Food Poker
I have always had a weakness for Foodie TV - I scan the TV listings to make sure I don't miss my favourite episodes of Rick Stein trundling along the Med pontificating about how lovely the food is outside of Britain and reading passages from Elizabeth David.I am utterly and completely addicted to a new show called Food Poker. Drool.
Food Poker is brilliant. There's a savoury round and a sweet round and the winners of each round compete in the final head to head.
In the savoury and sweet rounds, 4 Celebrity chefs are each dealt two food cards showing ingredients they MUST use in their dishes. They have the choice to add up to 3 of 5 food cards dealt face up in the middle of the table. Each Chef must pitch to the tasting panel what their possible dish would be. The tasting panel decides which two chefs will battle it out based on their proposed dish. Then they decide which one wins the round after tasting.
Nicholas Watt, a Kiwi who specialises in Southeast Asian and Far Eastern food - is renowned in Tokyo and Sydney for his fusion style and has opened up a new resto in London. He was dealt a lemongrass card and a coconut milk card!! Some guys have all the luck !!
....Or not - the main ingredient in the 5 food cards in the middle of the table was not fish, poultry or meat per se - but cooked haggis. Yes, haggis. That Scottish delicacy of mixed offal meats and unrefined oatmeal cooked in a sheep's intestinal sack. I call it 'gaggis'. Although I am sure the variety of haggis used was a fairly innocuous version. He pulled it off though - who would have thought of opening up the haggis and making fritters with the meat speared with a lemongrass stalk - not me. For sure....
I have seen a few episodes with one of my least favourite chefs - Galton Blakiston. He's so awkward and poncy. His cooking is very traditional, French style, old school and he acts as if that's the only way to cook. It's lovely to see him struggle with squid and green beans or, star anise and marshmallow! He's a goober!
Food Poker is an addiction like the real game I suppose. And because Simon Rimmer is on often, I can see Food Poker Gamblers Anonymous (FPGA) in my future. I love his sweet smile and comfortable, easy way. I can gawk at him on Sunday's too because he does the food portion of Something for the Weekend. (The only reason to watch the programme as the other presenters, Tim Lovejoy and Amanada Hamilton are useless. Particularly Amanda Hamilton - though she's a 'Respected Nutritionist' she can't boil water and wouldn't know a ham hock from a rhubarb stuck up her tight Scottish arse) ......Ahh, back to Simon. That's better.
Tonight - a special treat. Food Poker, work out, light dinner, Rick Stein on the Med on BBC and a special Ricky Stein DVD to share with someone in bed.
Anyone know of a 10-step programme for Foodie TV Addicts?
posted by Brussels Confidential @ 10:15 AM
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