For me, it's Paula Deen. The food looks repuslive and loaded with calories, and I can't stand the down-home Southern goodness.

where do i start? Sandra lee, the new guy who lost the "next food network star", alton brown? on the plus side, bobby flay and any of the other iron chefs and of course anthony bourdain.

Emeril, hands down. If any of my friends said "Bam!" that much, I'd punch them in the nose. Why don't Emeril's friends punch him in the nose? Because they're not true friends.

Sandra Lee's annoying too, but she's easier to avoid. Rachel Ray's pretty annoying.

What's wrong with Bobby Flay? There are many ways to criticize him, but he's not actually annoying. Same with Mario, even with the shoes.

And I actively like watching Chris Kimball and Alton Brown (even with the new facial hair).

All names listed are big names that I have heard criticism of some sort or another. I should note that just because a name is listed doesn't mean that I personally like or dislike that individual.

Rachel Ray - the charm of a small rodent.
Anthony Bourdain - the arrogance and swagger of a very pretentious man.
Emeril - has not done anything new in 5 years.
Sandra Lee - fake everything.
Paula Deen - sexual innuendo per minute is astounding.

Sandra Lee... my mom loves her, and every time she brings her up I tell her that she's Sara Lee's evil twin.

Rachael Ray is a close second though... that broad is everywhere, and I hate it when she says "EVOO." So cutesy, bleah!

SL, hands down. The rest all have problems, but are palatable.

It's gotta be Sandra Lee, even if I good friend of mine likes her :)

Rachel Ray is annoying too, but she at least cooks, instead of just assembling pre-made items, many of which should never go together.

paula dean is possibly the most annoying woman to ever walk the planet, and even better, she clearly doesnt give a tiny rat's ass how terrible her food is for your body. i really cant muster any respect for chef's who make food that may taste good, but just makes you feel lousy after a few hours of digestion..

Why is "Big Head" not mentioned here? Giada annoys me. I can't stand the music in the backgroud of that show, and her tiny hands, over-expressions, and ego to match her, literally, big head, get on my nerves. Why is she so small if she eats pasta all the time? (And this coming from a small person.)

Agreed. If Giada was there, I would have voted for her hands down. As it is, Bobby Flay always seems smug and he might be a good cook, but it rarely comes through. I don't get to watch Iron Chef very often though so his best efforts might not be in my sights. On a similar note, FoodTV has gotten their hooks in Michael Ruhlman, writer of "Making of a Chef", for the Next Iron Chef America. So that's bound to be a little interesting.

I'm with ya, Robin! That segment at the end of Giada's show where she fake eats some of the dishes makes me ill. At least Paula Deen practices what she preaches and eats (and enjoys!) her food.

I think Sandra Lee takes the cake here. Paula Deen, I don't like, but some of her recipes are quite good. And Rachael Ray - too freakishly upbeat. Smugness in people like Bourdain and Flay doesn't bother me as those happen to be amazing chefs...

Bourdain's particular genius is his ability to be, when the occassion calls for it, humble. The occassion rarely calls for it, but it's there in case it does. I've never seen that from Flay and I've never like his recipes. Despite all that, I hear from people who know(well, Bourdain being primary amongst them), that he's a very good chef. It just doesn't come through to me. He just seems like a jerk. Most of why I can't stand Giada is because of her show. Bourdain seems to think she can cook so that's a point in her favor. Now if they can just fire whoever's idea it was to make this show into a perfume commercial, her talent might shine through that ultrathin italian veneer.

For Bourdains two cents on this check out http://blog.ruhlman.com/ruhlmancom/2007/02/guest_blogging_.html

Ruhlman's blog is an awesome source of information and Bourdain blogs regularly on the state of foodtv there.

Also, I think Bourdain gives Rachel a bit of a bum wrap. For much of lower and middle class america, Miss Ray DOES elevate their food, which is frankly, very sad, but still true. I grew up in a trailer park and while my mother cooked easily above par from Ray with solid and healthy food combinations, the largest bulk of my friends would typically eat things like macaroni and cheese with hot dogs cut in. Mediocrity for a house hold that doesn't make much money or has very little time outside of work has an appeal. And that is Rachel is selling. A fast easy dish that will at least have SOME nutritional value. It's not something I personally would consider a good idea unless I was strapped for time and money, but I know families who are strapped for both and I have to applaud that one thing for Rachel. If people are eating her recipes in 30 minutes, then they aren't eating canned sloppy joes or McDonald's and that's a plus.

i have to agree with Shane. Good points. Though, i think they are ALL annoying to some degree. i think it's just because we are OVER-Saturated with these food celebrities. So, someone new gets introduced, and like the american diet, they go overboard and you get fed them too much...you get sick. Hmmm, maybe there should be a new RDA food celebrity pyramid. Like only 3 servings of martha a month, 2 of Emeril...etc...heh-heh. ^__~

Haha, great post!

For me, it was a toss up between Emeril Lagasse and Rachael Ray (by the way, you should just change the spelling of her name on the poll.)

I wound up choosing Emeril because while I find both annoying, when it comes down to it, I won't even stand to watch Emeril, but I might leave Rachael on in the background.

All Emeril does is say "Yea, baby" and "BAM!" But it's not funny.

I feel Bourdain is a fraud...He smokes, surely he doesn't have a good grasp on his taste buds. Wait until he gives them up to a year and then take what he has to say about food tastes seriuosly. Unless you are a smoker then follow you smoking leader. But please don't insult the rest of us that don't smoke and have taste buds more in tune without all the chemicals.

I HATE SANDRA LEE. Irrationally so, like whenever her show is on I will sit there and watch it and yell at the television. Wow, rereading my last sentence makes me sound crazy (which I swear I am not). I think the number one reason she annoys me is that she always adds these random ingrediants (like champagne extract- I have looked ever since she used it and never seen it) but never mentions the fact they are random and what you could use instead or if they are a must. Not that I have ever made any of her recipes. Yep I clearly issues, which I am sure are evident based on the lengh of this comment :)

Okokokokok....so now, imagine all these people that you've listed...

...in....bed...


EEEEEKKKKK!

Ray is simply ghastly. Everything from her chirpy voice to "EVOO" and the "garbage bowl". It makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Can she please just pocket the $30 and not subject the world to another scene of her gushing over a morsel of local fare?

I'm pretty sure I could endure (and possibly even enjoy) a road trip with both Paul and Rachel. Okay, maybe a short trip. But I'm almost definite that I'd leave Giada and Sara Lee at the first rest stop.

Seriously, why can't the Food Network generate more quality programming, without all the schlock and decolatage? What about giving a food anthropologist or food historian a shot? A nutritionist? How about news about the restaurant business? I would think there's lots of potential material at both the national and international level.

Why can't we get River Cottage in the USA?? Then these annoying people like Sandra Lee et al. would just disappear.

Ray is the anti-christ. She makes my skin crawl.

I actually saw Rachael Ray brand olive oil (and of course, it has a giant "EVOO" on the label and and a bright orange cap) in Kroger yesterday. Ugh.

Sandra Lee is annoying, but I watched a "Chefography" about her, and I have to give her props for overcoming a lot of personal stuff to get where she is. That does NOT mean, by any stretch of reason, that she can cook. She OPENS stuff. That's all.

I love me some Anthony Bourdain. I revere him, actually. I love the smug.

Rachael Ray!

I hate that lady.

Bourdain is a smart guy and he's knows what he's talking about when it comes to food, I think. He smokes, but most chefs smoke.

Bobby Flay is the worst. Nothing he cooks is remotely creative; his restaurants are nothing but show. This man, Bobby Flay, is an insult to chefs everywhere. "good god! mango salsa on a grill!" learn how to think with some imagination.

Rachel Ray - no inside voice!

And I am so sick of seing her insipid face on evrything.

I can see, from watching "The Next Food Network Star," that we have to remember they are getting these chefs, or cooks, based on some cooking ability, but largely on the entertainment factor, looks, personality, etc. So, we have to remember that. I agree with Ken. I've always thought Rachael would be fun to hang out with, not necessarily cook with. I enjoy Paula, and my roommate and I have fun trying to mimic her accent. She is purely entertainment, though. I would not make most of the things she does, for health reasons.

I also have to agree with Sunshine - even if Rachel gets on your nerves, at least she is keeping some people away from McDonald's.

It's Mario for me. It's hard to describe why, but he annoys the crap out of me. Even more than RR.

Rocco-haven't heard from him in a while, but watching his show a couple of years ago, he seems to be incredibly pretentious, which I find annoying.

Sandra "Semi-Ho-Maid" Lee-stop giving me those come hither looks while you're talking to me!!

My favorite food celebs are Alton Brown and Paula Deen. AB's quirky scientific approach is so fun. Paula's southern charm (which some find annoying) is enjoyable to me...and she's given me some good recipes (although i tend to leave out 75% of the butter she uses).

Sandra Lee doesn't even come close to being classified as a 'celebrity', so I will skip her.

Bobby is the most annoying to me. Arrogant. You can see it in the way he runs his staff on Iron Chef. Constantly, blaming them when he can't find things right in front of his nose. Morimoto had him pegged right when he criticised him for dancing on his cutting board way back when. Plus, how long can he ride his chipotle and pasilla schtick?

The saddest day was when he beat Rick Bayless on Iron Chef. Very sad.

Shane said "Anthony Bourdain - the arrogance and swagger of a very pretentious man."

True, Shane, true, but all great chefs are-somehow it is engraved in their DNA.

The most annoything then? RR! Who can stand looking at her smug smile on every cracker box in the snack aisle!

Another vote for Rachael Ray. I know she's not catering to actual chefs/line cooks (which is why she bugs me), but neither is the FN. And Emeril is sloppy. His audience is made up of trained seals stuck in a time warp. Seriously -- who still thinks he's clever after making the same jokes after 7 years? I've noticed that in the new seasons of 30 Minute Meals and the Essence of Emeril, they've put a softening filter on the camera to make the shows not look "live" anymore. I guess that's what they do when the "stars of the show" start looking like pudgy heifers. Bourdain can be as smug and obnoxious as he wants. He walks it and talks it and will eat it, too. I have to give him respect for that.

My least favorate is clearly Rachael Ray, but not because of the concept of her "30 Minute Meals". Although it has been some time since I have watched her show(s), she was in a phase where she presented the appearance of being on cheap drugs. She could say "Hi!" and act as though it were a great revalation and the funniest joke in the world at the same time. Just terrible.

Although I think Paula Deen in pretty much "what you see is what you get", I just cringe when she starts with her "just a little butta" routine as she dumps a whole stick on something. It reminds me why so many Southern men die before they should. But then again, the French do it, too. The medics call it, the French paradox.

Anthony Bourdain remains elusive as he makes so few appearances...at least that I manage to catch. His sharp, sardonic wit is not for everyone, but I find him both amusing and usually accurate. I would like to see him more often.

Paula Deen is far and away the most annoying, y'all.

I personally think Rachael Ray is rippin' hot. EVOO Oh my!

Has anyone else noticed that Nigella has lost her high placing in the 'who to revile' list since she packed on the pounds? Curious eh?
I only find food celebrities annoying when they are taking advantage of their celebrity to get in my face while giving nothing in return. Hell's Kitchen is the foremost example (Ramsay has some really nice instructive videos on YouTube) but there are many others.
I'll admit Paula (y'all) Dean and Chris (the windmill) Kimball can begin to wear but I'll continue to watch them and learn at least a little something each time.

I just have to say, I love the food network, but Sandra Lee annoys the hell out of me , she overrrrr annunciates, I watch her just to see how annoyed I can actually get, she's on right now I just want to pull my hair out.

Alton Brown without a doubt. He'd be fine if he'd just keep his big face a little bit further away from the camera. It bugs the crap out of me.

Favorite - Gordon Ramsay - he is pure genius. Cannot Stand - Sandra Lee

SANDRA LEE!!!! Everything that has an L or R in it becomes LLLLLemon, LLLLLOvely, delllllicious, LLLLLLime, OR Crrrrreamy, terrrrrific or grrrrrreat. She's a loose lush and she knows it. Those "cocktail times" are almost needed, to be able to stand her show and the fact that her bandana always matches her window treatments is just assault on injury. I also hate it when she demands that her viewers follow her orders: "Now I want you to put this.... or Then what I want you to do is....." Sometimes I find myself watching her with the same inexplicable fascination as watching a horrific train wreck. All this and she can't cook. What a food network piece of work! ************* Rachael Ray is a close second with her arm flapping and shouting, abreviating. The salt over the shoulder thing is just proof positive that she's the wack job everyone suspects that she is. My Faves are Alton Brown and Paula Deen (when she doesn't overuse her ya'll). They're genuine and fun to watch. Now in the category of slightly annoying, but tolerable: Giada is a bobble head with the same low cut cleavage-shirt in different colors and that "Cheshire Cat" smile that's really surreal and bizaare. Emeril speaks in precisely one note the WHOLE time, but seems to be a nice enough guy.

Rachael Ray is definitely annoying. When she says she is going to make "Sammies" (sandwiches), I throw up in my mouth a little. Lately, though, Paula Deen has exploded all over my TV set and smeared it with her greasy, over-exaggerated drawl and her even greasier cooking. By the way, the French can afford to put lots of butter in their food because they don't fry their food or eat it by the bucketfuls.

Well, I love Nigella...so beautiful. I like Mario because he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously, and that guy can cook! You all have pretty much hit the nail on the head about RachelRayFace. I do love Paula Deen, she's fun, but can get very annoying with her orgasmic faces when she tastes her food-I like to eat but not THAT much!!! Calm down lady. Sandra, poor Sandra what are we going to do with you?? Can your matchy, matchy get any more pretentious? Who has the time or the money to create a new kitchen set and tablescape every time they cook? Apparantly,YOU do. Last but not least,good ole Ina Garten. YUCK. Ugly, Obese, Smarmy. And that LAUGH, always at the most innappropriate times?? How does Jeffery put up with her? Oh yeah, he leaves for the week! Tell me, how does that woman end up with sooo many gay friends??? One does have to wonder...HMMM.

Gina Neely is the most annoying. She needs to tone herself WAY down. Then Paula Dean...the way she scarfs down her food is disgusting. I have to turn my head. And finally Rachael Ray. She's in love with herself (I saw it on "The Next Food Network Show...she was very rude to one of the contestants...eye opener!) and is very sloppy and her "Yum oh" and "delish" need to go.