I want to read Bourdain's books. I really like his prose, and I bet it gets better going from TV to written.
Also, as between Iron Chef America and OG Iron Chef: OG Iron Chef was more creative and diverse (and difficult). America is more a parade of Food Network personalities. Although I'd still prefer the Iron Chef America food, but that's probably because I'm a picky eater and 5 courses of cooked ox bowel doesn't really seem that appetizing.
Don't get me wrong, I find Ace of Cakes to be an enjoyable show. I'd just like to see a recipe every now and then. Maybe it's just the format of the show, but I always get the vibe that the food is secondary and the presentation is what's important, which is a sentiment I don't really agree with.
The show isn't about cakes. It's about a bunch of people who make cakes.
If people ask for super incredibly intricate and customized cakes, it's because presentation is the most important thing. They're not paid to make the most delicious confections, they're paid to be able to say 'yes' when you want a cake that looks like boba fett riding a rancor and throwing a thermal detonator down its throat.
Don't get me wrong, I find Ace of Cakes to be an enjoyable show. I'd just like to see a recipe every now and then. Maybe it's just the format of the show, but I always get the vibe that the food is secondary and the presentation is what's important, which is a sentiment I don't really agree with.
the show is clearly and unapologetically advertised as being about design
so if you have an issue with it not being about the food, I'd say that's your problem for expecting something the show clearly isn't about
it's like saying BSG is a dumb show because it's not an edgy police drama
Don't get me wrong, I find Ace of Cakes to be an enjoyable show. I'd just like to see a recipe every now and then. Maybe it's just the format of the show, but I always get the vibe that the food is secondary and the presentation is what's important, which is a sentiment I don't really agree with.
They're showpiece cakes for events. That's explicitly clear. Very little of it is anything you would want to eat.
Some of the cakes made on Ace of Cakes, while they're a far cry from the standard rectangle and circle, are still sorta kitschy and look unfinished.
You know, I have a similar issue with some of the stuff on FN Challenge. I know it's the limitations of the medium, and I suppose it's impressive that they do what they do. But a great blue heron forged from steal is no less edible than one made of wooden dowels wrapped in fondant and tends to look way better. It's some perverse mixture of cuisine and sculpture that gets me neither of the results I really want.
Just remembered another Bobby Flay crutch: Wild rice waffles. I first saw him do it on one of his many losing efforts on Throwdown, and I've seen him use it on at least two ICA competitions.
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When you're a spy, it's a good idea to give away your trade secrets in a voiceover on a TV show.
I'm pretty sure they supply parties with sheet cake in addition to the center-piece cake, so I'd say guests are mostly eating that. It just doesn't get shown too often since the show is mostly centered around design/being a candid reality show about a bakery (though they have shown them before, like at Roger Moore's thing).
One thing I don't particularly like about Ace of Cakes are the occasional cakes that don't really have much cake. The Harry Potter premiere cake comes to mind. Wasn't the only part of that cake the ground and the castle was made up of mostly board or some other structure? I know it wasn't supposed to be eaten but still.
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ButtersA glass of some milksRegistered Userregular
edited June 2009
If it's not edible you aren't making cake anymore your doing paper mache.
the interior of the cakes are made of cake. occasionally they use like pieces of wood or a metal frame or something to keep things from falling apart. sometimes they use fireworks that i'm pretty sure are inedible.
KalTorakOne way or another, they all end up inthe Undercity.Registered Userregular
edited June 2009
Yeah, the few episodes of Ace of Cakes I saw gave me the impression that they're more architects/sculptors than bakers. The actual cake they use always looks dry as hell, and then everything's draped with that just-barely-edible-sheet-of-plastic frosting.
Yeah, the few episodes of Ace of Cakes I saw gave me the impression that they're more architects/sculptors than bakers. The actual cake they use always looks dry as hell, and then everything's draped with that just-barely-edible-sheet-of-plastic frosting.
I like Ace of Cakes for the people, really, and seeing how they overcome logistical problems. They do use a lot of fondant, but I don't really see it as a how-to show at all.
Yeah, the few episodes of Ace of Cakes I saw gave me the impression that they're more architects/sculptors than bakers. The actual cake they use always looks dry as hell, and then everything's draped with that just-barely-edible-sheet-of-plastic frosting.
Yeah, besides the fact that fondant is supposed to be awful, the cakes also sit out for a couple days before going to an event and are usually carved of their outer...uh, crust which can only make the insides dry up that much quicker. In fact, I'd bet they can't even use real tender, moist cakes because they'd probably be harder to carve. For their purposes, it's probably better to have the driest cakes possible.
I guess I wouldn't have a problem with this, knowing they have sheet cakes available and this being a show about design, but then they show the customers raving about how delicious the actual cake sculpture is and it's hard for me to believe that.
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I think you've got to remember Omeks that a lot of people have low standards for food. Like really low. Also, if I spent that much money on a cake I'd tell everyone that I met that it was the best goddamn cake I'd ever had, no matter what I actually thought. Also, your wedding cake tastes awesome regardless because by the time you get to cake you're totally wasted.
Also, I love ICA, I just wish they'd let Mario Batali out of his box and never, ever let Boomer Esiason be a judge again.
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Metzger MeisterIt Gets Worsebefore it gets any better.Registered Userregular
I think you've got to remember Omeks that a lot of people have low standards for food. Like really low. Also, if I spent that much money on a cake I'd tell everyone that I met that it was the best goddamn cake I'd ever had, no matter what I actually thought. Also, your wedding cake tastes awesome regardless because by the time you get to cake you're totally wasted.
Also, I love ICA, I just wish they'd let Mario Batali out of his box and never, ever let Boomer Esiason be a judge again.
If you're ordering from Charm City cakes you obviously aren't concerned with it tasting good.
Having been present at a couple of events where it was served (and a couple where its illegitimate son Jet City Cakes played chef) they use way too much fondant and the cake is generally dry and not very flavorful. I did think it was kind of funny that it came with a two page instruction manual for carving the cake. Including a section called "Do not eat the following:"
Looks amazing though.
Mike's Amazing Cakes though... that guy makes delicious stuff that also looks great. Yeah, he's kind of a douchebag in person, but so what, you never have to deal with him. I think the main thing is that they have a relatively thick layer of butter cream between the cake and the fondant.
I think you've got to remember Omeks that a lot of people have low standards for food. Like really low. Also, if I spent that much money on a cake I'd tell everyone that I met that it was the best goddamn cake I'd ever had, no matter what I actually thought. Also, your wedding cake tastes awesome regardless because by the time you get to cake you're totally wasted.
Yeah, I'd say being on TV has something to do with it too. If you say something bad about the cake, the editors are gonna cut you straight out of the show, never to be heard from again, so you're gonna say something positive to avoid being cut out. It's probably also hard to criticize Duff if you're a big fan of his show and ordered a cake because of that.
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Does anyone else think Sandra Lee is secretly (or obviously) a raging alcoholic who is likely in a loveless marriage that she can't get out of because she'd lose millions?
I can't help but get that feeling every time her show is on.
Does anyone else think Sandra Lee is secretly (or obviously) a raging alcoholic who is likely in a loveless marriage that she can't get out of because she'd lose millions?
I can't help but get that feeling every time her show is on.
Who doesn't think that? She devotes a segment of her show to being cocktail time and you'd have to be drunk to make the kind of food she makes.
Does anyone else think Sandra Lee is secretly (or obviously) a raging alcoholic who is likely in a loveless marriage that she can't get out of because she'd lose millions?
I can't help but get that feeling every time her show is on.
Who doesn't think that? She devotes a segment of her show to being cocktail time and you'd have to be drunk to make the kind of food she makes.
Yeah and her show seems like it's aimed at the exact same kind of woman.
"It's 2:30 in the afternoon ladies and I've got a new cocktail recipe for you. You better hurry though, your husband who is sleeping with his secretary will be mad if dinner isn't ready when he gets home, and Trevor and Conner will be home from school in an hour!"
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MrMonroepassed outon the floor nowRegistered Userregular
I think you've got to remember Omeks that a lot of people have low standards for food. Like really low. Also, if I spent that much money on a cake I'd tell everyone that I met that it was the best goddamn cake I'd ever had, no matter what I actually thought. Also, your wedding cake tastes awesome regardless because by the time you get to cake you're totally wasted.
Also, I love ICA, I just wish they'd let Mario Batali out of his box and never, ever let Boomer Esiason be a judge again.
What'd Boomer do?
Also Bonecrusher is the best judge.
shot the old man
duh
additionally, you have to respect Anthony Bourdain just for his comments on vegetarians
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Also, as between Iron Chef America and OG Iron Chef: OG Iron Chef was more creative and diverse (and difficult). America is more a parade of Food Network personalities. Although I'd still prefer the Iron Chef America food, but that's probably because I'm a picky eater and 5 courses of cooked ox bowel doesn't really seem that appetizing.
The show isn't about cakes. It's about a bunch of people who make cakes.
If people ask for super incredibly intricate and customized cakes, it's because presentation is the most important thing. They're not paid to make the most delicious confections, they're paid to be able to say 'yes' when you want a cake that looks like boba fett riding a rancor and throwing a thermal detonator down its throat.
so if you have an issue with it not being about the food, I'd say that's your problem for expecting something the show clearly isn't about
it's like saying BSG is a dumb show because it's not an edgy police drama
I'm pretty sure that was all totally different people and predated the current ICA by a few years.
They're showpiece cakes for events. That's explicitly clear. Very little of it is anything you would want to eat.
You know, I have a similar issue with some of the stuff on FN Challenge. I know it's the limitations of the medium, and I suppose it's impressive that they do what they do. But a great blue heron forged from steal is no less edible than one made of wooden dowels wrapped in fondant and tends to look way better. It's some perverse mixture of cuisine and sculpture that gets me neither of the results I really want.
So really, the cake HAS to be fucking incredible because god knows the icing sucks.
Also, I love Duff and all that but I don't think I'll ever pony up the 500 or 1000 minimum to get a cake done there.
geoff is my favorite because he quietly makes fun of everyone under his breath.
I don't think that's what he's doing. It's just a wheezing noise he makes when he exhales all that pot.
I miss Ted Allen as a judge on Top Chef. I hope he goes back next season, somehow.
One thing I don't particularly like about Ace of Cakes are the occasional cakes that don't really have much cake. The Harry Potter premiere cake comes to mind. Wasn't the only part of that cake the ground and the castle was made up of mostly board or some other structure? I know it wasn't supposed to be eaten but still.
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man if you get like that with ace of cakes never read bourdain's book, kitchen confidential
you will probably never go to a restaurant again
DO NOT ORDER FISH ON A MONDAY
lots of full episodes on the ol' tube.
I like Ace of Cakes for the people, really, and seeing how they overcome logistical problems. They do use a lot of fondant, but I don't really see it as a how-to show at all.
JUST SAY NO TO SUNDAY BUFFETS! ESPECIALLY WITH SEAFOOD!
Yeah, besides the fact that fondant is supposed to be awful, the cakes also sit out for a couple days before going to an event and are usually carved of their outer...uh, crust which can only make the insides dry up that much quicker. In fact, I'd bet they can't even use real tender, moist cakes because they'd probably be harder to carve. For their purposes, it's probably better to have the driest cakes possible.
I guess I wouldn't have a problem with this, knowing they have sheet cakes available and this being a show about design, but then they show the customers raving about how delicious the actual cake sculpture is and it's hard for me to believe that.
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Also, I love ICA, I just wish they'd let Mario Batali out of his box and never, ever let Boomer Esiason be a judge again.
What'd Boomer do?
Also Bonecrusher is the best judge.
Having been present at a couple of events where it was served (and a couple where its illegitimate son Jet City Cakes played chef) they use way too much fondant and the cake is generally dry and not very flavorful. I did think it was kind of funny that it came with a two page instruction manual for carving the cake. Including a section called "Do not eat the following:"
Looks amazing though.
Mike's Amazing Cakes though... that guy makes delicious stuff that also looks great. Yeah, he's kind of a douchebag in person, but so what, you never have to deal with him. I think the main thing is that they have a relatively thick layer of butter cream between the cake and the fondant.
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Yeah, I'd say being on TV has something to do with it too. If you say something bad about the cake, the editors are gonna cut you straight out of the show, never to be heard from again, so you're gonna say something positive to avoid being cut out. It's probably also hard to criticize Duff if you're a big fan of his show and ordered a cake because of that.
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I can't help but get that feeling every time her show is on.
Who doesn't think that? She devotes a segment of her show to being cocktail time and you'd have to be drunk to make the kind of food she makes.
1 Chicken + 1 Taco Seasoning Packet + Storebought Cheesecake = Delicious Chicken Carbonara!
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Yeah and her show seems like it's aimed at the exact same kind of woman.
"It's 2:30 in the afternoon ladies and I've got a new cocktail recipe for you. You better hurry though, your husband who is sleeping with his secretary will be mad if dinner isn't ready when he gets home, and Trevor and Conner will be home from school in an hour!"
shot the old man
duh
additionally, you have to respect Anthony Bourdain just for his comments on vegetarians
because all Quebecois wear the US flag