Reviews

I was rather looking forward to this mini-series on FN, something different from the usual American or Italian food, or a competition using impossible ingredients.

House of Fang dishes looked creative and interesting, but the host ... distracting and unwatchable. She oozes fakeness similar to Giada. Silicone "enhancements", lowcut shirts, bleached hair, blue eyes (really??), thick eyelid makeup that looks like fuzzy caterpillars, long painted nails (does she actually cook?) Dad looks genuine, endearing, old-school, but she is trying way too hard to promote her looks. If professional women chefs are preparing high quality cuisine, they do not need this kind of "marketing."

Would have been great to see a cooking show focus on Asian cuisine. I really miss Ming Tsai.

I've watched dozens of Ina's episodes over the years, loved most of them; this is the first time i'm disappointed. Cooking part is fine, but the theme is basically wealthy, entitled people fawning over each other ad nauseam. I know Ina lives a privileged life, but she always managed to keep it classy and subdued. This new one is daytime talk show level (that's not a compliment). I'll be sticking with reruns.

... however, some of the hosts don't work well together. Perhaps it's the format - they interact with the audience, but barely talk to each other. I get the impression Geoffrey Zakarian hates being on the show - maybe doing it for the money, because he's totally stuck up (or has no personality). Sunny's manners are pretty coarse - she seems cheerful and nice, but like your well-meaning country-bumpkin cousin who never got a proper upbringing, you tolerate and cringe. Katie and Jeff are cute and funny, love those 2. The recipes are simple and tasty, something normal people would make without having to start days in advance, or spend hours prepping. Definitely worth watching just for the realistic recipes.