Chef I’d go for Gino D’Campo (the Italian chef based in London) because he’s serious about good food but he is a very happy chappy who loves what he does and I can’t stand chefs who look down their noses as foodies.
I’d love to win one of Heston’s books.
Definitely bill granger for his ability to make simple and good things every day. That, and the fact that brunch at any bills is a highlight of the week!!
For me, my favourite would be Bill Granger. His recipes just seem so easy to make yet always look and taste good too. Also helps that he smiles alot.
Curtis Stone as he discusses the region foods maybe sourced from and more especially seafood of which he demonstrates there is an abundance and wide variety in Australian waters. His passion for fresh food and ability to connect with the lay cook through his words and easy to follow recipes make him a favourite with the masses.
My Favourite would have to be Giada De Laurentiis because she is so fun!!! I love how she has this fun, sparkling, easy going attitude towards food. She always seems to make cooking fun and I love that.
I love Rachel Ray!!! I’m busy most days and if you can get a meal on the table within 30 minutes, it’s a great tip! Plus I find her techniques easy to follow and quite adaptable.
I don’t think I’d be able to cook half as well as I can if it wasn’t for Adrian Richardson. His book “meat” gave me an insight into choosing, preparing and cooking so many different cuts of meat.
It’s truly a must have, practical, interesting and engaging book with spectacular suggestions and succulent recipes.
But Blumenthal is the complete opposite, a dreamer and a designer of amazing food.
My nomination goes to Alvin Leung from Bo Innovations in Hong Kong. He was here in Sydney last October – where I was priviliged to attend his dinner. His self titled ‘demon chef’ is rather befitting; his cuisine ‘extreme’, unquote. I am generally not a fan of ‘fusion’, but Alvin seems to have an innate sense and understanding of taste, and how flavours will merge and then making it into something completely new and exciting. His Vegemite beef was at once hilarious and delicious. Bravo, indeed.
I adore Nigella’s desserts, I made her baked new york cheesecake for all special occasions.
Heston is an inspirational chef, even if I could never cook one of his creations in its entirety there are always bits and pieces you can steal. My favourite celebrity chef though would have to be Jamie Oliver. I know his manner can rub some people up the wrong way but I admire him for the fact that he backs up what he says with action and he’s done a lot to encourage young blokes to cook.
My favourite, most influential, passionate and caring ‘cook’ that produces wonderful wholesome meals and delicate desserts is my Grandma. Like many others my Grandma has picked up skills from celebrity chefs and other greats passing valuable information on to the next generation (me!)
From my grandmothers cooking I have grown up loving and seeking all cuisine (to live in Australian is to be privileged with the melting pot of cultures that have greatly influenced our cooking over many years). However one of my key influences stemmed from my grandmothers style is one of the greats!
Margaret Fulton, is truly original and tops the list of my many favourite celebrity chefs/ writers. Fulton is my favourite chef because she made her way to being one of the first women celebrity cooking writers, Fulton has showed many Australian’s ‘pleasurable and creative possibilities of fine dining,’ (Australian biography). That has based the growing Australian love for cooking/ blogging etc.. in a format that many people understand and can relate to.
Fulton’s influence on my cooking style has developed with age. Moving into a new industry (Viticulture and Oenology) in the next few years I will be able to make many notes and adjustments to my own cooking based on the experimental and traditional views of this style of fine dining.
‘ONE OF THE TRUE GREATS’
Sir Heston B of course. He is the most amazing chef I have ever watched. I can’t believe the extremes that he will go to, to produce the most incredible meals. I only wish that one day I can actually go to his restuarant and experience it for myself.
Thankyou Heston for bringing life back into food for me.
I just love Janell Bloom. I know it might sound daggy, but she just knows how to cook no fuss good food and she isn’t afraid of the solar dome. As a working mum some time I just dont have the time to create what I want so I create what i need. quick food that is good for you. I just seem to agree with everything that she does…..sorry Nigella fans
i really enjoyed watching Heston’s “feasts” series (sadly the closest I’ll probably ever get to experiencing his food) and loved his book In Search of Perfection) – what amazing dedication and curious mind. The books I turn to almost every week though are Bill Grangers. The food in his books has always beenpleasingingly achievable for the home cook, and had an emphasis on fresh quality ingredients long before it became the public mantra of so many other foodies.
After scrolling down the page, ready to write a great entry about Jamie Oliver, I was so disheartened to see his name flash past my eyes many, many times! So, in an effort to be different and not bore the one who sorts through these entries, I’m going to write about Valli Little instead.
I had no idea who Valli was until I picked up a Delicious mag one day when the train was 20 minutes away. I flipped through it as I usually do and within seconds I was at the counter, paying, and calling my mum to beg her to let me cook that night. Every single recipe of Valli’s – and I’m really not exaggerating – looks superb, and every one I’ve cooked has gone so smoothly and tasted so incredible that I now own all her cookbooks. She’s my go-to-gal and provides me with much inspiration. There’s always one of her cookbooks by my bed and I’ve dog-eared more many recipes than I have days left in my life. It truly was Valli (along with Jamie, of course) who ignited my scarily intense passion for food and cooking.
Plus, she gave me the apron she wore at a demonstration where I work!
I don’t have a favourite chef, because each one, represent his own cuisine and brings with him a new technique, some are really boring to watch, and some like Heston are very interesting to learn from their techniques, the guy use ultimate technology and do lots of testing, to get the perfect result.
well good luck to all participants.
Maggie Beer is my fave celebrity chef – she’s down to earth, makes delicious and interesting food, and has a fantastic line of products. I want to be her friend.
My favourite is Michael Smith from Chef at Home. Among all the cooking shows I’ve watched, I think he teaches his audience the most “tips and tricks” in cooking. The phrase that I remember most is: ” The secret recipe to cooking is cooking without a recipe” Something that I struggle the most, even cooking something simple like a stir-fry dish. Although perhaps frying an egg is a different case!
Kylie Kwong has always been my favourite chef. She’s passionate about her food, her art and her Chinese roots. Her attention to detail in the way she prepares her ingredients, and her passion in food in the way she shares her family’s secret recipes truly show what a remarkable, passionate person Kylie is. Her journey to China in ‘My China’ inspires me to follow my life long dream of embarking on the same journey in search of my family roots, and experience the culinary delights and places that Kylie opened my eyes to, enjoying every minute of what life has to offer, from the people I meet on the streets to the smell of food served on my table.
Mum always used to say I lack passion and direction in life. I now embrace life with every bit of passion, inspiration and love, and share them with the people that I meet every day.
Marco Pierre White. He is an absolute classic personality in the culinary world and is responsible for training some of the top chef’s going around these days (such as Gordon Ramsay). The pride he carries in the dishes he produces and the absolute perfection that he demands from himself and his team is quite inspiring. He also has some old school youtube vids that rock
I would have to say my favourite celebrity chef is Michael Smith from the TV show ‘Chef at Home’. I love Michael because he works from his own kitchen, creates easy recipes from all those ingredients that we have in our pantries or at the local supermarket and is not afraid to make something up as he goes along. As the theme song says “you can do it too”.. he shows us that everyone can be a chef at home with a little enthusiasm and creativity!!
just had a look at the book at readings and was amazed at the pictures in it..
my favourite is definitely Nigel Slater..very non-pretentious and homely cooking. i love it how he tells us to use his books as a guide to learning how to cook with basic techniques, as opposed to being an instructions manual that i have to follow meticulously with no understanding about what im doing what-so-ever..and he has his own awesome vegie garden..
love your blog btw
Bill Granger is close to my heart now that I live in Sydney. I would love to eat at one of his cafes.
Gordon Ramsey, he may not be nice but he gets the job done and makes the chef perform to their best ability.
Gosh…my favourite chef varies with my mood I guess! If I’m feeling all cruisy and relaxed, its Nigella, if I need a bit of a pep-up it Jamie Oliver or Ainsley Harriot, if I’m a bit cranky it’s Gordon Ramsey! But at the moment I would have to be really sucky and say my favourite would be Heston. I am a scientist, and in my spare time I read a lot of about history, and I love to read about the way people lived their everyday lifes in the past, including what they ate. So when I saw Heston’s Feasts, it ticked all my boxes! History, food and mad scientist rolled into one! And I was thermomix spotting in the background shots of his laboratory too.
My absolute favourite would have to be Lorraine Elliott from Not Quite Nigella. Her passion in food is unparalleled, dishing up mouth watering foodies pictures that are good enough to eat week after week, making NQN the number ONE guilty pleasure site of my workmates and I. While others are talking shop during lunch time, we (the NQN “nerds”) are talking food. Lorraine’s quite a celebrity in my office (even the guys are now joining in my NQN circle!). As to the term “chef”, well let’s put it this way, if Poh Ling Yeow from Masterchef can call herself a chef after her second attempt at Deep Fried Meringues, then Lorraine’s version (at http://www.notquitenigella.com/2010/02/10/deep-fried-meringues) would absolutely make the cut in my eye.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Cheers,
Jasmine
What a fantastic prize! I absolutely loved Heston’s new tv show.
Anyhow, I have a few favourite chefs but one of mine is Nigella Lawson. The reason is simple; she is absolutely unapologetic about her love and greed for food. I find that in a world where ‘diet’/'don’t eat this -it’s bad for you!’ is scrawled everywhere, it’s so refreshing to see someone who advocates our inner desire to relish all things food -whether it’s deepfried or steamed! Also, I love her witty food writing.
I loved Heston Blumental’s tv series, he is definitely a favourite celebrity chef of mine.
Christine Mansfield.
Her desserts are a work of art and they taste as good as they look.
My favourite chef will always be Chen Kenichi from Iron Chef. To be able to cook out all those creative and incredible dishes under such pressure and do it all in one hour, I think not many so called “celebrity chef” can actually do it. And he will be creating new dishes from time to time depending on the main ingredients given. He is the best and probably one of the most humble Celebrity Chef I have seen so far.
Maggie Beer and Simon Bryant. They were so amazing together. I adored watching how excited they were in the kitchen and the joy cooking brought them. They were always encouraging of each other, always laughing, always entertaining. Everything they prepared made my mouth water and encouraged me into the kitchen to create whatever they had just shown us. I miss their show so much.
I love Nigel Slater!
Heston IS my fave celeb. chef for his weird and wonderful concoctions. Who else would use a tongue tickler to make a mountain of jelly vibrate.
But Nigella, whose sensuous cooking makes my mouth water and her ease at the bench makes me want to cook, cook, cook!!
Another vote for Nigel Slater, although not so well known over here. I notice that the Food Network are going to start screening some of his shows starting next week, so we might have a few more converts.
Whilst I’m entertained by the awesome creations of some of the other celebrity chefs, Nigel’s strength for me has always been the celebration of everyday food based on getting the best out of the available ingredients.
I see Giorgia Locatelli got a mention earlier in the thread too – his passion and enthusiasm is so infectious, it’s a pleasure to watch him work.
Janelle Bloom is my current favourite, I love that she manages to take old favourites and give them a make over in to new, scrumptious, healthy versions!
I know its a bit old school but my fave celeb chef is Delia Smith. I can still remember the episode of “Delia Smith’s Christmas” (nearly 20 years ago now!!) where she demonstrated her lattice pastry cutter which I then spent months searching for in Australia. She inspired me to love baking and to make everything from scratch – such as both the pastry and filling for home made fruit mince pies. Her warm encouraging style made cooking seem fun and I serously covetted her kitchen!
Long before Jamie Oliver, Delia was teaching the basics of cooking to a wide televison and reading audience. So my vote is for Delia Smith.
Thank you for your wonderful blog Lorraine. : )
My celebrity chef is Gordon Ramsay only when he is cooking by himself as I do love his tips on how to cook meals, it really work.
I have a crush on Manu after watching my kitchen rules!
A friend of mine dined at the Fat Duck a few months back and had the degustation menu which featured the Sounds of the Sea dish. Luckily she took heaps of photos so I could have a good squiz at the dishes. But favourite celeb chef, oooh what a hard task! This is the girl who only allowed her husband to get Foxtel for sports was if I could get the Food channels as well. My criteria for choosing was who inspires me to get up off the couch and cook/bake and so I would have to choose Rachel Allen. I love both her shows – Home Cooking and Bake. The way she presents and has handy hints makes everything look so easy (even making crossaint dough!!) and I love how she has her cookery school. But I have to agree with everyone else with Jamie and Nigella. Doesn’t matter how old the episodes are or how many times I’ve seen the them, it’s still entertaining to watch.
Manu Feidel! He’s very creative in the kitchen, and his sexy accent suggests that he might be as creative in the bedroom… one can dream!
Sarah Brown may not be a television celebrity, but during the hours I’ve spent trawling through the culinary section of second had bookshops those books by her have always inspired squeals of delight from any avid cook behind the counter. Her vegetarian cookbooks show an extremely well balanced variety of inexpensive grains, pulses and ingredients besides stock standard wheat and rice. More importantly for me, she doesn’t rely on butter, cream or cheese for flavour – I’m lactose intolerant. Yet, many of my favourite recipes by her are easily manipulated to suit what’s in my fridge, can be whipped up in under 30 minutes and will continue to taste even better a day or two later when I’m roaming the kitchen at five looking for a pre-dinner snack. She’s become somewhat of a celebrity amongst my friends, after 3 recipes featured for a dinner party at which the vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores were equally satisfied by the same dishes without any particular effort on my part. Late guests missed out after the mandarin marinaded buckwheat was devoured by second-helpings, and my favourite crowd-pleaser – her lentil, aubergine and mushroom ‘pate’ – turns into a restaurant worthy appetiser when coated in crumbled walnuts.
I love lots of them but Jamie Oliver is the one who’s recipes I actually use rather than just admire!
Since moving to Australia I have really enjoyed getting to know the local chefs through newspapers and tv. I enjoy watching Neil Perry because I like his style of cooking.
Im loving Karen Martini’s food presently. Talk about keeping it real! Simple & uncomplicated
Come to think of it…the complete opposite of the cuisine at The Fat Duck!!!
What a beautiful book!
Do I have to pick just one?! I love Nigella laweson, I could watch her cook for hours on end, I love how she eats like no one is watching and she seems like she’s really doing something that brings her joy and happiness. I respect that, I admire her a lot and I enjoy how she produces rescipes that anyone can make. Shes relateble, everyone loves a bit of nigella!
My celebrity chef fave,
Is Benjamin Christie: He’s brave!
For his authentic Aussie dishes that are all the rave,
It is he I crave,
To our nation, his talent he gave,
I would love to be his slave,
And wear the same aftershave!
I have been watching old episodes of Kitchen Nightmares and it reminds me of when I first discovered Gordon Ramsey when I moved to London in 1999. He has to be one of my most favourite celeb chefs just because he was so fierce!
Curtis Stone – he can cook, surf and make a mean meal for the whole family.
I didn’t know who Mario Batali was even though I came across his name often on the food blogs that I like to read. I did watch his Spanish show … on the road again with Gwyneth Paltrow and although I was disappointed there weren’t more actual recipes, I did enjoy his passion for the produce and local flavours.
Gordon Ramsey – he’s tough, but he’s so watchable…..I love him!
Definitely Heston! Have been watching his show and never cease to be amazed at his puppy-like determination to satisfy his curiousity. The Roman Feast episode was my favourite, the erotic dessert a testament to the chef who lives to excite the senses and stir up emotions with food.
neil perry as he can make it, bake it and always take it to the next level.a chef that was born to be a cook by anyones book
Curtis Stone, before he became just another chef on Oprah!
Curtis Stone,he makes food that are quick, easy, affordable and oh-so delicious! Lets not forget he is very, very good looking
Claudia Roden introduced Middle Eastern cuisine to the rest of the world! She deserves a big thanks for introducing us to some of the best tastes, flavours and spices.
Curtis Stone he keeps it simple without being dumb,
Jamie’s jibber makes me numb.
He cooks with great Aussie food,
Puts me in a cooking mood!
I love Aussi Chief Kurt Warner he’s my favourite at the moment.
Although Curtis was my favourite on Surfing the menu I do like Ben o Donoghue too.
Anthony Bourdain. He’s everything that i want to be. A rebel, brave, owner of an iron stomach , french cuisine trained (without the snobbery) with an amazing sense of adventure and eye for travel.
Unfortunately, i only have his ratbag personaility traits, but hope to work on the others!
The late great Bernard King as his love of cooking and the dishes he made will never be forgotten by me, I especially liked his Honey Ham and Lamb Chops.
Hi NQN,
My favourite celebrity chef is Manu Feildel, not only because of his sexy accent [hope my husband won't read this, hehe], but I really started liking him watching Masterchef. He was one of the few celebrity chefs that wasn’t snobby, but very down to earth, ready to help & give advice to the contestants.
I agree with Wes. I gotta say Anthony Bourdain is another one of my favourites. Probably the most genuine chef/foodie out there and I really respect his strong desire to bring to light the extreme hard work of Mexican migrants in the food industry that is very much overlooked by us, the mainstream.
I also love that he wants to highlight great food EVERYWHERE around the world; he mentioned that Italian and French cuisine has had so much recognition but other equally great food across the sea (or next door) has for too long been misunderstood. Besides all this, who can resist his witty, yet blatant ‘no sh*t’ kinda remarks?!
Manu celebrates the lushness of butter;
Its enough to make my heart go aflutter ;
He celebrates with flavor;
The joys of multicultural Australia.
Ainsley Harriott is the winner for me, itsrare for me to find a celebrity chef cook book where the recipes actually turn out like they do in the pictures and taste sensational! But Im sure I would be able to replicate Heston’s if given a chance!
manu fidel!!
apart from the fact that he has a killer french accent that i simply ADORE, the man’s perspective on food and the way in which he uses it inspires me no end!! 
btw, i absolutely <3 your blog, lorraine – your perspective and stories about your different experiences in the kitchen are inspiring and so intriguing!! keep up the great work! xm
Jamie Oliver is the pick for me – he is so down to earth and I love watching him on tv!
Stephanie Alexander is amazing and an inspiration with what she is doing with the Kitchen Garden Foundation.All her books and travel writings are exciting and I absolutely love how through her Kitchen Garden Companion book she is encouraging families to garden together, cook together and eat together. This is definately the way to bring up healthy, happy children, I believe.
Nigela lawson for she has such passion for food. She takes pride in her cooking. It all looks so delicious and tasty even when i atempt it myself. OOOZZESSS such love for food and it is contagious.
Nigela lawson coooks with such deep pasion her love for food just oozzzzesss onto the plate and you can’t help but feel the passion to its addictive
Nigella! Why? Because watching my husband enter an almost comatose state as he watches her cook is such a hilarious sight to see! AND her cooking is excellent too!
MANU – Because he certainly rules in my kitchen.
Marco Pierre White for his humble approaches and inspiring words of wisdom
Someone mentioned Anthony Bourdain and I suddenly remembered how much I LOVE him! His irreverance but passion for food, his honesty, I loved his book “kitchen confidential” I am going to scour my bookshelves to find my copy to reread.
Maggie, Stephanie and Margaret. Plain cooking fundamentals and then show you how to tart it up, be it with the latest “it” ingredient or presentation.
Mine is Jamie Oliver. I love that he keeps everything he makes simple and as fresh as possible. He grows his own produce
Heston without a doubt. His scientific approach to working out why food tastes the way it does is just fasinating.
His is the Thinking Womans Willy wonka!
I would love to visit his restaurant one day.. must start saving now.. lol.
Thanks
I love Jamie Oliver, he has such a fresh range of recipes and really gets your mouth watering with each one.
I am a Ming Tsai devotee. His master stocks are an ingenious idea, enabling you to create a banquet once the stocks have been made in advance and stored. His unique blend of West Coast and Chinese cuisine becomes a work of art, as he creates the perfect balance in marrying these two regions that are close to his heart. I love how his mum comes on at the end of his programs, and has a little tipple with him.
omg so many entries for this one already but I think Jamie Oliver is my fave, he is so passionate about food and goes everywhere looking for the best produce and of course he is trying to make the nation healthier by teaching everyone to cook meals that are both easy and delicious
Domestic Goddess Nigella
Your masterpiece is your Paella
My culinary talents cause salmonella
So PLEASE let me be your fella
Jamie Oliver – gorgeous and talented. He can cook for me anytime!
Pete Evans as he’s down to earth and I can actually understand what he’s saying – not like Manu with that strong accent on MKR !
ainsley harriott – his recipes are creative but accessible, his food livens up the everyday or the dinner party, and most importantly he makes cooking fun – you can’t help share his enthusiasm!
Curtis Stone is keeping it real and fresh. He uses local produce which is in season. Just like the 100 mile diet
Ainsley Harriott! I find cooking really stressful and intimidating but I looooove watching him work his way around the hotplates and seeing his enthusiasm and ease with culinary arts really inspires me to find that joy.
The beautiful Manu Feildel won my heart on Ready, Steady, Cook with his French twist on Australian favourites. He is now educating me further with his knowledge of Gastronomy on My Kitchen Rules.
Heston Blumenthal has really inspired
My apprentice chef son who has sat there for hours,
Reading, learning and trialling the methods and thoughts
That go into making dishes that he has never been taught
To prepare during his course where the basics are learned.
But he strives to improve his techniques and ideas,
Trying something new is something he never fears.
Displaying food like a work of art
Is something that has to come from the heart
And Is a goal for my son
Already a reality for Heston.
Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has inspired my son to create
Many dishes I highly rate.
Molecular gastronomy in our house has become the word of the year
With many attempts – not always succeeding I fear.
Searching the net for chemicals and more
Until typing on the keyboard made his hands sore,
Experimenting with little round balls that melt in your mouth,
And other concoctions that I doubt
My son ever would have known about
Without the brilliance of the celebrity chef king,
Heston Blumenthal who has greatly influenced my son’s cooking
I like James Reeson – his food is simple, fresh and he’s a great presenter – charming and funny.
I love Nigella – for cakes, Jamie Oliver for everyday dishes but who I really enjoy watching is Raymond Blanc.
I remember, many years ago, watching him make a cup of “coffee” on Masterchef in the UK. Everything was edible, including the cup. I know it is done by quite a few people now, but 15 years ago, I had never seen anyone do it.
Jamie Oliver puts his heart and soul into cooking even though he often bites more off than he can chew.
Nigella Lawson because I love the home comfort type food she cooks.
Keith Floyd has left us all many great shows and books,
he’s passed away sept 2009
Maggie Beer..love her huge Aussie smile, infectious gutsy laugh and her love of hearty earthy food..everything about her is ‘yummy and tasty’!
Peter Evans because of his great TV shows about food and restaurants.
The latest celebrity chef, Manu Feildel is my favorite. Not only is that accent as warm and soft as the tastiest golden dumpling, you gotta love a man who loves a good creme brulee.
hmmmm…Jamie Oliver now…took a long time for him to grow on me…but he cooks for friends, he’s relaxed and a little rough around the edges!
Jamie Oliver, not least for the real food he cooks, but what he gives back. His efforts on changing school lunches, teaching children about where food comes from, and giving young people often from the wrong side of the tracks, a chance to gain an apprenticeship.
Heston Blumenthal for helping to extend the limits of cooking by using new techniques to create wonderful new food. Also his focus on the entire dinning experience to make his cutomers appreciate their meal as much as possible is amazing, for instance his use of sound to enhance the flavour of eating certain meals at The Fat Duck
Hi!
My favourite celebrity chef is Manu Feidel. I first heard about him from watching Ready Steady Cook and I love his humour and perky personality. He can always show that cooking is fun, exciting and diverse. On a more biased note, I am a fan of french food and when he previously worked at Bilsons restaurant, the food was AMAZING.
wow a toughie-so many to choose from I like Maggie Beer because she’s a local and cooks homestyle meals,
Jamie Oliver due to his attempts to bring his passion to the world and Rick Stein due to his skill
nigella – because of the creativity
Post a Comment