Courtesy Pablo de Loy
Jose Andres, the chef-owner of Jaleo, Zaytinya, Cafe Atlantico and Oyamel, knows a thing or two about taking the kitchen to television. His first show, “Vamos a Cocinar” (filmed in his native Spain), has produced some 300 shows in prime time. And he’s now completed the first season of his PBS show, “Made in Spain.” (Lately, he was on CBS’ “The Early Show” on Monday morning.)
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But there’s one show he’s no fan of: Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” and its angry chef, Gordon Ramsay.
“It makes the profession look terrible,” he told us. “We don’t behave like that. We don’t mistreat anyone.”
For a bit of contrast, Andres appeared as a judge on Bravo’s “Top Chef” last week. “It’s no gimmicks,” he said. “It is what it is” — teams of chefs vying for culinary supremacy.
He said the producers had been trying to get him to be a judge since the first season, but he had scheduling conflicts with his other shows.
One thing’s for sure, he said: “I’ve never seen so many heads turn and heard so many things after [appearing on] Bravo.”
He said the day after the show aired, he was at the Penn Quarter Farmers Market, and he was constantly stopped by people who saw him on the show. “Wow,” he said, “everyone watches Bravo.”
