Cooking Channel: Eden Eats-Phoenix

[phxmacbear]

I just stumbled across the Phoenix episode of this Eden Eats food show on the Cooking Channel. (Actually, I just stumbled across the channel itself - can you tell I never watch TV/channel surf?)
Anyway, this Eden character seems to be genuinely likable and I was immediately giving the show some credit when they ventured to Baiz Market to talk Halal meats and the wonderful food that comes out of the Al Hana kitchen there. Oddly, it was only about an hour or so earlier that I was telling someone who just got a job in that area that they HAD to go there for lunch. Then I turn on the tv and it's being featured! Strange.
So I missed the first part of the show but she hit Beaver Choice, Little India, Balkan Bakery, Sekong By Night, Baiz Market, and The Stand (literally a food stand out on the Salt River reservation). Here's the azrepublic writeup: http://www.azcentral.com/thingstodo/din ... oenix.html

Ok, normally on these Food shows, they hit a bunch of trendy, overhyped places that I have no interest in going to...I think this show hit the nail on the head with its choices. I also appreciated how she played up the beauty of Phoenix, the warmth and generosity of its people, and the diversity to be found here. It made me proud to be a Phoenician!

Anyone else see this episode? What did you think? If you could have added ONE more place to her visit, where would you have sent her?

[The Cosmic Jester]

I loved that she dubbed Hanna at Beaver Choice "The friendliest woman in the world."

I think I would have included at least one Vietnamese place in there. We have a burgeoning Viet scene around here, and I think it's a bit of a shame so few people know about it.

And of course Cafe Ga Hyang would have rocked, too.

In case anyone else wants to go out to The Stand (I sure do), it's close to the Schools (Alma and Indian, of course) intersection. Apparently they're there Monday through Friday 11 to 4, but once the food's gone they head home.

[phxmacbear]

...and if any of you DO venture out to the Stand, give me a heads up and I'll meet you over there...I work on "the rez", but have never gone there for lunch!

[gritsnyc]

We just went from digital aerial to DirecTV yesterday (due to football season, I'll admit) and this is one of the first shows I happened to turn on. Such a refreshing way to cover Phoenix -- Eden's enthusiasm was contagious. Best PR this city has had for a long time.

I managed to record all but the first 10 minutes of the program (apparently, I missed the Little India segment), in case anyone wants to see it.

[phxmacbear]

Okay, so it's not just me then...she is awesome and her show is , too!
I caught a re-run of the Phoenix episode today (I, too, had missed the Little India segment as well as the Bosnian Bakery bit).
She seems so genuinely interested in the people and the food and the traditions and the origins, yet she never crosses too far into any one of those areas. It's not a history show, it's not a "foodie" show, she's not snobby, and it doesn't go OVERBOARD with the mushy people-stories (it comes close, but usually cuts away JUST as I'm about to roll my eyes).
I loved how they showed Phoenix not as a series of resort and golf shots, but instead they showed her walking down 40th st...and next to the light rail, and downtown, and (gasp!) walking up to a store in a strip mall!

But that's what Phoenix is. It's all of those things. The show made me PROUD to be a Phoenician! It showed how diverse we are.

I really like the angle of her show - to visit a city, and go "around the world" in 24 hours in that one city. I'm anxious to watch some of the other episodes.

[The Cosmic Jester]

I think I'm going to head over to The Stand today. Should get there... 12:30-ish, I suppose?

[BillBuitenhuys]

I caught the tail end of the PHX show and found Eden so likable that I recorded a later showing of it.
Very cool show indeed! Her emotions, both upbeat and relating to heartfelt stories, seemed entirely genuine.