So I'm a big fan of the Great British Baking Show (I think it's the Great British Bake Off in the UK?) and I tried baking Paul Hollywood's English muffin recipe (we may be a little behind in the US!). Anyway, they sounded easy enough, but those things were pretty darn tricky to make, but three batches in, I think I'm getting there. They just need a little butter.... I need to figure out what to bake next....
As a former chef, I watch a few destination restaurant shows (ie where to get a great steak, bacon, etc) and occasionally Restaurant Impossible. One day I seen a chef on the Today show (NBC) making meatballs that supposedly was super awesome. I have my own recipe for them, but was intrigued to see his way. I remembered everything he said/did and tried it out. They were merely ok. That was the only time. If you are using butter, try to use organic/grass fed butter. The taste is SO much better and it really shows in cakes, pies and other recipes. Trust me!
No, but I do feel like I'd be a good judge since I know all the complaints they're going to say before they say them XD;;; Also, the ones I watch don't really give recipes~ I like Chopped and anything with Gordon Ramsey in it~~ If you haven't watched the F Word ("the f word is food" pft, yeah sure, Gordon XD;; ) I really recommend it~ He gives recipes and raises animals that he will slaughter for his finale meal... it's really sad T.T He had such a hard time with the pigs he raised T.T And he finally admitted that he could understand vegetarians... as he was eating ham XD;;;;
I remember seeing some recipes on Steven & Chris and I thought that they would be easy to make... Let's just say that none of them ended well.
I've made a few things from Youtube channels, namely DadCubed's 'Secret Recipes', and Hannah Hart's 'My Drunk Kitchen'. That kind of counts.
I've watched a few of CupcakeGemma's vids on YouTube. I also watch GBBO when it's on, but that finished a few weeks ago. Barefoot Contessa is my guilty pleasure and I love Diners, Drive-ins and Dives too.
I can't recall ever making anything seen on a cooking show, but it's possible I did at some point... I can say for sure I've learned things from some cooking shows, and applied tips. And I made some onion soup inspired by a Julia Child recipe. And speaking of Julia Child... I really like her first show (The French Chef) in glorious black and white. She was always interesting, and taught valuable basics. An onion soup show not only gave a recipe for onion soup, but helpful tips about caring for knives, and how to quickly cut that big mountain of onions. Another thing I liked about her: she used real world equipment. She actually praised once a cheap non-stick pan for omelettes over the fancy $$$$ pan. And I don't think think she ever sold her name for cheap, made in China crap cookware, like some of today's star chefs.