Ah, the food wars.
It’s no secret that No Reservation‘s Anthony Bourdain doesn’t exactly love what the Food Network has to offer. If you’ve ever watched his show (one of the best on TV), you would have gathered that from the frequent jabs at celebrity chefs Sandra Lee, Paula Deen and Rachael Ray.
His Travel Channel show is not the only place where Bourdain hits out at the Food Network lineup. The outspoken food personality recently spoke to TV Guide Magazine and had this to say:
About Paula Deen:
The worst, most dangerous person to America is clearly Paula Deen. She revels in unholy connections with evil corporations and she’s proud of the fact that her food is fucking bad for you. If I were on at seven at night and loved by millions of people at every age, I would think twice before telling an already obese nation that it’s OK to eat food that is killing us. Plus, her food sucks.
He went on to say he is glad he’s not Guy Fieri and ask why Rachael Ray even bothers to cook anymore.
His criticism of Paula Deen made its way to Twitter, where his @NoReservations account has been pretty active since yesterday:
@NoReservations
Anthony Bourdain@SoPaulaDeen No. The FN cook worst for America. As a person? I’m sure she’s very nice.
1 day ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
@NoReservations
Anthony Bourdain@NOLABravesFan Paula hardly the worst person in America. Just most destructive influence on FN. Nice lady, though, yes? 1 day ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
@NoReservations
Anthony BourdainA cheeseburger between donuts is no kind of “Southern” cooking. It’s just bad cooking. 19 hours ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
@NoReservations
Anthony BourdainWhat was Jesus’s position on gout? 19 hours ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
Bourdain then links to a Paula Deen recipe on FoodNetwork.com
@NoReservations
Anthony Bourdain“ I give you the “horrific” “Lady’s Brunch Burger” http://t.co/j22KznB (yikes)” this erodes our military readiness! 19 hours ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
@NoReservations
Anthony BourdainI love red beans and rice. Do I need it between pancakes? 19 hours ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto
Paula Deen has yet to respond on Twitter, but she did talk to the NY Post about Bourdain’s comments.
“Anthony Bourdain needs to get a life,” she said. “You don’t have to like my food, or Rachael’s, Sandra’s and Guy’s. But it’s another thing to attack our character.”
She went on to discuss how her cooking has helped to feed millions of hungry people and asks what Bourdain has done to contribute “besides being irritable.”
“You know, not everybody can afford to pay $58 for prime rib or $650 for a bottle of wine. My friends and I cook for regular families who worry about feeding their kids and paying the bills . . . It wasn’t that long ago that I was struggling to feed my family, too,” she said.
What do you think? Is a doughnut burger bad for an already obese America? Let us know in the comments.