Hot stuff: Television cooking shows teach how to take the shortcut to a lover's heart this Valentine's Day

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Posted: 2/9/09

"Top Chef: New York"
Wednesday, 10 p.m. on Bravo

Thrown into a foreign kitchen with ingredients bought on a budget, contestants on Bravo's reality show "Top Chef" are always one mistake away from elimination - or losing a finger.

Now in its fifth season, Bravo's last surviving competition for professionals (rest in peace, "Project Runway") scours the globe for the world's best culinary innovators. Some are classically trained in French techniques; others grew up cooking next to grandma and learned everything through experience. All are competing for the title and prestige of being the next "Top Chef."

For these knife-wielding contestants, it comes down to the final seconds as all the elements make their way to the plate. The food not only has to look good, but it has to taste good, too.

Each episode tests the chefs' technical skills against the clock and the judges' palates. The panel of judges consists of famed food critics and chefs with a guest judge, like superstar restaurateurs Rocco DiSpirito or Eric Ripert.

Elimination challenges deal with all aspects of today's kitchen maven - technique, taste, on-camera personality - while dealing with the pressure cooker of the contest. Viewers might not learn how to cook, but it's at least entertaining.

Whether it's for a boyfriend or a girlfriend, take note from their successes and failures in the kitchen. And, be extra creative in the kitchen this Valentine's Day.

"30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray"

There are two schools of thought about Rachael Ray: Either you could eat her up with a spoon, or you think the cutesiness in "30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray" is a bit hard to stomach.

In the moments when she's not shouting with her hands or using catchphrases like "yum-o!", Rachael Ray has a good thing going. Her casual cooking show is just right for the modern cook-by-necessity.

On "30 Minute Meals," Rachael Ray runs around her kitchen showing every step of preparation for simple dinners and desserts. The show usually starts with her gathering all her equipment and ingredients in one shot (this keeps her hands momentarily occupied and gives the viewer some relief). The recipes are posted on foodnetwork.com in advance so viewers can buy the ingredients and cook while they watch - if they can keep up.

This week the show will feature meals for two in honor of Valentine's Day. That will prompt Rachael Ray to insist that couples dine in, and remind viewers to multiply everything by two to make her usual serving size at least three times.

Each regular episode features up to three easy recipes of Rachael Ray's creation. She makes a variety of mish-mosh foods to keep things interesting - quesadillas, shepherd's pie, chicken and broccoli, mac and cheese - but there's very little art to her cooking.

That's what makes her popular. She is the every-cook. She wears jeans and a T-shirt and uses equipment viewers probably own. She breezed onto Food Network from someone's big, Italian dinner table. So if you can get past all her "e-v-o-o's" and "mm-mm's," you might just want to pinch her cheeks.

"No Reservations"

Between Anthony Bourdain's snarky commentary, the exotic locales and native dishes, "No Reservations" is a treat to watch, especially for those scared of traveling in foreign crowds or eating rotten fish in Iceland.

Bourdain's views are beautifully blunt. When something sucks, he says just that. And you'll know when he loves something, too ("I'm a total egg slut," he admitted in a recent episode in Chicago).

While in the Windy City, Bourdain downed a "mother-in-law," which is a hot dog combination sure to give you indigestion just like its namesake. Later, the New York City native learned to love Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

"I don't know that I'd call it 'pizza,'" Bourdain jokes on his blog. "It's something special. Some kind of crusty, tomatoey, cheesy casserole or something - with delightfully fresh toppings. If you're planning a visit to Chicago, go buy whatever that stuff is."

For those of you wanting to treat your loved one to something a bit unusual this Valentine's Day, just watch an episode of "No Reservations" for great dinner ideas. Bourdain also posts recipes on the show's Web site.

Then again, if you want a real gastronomical thrill, tune in tonight (10 p.m. Eastern) for Bourdain's exploration into food porn.