Yes, it is fantastic news that Tana is now out of our living rooms but, I'm sorry, I think everyone is trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

Market Kitchen has nothing to commend it. The production is as plastic and phoney as the faux cafe on the show. There is nothing innovative or of interest. They treat the audience as if they were a fool.

They make even the most interesting sounding recipes as dull as dish water.

IMHO.

I was a great fan of GFL but I detested JB. I gave MK a good run but made up my mind it wasn't really for me, instead of moaning I switched the channel over and watched something else as I appreciate a lot of people do like it. However after a long period of absence I decided to give it another try and I can honestly say I think they have vastly improved the programme. Therefore it will be getting a regular viewing from me

After a year of abominable TV, they've really thrown everything, including the kitchen sink, at Market Kitchen. Every chef you can possibly imagine has been on without salvation and they are now going through yet another crop of presenters. While a tad better than when it first started, after all these tries it is still probably one of the worst food television productions attempted in the UK in recent times. Positives that need mentioning: they've stopped cooking rattlesnakes, wild squirrels and hedgehogs, they fired that camerman, reduced the amount of distended French Goose Livers used and have reduced the tiresome and repetitive "fresh, local, sustainable, food mile" preaching. Keep it up! Now, how about trying some healthy cooking?

I think if UKTVFood simply aired repeats of GFL sometime during the evening it would staisy everyone and those that don't like MK would then have something to watch.

It would also freshen up a dreary over-repeated line-up of shows. There's 5 years of GFL episodes - some quite classic - that many, many fans would enjoy.

Perhaps as a lead-in show to MK? That way both groups have something to watch, GFL detractors wouldn't have to view it and GFL lovers would be led in to MK and may learn to enjoy it! Seems to me to be a win-win for both the channel and the viewers.

Well much more than the kitchen sink, we're now getting to see Paul Young! I suppose there's going to be a long list of has-been singers, actors, sport stars, and hangers-on coming to the show now in desperation. Dreadful.

You must be kidding?! Jumping from weakness to weakness I suppose...

Hi, I haven't posted anything for a while. I have been worn down by the constant grieving for GFL. However, the notion of screening selected episodes from GFL within the MK programme seems perfectly acceptable and might go some way towards soothing those pining for past treasures.

If I was to criticise anything MK it would be the music that punctuates MK.
I find it too strident, even cacophonous, old fashioned and not a little irritating; sounds like someone kicking pots & pans around. By way of contrast, the intro sound track for the Rick Stein programmes has an uplifting effect; for me it suggests that cooking is an important skill to be cultivated as part of the human experience.

I am pleased at the present line up of MK's presenters and some of the master classes have been worthwhile; indeed I plan to treat my younger brother to that recently demonstrated dish of langoustines when I visit him in Kerry next July; boxes of fish & seafood are available from the boats docking at Dingle.

Hi, I haven't posted anything for a while. I have been worn down by the constant grieving for GFL. However, the notion of screening selected episodes from GFL within the MK programme seems perfectly acceptable and might go some way towards soothing those pining for past treasures.

If I was to criticise anything MK it would be the music that punctuates MK.
I find it too strident, even cacophonous, old fashioned and not a little irritating; sounds like someone kicking pots & pans around. By way of contrast, the intro sound track for the Rick Stein programmes has an uplifting effect; for me it suggests that cooking is an important skill to be cultivated as part of the human experience.

I am pleased at the present line up of MK's presenters and some of the master classes have been worthwhile; indeed I plan to treat my younger brother to that recently demonstrated dish of langoustines when I visit him in Kerry next July; boxes of fish & seafood are available from the boats docking at Dingle.

I am awating all these new presenters too, billy! We don't have them yet here as there is a delay in showing episodes.

I too think the bumper music is very irritating. I think it IS supposed to be someone hitting pots and pans, but it just grates, doesn't it!?

We have GFL as repeats here, so they don't show them there?

That's very interesting that you can see repeats there and we can't here! Something is very fishy about this whole thing.

I've just finished reading a book that may explain this insipid celeberity craze that is even taking over Market Kitchen recently (not counting TR and TPB).

The book is called "The Rough Guide to England" and is written by four British travel writers, and says that England is a "querulous, quarrelsome country" that is in the grip of an identity crisis and laps up "celebrity chit-chat".

I wonder when Heather Mills will have her own cooking show??

I love this quote: "As a glance at the tabloid newspapers will confirm, England is a nation of overweight, binge-drinking reality TV addicts that can't get enough of celebrity, even on plain old cooking shows".

So does this explain the mindless Celebrity Master Chef and Marco's appalling Hell's Kitchen perhaps? Enough with all this celebrity garbage! We're a nation stupifying itself.

The book also warned that the English are "the most contradictory people imaginable" perhaps explaining some of the threads on this website

Something I always question is the justification used by program makers that says they just provide the viewing public with what they want. I think there is a great deal more dissatisfaction with TV programs on all channels than viewing figures will ever reveal. Plus, I think the sheer volume of programs and the high level of exposure (possibly having an addictive element) tends to shape viewer's expectations and preferences. Of all the TV that I watch, I would only bother to set the Sky box to record about 10% of it if there was a chance of missing it. Missing the other 90% wouldn't really bother me, however, if I am at home I will probably watch it.


To really understand the celebrity culture I think you have to look wider than the TV screen and at the economic and political context that such reverence has developed in. Also, in Britain over the past ten years, we have imported a great deal of rubbish from America - in terms of TV programs, lifestyle trends, and political ideas.

Market Kitchen has at last made-up for ALL the earlier negative critisisms. All week I have been glued to the box watching Tomasina. She has to be the freshest, most lucid, authorative and attractive guest on MK. Thank you Tomasina.

Gastro, so very well put. I was aghast to see the foray of celebs onto Market Kitchen but what can you really expect lately? Even the news has become more entertainment.

Watching The Weakest Link is usually tolerable, but when it's Celebrity week it's just so boring and silly.

I also agree that it's not "English" as inferred above, but it's also not "America" either, there seems to be some appeal of celebrity that runs through the human condition. It's as if we "know" these people? I wouldn't want to be a celebrity at any price. What a horrid life it must be.

And, please, no more celebs on Market Kitchen. Boring, boring, boring.

A cooking show for Heather Mills!!!

I'm still laughing just thinking about it!

Don't laugh too hard , I would'nt be suprised to see her pop up somewhere . After all she did the dancing in the states . Perhaps she could go into the american "Hells Kitchen " with Gordon Ramsey . Now folks I have to admit THAT I would love to see . My favourite explosive chef up against a woman I cannot stand . She would either be chewed up into little pieces and spat out as I think she deserves , or hold her own and give back as good as she got , in which case I might even find it in me to admire her .But like her ? I don't think so .

The scary think about this Jack is that I think you're right. Media producers nowadays will do anything to pump up the hype and "Heather Mills on Gordon Ramseys Celebrity Hells Kitchen Goes to the USA" just sounds so like everything else on TV now. I wouldn't even bat an eyelid if they announced that.

So Heather's in the red kitchen. Who'll head up the blue?

I think that there is absolutely NOTHING funny about Heather Mills, even when she's the butt of some joke as above.

Criminal.

Does anyone know when Rhodes across China is scheduled to tbe screened. I have a particular interest in asian cuisine so am filled with great expectations for the show. I'm sure the producers will have learned a lot from the Rhodes across India programmes and will have avoided much of the embarrassing moments e.g., Gary lecturing the Indian chefs, commi chef eating with left hand in Muslim house and other little points that didn't reflect the wonderfully diverse cuisine - but then what can you do in an hour? Perhaps such tours will get better as the series progresses. I can see Gary Up the Kyber as entertaining. Maybe cooking & eating Aab-Goosht with farmers in Iran or learning to make home distilled vodka in Uzbeckistan? (Do you think I could qualify for a consultantcy fee for these suggestions

Beware of what you wish for Billy...it may come true! They are currently showing Rhodes Across India here in Australia and..... I just have to say..... it is APPALLING! I can't believe this show was ever put to air. It is incredibly BAD.

Is Gary Rhodes really that well liked in the UK, it's hard to believe?

And what exactly is this Heather Mills cooking show actually going to be about???

Morning/Arvo OM.

He used to be well liked, held in esteem for his love of British Food, Products and Producers. Good old Spikey adding another twist, flavour or idea to bring a bit of sparkle to British Classics.
Then for some reason a few years back he started to get picked to host, run, dictate and judge shows like Local Food Hero, then came India and his insulting attitude to those who know the Cuisine of India a million times better than he, topped off at the London Banquet when he served Bread & Butter Pudding because Indians don't do desserts.
He has become so up himself our once hero has, in a short space of time, turned himself into the anti christ of British Chefs.
Obviously I can't talk for others, so just my opinion about someone I rated very highly and still do but for his past work, not a thing he has done in the last few years. If he is not carefull, he will do a "Fanny Craddock, self destruct".

Thanks Barsh. I couldn't understand how someone like him ever could be put on television. Now that I know he had a more grounded history, I can appreciate the outrage I've been reading here in the local papers. Aussies haven't taken very kndly to him.

Unfortunately I haven't seen any of his earlier works. I've only now been introduced to him in Rhodes Across India. And he is NOT a pretty sight! I would imagine many Brits being somewhat embarrassed?

"I would imagine many Brits being somewhat embarrassed?"

That mate is an understatement and we now have him doing China.
In the past he has done a lot of TV work and was a likeable guy but in just a few short years has blown it, big time.

On this topic Barshedale and I are in total agreement.

Well I'm happy to report that Gary Rhode's show was apparently cancelled midstream here in Australia. Announced episodes never aired and there never was that great "banquet" he was planning.

What a relief, really. His appearance was actually irritating. I think the show didn't go down very well here.

Haven't seen any sign of his China show as yet barsh. Heaven help us. Makes one want to tune into Market Kitchen!! Just kidding.