Nigella in Amsterdam

someone who worked on her shows revealed she does none of the cooking herself, but has minions who prepare everything and she swans in for close ups and poses.

I don't understand that. I've just watched a whole load of Nigella shows and she is absolutely standing chopping veg and herbs, mixing, putting things in the oven, on the hob. I'm sure that there are 'minions' too, after all they must do loads of takes. Unless the reference was to the 'Amsterdam' series, which I haven't seen. I really don't care that they are not filmed in her home/barge/wherever, that the snow is fake because they are filmed in Summer, that the 'friends' and family are paid employees - no one expects a TV programme to be real. I only watch to see her cook her recipes anyway, I find her quite relaxing.

I like Nigella always have she enjoys what she does and shows it. Some tv chefs and cooks don’t have charisma so their tv appearances are short lived. There are some who have tv programmes every year and books to cover them. I say bring it on it’s better than watching soap operas.

There are too many to mention if they inspire people to cook real food that’s a good thing. It saddens me to see families with trollies filled with ready meals. I spend most of my day in the kitchen preparing and cooking meals its how I was brought up.

Err did you read my post too quickly, Yoginimeisje? DH actually corrected my thinking it was all filmed on a barge.

He knows a lot more than that too!

Joseann

merlotgran is right that it's all in the presentation when it comes to TV shows. DH who used to work in the industry, (lighting director), said last night there was no way the Amsterdam kitchen was on a barge because you couldn't fit all the crew and minions into the space.

The cooking was all in her London home, not in Amsterdam and of course not on the barge, it was just all interspersed. Your H should know that!

Two hours, not jours!! (NOT in France now@)

Oh well, a bit of chopped nuts and herb sprinkling, and cream dolloping, does it for me! I've watched demonstrations by Michel Roux, Gordon Ramsay etc in real life and if you've got two jours to spare that's fine, although some people do nod off. A TV programme can only cover a few choice shots to grab attention.

GrannyGravy13

Glorianny

Never liked her, but was completely put off when someone who worked on her shows revealed she does none of the cooking herself, but has minions who prepare everything and she swans in for close ups and poses. And actually once you know that you can see it is happening. Didn't watch her in Amsterdam. I like the place and don't want to be put off it.

All TV chefs work with food stylists and ^prep chefs^

These are not "prep chefs" who as the name implies simply prepare the ingredients. These are the people who cook the food and prepare what is needed for each shoot. She then comes on set puts her hands into the bowl and poses for the shot. If you watch you will see she is never actually shown cooking. Some TV chefs don't do the pose and close up routine, but are filmed doing the actual cooking. Hers are all close ups on her hands, or other body parts, and her posing talking to camera.

Callistemon 21
People do know who your mother was if they were present at the birth, until DNA was discovered no one could prove who your father was.
My DH was involved in transplantation and many fathers who offered themselves as donors were proved to be no tissue match. They were told kindly they were not a good match not that they were not the recipient's father. Now DNA is used they know for certain if the father is the biological father and therefore could be a very good match.

Glorianny

Never liked her, but was completely put off when someone who worked on her shows revealed she does none of the cooking herself, but has minions who prepare everything and she swans in for close ups and poses. And actually once you know that you can see it is happening. Didn't watch her in Amsterdam. I like the place and don't want to be put off it.

All TV chefs work with food stylists and prep chefs

Calendargirl

I first saw Nigella years ago in a documentary with her first husband, John Diamond I think was his name. He was dying of cancer and it was about his ‘journey’ through it.

They had two young children. I was very impressed with how she loved and supported him, in what must have been a dreadful time for them all.

I watched that also, and shed many a tear.

I’m a fan, I think she’s great.

Bella23

maytime2

Bella - Her father Nigel Lawson was also Jewish, but according to his son, Dominic Lawson, journalist, was a non practising Jew

Sorry I must have missed that bit about her father, What I meant she is bound to be Jewish if her mother was it's a matriarchal system I have Jewish friends who explained it. You know who your mum is but your father?

You know who your mum is but your father?

😂 Bella23 my cousin went to a gathering of Huguenot descendants years ago and said that to someone - the woman was extremely offended!!

I do know who my father is because I look just like him apart from hair and eye colour (from my Mum!).

merlotgran is right that it's all in the presentation when it comes to TV shows. DH who used to work in the industry, (lighting director), said last night there was no way the Amsterdam kitchen was on a barge because you couldn't fit all the crew and minions into the space.

Glorianny

Never liked her, but was completely put off when someone who worked on her shows revealed she does none of the cooking herself, but has minions who prepare everything and she swans in for close ups and poses. And actually once you know that you can see it is happening. Didn't watch her in Amsterdam. I like the place and don't want to be put off it.

If you’ve ever seen her live show, you would know that Nigella makes no secret of the fact that she’s a food writer and presenter. She loves to cook but is no trained chef. There’s no need for behind the scenes workers to spill the beans. She’s happy to do that herself.

All TV cooks/chefs have back up from cooks and home economists. I won’t insult them by calling them minions. Nigella’s self deprecating but glamorous presenting style sets her apart from the likes of Jamie Oliver and other TV chefs. Who on earth would want them all to be the same?

I heard a very different side to Nigella from yours Glorianny. Apparently in that famous court case, one of Nigella's PAs told the court what a kind and generous employer she was . The PA spoke of how Nigella allowed her to bring her baby to work and buy necessities for the baby. I can put up with a bit of posing when I hear that!

I didn't watch it, I like her, so may try to find it on catch up. I think I was first introduced to her on a Nigel Slater programme, he's been on lately in the afternoon using up Christmas leftovers, I also really like his style of presenting. Have copies of both their books.

Never liked her, but was completely put off when someone who worked on her shows revealed she does none of the cooking herself, but has minions who prepare everything and she swans in for close ups and poses. And actually once you know that you can see it is happening. Didn't watch her in Amsterdam. I like the place and don't want to be put off it.

LadyGaGa

I really enjoyed Nigella - it cheered me up no end! Her ‘simple’ dishes that are full of weird and wonderful ingredients from her heaving cupboards. ‘Maybe you could use something similar from the supermarket’ 😂 Her special liquorice box, and of course her ‘nut bashing’ bag. She’s so glamorous and it’s one of the few new and Christmasy things on TV. I also love the party of ‘friends’ who um ahh and nod without speaking - presumably they’d have to be paid more if they spoke 😂 Long may she reign!

I love to see all the friends she has at her parties, They all chats to each other,,nodding and nibbling,,
One thing i find fascinating is that however little she makes,,everyone gets fed.

And one of my favourite bits is when she nips to the fridge for a late night nibble

I first saw Nigella years ago in a documentary with her first husband, John Diamond I think was his name. He was dying of cancer and it was about his ‘journey’ through it.

They had two young children. I was very impressed with how she loved and supported him, in what must have been a dreadful time for them all.

When she was first on tv she was normal,,now its like shes a bad actress. Sideways glancing at the camera,..smirking as shes mixing stuff up,,

I am not a fan. But then I'm not a fan of any cookery person/show.

I enjoy watching Nigella, her midnight snacks, don't make me feel so bad, and her cheerful ways, she loves what she does and her enthusiasm is infectious. Her Chocolate Fruit cake is delicious, from Feast.

I like watching Nigella. She makes me smile. Yes, it’s all rather tongue in cheek, maybe a bit silly, even, but fun. I agree, the way she was treated by her second husband gives her every right to show him that’s she’s back and getting on with her life - good on her, I say.

I really enjoyed Nigella - it cheered me up no end! Her ‘simple’ dishes that are full of weird and wonderful ingredients from her heaving cupboards. ‘Maybe you could use something similar from the supermarket’ 😂 Her special liquorice box, and of course her ‘nut bashing’ bag. She’s so glamorous and it’s one of the few new and Christmasy things on TV. I also love the party of ‘friends’ who um ahh and nod without speaking - presumably they’d have to be paid more if they spoke 😂 Long may she reign!

Years ago DsiL bought DD2 the kimono style dressing gown that Nigella wore as she wafted around the kitchen dreamily nibbling late night snacks or mixing cocktails.

I’m sure DD would have been happy to enter into the spirit had she not just given birth to their third child. 😂