I’m a huge fan of both Ina and Giada. I could watch Ina Garten ’s Barefoot Contessa or Giada De Laurentiis ’ Everyday Italian on a constant loop. I love the look of their shows and their recipes. After all, it was Giada who got me into fritattas and Ina who made me a coconut cupcake addict. So I was thrilled to hear that both ladies have new shows airing this fall, at least in the U.S. (Unfortunately for us Canucks, we’ll have to wait for Food Network Canada to acquire the shows. Be sure to check this blog for updates.) Ina’s new show coincides with the October launch of her new cookbook, both titled Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics . The book is all about taking simple ingredients and unlocking what Ina refers to as their "essence". That translates into dishes such as Roasted Pears with Blue Cheese, to Tuscan Lemon Chicken marinated in fresh lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary. In the Back to Basics program, Ina, as I understand it, will help viewers throw cocktail parties, rather than just cook for her own friends and family. Giada, who looks fabulous despite having just given birth to her first child , is back with a new show of her own called Giada at Home (not to be confused with Jamie at Home or Chef at Home ). The new program, which starts airing in October, will give us more of a glimpse into Giada’s personal life. Giada at Home promises to feature a certain “ tiny assistant from time to time ." (How cute is that?) Although Giada is a bit more glam and Ina is a bit more of a homebody, I find them both very likable. This all got me thinking. If I had to choose either Giada or Ina to hang out with for a day, who would I pick? While I would love to hang out at Ina’s gorgeous house and her dream kitchen in the Hampton’s, it would be equally fun to chill with Giada and her baby daughter in her fabulous L.A. kitchen. It's your turn to weigh in... If you had to choose one of these ladies to hang out with, who would you pick and why?

With all the Gordon Ramsay madness last week , I’m a bit late with this post so forgive me if this seems like yesterday’s news. But I just found out that Food Network US nabbed eight nominations for the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards . The Emmys are considered the TV equivalent to the Oscars. New mom Giada De Laurentiis leads the Food Network nominations with three nods. Her show Everyday Italian was nominated for Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle Show and for Outstanding Lifestyle Program, alongside British chef Nigella Lawson’s Nigella Express . The two sexy hosts were also nominated for Outstanding Lifestyle Host along with Barefoot Contessa’s Ina Garten and Boy Meets Grill’s Bobby Flay. Perhaps the oddest nomination goes to Sandra Lee who hosts Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee for Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling. I’m not making this up, this is a legitimate category. I haven't seen the show since we don’t get her show here in Canada, but Anthony Bourdain, never one to mince words, definitely has some strong opinions about her . Having interviewed both Nigella Lawson and Ina Garten , I have a soft spot for both these ladies, but I hear that Giada is one of the nicest people around. Having only seen Bobby in action but not actually having met him, I can only say he comes across a bit more intense than the ladies. What do you think of the nominations? Who are you rooting for in the Outstanding Lifestyle Host category? The winners will be announced on June 20, 2008.

Did you know Food Network US launched on November 22, 1993 with a show called Food News and Views ? And that one of the co-hosts, Donna Hanover , is now better known for being the publicly-spurned wife of former New York mayor Rudolph Guiliani? I came across these interesting morsels in a Newsday article on the history of the Food Network US. Food News and Views was followed by Talking Food , a call-in show hosted by Robin Leach . You may remember him as the guy with the poncy accent on the now-defunct TV show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous . Now back in 2003 the network basically alternated between these two programs. My how times have changed! Fast forward 15 years and the Food Network now boasts more than 140 hours of programming each week with more than 65 hours filled by shows hosted by seven personalities with Rachael Ray leading the pack. Here are the top six: Rachael Ray : 14 hours (that’s 10% of total programming) Alton Brown : 12.5 hours Bobby Flay : 9.5 hours Paula Deen : 8.5 hours Giada De Laurentiis and Ina Garten (tie): 7.5 hours each In the Newsday article Mario Batali , who was a guest on Robin Leach’s show, laments the network’s move from the “dump and stir” format (straight cooking shows) to "reality” based shows, while the higher ups defend themselves by saying they need to change with the times. I'm definitely behind the times because I still tend to favour “dump and stir” shows like Chef at Home and French Food at Home , although I do enjoy Glutton for Punishment . Mind you these are Canadian shows; they don't get all of them south of the border. What are your thoughts on "dump and stir" vs. reality cooking shows? Please post your comments below.