TheChuck

Anthony Bourdain is great. He writes in a way that is all at once elegant, to the point, and lyrical. His show, No Reservations, has the same vibe. He is also very outspoken about other cooking shows and their hosts. I found the quotes below particularly entertaining:

Anthony Bourdain on "Man v. Food"

Man v. Food showcases host Adam Richman, as he tackles long-standing eating challenges at local restaurants across America. Call it "Jackass" meets the Food Network. Each week, Richman visits a major U.S. city, picks a kitchen of a local landmark restaurant and then gorges himself on a frighteningly ridiculous amount of food. Here's what Anthony Bordain had to say about it…

I find Adam really likable. I just worry for him physically. What he does on the show can't be good for him. I don't know why or how he's doing what he's doing. I'm not sure I want to watch. It's terrifying. I don't know how I feel about it all yet. I asked someone on the network, "Did this guy sign a 30-page liability waiver? You're going to kill this guy!"

Anthony Bourdain on "Semi-Homemade Cooking With Sandra Lee"

It's safe to say that former infomercial queen Sandra Lee is not held in high regard by the culinary establishment. After all, Lee's "semi-homemade" cooking concept -- which calls for the use of store-bought, ready-made food runs counter to many of the beliefs espoused by serious chefs and food lovers, who believe that all Americans can and should prepare their own meals with fresh ingredients. Here's what Anthony Bourdain has to say about this show…

She makes her audience feel good about themselves. You watch her on that show and you think, "I can do that. That's not intimidating." All you have to do is waddle into the kitchen, open a can of crap and spread it on some other crap that you bought at the supermarket. And then you've done something really special. The most terrifying thing I've seen is her making a Kwanzaa cake. Watch that clip and tell me your eyeballs don't burst into flames. It's a war crime on television. You'll scream.