Rick Stein - An Appreciation

shortcircuitie

Is there a better presenter of cooking shows on TV? I really think not. The guy is just getting better with age. His most recent series on the BBC (Spain, India, Eastern Med, Long Weekends) are so well made and enjoyable.

I really enjoy how much he gets involved with the history of an area, its culture and how that is all reflected in the food. You can really tell that his enthusiasm for food and travel is undimmed. And he wears his encyclopediac knowledge of food very lightly.

I was watching Jamie Oliver's latest show travelling through Italy and he seemed like a child (even though he's forty plus) compared with Rick.

Any other Rick Stein aficionados here?

odyssey06

I enjoy his programmes tremendously though in terms of trying out the recipes shown it would be Nigel Slater or James Martin. He does a great job of bringing together the food and the history of the place. Keith Floyd was great craic but it was more about him than showing the places.

One slightly annoying thing is that if you watch Michael Portillo train travel shows he seems to hit a large number of same places... as if bbc are doubling up production.

Arthur Daley

He is a bit fish mad though. Like his shows when they are having something other than adventurous seafood dishes.

L1011

Long Weekends is one of the best food show formats going. Agree he does too much seafood but that is what he is known for of course

Captain Red Beard

Giving out about Rick Stein for cooking fish is like complaining about Mozart for going on about music.

anewme

Love Rick Stein. Love fish. Even my Mum Watches him him (yer man that does be everywhere)

Always had a bit of a crush on him too.

AndyBoBandy

I have to say I do enjoy his long weekends,

It seems the food is just a part of the overall show, which is nice as it’s not just full on food and “watch me cook this local food” type of stuff which most other TV chef’s seem to do.

Jellybaby1

Always liked Rick Stein, and yes of course he goes on about fish a lot but after all he does own a seafood restaurant so it has to be expected. His series in Mexico was very good too and it wasn't all fish either.

Captain Red Beard

I like how he takes out his note book and starts jotting down the recipe as the dish is being cooked, often in small, rustic, family operated places. Its all about the flavour.

shortcircuitie

Great comments all. I must admit I'm a fish nut so it doesn't bother me in the slightest if he does a lot of fish.

A great point was the notebook and his dedication to authenticity in local dishes. You can see that his food is the antithesis of both the molecular approach and also the "InstaFood" school. Sure it looks lovely, but you can tell the primary concern is always flavour

OldMrBrennan83

His India series is still my favourite cookery TV I've seen. And whatever about the food he always gets across the fact that he loves it.

Colonel Claptrap

No love for chalky?

heldel00

Love Rick and watching his shows is pure relaxation for me.
But.... i have to look away when he is eating. He just shovels it into his mouth, starts talking with mouth full and something always falls out. Bit gross

anewme

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

No love for chalky?[/quote

Always at the end of the program the closing credits were always Rick and Chalky on the top of a cliff in Autumny weather and the camera panned out. Don't know why but I always thought thought that captured them both and their relationship perfectly.

Remember at the tine Chalky was so famous, his death was mentioned in parliament. Loved where he attacked the microphone, it's my favourite out take.

I was watching Nigellas new show recently and wanted to tell her to F off with her hair do and make up and silk dressing gown making midnight brownies. It reminded me why I really like Rock Stein so much.

The Hill Billy

Patww79 wrote: »

His India series is still my favourite cookery TV I've seen. And whatever about the food he always gets across the fact that he loves it.

It was superb. I also really enjoyed his tour of Germany, but I'm a real fan of sauerkraut, sausages & pork knuckles.

beauf

Not that much of a foodie but I like the culture and history party of his shows. Also he talks about his film crew a lot. Very pleasant.

Tom Mann Centuria

beauf wrote: »

Not that much of a foodie but I like the culture and history party of his shows. Also he talks about his film crew a lot. Very pleasant.

Yep, that's exactly my view of him too, I enjoy the travelogue aspect and watching local people cook too, he is normally very respectful of local chefs and cooks which I like. Very easy watching anyway.

RasTa

He is the best in regards cooking and travel shows. Too much fish?!

anewme

RasTa wrote: »

He is the best in regards cooking and travel shows. Too much fish?!

There can NEVER be too much fish!

corks finest

shortcircuitie wrote: »

Is there a better presenter of cooking shows on TV? I really think not. The guy is just getting better with age. His most recent series on the BBC (Spain, India, Eastern Med, Long Weekends) are so well made and enjoyable.

I really enjoy how much he gets involved with the history of an area, its culture and how that is all reflected in the food. You can really tell that his enthusiasm for food and travel is undimmed. And he wears his encyclopediac knowledge of food very lightly.

I was watching Jamie Oliver's latest show travelling through Italy and he seemed like a child (even though he's forty plus) compared with Rick.

Any other Rick Stein aficionados here?

Enjoy him,kinda Jeremy Clarkson of the foodie gang

The Black Oil

Haven’t watched a food programme in a while. Does he have something in at the moment?

Captain Red Beard

corks finest wrote: »

Enjoy him,kinda Jeremy Clarkson of the foodie gang

Ah here, they're polar opposites. Clarkson is a dickhead, Stein completely sound.

Spanish Eyes

Yes I like his shows. His voice is very relaxing and he seems to visit lots of great spots for his weekends. I loved his Bologna show, but I had just returned from a trip there so it resonated.

However, reading the thread title, I though he had passed on to the great restaurant in the sky!

McMurphy

Watched him during the week where he was in Cambodia, the salads he was preparing looked absolutely unreal, and he cooked a pork curry with pineapple and grated fresh coconut that I know I would love.

Definitely going to try recreate a few of the dishes in the coming weeks.

He's a man after my own heart the way he oftimes likes to sit back in an exotic country admiring the view having in his words "a really cold nice beer".

I like some of Jamie Oliver's dishes, don't get me wrong, but he's not in the same league as Rick.

shortcircuitie

anewme wrote: »

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

No love for chalky?[/quote

Always at the end of the program the closing credits were always Rick and Chalky on the top of a cliff in Autumny weather and the camera panned out. Don't know why but I always thought thought that captured them both and their relationship perfectly.

Remember at the tine Chalky was so famous, his death was mentioned in parliament. Loved where he attacked the microphone, it's my favourite out take.

I was watching Nigellas new show recently and wanted to tell her to F off with her hair do and make up and silk dressing gown making midnight brownies. It reminded me why I really like Rock Stein so much.

That's where Rick shines above all the others- authenticity.

There is no BS staged dinner party with rent a crowd a la Nigella. On his shows the only people he eats with are those he has just been cooking with, or the crew.

The bits with the crew are great because they are total anti foodies and all they want is like a steak or a burger. It seems every time they are in a far flung locale all David (the director) can do is extol the virtues of roast lamb and mint sauce!

I too loved the long weekends show. I had been in Cadiz not long before his show was broadcast and it was so great to see him enjoying with enthusiasm the same food that I had done.

beertons

Rick is very informative on the places he visits.

Floyd is very funny, he must have knocked back some amount of drink in the day. He was always Balooba's by the time the dishes were ready to eat.

nc6000

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

However, reading the thread title, I though he had passed on to the great restaurant in the sky!

That's what I thought too!

Dial Hard

Colonel Claptrap wrote: »

No love for chalky?

God no, he was a horrid yoke. And I love dogs!

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

However, reading the thread title, I though he had passed on to the great restaurant in the sky!

Same!

Alun

Dial Hard wrote: »

God no, he was a horrid yoke. And I love dogs!

Sacrilege! Chalky was one of the best bits of the program!

the beer revolu

Alun wrote: »

Sacrilege! Chalky was one of the best bits of the program!

Chalkie was highly entertaining on TV and I really like Rick Stein but he is a nightmare pet owner who does nothing while his pet causes havoc attacking people, other pets, pissing and generally being a badly behaved, badly trained dog. Even saw Rick sneak him into a hotel that didn't allow pets.

Rick wouldn't be welcome in my house with that dog.

Marcusm

odyssey06 wrote: »

I enjoy his programmes tremendously though in terms of trying out the recipes shown it would be Nigel Slater or James Martin. He does a great job of bringing together the food and the history of the place. Keith Floyd was great craic but it was more about him than showing the places.

One slightly annoying thing is that if you watch Michael Portillo train travel shows he seems to hit a large number of same places... as if bbc are doubling up production.

Keith Floyd was created as a TV personality by David Pritchard who subsequently “created” Rick Stein as a more consistent/manageable replacement.

See also Patrick’s a Llewellyn who created Two Fat Ladies (they fidn’t Know each other before the series) and Jamie Oliver whom she saw in the background of the River Cafe series and designed the whole “Naked Chef” mentality including sourcing the apartment and scooter.

These are effectively the Simon Cowell of cooking lifestyle shows.

odyssey06

Marcusm wrote: »

Keith Floyd was created as a TV personality by David Pritchard who subsequently “created” Rick Stein as a more consistent/manageable replacement.

Pritchard produced both shows and yes effectively Rick Stein replaced Floyd in the role in Pritchards shows but I think created is not appropriate term for what happened in either case. More like replacing Cantona with Ronaldo... than Simon Cowell territory.

Or are you implying its actually Pritchards recipes and culinary skills on the show rather than just excellence in production?

Marcusm

odyssey06 wrote: »

Pritchard produced both shows and yes effectively Rick Stein replaced Floyd in the role in Pritchards shows but I think created is not appropriate term for what happened in either case. More like replacing Cantona with Ronaldo... than Simon Cowell territory.

Or are you implying its actually Pritchards recipes and culinary skills on the show rather than just excellence in production?

Not at all but the travelogue approach was Pritchard’s and his choices ce of presenters made it work; contrast with Hairy Biker rubbish or some of John Torode’s. Without Pritchard, Stein would be running 2 or 3 restaurants in Padstow. Also have his appearances in the shows are often golden moments.

Jellybaby1

I remember the days before TV chefs and mammies taught us how to cook.

odyssey06

Marcusm wrote: »

Not at all but the travelogue approach was Pritchard’s and his choices ce of presenters made it work; contrast with Hairy Biker rubbish or some of John Torode’s. Without Pritchard, Stein would be running 2 or 3 restaurants in Padstow. Also have his appearances in the shows are often golden moments.

I would say Pritchard has a gameplan and the talent of spotting talent and putting them in a role where the talent can shine.

Pritchard deserves credit for sure probably the lions share in terms of going up a notch above other shows - but I think Rick brings a lot to that equation.

Interesting review here of Prichards book Shooting the Cook
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2009/may/09/shooting-the-cook-david-pritchard

Spanish Eyes

The canal boat trip on the Canal du Midi was a legend. For me anyway/

I think his shows are so real, his love of food, fish, travel, tantrums, landrovers, and over indulging is something I can easily relate to.

His restaurants and pub in padstow is also very nice should anyone be passing....

Johnwayne98

anewme wrote: »

There can NEVER be too much fish!

I think, with respect to the contributor of the 'too much fish' comment and to the many countries he visits, fish is such a vital part of the daily diet of many of the locals.

Johnwayne98

anewme wrote: »

There can NEVER be too much fish!

I think, with respect to the contributor of the 'too much fish' comment and to the many countries he visits, fish is such a vital part of the daily diet of many of the locals.

odyssey06

Johnwayne98 wrote: »

I think, with respect to the contributor of the 'too much fish' comment and to the many countries he visits, fish is such a vital part of the daily diet of many of the locals.

And they are coveniently associated with scenic waterside locations... and you can film scenes of fishing boats in action. Much more diverting than cows in a field!

Johnwayne98

nc6000 wrote: »

That's what I thought too!

And me!As well as him having had a distinguished spell in the military.

Johnwayne98

nc6000 wrote: »

That's what I thought too!

And me!As well as him having had a distinguished spell in the military.

Sultan_of_Ping

You can never have enough fish!

Big fan of Stein and his travel/cooking programmes. Recipes, ingredients and techniques are relatively straightforward and fuss-free.

A few years ago we went to "Padstein", stayed at and dined in the restaurant. Excellent meal.

As a surprise herself had booked me on their 2 day fish and shellfish course which was a brilliant experience - learned loads, really enjoyed it and got to briefly shake his hand when he popped in.

ellejay

I went off him very recently, which is annoying because I loved his programs.

He was at a seaside location (as usual) cooking an old fashioned local dish, lamenting the loss of traditional old dishes.

All going well enjoying the show til I heard "rather like the Irish during the famine - they either didn't know or just forgot they could eat limpets and cockles, so they all starved"

I wish I could remember what country it was.
I'm thinking Albania but really not sure.

Jellybaby1

A lot of British people (including my own English relatives) don't know anything about Irish history. Having said that, there are a lot of Irish people who are ill informed about Irish history. RS is not a historian so I wouldn't be too quick to judge him.

CJhaughey

I like Peter Kuruvita and lately Adam Liaw they both have a fairly relaxed vibe and are knowledgeable without being pretentious.

Kevin Finnerty

ellejay wrote: »

I went off him very recently, which is annoying because I loved his programs.

He was at a seaside location (as usual) cooking an old fashioned local dish, lamenting the loss of traditional old dishes.

All going well enjoying the show til I heard "rather like the Irish during the famine - they either didn't know or just forgot they could eat limpets and cockles, so they all starved"

I wish I could remember what country it was.
I'm thinking Albania but really not sure.

It was Albania I'm sure, and thought the same as yourself initially. It wasn't derogatory though coming from him, and to be fair hes probably right too.
Myself and the missus are going on a city break next year and had it whittled down to Copenhagen or Lisbon. Undecided we watched RS's take on both cities. The Mercado de Ribeira in Lisbon made our mind up. It's his genuine enthusiasm without the pretentiousness I like most, would love to share a beer and bratwurst with him.

beer enigma

Kevin Finnerty wrote: »

It was Albania I'm sure, and thought the same as yourself initially. It wasn't derogatory though coming from him, and to be fair hes probably right too.
Myself and the missus are going on a city break next year and had it whittled down to Copenhagen or Lisbon. Undecided we watched RS's take on both cities. The Mercado de Ribeira in Lisbon made our mind up. It's his genuine enthusiasm without the pretentiousness I like most, would love to share a beer and bratwurst with him.

Also check out Mercado de Campo de Ourique Steins have used a photo of my daughter on their website blog for a few years now and after it was posted we got a lovely email direct from Rick thanking us for letting them use it and saying how much he loved it - it was really warm and personal, nice touch, genuine guy

Kevin Finnerty

beer enigma wrote: »

Also check out Mercado de Campo de Ourique Steins have used a photo of my daughter on their website blog for a few years now and after it was posted we got a lovely email direct from Rick thanking us for letting them use it and saying how much he loved it - it was really warm and personal, nice touch, genuine guy

Thanks, just googled and that was the wrong one I posted. Just screensaved your post! Because I know what'll happen:pac:

Tigerandahalf

I hadn't seen much of him until catching his series on Mexico at the start of this year. It was a brilliant series tied in well with the opening of each show of him driving his coupe down the highway and reminiscing of his first trip to Mexico several years before after his father had died from suicide.

It was great watching, the perfect mix of travel, culture and food and a lot of the stuff he did was interesting and informative - like how they made that Mexican tequilla (of some sort) and where chocolate comes from.

I went on to watch the Hairy Bikers' Mediterranean Adventure and it was excellent too, with great shots of the guys on their bikes on meandering roads.

The BBC produce some great stuff.

SoupyNorman

Long time fan of Rick, I love the real early stuff where it was nearly all seafood and the plates were bloody awful early 90’s patterns. The early Rick Stein was like the evolution of Keith Floyd…it was more polished with a lot less booze.