Andrew Zimmern fired for critiquing Chinese food
#16
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,054
Because "sh*tty .......ized American Chinese food" is delicious... that's why. It's its own, uniquely American phenomenon.
General Tso's isn't "Chinese" food (whatever that hell that is even supposed to mean) but it is delicious.
Instead, the blowhard comes along on the authenticity train throwing insults at the hundreds of thousands of hard working Chinese family owned restaurants and their patrons for being "uncultured"....
Meanwhile, his own "Chinese" restaurant turns out to be nothing more than en epic flop.
https://www.eater.com/2018/12/7/1813...troversy-visit
General Tso's isn't "Chinese" food (whatever that hell that is even supposed to mean) but it is delicious.
Instead, the blowhard comes along on the authenticity train throwing insults at the hundreds of thousands of hard working Chinese family owned restaurants and their patrons for being "uncultured"....
Meanwhile, his own "Chinese" restaurant turns out to be nothing more than en epic flop.
https://www.eater.com/2018/12/7/1813...troversy-visit
#17
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Programs: AA Plat, Sixt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Avis First, Caesars TR Diamond, Mlife Gold
Posts: 4,928
"General Tso's isn't "Chinese" food": then this statement is false!
The PRC can claim what it wants, but The Republic of China is a Sovereign nation!
The PRC can claim what it wants, but The Republic of China is a Sovereign nation!
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Does anyone watch the Travel Channel? Whenever I surf past it they’re showing some old show with zero relationship to travel. It should be called the “We need to air something, let’s look in the bottom of the barrel” channel.
You can get good authentic Chinese in the Midwest. Come to Chicago and I’ll give you a tour.
You can get good authentic Chinese in the Midwest. Come to Chicago and I’ll give you a tour.
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,054
Even though the is the PR forum, I try my best to stay out discussions about the 两岸问题. Nevertheless, I think everybody agrees that Changsha (where Peng Chang-kuei was born) is part of the PRC.
#20
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Programs: AA Plat, Sixt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Avis First, Caesars TR Diamond, Mlife Gold
Posts: 4,928
Yes the Executive Chef was born in Mainland China (same Provence with General Tso): but the dish was invented, at
The Presidential Palace, in The Republic of China, Taipei ,Taiwan.
The Presidential Palace, in The Republic of China, Taipei ,Taiwan.
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
Zimmerm is somewhat of a local celebrity, although he sometimes is sighted in my grocery store. Yet somehow this is the first time I've heard of his new "Chinese Tiki" restaurant or of the controversy and suspension (or whatever you want to call it) of his cable TV show. It's not making the local media for some reason.
Travel is one of the cable channels that I wish would return to their roots: Travel should be about travel, such as the Samantha Brown hotel series, and not ghosts. (Why not try for reruns of the reality series about Southwest Airlines? Or even the worst place to be a pilot miniseries? Or maybe Great Race reality contest previous seasons? There's lots of content available even it they're not creating much of their own.) Animal Planet should focus on animals and not the building of tree houses and fish tanks, or backwoods cop reality shows. History should be about the past rather than hillbillies and moonshine, etc. Just IMO.
Travel is one of the cable channels that I wish would return to their roots: Travel should be about travel, such as the Samantha Brown hotel series, and not ghosts. (Why not try for reruns of the reality series about Southwest Airlines? Or even the worst place to be a pilot miniseries? Or maybe Great Race reality contest previous seasons? There's lots of content available even it they're not creating much of their own.) Animal Planet should focus on animals and not the building of tree houses and fish tanks, or backwoods cop reality shows. History should be about the past rather than hillbillies and moonshine, etc. Just IMO.
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
This raises many questions:
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jupiter, FL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Silver
Posts: 29,858
This raises many questions:
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
#24
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Beach, Florida
Programs: AA Plat, Sixt Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Avis First, Caesars TR Diamond, Mlife Gold
Posts: 4,928
In reality many foods, such as American Italian are often better than in the home country. They are often dishes invented by immigrants, which have access to much better meat & produce, in in their native lands. My travels abroad aboard, including three MSC vessels (in bout Yacht club & Specialty Dining) has proven this to me, that American Italian is better than much of true Italy.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,924
This raises many questions:
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
#26
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Ain't that the truth! When I came to the US from Europe, I did enjoy their brand of Chinese food a lot. It was fresher and offered a much larger variety. But after living in Asia for a decade, I don't like either variety. At least the Chinese food in Switzerland is comically bad, so you can get a laugh out of it.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Posts: 14,706
(Sorry, but since I live on the receiving end of China's bellicose threats--and missiles, it's a sensitive topic for me. Leave Taiwan alone, China. We've got a nice little country here. Keep your greedy mitts off of it.)
Yeah. A very telling incident many years ago. My wife (China-born) was along on a work outing in Los Angeles. Dinner was at a Chinese place. They had the usual dual-language menu, but there was a handwritten page in the front, all Chinese, no English. She was in both heaven and hell looking at that page--it was authentic Chinese food, not Americanized. Stuff she hadn't tasted in many years. Unfortunately, we were heading home in the morning, she was only going to get one meal, what to choose?!?!?! I've never seen her take as long to order as that day.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Mar 3, 2019 at 6:56 pm Reason: merge
#28
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Western Europe
Programs: Yeah, well, don’t really care anymore
Posts: 845
I may be close to the only one here, but Chinese food does not sit well with me. It's just variations of a single theme, which is deep-fried fat. What's more, in my neck of the woods Chinese restaurants are consistently ranked lowest when it comes to hygiene. To anyone who's been to China that's hardly a surprise; they are, for lack of a better word, swine. It stinks, it tastes all the same and it's mainly saturated fats. Regardless of whether it's in China, Europe, the US or the Middle East (I've had the misfortune to be invited to Chinese restaurants in all of those places), it's just foul. Chinese food in China was, however, on it's own distinct level of disgusting - and that's before we even touch on the hygiene.
I fully appreciate the Chinese kitchen is considered one of the 5 great kitchens, and you're welcome to it if it tickles your tastebuds. Personally I prefer any of the other 5 (Italian, French, Mexican and Turkish), thank you very much. And while we're at it, Korean food hardly does anything for me either. Thai, on the other hand, can be very delicious if prepared properly and using quality ingredients. Here's my favourite, which holds a Michelin star: https://www.kiin.dk. If you're ever in CPH, make sure to have reserved a table well in advance.
I fully appreciate the Chinese kitchen is considered one of the 5 great kitchens, and you're welcome to it if it tickles your tastebuds. Personally I prefer any of the other 5 (Italian, French, Mexican and Turkish), thank you very much. And while we're at it, Korean food hardly does anything for me either. Thai, on the other hand, can be very delicious if prepared properly and using quality ingredients. Here's my favourite, which holds a Michelin star: https://www.kiin.dk. If you're ever in CPH, make sure to have reserved a table well in advance.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,510
I prefer Cajun/Creole. I have yet to see a “Turkish” restaurant in the United States but I can tell you the location of several “Brazilian” meat orgy palaces.
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Living the dream in Antigua and the nightmare in Florida
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, *A Gold, WN detractor
Posts: 49,929
This raises many questions:
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?
Is a dish created by a Chinese chef that is similar to or a variation on dishes commonly served in China considered to be Chinese food if it is created outside of China? Or do the foodie snobs sniff that it is "not really Chinese food."
If a white Canadian moves to China, opens a restaurant offering his personal variations on Canadian recipes will foodie snobs in China sniff that it's "not really Canadian food?"
Is it appropriate for the British to declare chicken tikka masala a British dish just because it was created in Glasgow by a Pakistani chef who used his traditional cooking methods and spicing? Do English gourmands dismiss the dish as "not being authentic Indian/Pakistani food?"
Is the declaration that Chinese food served in middle America and Canada is "not really Chinese food" simply posturing by food pedants and other elitists who want to dismiss cuisine and the people who eat it as below their lofty standards?