I enjoy Giada... not that I consider her a Lidia (whom I adore) but I like her airy approach. Admittedly- part of it for me w/ her are other things that make up the whole picture- the whole product, too. I like her set- like her kitchen. I like the unique manner inwhich her show is filmed. I don't know enough about film and photography to describe what I actually mean or what I wish to say exactly- but one can tell the filming is approached slightly differently than most shows and that appeals to my eye.

I am not Italain- but one soon learns in the food world that American Italian food is MUCH different than real Italian food. It's sure not all American spaghetti and American pizza. Not that I don't love our own versions of Italian- because I do. But the foods of the various regions of Italy are diverse/complex/simple/rustic/elegant all wrapped-up into one!

Three of my fav Italian cookbooks are actually the two "Soprano's" cookbooks (as weird as that might seem!) and "Two Meatballs in an Italian Kitchen" written by two bickering chefs- one born in Tuscany- the other born in America to an Italian immigrant family. Their training and schools of thought are at once totally different- yet also very similar. Fun books!

Beyond Mario and Giada, there fantastic classic Italian cookbooks by Marcella Hazan and Lorenza De'Medici that are wonderful And although Michael Chiarello is heavily influenced by California/Napa Valley his take on Italian is nice as well.

Giada's own aunt was giving her a hard time on one of her episodes for her recipes not being the right Italian way. Giada explained to her aunt that she felt since she was born in Italy but raised in California she felt her recipes were a blend of the two. Like Kev I enjoy the way they film Giada's show. It has the look of a movie and since it is filmed in a real home and not on a set somewhere it has that at home feel to it.

They have a new show on the FN called Family Style. I watched the premiere on Sunday I think and let me say I hate that show. It is a restaurant version of the Jersey Shore. Who wants to watch a show every week about a brother and sister pulling pranks on each other constantly while running a restaurant. The brother is super struck on himself and a total idiot. He looks and sounds like a Jersey Shore reject.

While I usually like Rachal Ray, I question her traveling on $40 a day. What Motel does she book to stay in that range.

Bed Bugs R Us

LOL

(forgive me!)

Kev - I've got tons of Italian cookbooks - and it cracks me up to see some written by Irish authors, etc.