Giada at Home

I appreciate the guest post, Jamie Guy

With good reason, Giada at Home is one of Food networks most successful TV shows. Nominated for two daytime Emmy awards, Giada at Home has it all, good Italian cooking and baking, party planning tips and a very likable host. She has one of those seemingly gentle personalities and while I'd probably find it annoying in person, on screen her over emphasis of emotion is essential to a culinary show. They usually have her work out of a kitchen in a rented Malibu home or out on the beaches Malibu, which really gives the show a laid back California feel.
One thing I especially enjoy is the added element of having to plan for a large number of guests. In fact, the show has helped in planning my own parties as I have a better idea of timing things baking and cooking Giada's recipes. Most cooking shows make a small amount and tell you to just double the ingredients the more you make; however, they rarely give you a good indication of cook or bake time for your additional portions. I've had to undergo many a trial and error to adjust the heat or time required to have a portion multiplied dish come out as well as it would had I made it with the exact portion shown on TV. This is why I will continue to check out this show via DIRECT.TV.