Complete Pepin

I've been watching Jacque Pepin in his show, Complete Pepin. I find it fascinating. He shows a number of technique tricks and a few recipes. What say you?

[Jenise]

Larry, I've not seen the show. But over the years, no cook in America would seem to have done as many episodes as Jacques--he's certainly right up there with Graham Kerr and Julia Child--and though I've never sat through an entire series the man is clearly a great cook, and I admire that he stresses technique. Too bad his shows are so hard to find--or to put it another way, if only the Food Network prized talent and knowledge over boobs and shlock!

... if only the Food Network prized talent and knowledge...

As evidently the Travel Channel does. Some food professionals I know were praising Bourdain's and other intense food programming on that channel. (They had the same view of the Food Network that Jenise does.)

Edited to add: Pépin achieved US popularity 30 years ago with writing like his pictorial book on Technique, which showed more of the procedural skills to an audience accustomed to cookbooks with mostly ingredients and terse recipes. Some of his wisdoms transcend mere cooking. Here's a line I put into a quotations file about 1982 and used occasionally since:

--
Solid background is essential, and must precede inventiveness. An artistic mind can create a stunning decoration for a cold glazed salmon, but the dish will be triumphant only if the salmon is first properly cleaned and poached, and the aspic rich and crystal-clear. This requires hard work and love. (Pépin, La Technique, 1976)

[Jenise]

Max, I love Bourdain's show. But in general I'm not much of a TV watcher--I occasionally see Michael Lamonico's Epicurious show, but what else is on the TC?

...what else is on the TC?

I can't say -- I flipped it on a little, but only to check out the Bourdain show.

One US documentary channel (can't recall which, but I noticed specifically it was not the Food Network) also had an oustanding, penetrating set of programs the last year or two about iconic US food topics: Barbecue, sandwiches, chocolate, whatever. With experts arguing, bits of old history, etc.

Larry, I'm with you, I'm a huge Pepin fan. Really enjoyed his tv series with Julia Childs, and have a lot of his cookbooks as well. I spent years hunting for video copies of Today's Gourmet, but never found them !

I recently read his auto-biography - it's a great read if you're so inclined.

Cheers, Celia

Pepin rules!

rwj

Pepin rules! Every one of his books is worth owning.

rwj

[David M. Bueker]

Another fan of Jacques here. I am not as down on the Food Network as some - I still love watching Good Eats whenever it's on.

I just don't like the Food Network that much. Like most TV, there are just too many stupid shows on it. And I can't plan my life around the ones that are good.

rwj

Some lovely videos of Pepin and Julia Childs available on the Julia Childs website - http://www.pbs.org/juliachild/video.html

Just select "Jacques Pepin" in the 'Chef' box...

I loved watching their show! Just loved it!

rwj