The Cooking Channel opened for business last year. That meant I had to throw more dollars to the cable company to feed my appetite for all things food. The channel was pitched to be the younger, hipper, "edgy" version of food programing. God knows I'm none of the above, but I like it. It was nice to see long time favorites Jaime Oliver and Bobby Flay in new formats. It was fun to meet the Canadian Chefs and it had to be a smaller investment to rebroadcast old shows to a new audience. It works and is, hopefully, profitable .
I've taken an interest in how the food media works. I came to the conclusion that it is not all about recipes. It is all about lifestyle. Have you ever noticed in magazines the pictures are not only of food but of happy, smiling, slender, perfectly coiffed people with wine in hand? No one spills food or wine on themselves. It is a very controlled situation, perfectly lit and styled. The same for the television. Case in point: David Rocco's Dolce Vita. I submit that this show has a strong base of wonderful recipes but sells itself as a lifestyle. Gorgeous husband and wife team cavort to picture perfect rustic locations in Italy. They hang out with an eclectic band of characters while drinking wine and espresso. They ride scooters, fast cars, sailboats and bicycles all while perfect music is playing. He is often shirtless and she, in a bikini. Looks like a grand lifestyle and they make a living at it. Never mind that they are followed by fleet of cameras, sound gear, stylists, editors and production people. I bet they work long hours to make all this appear so carefree. I believe the magic. As the perfect sum of my equation I looked up Scripps Networks, the corporate owners of the not only The Cooking Channel but also The Food Network, Travel, DIY, HGTV, and GAC. Their logo says "the leader in lifestyle media." I guess I'm late to the party.
Now I just have to figure out how to apply lifestyle to my blog. Might have to rent some perfect people and take their photos. Off with the shirts and on with the bikinis!
The recipe for insalata di fagioli e tonno is on David Rocco's web site. I made it without tuna this time. Believe the magic!
I've taken an interest in how the food media works. I came to the conclusion that it is not all about recipes. It is all about lifestyle. Have you ever noticed in magazines the pictures are not only of food but of happy, smiling, slender, perfectly coiffed people with wine in hand? No one spills food or wine on themselves. It is a very controlled situation, perfectly lit and styled. The same for the television. Case in point: David Rocco's Dolce Vita. I submit that this show has a strong base of wonderful recipes but sells itself as a lifestyle. Gorgeous husband and wife team cavort to picture perfect rustic locations in Italy. They hang out with an eclectic band of characters while drinking wine and espresso. They ride scooters, fast cars, sailboats and bicycles all while perfect music is playing. He is often shirtless and she, in a bikini. Looks like a grand lifestyle and they make a living at it. Never mind that they are followed by fleet of cameras, sound gear, stylists, editors and production people. I bet they work long hours to make all this appear so carefree. I believe the magic. As the perfect sum of my equation I looked up Scripps Networks, the corporate owners of the not only The Cooking Channel but also The Food Network, Travel, DIY, HGTV, and GAC. Their logo says "the leader in lifestyle media." I guess I'm late to the party.
Now I just have to figure out how to apply lifestyle to my blog. Might have to rent some perfect people and take their photos. Off with the shirts and on with the bikinis!
The recipe for insalata di fagioli e tonno is on David Rocco's web site. I made it without tuna this time. Believe the magic!
8 comments:
My bikini days are over - but I still enjoy creating in California a lifestyle that makes me happy. Ever think that people who live elsewhere look at us as living carefree, eternally good weather lifestyles? It always amuses me.
Retirement is my lifestyle! Do not photograph my hair.
:)
Zoomie- Cali rules! But don't tell anyone.
Cookiecrumb-Can I follow you around with a video crew? The retirement lifestyle would sell. We can cover hair with a cap.;)
Hey! Me like-a the design revision. Classy, sassy, gassy.
Cookiecrumb - Thanks. The gassy comes from eating the bean salad
A version of this salad (Marcella Hazan's recipe) was always on the big table for my Christmas Eve open house back when I did things like that. One of my son's friends loved it so much he would arrive early and just about clean me out, so I learned to make more and keep a lot in reserve in the kitchen. He came to a party at my daughter's house last year and I arrived with a big bowl of the tuna/bean beauty, much to his surprise and delight. It's a fine dish.
I was amazed at how fast we consume it. Every time I make it I increase the amount I make. April likes it for lunch on top of a green salad or leftover veg.
Post a Comment