So many Celebrity Chefs ... is it a case of 'too many cooks spoil the broth' or a blessing for foodies?

At a time where cooking seems to be more 'in vogue' now than ever … I’m intrigued by how many celebrity chefs there are, and how they compete for market share?

It’s interesting – It seems like there is a celebrity chef for all tastes and preferences, but because they are talented in the kitchen, doesn’t always mean that they are marketable or alluring.

I thought the notion of a celebrity chef was a modern phenomenon, but a little bit of internet research revealed the earliest television celebrity chef was Fanny Cradock from the UK. She appeared on UK TV for 20 years between the 1950’s – 1970’s, becoming popular after the publication of her cookbook ‘The Practical Cook’   (note: Fanny Cradock's book title was a little dull…. but on the basis of her name alone, I think she deserves to retain the gong!)

How the world has moved on since.... Bookstore shelves today are overflowing with glossy cook books ‘Taste of France’, ‘Quick Asian stir-fry’, ‘BBQ seafood’, ‘Mexican street food’ – how do you pick?

I look at the overflowing cooking section of my local bookstore and am always amazed at the endless cookbooks on offer from Celebrity Chefs – 'Antonio’s Carluccio’s Italy' … which sits right next to 'Jamie’s Italian' … and beside the recently released (and highly criticised) … 'Nigella’s Italy'. I wonder how many new interpretations can you develop for Tiramisu!

But its not only books. We subscribe to cable television in London – My little slice of heaven is the Cooking Channel (in fact there are 3 cooking channels … even more heaven!) If you were so inclined, you could watch back-to-back cooking programmes all day which results in an opportunity for endless inspiration to beam down in to my Kensington lounge room from far flung locations 

On cold, grey days in London I like to indulge in escapism and watch:

- Luke Nguyen sitting in shorts and a t-shirt on the banks of the Mekong Delta in the Vietnam sunshine dishing up spicy chilli BBQ prawns  …

- or the lovely Donna Hay looking effortlessly chic in shades of white and beige whipping up a fancy posh BBQ for friends from her deck overlooking some beautiful beach in Sydney’s Northern shore...

- and even occasionally, I watch the slightly dreary, but well respected, Delia Smith preaching the process of ‘how one creates the puuuurfect Christmas pudding’ (pronounced in an accent akin to the  Dowager Countess from Downtown Abbey played by Maggie Smith) from her posh mansion house in Suffolk.

It’s a hugely competitive market. But the good news is that budding foodies are the winners … there is a celebrity chef for all tastes and personalities and you can wade through the endless shows (or books) to find one that resonates and inspires you. 

One indulgent day when I was ‘conducting research’ (read: having a lazy indulgent day watching the cooking channel) I watched Rick Stein’s Seafood Odyssey immediately followed by Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Minute Meals. I was struck by the change in energy and vibe between each of the programmes. Rick, undoubtedly a brilliant and respected chef, paled in contrast to his younger, hip, infectious countryman Jamie.

Jamie bounces in and out of the screen shot basting chicken fillets in a second before quickly crushing spices in his rustic mortar and pestle and then sprinkling them over chopped root veges from a height -  informing everyone he’s ‘whacking everything in the oven’ in his catchy East London accent – The whole process is rustic and you feel like you could recreate it in your own kitchen  – even down to the sound of the tray slapping down on the oven shelf and the door being shut with thud before moving on to whipping up a quick (cheeky) sauce to accompany the meal.

The Energizer Bunny - Jamie Oliver

I can’t help but like Jamie Oliver. He has the energy and joy de vivre of a Labrador pup – he seems to just love his life. He is infectious

In contrast, Rick has that smooth, Oxfordshire accent and quiet way. He seems more suited to reading classics in his home library sitting in a green leather chesterfield armchair in leather slippers and wearing Aramis cologne then being a celebrity chef to me.

So - my conclusion is that its a case of ‘age and stage’ – sometimes you are looking for someone bouncy and enthusiastic to motivate you to whip up a quick dinner at home (cue: Jamie Oliver) and sometimes you want to be schooled in the art of preparing delicious complex seafood bisques and appreciate the sustainable fishing programs so that your ingredients are responsibly sourced (cue: Rick). 

Although – to be fair, I have to say … I am a sucker for a well presented British gentleman who can pull off a mauve Ralph Lauren button up. I think on balance I prefer Jamie’s up tempo cooking style but Rick definitely has Silver Fox appeal!

Meeting Rick Stein at a book signing in Kensington in 2011

I don't do this on purpose ... it just happens - like magic

St Stephen's Green, Dublin

I've noticed that its only when you declare that you are starting a diet, that you truly feel hungry ... and only when you put yourself on a budget, that you find multiple pairs of shoes in your exact size on the sale rack ....

I also discovered when I went back to Dublin last weekend, that its only when you make a pact with yourself to save money and eat healthily (a decision taken for both the benefit of both my budget and my waistline) that I stumble across new extraordinary food experiences ....

I failed in my pact to eat light and healthy ...
I blew my budget and indulged ....
but I had a brilliant time doing it and can't wait to go back!

The best thing about being a foodie is meeting others with the same passion - especially when you travel. I've always found that my interest in food never fails to provide a convenient conversation starter (people are either in to it, or interested in the fact that I am). So naturally when I come to Ireland - renowned for friendly (and talkative) locals, it presented the perfect ingredients for more food inspired travel adventures. I found some great new restaurants and made a friend or two along the way.

Trips to Ireland never disappoint! Dublin has many great restaurants - some specialise in attracting the flocks of foreign tourists who trek there while others specialise in servicing Dublin's community of discerning foodies. This visit, I steered clear of the tourist trap restaurants and sought out the local's favourites.

Grafton Street Mall

Jumping in to a cab on a Saturday night near Landsdowne Road, I asked the driver's advice on where to head to mix with the locals. The brief was simple: a place where we could have a good meal in a relaxed, but upbeat environment, which was located within walking distance to a pub with live music. The cabbie delivered (and, to be honest, seemed chuffed to be able to pass on his recommendations) - Dinner at 'Matt the Thresher' (just off Baggot Street nearby St Stephens Green) and then an after dinner drink and live music at 'Foleys' on Merrion Row.

The cabbie knew his stuff  .... What a treat! Matt the Thresher is a Dublin institution. Voted the Best Seafood Restaurant in 2012 it has an upbeat vibe and a buzzing atmosphere and was filled with locals enjoying great seafood meals paired with crisp white wine. Their creamy seafood chowder was 'off the charts' - thick, wholesome, seafood goodness served with a sweet slice of Irish soda bread - yum.

Gastro Pub - Matt the Thresher

After dinner we took a short walk across to Foleys to partake in the mandatory Dublin experience - a pint of Guinness. Walking in to the conservative (and humbly) decorated pub, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd walked back in time to your Grandma's lounge room during a big family reunion - a warm, inviting room full of happy people chatting and enjoying the music. Foley's was full and not too many foreign accents could be detected, instead the hum of Irish craic and chit chat was evident as the locals requested Irish ballads (and the occasional rebel tune which got the crowd up on their feet).  Got to love their spirit - the Irish like to have fun.

Its noticeable that the pubs in Dublin are filled with multiple generations. At midnight you see oldies still out with their families enjoying a whiskey as the youngsters mingle around them dressed up for a night out. A visit to the pub is a community event, more than it is in Australia. People go to the pub to catch up with their family and mates - its inclusive and adds to the wholesome, happy vibe.

So - I wrote off day 1 and I tried to reinvigorate my 'healthy eating and cost saving' plan the following day ... Although again .... I failed miserably.

The following day marked my 6th wedding anniversary and seeing my husband was working away, I celebrated with my girlfriend Lindsaye who joined me in Dublin. Looking for something light and fresh after our heavy Irish seafood feast the night before, we took off towards Grafton Street (near Trinity College) to try 'Saba'. Located on Clarendon Street this Thai and Vietnamese restaurant was superb. We indulged ordering a 4 course feast. The lovely Irish maitre d was great for a quick quip (labelling us 'Bondi Rescue') and made us feel welcome at our romantic 'anniversary inspired' table for two near the window. He allowed us to replace dessert with a spicy Thai soup and our dinner choices were extensive and great. Noteworthy was the Gingergrass salad (a fresh blend of ruby chard, mint, bean sprouts, ginger, lemongrass and butternut squash and pumpkin seeds) and an amazing fillet of Hake cooked in a banana leaf and topped with a rich red curry sauce. Ireland is an unusual location in which to find such great, authentic Thai food. What a win ... and a memorable Anniversary dinner!

 

The highlight of my anniversary dinner however followed our meal. We meandered back to O'Donoghues Pub on Merrion Row (O'Donoghues dates back to 1789 and famed for being the best known traditional Irish music pub in Dublin - where the popular Irish folk group 'the Dubliners' formed their band). Here we crossed paths with a fellow Irish foodie - endlessly modest, he initially told us that he worked 'in the catering industry' only to expand later as the conversation progressed and confess that he owned one of Dublin's famed restaurant and wine bars - 'Hugo's' on Merrion Row.

So as I said earlier, having an interest in food and cooking always provides a conversation starter - and its surprising where you bump in to other foodies. So, late on a Sunday night in an almost empty Dublin pub when 'the caterer' shared stories of his interest in all things food, my night was made!

Always a fan of throwing caution (and choice) to the wind and letting the Chef chose my meal from their fresh offerings, I couldn't give this opportunity up. We made a lunch date for two for the following day and continued our foodie exploration on a high - lunch at Hugo's before heading home.

The worlds greatest charcuterie board from Hugo's!

Hugo's was a treat! If 'humble sophistication' was a category, Hugo's has achieved it. Its classy design and friendly team ensure guests feel concurrently 'special' and 'at home'. The French inspired menu and quality wine list ensures guests are treated to a special event when eating there. I'll definitely be back - if only to catch up with my new friend 'who's in catering'. 

My new favourite Dublin Restaurant - Hugo's

So on the 3rd day, I succumbed ... I embraced it. We arrived at Hugo's at 1230 to accept a Bellini and then graze on the delicious charcuterie board complemented by a cheeky Chilean Sav Blac ... why fight it. Enjoying good food in exciting new cities warms my heart.

Now I'm back in London, I'm trying to come up with another excuse to return to Dublin to re-visit my new favourite local haunts .... if I ever see that taxi driver again I'll thank him. His recommendation kicked off a 3 day food adventure

'Doing Dublin ... the locals way'