What TV Shows Do Chefs Watch?

Chef California

Tyler Florence is a fan of "The Americans," which he calls "cloak and dagger at its finest."

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Francois Payard

Sometimes I like to watch the Food Network. One of my favorites on the Food Network is “Restaurant: Impossible.” I like it. It’s very cool. The guy who worked with me tonight sometimes works with the chef [Robert Irvine] and I like it because it’s not just a competition. I like it because he really helps people to make their lives on track and give them advice. The food is whatever it is, but it’s more than just about the food. And I love the designer girl [Taniya Nayak?]…She comes up with some good ideas, incredible, for $10,000. Okay, they don’t pay labor, but you can’t come up with anything in America anymore for $10,000. I think an architect needs to be like a chef. You don’t have to eat caviar every day, or to use foie gras. You can cook a great meal under $20, and you can cook another meal for $250, but you know what, you still have a meal. Same thing for design. This girl, she comes up with so many ideas, using old wood in different colors to make a centerpiece. These are ideas I love to see because I love people who are creative.

Richard Reddington (Redd + Redd Wood)

“Sports Center.” I watch the Food Network a little bit, but I can’t say I tune into anything in particular.

Jonathon Sawyer (The Greenhouse Tavern + Noodlecat)

I don’t have cable, so I watch shows that come on Hulu, or I can buy on iTunes. I watch “The Walking Dead.” That’s pretty much it. I catch a couple of my wife’s shows: “Law & Order” and “Revolution.” Not too much TV time.

Susan Spicer (Bayona + Mondo)

On Sunday, my husband likes “Justified.” We watch “Justified,” a good Southern melodrama. I still like “Project Runway.” I don’t ever watch cooking shows, almost never…I like some of the HBO Sunday things, “Game of Thrones.”… Jaime Lannister is an interesting guy. We’ll see what happens with him. I don’t think he’s a good guy. I’m not supposed to be rooting for him, I don’t think. I just enjoy watching it. It’s fun to look at. I like the visuals.

Rick Tramonto (Restaurant R’evolution, Tramonto Steak and Seafood, Osteria di Tramonto, RT Lounge)

I just got into “The Following.” I’m really into “The Following.” I love “New Girl.” That’s a very funny, funny show.

Geoffrey Zakarian (The Lambs Club, The National Bar & Dining Rooms, The Water Club, Ocean Blue)

I don’t watch a lot of TV because I don’t have a lot of time, but I am a CNBC junkie…I love economics and finance and politics. I watch the Golf Channel. I really the STARZ series “Magic City,” which is in its second season. I don’t have a lot of time. I wake up at 6 in the morning and I’m back at midnight.

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Joshua Lurie

Joshua Lurie founded FoodGPS in 2005. Read about him here.

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