Tyler Florence is Puffy Now

I remember when he wasn't so puffy. Foodsnobs moan and complain that he lent his name to Appleby's, but I still haven't s forgotten when Mr. Florence claimed that there is simple syrup in a Cosmopolitan. Bad Tyler! No Fajitas! I am still waiting for an apology.

It seems to me that when it comes to Rachel Ray, there are two kinds of people in the world, those who hate her and those who don't know who she is. Interestingly, I remain conflicted. On the one hand, I appreciate her homey and efficient approach to cooking. 30-Minute Meals makes unconventional flavors and creative cooking accessible to those who lack the time, money, patience, and confidence it takes to recreate the likes of Emeril or Wolfgang Puck. (Of course, she is hardly the only one who does this.) On the other, I find $40 a Day and Inside Dish to be characterized by an enthusiasm that is unifectious at best. At some point Ray realized that she became "Rachel Ray" and that is never a good thing.

Without going into a lot of detail, for now I give you my Top and Bottom Television Chefs, the reasons for which will be made clear as time goes on.

E.B's Top 5

*

5. Wolfgang Puck

4. Nigella Lawson

3. Jamie Oliver

2. Mario Batali

1. Alton Brown

*****

E.B.'s Bottom Ten

*

5. Gale Gand

4. Emeril Lagasse

3. Paula Deen

2. Giada De Laurentiis

1. Bobby Flay