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Thursday, May 28, 2009

United We Stand, Divided We Fall

I have a confession to make. If you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll share it with you. There has been a rift in the Three; a difference of opinion among the Three Bay B Chicks that we may not be able to recover from. As much as I would like to believe that our friendship is strong and can withstand any challenge that comes our way, this topic may very well be our Achilles heel.

In light of our inability to reach an agreement, I submit my argument to the blogosphere today and allow our readers to decide.

Background:
I feel that my long-time friend, Kacey, has gone astray. Back in March, she wrote this statement on our blog, “I’m a loyal fan of Barefoot Contessa and have been known to try a recipe from Giada." Yes, friends, it is true. My dear, dear friend Kacey has turned to the darkside and used recipes from Giada de Laurentiis as a guide for Italian cooking. My heart breaks each time I am faced with this reality.

Like any compelling argument, I must outline the reasons for my belief that we should turn away from Giada's teachings. I have gathered the following facts and photographic evidence to aid our audience in reaching a conclusion.

Evidence:

1) Most of the food that Giada makes is not Italian. I queried the top 94 recipes from Giada available on foodnetwork.com. Here are the first five recipes that came up: Couscous Cakes, Beer-Battered Apple and Onion Rings, Corn and Black Bean Salad with Basil-Lime Vinaigrette, Hibiscus Tea with Vodka and Citrus, and Nonna Luna’s Rice. My fellow bloggers, just because something has basil in it, does not mean that it is Italian. Case in point: Thai food uses basil too.

2) When you Google Giada’s name, you will find an equal number of sites dedicated to Giada’s food as to her cleavage. In other words, enough people in the world have queried the words breasts and cleavage as they relate to Giada that both terms come up in the drop-down menu on Google. This begs the question, “why the low cut shirts?” Perhaps the viewing public should be focusing on Giada's knife skills, rather than her… other assets.

3) I recently sought out advice for this situation from my perpetually level-headed friend, Thuy. She listened, as a good friend does, and made no judgments. However, I would like to point out that after our conversation, Thuy sent me the below photos, which were accompanied by the quote, “In her crusade to show the world how much enjoyment can be derived from Italian cooking, De Laurentiis goes through a lot of tomatoes.”


Rather than belabor my argument, I think it is best to end my post on a high note. If you are in the market for a resource that teaches you about actual Italian food and cooking techniques, I would highly recommend the following: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, Cooking By Hand, Trattoria Cooking, and The Silver Spoon.

After all, don’t you think that an Italian cooking icon should look more like this:

Rather than like this:

I leave this critical decision in your hands.

-Francesca
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56 comments:

forever folding laundry said...

Is it just me, or is Giada looking a bit more endowed these days??

~Keri

Barbaloot said...

First of all---those tomato pictures are just yucky! And how could they ruin that dress?! Lame.

Second, Giada has ALWAYS rubbed me the wrong way---can't stand the woman. So, I'm fully siding with you.

Anonymous said...

I am in stitches!! I started off horrified to see that something broke up the 3 of you...but then realized it was a joke. Sort of. I think Giada's show is like a porno...even the music....but I do like her recipes...although I've never claimed that they were authentic Italian! I like the other one much better!!

Peaches said...

Sorry. I have to side with Kacey on this one. I like her.

Kimmy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jen said...

I am a HUGE Giada fan. I love her show and her recipes.

Kimmy said...

Made a boo boo! Had to fix :o)

I have always liked Giada. The freshness of her show and recipes. However, I have to say, those pictures of her are gross. I hate tomatoes!! Let me rephrase that, I hate chunks of tomatoes! Pureed is fine but to ruin that dress is lame, as Barbaloot said.
Second, you got a point, her food isn't real Italian cooking and I have to side with you on that. But I do like the looks of the food she does prepare (minus any chunks of tomatoes, of course!!) :o)

Over all, you and Kacey each have half of my support...LOL :o)

B said...

Does she just cook and pose with food, or does she eat on occasion? I have no idea who she is, or what her food is like, but I hope your friendship can come through this rough spot. Eventually your blinded friend may see the light.

Crazee Juls said...

Okay, obviously because I "never" cook--- I don't follow anyone who cooks for a profession...but in your defense, those don't sound like any Italian dishes that I order at my fave Italian place.. and also, those pictures of Giada (?!) are quite disturbing... Whatever happened to dressing up in an apron & that's it...if you wanna make cooking look sexy?!
_________
To my defense, I'm not expert, so don't yell at me Kacey... I have no clue really, I'm just rambling on...

Anonymous said...

Hahaha! I thought you were serious at first and I was like 'Oh No!'

I'm a Rachel Ray fan myself.....

rychelle said...

i refuse to watch simply because i can't pronounce her name.

Tulip Row said...

I agree, those pictures are just weird! You can feel assured that I will not be using her recipes, as I hardly cook things that require me to look at a recipe in the first place!

Counselormama said...

OMG, I didn't realize tomotoes could be made so sexy? Wow, I agree with you about the other pic, that woman looks like she can make some excellent home made pasta!

Kristina P. said...

I really have no opinion on this.

Meg said...

Dearest Francesca,

I stand in solidarity with you, my friend. While the food she makes might be delicious, it is not real Italian food. Being cooked by someone born in Rome does not make food Italian.

You are correct in your suggestion that Marcella is much more authentic, in both cuisine and look. She looks like a grandmother that would pinch my cheeks. Giada looks like a supermodel. I don't fool around when it comes to food. I trust grandmothers. Blindly.

Yours,
Meg

He & Me + 3 said...

Ok, I am not one to ask about such deep issues...but I totally will ask my 9 year old who watches the cooking channel all the time what her opinion is. But..she does like Giada.
Those pictures are great of her...I almost didn't recognize her.
You are a stitch.
Mimi

Heidi said...

Whether Giada cooks Italian food or not is irrelvant since she clearly doesn't eat it. I say ban her!

Jillene said...

I am NOT a fan of Giada. I too can't stand looking at her cleavage the entire time. I have never used any of her recipes either.

I am a fan of Barefoot Contessa, and Paula Deen and sometimes Rachel Ray.

Kameron said...

I agreee that Lydia has much more to offer in the Italian cooking department! Giada annoys the heck out of me! Those giant teeth and matching cleavage are annoying!

theUngourmet said...

I have rarely watched her show. She just bugs me for some unexplained reason. She does, however, have some nice cleavage going on. I could do with out the sauce covered photos though.

Kimberly said...

While I too, enjoy a good cooking show, I will have to side with you. Giada is just after breast exposion not food deliverance.

Sevi said...

This just made me laugh out loud. I will agree with you Francesca.

Kim said...

She looks like Wynonna Judd in that middle picture. Wynonna Judd with blood dripping onto her knee.

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Francesca, you know I love ya, but am torn here. I don't like the pics of her, which floored me. I've always thought she looked a bit too thin and sickly, but love her accent, many of her recipes even though not all authentic, which she should really own up to, but she is a keeper as far as recipes go.
But hey, a break up over another chick, no way, you all are way above all that. ;) Hee hee, you all are so much fun.
By the way, the awards would not post, finally have them up, there are two for you all. Love ya,Tammy

Unknown said...

Long live Lidia!!!

Lisa@saltandlightstudio said...

Seriously those pics look downright "dirty" and not in an uncleanly kind of way!

That being said, I do not cook. BabyMama does not cook (KD doesn't count, right?) so we would be incapable of telling the difference between Carmen the Italian Guy's cooking and Carmen Miranda's cooking.

BlogBaby

Kailey said...

I kind of like her show, but I was warned before I saw it that it wasn't "real" Italian food. Interesting book recommendations!

Liz {Learning To Juggle} said...

Once I tried a Giada recipe....I will never try it again.

As for the tomato pics, is it wrong that the only thing I can thing of is shame on her for using canned tomatoes?

Fiauna said...

Hahaha. I love the post, but must remain neutral. I really don't have an opinion on this one. But, hahaha, just the same.

heidi said...

Francesca...you are a girl after my own heart. I loathe Giada. Refuse to watch her show. it's rubbish and trash and basically food porn for straight lonely guys.

Tell me your thought's on Jon & Kate and Oprah. Tread lightly, young grasshopper, as the wrong answer may break my heart.

Esther said...

I CAN'T STAND GIADA! I've never been able to watch her shows. I much prefer Mario Batali--now that's Italian cooking. I'm with you!

Lucia said...

I did not realize one had to look like a skank to cook 'well.' Guess I should go ditch my apron lol!

Ina all the way, baby!!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure that last shot isn't from a Friday the 13TH movie?~Mary
ps and her name always reminds me off an STD.

mary said...

LOL. hilarious post. She looks like she's trying to promote TrueBlood.

Unknown said...

Giada, known as Q-tip around our house, is fascinating to watch. I love a good train wreck. I can't decide if she's crazier than/less crazy than Sandra Lee from Semi-Home made.

Didn't Food Network fire Mario Batali for being a professional chef?

Jo said...

You know my dear, I must agree with you. The Italian women I remember from living in Naples were all a bit short, rather round and kind of old. Not one of them looked like that cooking show ho. Not one.

Holly said...

I've seen her on the Today show. She's cute and fun to watch, but those tomato pictures are kinda creepy.

Helene said...

Hmmmm, it looks more like she's drowning in her own blood in that last picture!! I honestly have never watched her. I'm more of a Sandra Lee semi-homemade kinda gal.

Tabitha Blue said...

Hahahaha, loved this!! What a fun post, and yeah, I'd rather my italian food come from someone who looks like they actually been cooking for awhile, not wrestling in the food! This will have me laughing all night!

:)
~Tabitha~

freshmommyblog.com

Mainly a midwife said...

Francesca, Thank you for raising these critical points. I'm with you... for actual Italian recipes you have to go with Lydia.
Perhaps the main Italian feature on Giada's show are her homegrown (if they are) ahem...how shall I say this...um, boobs.

Deb said...

I don't allow any woman skinnier than me to teach me about cooking. So I'm pretty much on my own.

Ali said...

Totally agree.

My husband loves Giada. He is often put in the doghouse for that.

Giada and I had babies around the same time. Giada looks like, well, Giada. I look a bit more like Lidia.

Kelli said...

I've always liked Giada. I don't think her recipes are genuine Italian, but I like that she gives an American twist to traditionally Italian dishes.
But those photos? Wow. Um, as someone who works in advertising, I see the thought behind it. But as a woman, I don't. I don't like them at all. Why would you try to sell to women like that? Because you know men aren't buying tomatoes (or any tomato product or whatever she was trying to help sell).
So plant me firmly in the middle. I choose no side!

Pami said...

I have never saw Giada's food show just now and again on the morning shows never thought of checking into her Italian cooking which I LOVE ITALIAN I always liked her but I might be a little more skeptical now thanks for bringing this to my attention, I love to cook but I want the real deal

Grand Pooba said...

Ok so do I get extra points for having not even heard of this Giada?

But I'm on your side Fran.

Mrsbear said...

I'm not a huge fan of Giada, I think her head's too big for her body...but she annoys me less than Rachel Ray, so I guess I'm not much help...

Ann Imig said...

You are hilarious. I watched Giada once and her voice bugged the shit out of me. Yes, she is very pretty and I'm sure she both brings home the bacon AND fries it up in the pan. But its probably pancetta.

xo,
Ann

Technodoll said...

But I looove her show! She showed me how to make a good vegetable chowder!

OK I admit, half the reason I watch is to oogle her luscious bosom. I know this because I mute the TV to better focus.

Please don't tell my husband!

Jen said...

Alright, I hear your arguments and agree in part. I have spent time at the Cordon Bleu and understand the desire for authenticity. And, after growing up with my mother's best friend who is Sicilian and learning the ways of the old country, Giada's Italian "lite" at times leaves much to be desired. But, for those who don't know the difference between an aubergine and an eggplant (none), she can strike the right note. The cleavage brings in that oh so important demographic - under sexed, over wrought stay at home dads who need something to make for dinner. Mario Batali just wouldn't look as good in tighty whiteys drenched in tomato sauce.

ShadowsTomes said...

The only thing good about the Giada show is that well..it distracts my husband! I can usually put her show on and say things like "baby when your done watching can you ...(Fill in household chore)" and his reaction is usually "uh huh...*drool*"

Five Moms & A Blog said...

Francesca,

Thanks for the sweet comment, the follow and thanks for stopping by yesterday for my post!
You are too funny!
Mimi

Heather said...

My mom LOVES Lidia, she's always talking about her, and trying to push her on me. My Italian cooking doesn't go past spaghetti and lasagna.

Eve said...

I completely agree with Francesca! Giada is a little off.
;)

Jennifer said...

haha, so funny! One of my best friends looks EXACTLY like her! crazy huh?

ck said...

Dearest Francesca,

As one who hails from the Garden State Palombos, I'd like to note my mom, my 6 aunts, my grandmother and I all wear matching white dresses when we stomp the tomatoes before making gravy.

We just do.

It's family tradition.

(And for some unknown reason it makes our breasts look just as fantastic as Giada's.)

Sincerely,
CK

peewee said...

I do not know how ON EARTH I missed this post?!?!? I was reading through old twitters and found it! UGH! I feel like I missed your wedding or something. I AGREE!!! I HAVE ALWAYS AGREED!!