Cooking With Friends

I look forward to my Thursday dates with Jamie Oliver. Welcomed into his quaint cottage kitchen, the décore is warm and the dishes look delightful. I almost want to start a vegetable garden after seeing the beautiful produce he brings back to his kitchen to cook. I imagine his quirky personality and lively enthusiasm are infused into his cooking; I only wish I could try it. This guy LOVES olive oil, though. We laugh as we watch him drown each finished dish.

My first introduction to Nigella Lawson yesterday was less inspiring. She smiles a lot. She's sweet, and safe. Her dishes were more familiar. More domestic. More boring? It's not her fault I prefer a little entertainment with my cooking tips.

This is where Gordon Ramsay comes in! He's all "F***k this" and "This is s**t" that... which I might add is broadcast without bleeps on Aussie television as long as it's after 8:30pm! Though his show is not about recipes, but how to run a successful restaurant, I thoroughly enjoyed watching him criticize, and sometimes berate, the restaurant owner or chefs! Then he offers suggestions on how to turn the failing restaurants around.

Bill Granger is Australia's favorite chef. As a regular on some Sydney morning talk shows, and hosting some of his own series, his style of cooking is as easy to observe as his food is to eat. His recipes require little effort to follow, and his easy-going personality comes through in the cooking experience.

And such is my domestic life...