Ask Aida Review

Those who know me, know I love the Food Network.  Give me my 30 minutes with Rachael Ray each day and I'm good to go.  I'm entertained; I pick up a few good tips; and my family gets another interesting dinner.  Nothing like variety to keep things interesting.

Well it seems my Tivo system knowing my thing for Rachael decided that I'd probably like a new Food Network show.  So, a couple of weeks ago suddenly there on the Now Playing list was Ask Aida.  It's spooky how Tivo gets to know you.

Ask Aida

If you haven't already seen it, the show pairs the smoking hot Aida Mollenkamp with her geeky side-kick buddy Noah Starr.  Both characterizations are meant in the best of ways.  This show works.

Aida does the cooking and answers the viewers questions, while Noah mans the computer, sorts through the emails and uploaded videos sent in by the viewers.

Yesterday's theme was Breakfast.  In response to viewers uploaded videos asking questions of her, Aida is going to show us how to make superior French Toast and fluffy buttermilk pancakes drenched in maple/blueberry syrup.

In recognition of the fact that we are living in the "Jerry Springer Age", viewers apparently have few qualms about revealing their ineptitude to us.  An example:

A viewer sends in a video saying that her white-bread based french toast falls apart, while her sourdough bread french toast is too thick.  She throws a piece of white bread into the whisked egg mixture then picks it out by the corner allowing the soggy mess to tear apart.  She then holds up a 2 inch thick chunk of sourdough bread.  Do we need a 30 minute show to help her?  Of course not.  Simply handle the white-bread more gently and slice your sourdough bread more thinly.  Case closed, mystery solved.

But, that doesn't make for good TV.  And, that's why I'm writing here and Aida is starring in her new show.  That and the fact that she's smoking hot, but I seem to recall I've said that already.

So, in setting up the show we're shown clips of what's to come and are told "you're going to want to stick a fork in my delicious french toast".  Relax.  I'm not going anywhere near that straight line.  This is, after-all a family friendly web-site.

Aida goes into her role as teacher, preparing first her french toast (using Brioche) and later prepares some outrageous pancakes and maple/blueberry syrup.  She has superb stage presence and has actually been trained as a chef.  With her stunning good looks one hardly notices the small pieces of egg shell that get whisked into the egg mixture.

While she goes about her business, geeky Noah gets her to field related questions emailed into the show in real time.  The pair work flawlessly together and while Aida is clearly the main attraction, Noah adds a sense of reality to the show that would be sorely missed without him.

Why it works

Not to belabor the point, but her Lara Croft-quality beauty keeps your attention on her.

But, beyond that, this lady can cook, communicate and teach without the slightest bit of condescension.

Noah's geek-factor is high but he has a winning personality and his presence keeps the show grounded.

The interactive nature of the show with Aida fielding questions either submitted through uploaded video or email gives the show a real here and now feel to it.

My Viewpoint

If you haven't already, I highly recommend you tune into this show Saturdays at 12:30 PM.  Or, of course ask your Tivo to record it for you.  You can also go to foodnetwork.com/aida to get more of her show including some of her best tips and full episodes.

I think you're going to like Ask Aida.

Rudi