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Franci, what a wonderfully written post! Merry Christmas!

Franci, great to read your post! It's been a long time since I've read one of your posts. I'm still making the rosti according to your terrific recipe...and with extra herbs. Yummy. And the weather now makes the dish the perfect accompaniment.

I couldn't agrre more about the loss of GFL. It was Britain's truly remarkable and unique program. I haven't see anyone do a live, daily, impromptu food program anywhere in the world. That's why it was so fun. Lasting memories, indeed.

GFL was one-of-a-kind. Everything now is just faux-celebrities and teleprompter-driven prerecorded drivel.

Hear, hear Franci, goldbllom and dougy. Let them air Market Kitchen all they want but why not start airing repeats of GFL. All the other rereuns they are showing have been aired ad nauseum. Even if they were to put it on at 6am it could easily be recorded for later viewing.

Franci, as you said so eloquently, no matter what we think of the current programming in NO way could the changes of late be considered an "improvement". The warmth, love of food, sheer entertainment, fun and laughs are long gone....now it's just a parade of insipid celebrities.

Was in the UK for the last week and, as I no longer have Sky, spent some time in the evenings taking the opportunity to check in on Market Kitchen.

Well yes it is 20 months since GFL was cancelled however, during the days I watched at least, the comparison between then and now was so striking, it was impossible to avoid memories flooding back of what used to be offered in the weeks running up to Christmas by Jeni and her team.

The 'every day' GFL programmes were fun to watch, packed with interesting topics and guests, well produced, with recipes worth trying, however somehow at Christmas everything was even better.

It made for a wonderful start to the Christmas season.

As someone who isn't British and doesn't live in the UK obviously my opinion does not count, but yes Dougy Boy and Goldbloom repeats of GFL would be a brilliant idea. There is an audience out there for GFL, both of previous viewers and those who would be new to the programme but would nevertheless really enjoy what it offered.

And I would not be the only one over here in Germany who would definitely bribe UK based friends to record it so we could also enjoy it once more.

No doubt like so many I still remember the series with great affection, and of course we all have different tastes as far as our chosen TV viewing goes, however I would find it impossible to say what is being offered now, or at least in the week I managed to watch, is in any way an improvement.

Thanks for your reply to my comments Dougy Boy.

I do wonder why the 'Sky' page programmers (those strange people who insert the constant repeats onto 249/250 UKTV Food) Why they don't start repeating all of the brilliantly entertaining GFL programmes. GFL was not only a food/cook/chef programme there were also great, interesting and varied guests on being interviewed by Jenni.

She also filmed at least once a month a 'live' Sunday lunch programme that viewers could be a part of. I know it's been 20 months since the dimise of GFL and that fantastic team of chefs led by JB but I do hope that sometime soon, an intelligent TV person will release all that valauble stock of GFL onto our screens again.

If they can show endlessssssssssss repeats of AWT, Two fat ladies and you know all the others that are constantly on, on a 'loop' many EX thousands of GFL viewers would be having a very happy December.

Sorry to go on but it really does make me frustrated.
So UKTV Food, please let's see repeats of GFL programmes, it's what we want!!
Take care
Goldbloom

So true, goldbloom. The powers-that-be in UK TV land seem to simply think they can manufacture celebrities and that we'll watch and take heed. I certainly hope that's not true. To me Market Kitchen was developed solely to create marketable personalities like TPB, Tebbutt and Tana. The producers could care less about food. Pitiful, really. Trash television.

Rachel Allen is yet another chef, DIY expert, motor Buff, newsreader, Nanny, Gardener, etc.etc to suddenly become a television presenter instead of remaining true to their skill. Sick to death of the constant onslaught of yet another presenter telling the UK what to do. ie. how to look after your kids, what holidays to choose, how to deal with life and many hundreds of other 'life skills' that many years ago we were able (had no choice) to learn for ourselves.
An American friend described British television as "presenter driven hell" I wonder what they meant. Rachel Allen joins the merry band. What Amanda Lamb can tell me, my friends and very large global family about food I've really no idea.

Just wondering what to have for supper but will have to wait for a TV presenter to tell me...... Thanks Amanda and congratulations on the news of your pregnancy, nothing personal but stick to holiday programmes, aaaagh or better still don't bother.....

I dont' have a problem at all with Rachel Allen I enjoy watching her. Amanda lamb is fine on any other programme but not market kitchen.

Well, the girl is pregnant, as is Rachel allen, so both will go shortly.
Perhaps they'll replace her with that Vanessa Feltz in which case I'll turn it off.

Amanda Lamb is the whole reason I turn market kitchen off.

Sorry Beth, you are missing out on absolutely nothing! Market Kitchen just goes on like it always has and we're subjected to endless airings of Hairy Bikers

I don't have sky anymore but i still love watching videos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!who is on the show now?? andwhats RACHEAL ALLEN BAKE like!

Hasn't Masterchef really been reinvented! A great breath of fresh air to see the change. Finally the judging seemed somewhat consistent, unlike the old Torode days where his opinion of everything changed with each episode.

Great stuff.

We can only hope that Market Kitchen gets a new lease on life with Amanda Lamb.

After a season of MK Diaries (very much like the curates egg )I was delighted by last night's latest BBC2's Masterchef production. John Torode has now been replaced by Michelle Roux. He and Greg Wallace now challenge up and coming professionals to aspire to greatness. I found the judge's comments precise and refreshing. Michelle doesn't sit on the fence with his criticism and Greg seems content to follow. I hope last night's show continues to encourage young professionals and we get to see their lots more of real cooking. The only problem for me (IMHO) is the tendency for the aspiring chefs wanting to emulate this new presentation style so prevalent today - you know - the metre square of oiled slate with elements of food arranged on it in the style of a Capability Brown garden or a new town estate. The winning chocolate mouse looked terrific and I shall be attempting it myself when I can get hold of the menu.

Well, thanks to babsky we now know it has yet another boing season ahead. It has been recommissioned. At least Amanda Lamb will grace the screen. Enough already with these boring foodie "presenters".

Tickedoff, that's the same comment that I heard too. I found the wording a bit odd and thought that it might be a clue that Market Kitchen would not be returning to our screens. To me, IMHO, that would be a blessing as it would free up an hour of prime viewing time for something better (I hope). Like you, I don't watch UKTVFood nearly as much as I used to.

I've found that UKTV FOOD is hardly on in my house, MK seems to have killed my love for the channel, I still love Barefoot though and will make an effort to watch her (unless it's a flipping repeat) I am enjoying the daily cooks challenge on ITV at the moment although they go though the recipes a bit fast.
it could just be wishful thinking but I heard the voice over chappy saying that in the "run up to the last MK" this could mean it's the season fanarly or it will not return, I hope for the latter personally.

Brian, a poster on Digital Spy has indicated a "rejig" of the show (is this an Irish process?) I'm now wondering whether this revolving door of presenters over the last couple months indicates the demise of the foodie presenters (MOST welcome) and a return to a more traditional approach? Or is the silence on the new season just mean that it won't be picked up again next year?

Odd, they haven't mentioned. But if it is like last year it should be August?? They made such hoopla about it last year, seems strange....

Anyone know when the new series of Market Kitchen is coming out?

My guess is that Rhode's TV career is pretty much finished - at least for now. He has alienated so many viewers with his attitude and ego with the past few series, China will hardly save his reputation no matter how he comes off. Anyway, we need a break from him for a while.

Thanks Barsh, that explains it! Even though I brought the topic up, I can say that I'm not actually looking forward to seeing Rhodes in China. I've about had it with him. Hopefully I'm wrong.

Morning/Arvo OM

China starts here this month. So we'll all have to wait a bit.

"Makes one want to tune into Market Kitchen!! Just kidding"

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.

On this topic Barshedale and I are in total agreement.