The top 10 TV food shows

NO.10

Nigel Slater: Simple Suppers

He's The Observer's much-loved food writer and one of country's most admired cooks. Nigel Slater has  the knack of putting people at ease in their kitchens with his straight-forward and hassle-free recipes that put the joy back into cooking. Nigel demonstrates how to make simple suppers using up leftovers, whilst jazzing up traditional much-loved recipes with his own ideas, all of which even the most novice of cooks can attempt. Initially a reluctant TV cook, Nigel has four successful TV shows under his apron, where in each one, he injects inspiration and confidence into his audiences through his laid back and witty approach to cooking. As a lover of simple and flavoursome recipes, he prefers good food rather than pretentious eating which is reflected consistently throughout his programmes and recipe books.

Inspiration: His vegetable garden - the use of homegrown ingredients

Find out more: Nigel Slater

Latest book: The Kitchen Diaries II

No.9

Raymond Blanc: The Hungry 
Frenchman

Having moved to Britain in 1972 as an unemployed, 22 year old waiter with a limited English vocabulary, Raymond Blanc is now the country's most famous French Chef. With two Michelin stars under his apron, an award-winning restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, a chain of successful French brasseries (Brasserie Blanc) across the country, not to forget a string of best-selling cookbooks, it's fair to say this man introduced, inspired and developed French cooking in Britain!

Even though Raymond refers to England as his adopted home, France will always hold his roots. In this series, he talks passionately about the country he loves so dearly, as he visits five of his favourite regions which influenced his recipes and passion for French cuisine. On the journey he meets a variety of people who've inspired him along the way: farmers in Burgundy, chefs in Lyon, winemakers in Alsace, good friends in Provence and cheese makers in Franche-Comté.

To see this series again, order The Very Hungry Frenchman here

Inspiration: "Maman Blanc" (his Mother)

Find out more: Raymond Blanc

Latest book: Kitchen Secrets

No.8

The Fabulous Baker 
Brothers 

Two brothers - one's a baker, the other a butcher and just to add to that, both fine cooks. Together, with their  rugged and cheeky looks, not to mention their flourishing bistro, butchery and bakery in The Cotswolds, they could take on the world, or the culinary version at least. After their first television series went down a treat, whereby they showed the nation, with particular reference to the male population, that baking was perfectly acceptable and in fact, rather sexy; the boys are back with a brand spanking new series. This time the boys take their kitchen on tour, whizzing, in a completely legal fashion, around the country in a vintage and I must say, nicely branded Morris Minor. As they stop off at touristy towns across Britain, they will be visiting struggling cafes with the aim of modernizing their menus to help boost trade. Now this all sounds very simple and inspiring, however as the boys head up north to their first stop, Blackpool, suddenly they are faced with the challenges that lie ahead and in this case, it was down to only a few poppy seeds on a bun. 

If you've missed the episodes so far, don't panic, make yourself a cup of tea or pour a G and T and tune into to Channel 4oD

Catch the next episode: Tuesday 26th March, 9PM on More4

Inspiration: Their Father and Grandmother
Find out more: The Fabulous Baker Brothers
Latest book: The Fabulous Baker Brothers: Glorious British Grub


No.7

Delia Smith

Where would the nation be now without Delia Smith? A woman, who has no doubt contributed to the cookery abilities of many, whether with inspiration or skill, we all have something to thank her for. From preparing a joint to roasting it, to a perfectly moist Christmas cake, Delia has helped prevent many culinary disasters and has instead provided an education that will remain with the majority of us for the rest of our days spent in the kitchen. After making her debut onto our screens in the 1970's, she has since hosted a long line of successful TV shows as well as writing a shelf full of award-winning cookery books, in particular 'Delia's How to Cook', containing a basic boiled egg recipe, which led to a 10% increase in egg sales alone. As a leading authority in good, basic cooking, Delia has spent the last three years working alongside chef Heston Blumenthal writing recipes and being the culinary face for the supermarket giant, Waitrose, in which her skill and approach to cooking has earnt her the nickname 'The Delia Effect'. 

Having now retired from television to launch her own online cookery tutorials, a decision which has saddened fans across the nation, Delia's programmes can still be bought on DVD - Delia Smith: Ultimate Delia

Inspiration: Cookery books in The British Museum 

Find out more: Delia Smith 

Latest book: Delia's Cakes

No.6

The Wild Gourmets

The Wild Gourmets launched onto our screens in 2007 with one memorable series, presented by Masterchef Winner, award-winning cook and local Cheltenham girl, Thomasina Miers and adventurer Guy Grieve. They set off on a nationwide culinary trek through Britain's most picturesque landscapes in search of the best wild foods on offer. They hunted, fished, foraged and bartered for ingredients; living like paupers, but dining like kings. Guy passed on the secrets of his trade: building a sturdy camp, purifying water and getting a campfire going in damp conditions - something that may sound slightly like a 'Bear Grylls', but at one stage in our lives I'm sure we will be grateful. Upon the hunter gather's return with his catch of the day, whether it was sourced from the sea or the land, Thomasina would use her skill of cooking, along with a little initiative to rustle up an amazing feast, and on many occasions would offer a dish or two in gratitude to the locals who had donated the basic ingredients nature could not provide. 

This is one series I wish was available on DVD - a source of inspiration to cooking which encourages people to look to the countryside and forage for some of the best ingredients nature has to offer instead of relying on supermarkets. Whether you end up buying game from your butcher instead of hunting it, crabs from the fishmonger instead of fishing for them, there is nothing more satisfying than going foraging for seasonal treats such as  blackberries, sloes, damsons and wild garlic, just to name a few. This method is not only cheaper, but the produce picked from a tree, bush or from the ground, tastes a million times better than the shop bought stuff that has been flown in from a land far far away.

The Wild Gourmets cookery book offers over 100 delicious recipes from the series along with the basic survival skills demonstrated, accompanied by beautiful illustrations and colourful photography - I urge you to make room for this wild culinary adventure on your bookshelf. 

Inspiration: The Countryside 

Find out more: The Wild Gourmets 

No.5

Rick Stein: The Taste of 
The Sea

Rick Stein is a chef and TV presenter of all things fish, as well as owning the famous, award-winning seafood restaurant and cookery school located in the picturesque Cornish fishing town of Padstow. His television series, The Taste Of The Sea provides a delightful introductory insight to preparing and cooking seafood. Inspired through passion, poetry and culinary heroines, Rick Stein takes us on a journey around Cornwall, installing confidence with his tips on preparing variety of fish and shellfish and then demonstrating how to create a dish which maximises the fish's flavour. From clam bakes on the beach, fishing with 'Ed the Bass', to patiently awaiting razor clams to emerge on the beaches at low tide, he sets a romantic scene which helps kick start his audience's love affair with the sea.

Inspiration: The Sea

Find out more: Rick Stein

Latest book: Rick Stein's Spain

No.4

Masterchef

The latest series is well under way and a fresh lot of contestants are being put through their paces in the invention and palette tests, judged by Masterchef presenters Aussie John Torode and Gregg "the egg" Wallace. This show, like The Bake Off, has got the nation hooked. Tensions rise as the contestants struggle to apply the finishing touches before the time runs out - hands are trembling, the shiny beads of sweat begin to appear as the judges take to their positions at the tasting table and the audience at home can only watch in suspense.  As each dish is tried and tested, as Torode and Wallace shovel it into their mouths, the contestants wait anxiously in hope that they might declare how "cooking doesn't get any tougher than this". With Masterchef now spawned over three offshoots, with its Celebrity, Junior and Professional versions, each aired in a further 35 countries, some may say "cooking doesn't get any bigger than this!"

Catch the latest episodes

Next episode: Friday 22nd March, BBC 1, 8.30pm (TONIGHT!)

Find out more: BBC Masterchef
Latest book: Masterchef Cookery Course

Floyd on Fish

When untrained chef, failed restaurateur and all-round charmer Keith Floyd entered onto our screens in 1985, he didn't just entertain the nation; he also changed the rules of TV cooking forever. Floyd used his witty personality to create a culinary travelogue, whipping up dishes wherever he fancied - on the streets, over open fires or on the rickety decks of the boat he was sailing on, bantering with the people he encountered as he went. A show wouldn't go amiss without him teasing Clive the cameraman or taking a generous glug of the local plonk whilst cooking up another treat. Known for his smartly dressed attire with a bow tie rarely amiss;  his well-spoken punctuated sentences, often voiced with a little slur as he was entertainingly hair-cut on many occasion, he made his name on TV. After he sadly passed away in 2009, his culinary legacy continues to live on and will do for many years to come. 

Inspiration: Local vineyards

Find out more: Keith Floyd

Latest book: 'Stirred But Not Shaken'

No.2

Jamie At Home

When there was talk of 'the naked chef' appearing on our televisions, women across the nation flocked to their screens in anticipation of seeing a bit of male flesh - word was he was quite a dish. Though disappointment loomed when their was no culinary Chippendale act,  though it did not loom for long. Instead this confident new chef on the block, who rode around on mopeds, slid down banisters and his slang of Mockney bish-bash boshing soon made him a national culinary treasure. 

Jamie Oliver has since gone from strength-to-strength, teaching the nation how to cook his new inspiring recipe ideas which have led to a record breaking cookery book sales. He has opened a number of award winning restaurants, attempted to train disadvantaged youths how to cook to gain a role in his London restaurant, Fifteen and campaigned for healthier school dinners. 

Jamie At Home creates an inspiring approach to cooking using only seasonal ingredients that are available. By digging deep into his own vegetable patch and pulling out some beautiful produce, he encourages you to learn to grow your ingredients at home.

Inspiration: His Dad's pub - 'The Cricketers'
Find out more: Jamie Oliver
Latest book: Jamie's 15-Minute Meals

JOINT WINNERS

The Great British Bake 

Off

January saw 4 million of us across the nation glued to our television screens watching ‘The Great British Bake Off’ in aid of Comic Relief. I have since discovered that even the less enthused bakers amongst us were lured in, which only highlights the programme’s appeal to a wider audience. There was creativity, with Martha Kearney’s beehive cake, laughter, bought on mainly by Mel’s comical banter, there was tension - when Claudia Winkleman dropped her lemon meringue pie moments before the judges descended and there was slander, as Paul Hollywood continued to play the culinary version of Simon Cowell. 

The Great British Bake Off creates the ultimate battle between passionate amateur bakers from across the country. Each series follows the trials and tribulations of the contestants, young and old as they attempt to prove to the judging panel of baking professionals that they deserve to be crowned the UK's Best Amateur Baker. Each episode brings further difficulties as the bakers tackle various baking skills, whilst 'The Queen of Baking', Mary Berry looks on. This woman has been an inspiration to many of us from our first days spent in the kitchen, it's brilliant to have her back on our screens as alongside Mel and Sue's humourous commentary, Paul Hollywood's slander, Mary Berry makes the show!

Inspiration: Mary Berry

Find out more:The Great British Bake Off

Latest book: The Great British Bake Off: How to turn everyday bakes into showstoppers

Two Fat Ladies

Two women - one had never had a cookery lesson and the other was the first female barrister in the UK; were bought together to become two of the nations much-loved cooks  known to millions worldwide for their 'slightly' broadened waistline. With their eccentric, dry sense of humour, the Two Fat Ladies embarked on many boisterous cross-country adventures up and down the country in their Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle with a 'Watsonian GP-700' sidecar attached, cooking for a variety of people. From army camps to all-girls schools, royalty to embassies, nothing phased these two ladies, who inspired the nation with their use of unusual ingredients that were fresh and of the best quality, shunning supermarkets for farms and roadside markets. Their recipes were traditional, bringing back inspiration from the 'old-generation' style of cooking. They often caused controversy over their indiscreet dislike for vegetarians, with Clarissa Dickson-Wright once saying ''Hurrah, get rid of lentils, you have no idea how randy they make vegetarians'. Their love of using large amounts of butter in their dishes, an trait which described in Clarissa's autobiography 'Spilling The Beans', bought "pornographic joy" every time she smother her bread with it, led to further criticism for being a bad influence on 'the British diet'. 

Since Jennifer Patterson's sad death in 2009, Clarissa has gone onto produce a fantastic selection of books, which are guaranteed to leave you in stitches and inspire your way of cooking. As a lover of the countryside, she can often be found campaigning against the hunting ban on the streets of Westminster and various other marches across the country.

I urge you to purchase the Two Fat Ladies box set, which I guarantee will entertain you for many glorious hours and inspire you to cook 'their way', with a large knob of butter on hand!

Inspiration: "The Larder"

Find out more: The MUST HAVE box set

Latest book: The collection