So I've recently rekindled my love affair with cooking, right? Now I'm
all addicted to the Food Network, watching the shows, always open for
new recipe ideas and stuff. Anyway, and this has been bothering me, the
other day it dawns on me that a lot of these cooks, chefs, whathaveyous
don't use potholders/oven mitts, but instead they use their towels. The
only one I've seen using cutesy oven mitts is Giada. So what's up with
that? Is it just not cool to use oven mitts? Should I get rid of mine?

Second question. I've noticed that Rachel uses all these generic
looking products. Her cans read "Chicken Stock" or "Wild Salmon" or
whatever. Her spices are "Cumin" or "Turmeric" or xyz... I mean, I
never see a brand, you know? Does she have people on her staff that
print up special labels to cover up the brands? I'm just wondering.

And, am I the only one that has a problem with Emeril tossing his
kitchen rag over his shoulder - brushing it against his dandruffy hair
every time - and then using the same rag to pull the pizza out of the
oven? I mean, that's pretty nee-as-tee, don't you think? I wouldn't
want to be one of those people in the audience that get to eat the
stuff. Yuck.

Thanks for any insight you could offer,
Peri