Get Your Fill of Food Network Chefs

I received this book as a gift about a year ago. While I enjoyed reading through it, I probably would not have purchased it for myself. The book is a compilation of recipes and information about 11 of the Food Network's most popular celebrities - and it's actually as much of a fan book as it is a functional cookbook.

Food Network Favorites devotes roughly 20 pages to each celebrity chef, and the Food Network staff has chosen about 10 of their favorite recipes from each one. At 250 pages, I think they could have packed in more than 120 recipes. About half of each chef's "spread" is devoted to chef photos, Q&A pages, and quotes or background info.  I find all of this interesting, of course, but it's more something I would check out of the library than have on my cookbook shelf. For me, the appeal of these celebrities is in their food - not necessarily their personal lives or their looks. (When Brett Favre gets a cooking show, I'll watch it every day - I don't care if he makes stewed poop!)

There are photos of some finished recipes, and detail photos showing many of the techniques, like how to trim an artichoke. But, only a small percentage of the photos are of food. The editors do an excellent job of providing notes on unusual or hard-to-find ingredients and their own personal tips for the recipes. There's also a chapter at the end with some recipes by the behind-the-scenes Food Network staff.

There are pros and cons to having all the chefs together in one cookbook. Obviously, you get a lot of variety in the flavors, complexity levels and cooking styles which is nice. On the other hand, if you're already a fan of some of these chefs and own some of their cookbooks or get the recipes online, then you probably already have some of the recipes represented in Food Network Favorites. And having such a wide variety of skill levels and flavors probably means that any given reader will only want to use a portion of the actual recipes.

Here's a brief rundown of the featured chefs and their styles...
Alton Brown: He's known for being a gadget guy who uses things in unusual ways and taking a scientific look at cooking. Recipes include corn dogs, eggplant pasta (where the pasta IS the eggplant),  and red snapper en papillote (using a stapler to make sure your parchment stays shut).

Bobby Flay: He originally got started with a grilling show on Food Network, uses a lot of spice and southwestern flavors blended with ethnic flavors from around the world. Almost all of his featured recipes involve the grill - even Charred Corn Guacamole.

Dave Lieberman: He's all about making fairly basic food for a reasonable amount of money - geared toward younger, beginning cooks. Recipes include black bean soup, grilled veggie panini, and Spicy Coconut Shrimp with Mango-Basil Salsa & Lime Jasmine Rice.  

 Emeril Lagasse: A culinary master at a time when lots of Food Network stars seem more celebrity than chef. Got his start with Creole cooking, but does a lot of globally-influenced food. Recipes include Pork & Chorizo Burger with Green Chile Mayo and Fried Oyster Salad with Buttermilk Dressing with Jalapeno-Corn Relish. His Stuffed Chicken Legs in Puff Pastry with Andouille Cream is one of the most labor-intensive in the book - but man, it sounds great!

Giada de Laurentis: She focuses on bringing traditional Italian flavors to busy American home cooks. Her recipes are among the easiest and least time-consuming in the book, including Spaghetti with Asparagus, Smoked Mozzarella & Prosciutto and Chocolate Amaretti Cake.

Mario Batali: Mario's style is almost opposite Giada - he demands authenticity (and often obscurity) in his Italian cooking. I find it telling that the Food Network staff write, "...we'd never even heard of cardoons until he asked for them." Thankfully, most of the recipes here include ingredients you will be able to find (and alternatives are suggested for some hard-to-find ones). Clam Saute, Osso Bucco with Toasted Pine Nut Gremolata and Rum & Ricotta Fritters are a few of his recipes.

Michael Chiarello: I find it ironic that Michael's show is called "Easy Entertaining" but his recipes involve tons of steps, labor-intensive preparation and often take a couple of days to make. His cooking typically blends a little of his Italian heritage with California's Napa Valley regional favorites. His Salami Salad with Tomatoes & Mozzarella is super-simple, however! Other recipes include homemade tomato soup and Baby Back Ribs with Espresso Barbecue Sauce.

Paula Deen: Paula's known for Southern home cooking, and her liberal use of butter, cream and mayo. Recipes include Stuffed Pork Chops with Grits, Tomato Pie and the fancy-sounding (but quite easy) Seared Diver Scallops with Bacon & Whole-Grain Mustard Rub & Crème Fraiche Mashed Potatoes.

Rachael Ray: Rachael's all about quick and easy cooking filled with flavor. I find her a little annoying to watch on TV, but actually like most of her recipes. Buffalo Popcorn Chicken Bites, Make-Your-Own-Taco Bar, and Quick Peaches and Golden Raisins Cobbler are some of her offerings.

Tyler Florence: Tyler's all about taking a tried-and-true favorite and tweaking it to perfection. You'll find recipes for his Ultimate Roast Chicken, Ultimate Cheesecake and Fried Crab Wontons with Sesame-Soy Dipping Sauce.

Wolfgang Puck: A chef who puts his classic training to work on a wide range of global flavors. Beef Goulash, Sachertort,  and Pizza with Caramelized Onions & Crispy Bacon are some of the featured recipes.

I'd recommend this book primarily for those readers who are big fans of several of the featured chefs. If you want lots of people photos and some behind-the-scenes scoop, you'll be happy. If it's primarily the food and recipes you're after, I think you will find it lacking.