Well I hope she makes some new dishes...I've seen her jambalya (which is great) a few times but there are some great soul food dishes that would be terrific that have never been done before on TV...I hope the MK producers suggest this approach to her.

I'd love to see her cook an authentic southern fried chicken. Not very fancy or inspiring, I know. I had a plate of this in Frankfurt Kentucky many years ago and the skin was so crispy and very spicey but the chicken itself was drippingly moist.

It was one of the best chicken dishes I ever had. And I've never been able to accomplish the same taste and texture myself.

Well this is probably the last chance for this dreadful programme to redeem itself. I love spicy food and am not that familar with soul food that much but I've seen Charita on GFL and she had great interaction with Jenny B. Lively and fun so I'll "give it a go" It is hopefully going to be fun.

Siouixsie, I got the exact same reply way, way back when I contacted them - about when MK first "reared its head"

The answer then was "Jeni will be back in the autumn in a whole new role". Nada, zippo since then.

Reed...Momma Cherry was on GFL a couple times and was always VERY lively. Extremely fun, especially the interaction with Jeni!!

I'm not too keen on what she cooks up, but that's just my taste. I think her recipe for Southern Fried Chicken is actually on this website - that one looks OK to me.

[link]

So how was the first show with Charita et al? We won't get to see these episodes here for another three weeks or so.

Improvement to MK? What did she cook on the first night?

Charita certainly livened things up! she made poor tana even more of a waxwork than ever! i'm not sure tana liked the deep fried nature of the chicken, thinking if she ate too much she would lose the jutting hips she so relies on to rest her hand in that awkward manner. by the way can anyone recommend an online source of any delicacies? we have won £50 and want to treat ourselves to something, any ideas? reg

Oh Reg, you made me laugh!!

I'm still laughing

I would have predicted Charita would put some fireworks into the programme and that it would put the whole MK into an awkward "backdrop" mode - especially our presenter provided by Madame Tussaud.

As MickeyT said, Charita and MK won't "gel" Actually most chefs don't "gel" on MK but Charita takes the cake, so to speak...

Another reason I suppose that MK makes some viewers laugh. Well, they'll have another week of entertainment won't they!?

Please keep us informed down under about this week, will you. I've planned a little get together of friends for the Tuesday show [which I guess you haven't seen yet?] We're going to make it a special event and we're all bringing one of our favourite GFL dishes.

Now every time I see Tana in that uncomfortable looking "I'm a frustrated model" pose, I'm going to go into hysterics!!

I love the Acorn antiques crack!

have a look at the Popxxxxx website, last week's newsletter, which celebrity food critic was at a celebrity football wedding ....

reg

Saw your note about delicacies. Being a Scot I think the Loch Fyne company is one of the best online shops around. The 'shop' sells fish, seafood and fabulous meat.

If I had to spend the £50 I would get some Bradan Rost (hot smoked salmon) and some langoustines - bliss! - or some of the aged beef.

Whatever you spend your money on - enjoy!

Hi Reg

I recently ordered some white crab meat from Caledonian Connoisseur, which was amazing. They only deliver on a Friday by mail. It was so good. I made crab linguine from River Cafe book 1. I made some slight modifications to the recipe (no brown meat as I'm not fond of that) and as I was cooking for 10 I made another couple of small changes so I did not have to prepare everything at last moment. It worked well, and I've made it a few times since. Enjoy your winnings.

I would like to thank jannymac and posset for their kind recommendations, you are very thoughtful and they both sound lovely . And to think, were it not for the wonderful 'Market Acorn Antiques Kitchen' - we would never have been brought together! Reg.

well reg, i think you could guess what i'd spend it all on- a really nice cheese board and bottle of good wine to go with

Yes Reg, Every dark cloud has a silver lining

£50: try Foerman and Field

While all those suggestions to reg sound wonderful, I vote with cheese obsessive! Yum, a cheese board accompanied by a fabulous wine. A little sourdough bread and you have a meal.

£50 doesn't go all that far these days - I think I'd go for some cookery books; maybe the history and philosophy of food. How about getting some luxury ingredients and cooking an adventerous dinner for a few friends? Or you could raffle the £50 on the internet and try to raise the money for dinner at Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons (if you lived in the UK). If I lived 'down under' then maybe I'd head for Neil Perry's Rockpool; he impresses me greatly with his asian fusion dishes. I like to learn of similiar Australian chefs. Incidentally, cookery books published by Murdoch Books are good and if you have problems with any of the recipes they'll contact the chef concerned to clarify any questions. Cheers

Diana Henry is a revelation though! The only good thing about this dreary programme.

Billy2blues, I know this is sacriledge but don't get your hopes up too high with Neil Perry or Rockpool. More form than substance, really. VERY big food celebrity down here, but the restaurant and his food - eh.

For some reason the TV food celebs down here aren't actually the best chefs.

Are you familiar with Tetsuya, Christine Mansfield, Tony Bilson? No TV to speak of, but great talents. Many more here, too.

Anyway, can anyone unpdate us down here as to how the MK week with Momma Cherri finall ended up? How did Tana cope?

Oyster, you'll just have to wait and see that week of MK!! But the episode you MUST catch is the one where Charita makes good ole chitterlings.

yum, yum!

michi, dreary isn't the half of it. But I do agree about Diana Henry!

My favourite Australian Chef is Armando Percuoco who owns Buon Rciordo restaurant. He has done several t.v. appearances, written a cook book which is excellent and is in himself is a very enthusiastic and entertaining chef. Check him out. He would certainly cheer up MK program - perhaps they should have him on.

Desi, I agree entirely. Armando Percuoco is a fabulous traditionalist chef who owns Buon Ricordo restaurant in Sydney where Neil Perry did some "early work" As a fellow Aussie, I hope you've had a chance to eat there!

His thick accent and incredible humour WOULD do well on MK....

By the way MK has just come on and I can hear it in the background. Someone just told TPB to say caio! Oh my.

I can't bear to watch it...

Was doing a shoot in Sydney a few years back and was treated to a dinner by the producers at Buon Rocorso and it was out of this world!!

I can't say whether it was traditional, but had 5 course meal highlighted by a spit roast rosemary rabbit in its own juice. I can still taste it after all these years!

Apologies if this has been answered somewhere esle but the boards seem to be filled up with something called "chitterlings" from Market Kitchen that made Tana sick?

What are chitterlings?? Why did they make Tana ill?

I am so sorry to agree with the majority you. MK is really boring, boring, boring. I have tried to watch it but I get continually annoyed. It is crass, uninteresting, no one in the cast has the personality to pull it together. I absolutely adore cooking, I absolutely adored watching GFL with our Jen - please please bring it back!!!!!!

JULES