Top 5 VEG Chefs Food Network Should Hire

106
by Michael Parrish DuDell September 8, 2010
Categories: Eats, Film/TV, People
Tags: , , , , .

Last week we wrote an open letter to the Food Network asking, begging, pleading for a vegetarian/vegan cooking show. In the letter, we pointed out that in almost 150 television shows listed as airing on “The Food Network” and its new sister “The Cooking Channel”, not one is dedicated exclusively to the vegan and/or vegetarian lifestyle. Not cool!

But then we figured it out! There’s no veggie cooking show because the network of traditional foodies doesn’t know who to cast as the host. OF COURSE! So, since we consider ourselves pretty serious plant eaters, we thought we’d offer our assitance! Here’s our selection for the Top 5 VEG Chefs Food Network Should Hire.

Tal Ronnen

Think you can’t have a delicious vegan “chicken” scaloppini? Then celebrity chef Tal Ronnen has obviously never cooked for you! Chef Tal is one of the most well-known vegan chefs in the country. In 2008, Ronnen prepared vegan meals for Oprah during her 21-day vegan cleanse. He also catered Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s vegan wedding, Arianna Huffington’s party at the Democratic National Convention, and the first vegan dinner at the U.S. Senate. Right! He’s a big deal! Chef Tal conducts master vegetarian workshops for students and staff at Le Cordon Bleu College and always lives up to his promise that, “you won’t miss the meat.”

Alexandra Jamieson

What’s better than super delicious? Super delicious and super healthy. Best known for her appearance in the award-winning documentary Super Size Me, Alexandra Jamieson has been seen on Oprah, The Final Word, 30 Days and The National Health Test with Bryant Gumble. What’s more, she is the author of The Great American Detox Diet and Living Vegan for Dummies. As a chef, speaker and holistic health coach, Alex has the right combination of talent and personality to make even your meat-obsessed uncle watch a vegan cooking show.

Bryant Terry

If you like soul food that can actually heal your soul (instead of fill it with nasty cholesterol) then Chef Bryant Terry is for you.Terry is an eco chef, food justice activist, and author of two critically acclaimed books — Vegan Soul Kitchen: Fresh, Healthy, and Creative African-American Cuisine and Grub: Ideas for an Urban Organic Kitchen. The well-known chef has made numerous national radio and television appearances on shows like The Martha Stewart Show, Emeril Green, The Splendid Table, and The Tavis Smiley Show. And, according to his site, Bryant is currently working on a third book and “a television project.” Hey, could it be a veggie cooking show?

Ani Phyo

Are you one of those people who think raw food sounds like a bunch of sacrifice and no flavor? Ani Phyo will change your mind. Phyo is an eco-lifestylist and the author of  Ani’s Raw Food Essentials, Ani’s Raw Food Desserts, and Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen. With the goal of showing the world how easy it is to enjoy healthy and organic whole foods, Ani will show you how to fuel up on raw power.  Phyo even hosts a series of awesome cooking videos on her site…so we know she can get the job done.

Chloe Coscarelli

Fresh off her recent Cupcake Wars win, chef Chloe Coscarelli is this season’s vegan it girl. A graduate of The Natural Gourmet Institute of Health and Culinary Arts NYC, Chloe is fast becoming a champion vegan chef. Chloe will appear in the September 13 issue of Woman’s World magazine where she will, of course, talk all about the deliciousness of vegan cuisine. Need more proof that she’d be a great host? Check out her video series on VegNews.com. We know you’ll love!

Well there it is: Our Top 5 VEG Chefs Food Network Should Hire. What do you say, Food Network? Can we get one of these plant-eating cool kids a television show already? We won’t even charge a finder’s fee.

Newer Comments →
  • http://opinionessoftheworld.com/ Opinioness of the World

    I agree wholeheartedly with this list…they are all amazing! But I would also add a sixth: Colleen Patrick-Goodreau, author of The Joy of Vegan Baking and The Vegan Table. I frequently blog about cooking her mind-blowing recipes…they are SO delish!

  • http://vegangoodthings.blogspot.com Leinana

    Agreed! Great picks for the most inspiring, creative chefs out there!

  • Katie

    Really, a list of the top five chefs who should host a vegetarian cooking show and you left off Isa Chandra Moskowitz, who is the number one vegan cookbook author AND already has done her own cooking show?

    • http://opinionessoftheworld.com/ Opinioness of the World

      Omg, Katie…you are SO right!!

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Drew-Blood/611919682 Drew Blood

      No kidding. Check out The Post Punk Kitchen for a fun vegan cooking show and get Isa on the short list!

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ellen-Katz-Mass/1060161685 Ellen Katz Mass

      Totally agree, Katie. That’s the show I want!

  • georgina

    No list of vegan chefs is complete without Isa Chandra and Colleen. Agree 100 percent with above people.

  • http://www.feedmeimcranky.com Annabel @ www.FeedMeImCranky.com

    Yes, what about Isa Chandra Moskowitz! or Tanya Petrova!

  • http://www.boygirlparty.com susie g

    how could this omit isa chandra moskowitz!!!??! i’m totally perplexed!

  • Michael Parrish DuDell

    Y’all — We love Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Colleen Patrick-Goodreau. We don’t know Tanya Petrova, but we’re sure she’s great. It was a tough call to fill just 5 slots. Trust us! No disrespect to Moskowitz or Goodreau though. We bow down to their mighty spatula.

    • http://supercarrot.com supercarrot

      nothing wrong with a “top 7″ even if it is an unconventional number.

      (and who says food network only needs 1 veg TV show. i’d totally tivo 7 completely vegan TV shows, and watch one per day. they could call it “vegan hour” and have a vegan show at the same time every day! that’s it. seal the deal food network.)

  • Jessica

    Agree about adding Isa and Colleen to the list. There are a few other vegans that have done online web shows. Anyway, a vegan show would be fantastic :)

    Christina Pirello is on Create. That’s where I get my food cooking show fix.

  • paprikapapaya

    How could you leave off Isa Chandra Moskowitz? She is THE vegan chef. The others on this list don’t hold a candle to her.

  • lisa miller

    Isa should be number 1 on the list!!!!!

  • Michael Parrish DuDell

    Thanks for the feedback. We took a lot of things into consideration, including cooking ability, mainstream potential, and who would best appeal to the Food Network’s target market. Again, no disrespect to those chefs not included, but we stand firm on our Top 5.

    • lisa miller

      politics….

    • Rhonda

      I’ve barely even heard of anyone on this list. I’ve heard of the woman from Supersize Me but only from the movie and I’d never even heard of Chloe Cascarelli until yesterday with the whole cupcake thing. Why do you think people are more likely to watch a show starring a relative unknown over a best selling author like Isa Moskowitz? I can think of a number of people I’d love to see doing a cooking show (Isa is top because of her mad skills and great personality) and none of them made the list.

      If anyone from food network happens to read this page then I hope they have the good sense to listen to the people and give Isa her own show.

    • http://supercarrot.com supercarrot

      dude, you’re digging a grave.

      telling isa and colleen that they don’t appeal to the mainstream is like a dagger. seriously.

      the world is opening up to punks and strong personalities such as isa, and colleen, well, she’s just a font of vegan information and as for her speaking ability? hoo-boy!

      who cares about food network’s target market. if they bring on already well loved characters such as these two, food network will gain new unique viewers. (because, honestly, as it is, i can’t stand to turn on the network with the current roster and topics.)

    • Shane

      “Mainstream appeal” and appealing to the target market are cop out excuses. Let’s take a look at some of Food Network’s more popular shows, and see if you can figure out why I think it’s a cop out:

      Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, Guy Off the Hook, Guy’s Big Bite – All hosted by a guy that a lot of people probably wouldn’t think looked too “mainstream”.

      Ace of Cakes – About a bakery owned and staffed by a bunch of punk rock kids. Tattoos, punk rock, and metal a-plenty on the show.

      The Great Food Truck Race – One of the final 3 trucks (Grill ‘Em All) is run by tattooed metalheads, with all of their food named after metal bands.

      You just need to own up to the fact that you left off Isa, and it was a huge mistake to do so.

  • Gina beckwith

    You must be kidding! How could you not have Isa Chandra Moskowitz on here! She is inspiring, fun and kickass! Listen to your comments here! Add Isa to your list!!!

  • Kristen Jackson Fadich

    Isa Chandra Moskowitz really does need to be on this list. Without her many of us would be lost and living on nothing but the proverbial fruits and nuts. It is great that you stand firm in your choice. However, most of us stand firm in our belief that she MUST be on this list.

  • amanda

    wow. yeah, totally ridiculous to leave off isa.

  • Gina

    Every vegan I know cooks just about every night using some variation of (or verbatim) an Isa Moskowitz recipe. ‘Veganomicon’ changed vegan cuisine forever. Not only that, Isa’s personality is made-for-TV. She’s funny, sharp, and engaging. She’s already a star. Leaving her off the list is just wrong.

  • Donna

    1 word – ISA!!

    • Megan N-B

      Gotta go with Isa. No offense to Ani, whose food is delicious, but I really don’t think Raw Foods is a Target Market for the folks who watch food network. Nor is Detox food if target market was really what you were going for. I know this is just a wish list, but the vegans of the world wish for more Isa and her yummy comfort food.

  • Jason P

    This list is nothing without Isa. I’d rather watch reruns of PPK than 90% of what’s on Food Network anyways.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/JD-Norton/540047704 JD Norton

    I echo what everyone else is saying…. Isa!!
    How could she possibly be left off this list when she should be at the top of it?

    Another great one I think should be on this list is Sarah Kramer!!

  • Sally Williams

    Isa Moskowitz should have been on your list. She is a creative genius. Also, Sarah Kramer would have been great also.

  • Vegan Dudes Everywhere

    Chloe is so hot! <3 <3 <3

    • Vegan Women

      grrr

  • Vee

    Agree with just about everyone who has commented – where is Isa?

  • http://wini-pedia.blogspot.com wini

    insane that isa isn’t on that list! she really is THE vegan chef.

    i really would love to see some vegetarian/vegan themed programs on the food network, for sure.

  • ciaochow

    Isa! Isa! Isa! I haven’t heard of 3/5 of the people you listed.

  • Sarah

    What’s wrong w/ a Top 10 list? I’d rather have 10 I could pick from than 5. Also, only vegan cookbooks I refer to are Isa’s! I don’t own any books from anyone else on this list.

  • Stephanie

    Seriously – I’m going to join in the chorus here and agree that Isa has definitely earned a spot on this list. She is a huge part of why I (and no doubt many others) finally felt confident enough to even go vegan in the first place – because her recipes are tasty and approachable and fun. Just like her.

  • Jen M

    I agree, make it top 7 Veg chefs they should hire, you must add Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Colleen Patrick-Goodreau!!

  • http://imnotstarving.blogspot.com Sarah

    Isa Chandra Moskowitz!

    Though, really . . . Food Network is so behind in Veg programming, I’ll take one show for Isa plus one from that list of 5.

  • http://www.princesslasertron.com princess lasertron

    bonjour????????????? isa chandra above all others. have you ever read a vegan cookbook? theyre all by her and she’s an amazing cook.

  • http://www.simplygreenTO.blogspot.com Natashia

    I personally think that Doug McNish should be added to this list as well… If you haven’t heard of him, you better check him out! http://www.facebook.com/veganchefdoug … I’m telling you all, he’s ahead of the curve, and just a fantastic presence :)

  • kem

    Obviously there is a hotness bias at Food Network, although I find ICM plenty attractive myself.

  • Kev

    Wow! No Isa?!

  • http://www.vegansaurus.com laura

    i love all the chefs mentioned but yeah, isa is a definite miss. food network relies on personalities to sell shows and that woman has proven she can sell the message along with the tasty eats. plus, her show would have an awesome punk rock aesthetic that i think could translate pretty wonderfully to mainstream… a fresh vibe for the station!

    GO FOOD NETWORK! Hire a vegan chef! Hire a bunch of them! We need variety on your station… not another show about the world’s biggest hamburger. Please & thank you!

  • Holly

    If my deep south-dwelling steakhouse-owning mama can learn to love a chickpea cutlet, that tells me the world (and the Food Network) needs more Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Ani and Alex are great for me, but what they cook is “rabbit food” to the masses.

  • Janice

    Just to echo what a everyone else said: ISA! Isa Chandra Moskowitz is amazing. Her recipes are always crowd pleasers whenever I make them.

  • J

    I wouldn’t even bother watching unless it was Isa!

  • Serina

    What the heck?

    Where is Sarah Kramer? She is the goddess of all that is Green, and Beautifully delicious! This list is surely not complete without my favourite Vegan Diva!

  • http://chiptheglasses.com Nathaniel Smith

    Uh…Vegan with a Vengeance is the one cookbook I’ve found in the collection of every vegan I’ve ever met. How is Isa Chandra Moskowitz not on this list??

  • Frank

    So Ani’s raw food is “mainstream” but Isa’s homestyle delicious cooking is somehow not? You do realize she has authored 3 of the best selling vegan cookbooks ever right? How is that not mainstream? What a joke.

  • Brian Nail

    YES I agree…where is Isa Moskowitz? She has more than earned her spot on this list.

  • Christina

    I, too, love the thought of a veg show on Food Network, but No Colleen? No Isa? Colleen’s brilliance has turned so many vegan and Isa’s amazing recipes have kept us vegan. I have shelves filled with vegan cookbooks and Colleen’s and Isa’s are the only ones I use. That’s not true, I frequently use Dreena Burton’s books. She should be on the list too. Jeesh.

  • Monica

    Unbelievable! No Isa, Colleen or Sarah? These are the reigning queens of the vegan culinary kingdom.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Asia-Al-Massari-/634288013 Asia Al-Massari ?

    The fact that Isa isn’t on this list is APPALLING. There probably wouldn’t have been a vegan winner of Cupcake Wars if it wasn’t for her.

    • http://www.princesslasertron.com princess lasertron

      this!!

  • Alana

    The two vegan chefs who ought to have topped that list are Coleen Patrick-Goudreau and Isa Chandra Moskowitz. Any vegan with a pulse and a personality would tell you that.

  • Suasoria

    Every chef has his/her fans who are going to feel offended. However there’s reasons why a few of those people should not be on this list…such as lack of talent.

    • http://www.princesslasertron.com princess lasertron

      lol “such as”

  • michelle

    Really? Why is Isa not part of the list? She is THE vegan chef we all follow? She’s spunky and her cooking is AMAZING. Vegans and omnis alike would definitely tune in to a show she was hosting.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Crystal-McClure/535401984 Crystal McClure

    It’s so great to see Isa on this list, even if she was an overwhelmingly obvious choice.

    Congrats, Isa!

  • Andrew

    Isa Chandra Moskowitz would probably be the BEST candidate for a Food Network show. These other chefs’ cooking tend to have too much pretension attached. Moskowitz’ food is for the people. Delicious recipes that are beyond run of the mill yet still fantastically easy to prepare. These other chefs may be “celebrity” chefs but Isa is genuinely beloved in the vegan community and could easily win the hearts of omnivores. It just seems rather overtly suspicious to not include her AT ALL.

  • Jen

    Where are Isa Chandra Moskowitz, Colleen Patrick-Goodreau and Sarah Kramer?? It’s like this list is only half complete. I agree with the point that the Food Network needs vegan shows, you got that part right but FAIL when it comes to a complete list of great vegan chefs that deserve their own shows!

  • http://stretchoutandblog.blogspot.com toni okamoto

    I’m surprised that my two favorte vegan chefs didn’t make it onto this list. I live by the works of Coleen Patrick-Goudreau and Isa Chandra Moskowitz.

  • Amey

    what a super weird list. I can’t believe Isa’s not on there. Seriously, her cookbooks have changed the World of Vegan Cooking. Plus, what about Terry Hope Romero? And Colleen? The whole thing is just weird. Weird list.

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