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| Joanne Weir's Cooking Class: Press Release |
KQED Presents Joanne Weir's Cooking Class, Taking Students and Viewers into the Celebrated Chef's Own Kitchen
Joanne Weir, world-renowned chef and television personality, is back with a new show, and this time the viewers aren't the only ones learning their way around her kitchen. Joanne Weir's Cooking Class premieres on KQED 9 Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 12:00pm.
This new series features Joanne Weir at her very best -- comfortable, charming, warm, and sharing her culinary mastery and delicious food with eager students. There is magic in these 26 brand new programs produced by A La Carte Communications, where a vibrant chef Weir invites a culturally diverse group of enthusiasts into her home to learn her cooking secrets. From her cozy kitchen, she teaches each student and her viewers how to equip their kitchens, prepare such Mediterranean-inspired recipes as Bistecca alla Fiorentina and Spicy Corn Souffle, select complementary wines -- and to love food even more than they already do.
Joanne Weir is a natural born teacher, and the presence of a student adds many special touches to Joanne Weir's Cooking Class. Their interplay is a fun way to learn about the small details that might be overlooked on a traditional cooking show, but are vital to the art of cooking. Viewers will identify with the students who run into such real-life problems as a gummy risotto, grainy chocolate ice cream, broken crème anglaise, or over-whipped egg whites and will be happy to learn some unexpected solutions. This dynamic gives the show a sense of immediacy and spontaneity and works to ease the anxieties both the student and the viewer might have about their abilities.
Joanne Weir imparts more than exceptional culinary preparation skills in Joanne Weir's Cooking Class. By asking students to expand their usual palates and learn about the historic and social significance of various customs and dishes, she is also teaching food appreciation. Whether Joanne chooses to focus on a single food, such as cheese, or a specific region, such as Florence, historical and anecdotal information become integral ingredients in the cooking and viewing experience. She does more than translate the words that correspond to a Mediterranean dish; she captures the spirit of the region and its fare.
Frequently, Joanne sits down with sommelier Eugenio Jardim in wine pairing segments that convey nuances and knowledge about wine selections while feeling like a casual chat. Each episode concludes back at her kitchen table where she sits down with her student to reflect upon the recipe, discuss key insights, ruminate about their experience and taste the fruits of their labor.
While many shows cover technique, Joanne Weir's Cooking Class captures and encourages the art and enjoyment of cooking and appreciating food.
Joanne Weir's Cooking Class is presented by KQED Presents and produced by Nat Katzman and Geof Drummond of A La Carte Communications. The series is distributed to public television nationwide by American Public Television (APT) beginning August 19, 2006. The 26 programs are underwritten by E&J Gallo Winery, Mauviel/Rosle Imports, and Lifetime Brands.
About KQED
KQED Public Broadcasting operates KQED Public Television 9, one of the nation's most-watched public television stations during prime-time, and KQED's digital television channels, which include KQED HD, KQED Encore, KQED World, KQED Life and KQED Kids; KQED Public Radio, the most-listened-to public radio station in the nation with an award-winning news and public affairs program service (88.5 FM in San Francisco and 89.3 FM in Sacramento); KQED.org, one of the most visited station sites in Public Broadcasting; and KQED Education Network, which brings the impact of KQED to thousands of teachers, students, parents and media professionals through workshops, seminars and resources.
About American Public Television
For 45 years, American Public Television (APT) has been a prime source of programming for the nation's public television stations. APT distributes more than 300 new program titles per year and has 10,000 hours of programming in its library. It is responsible for many public television milestones including the first HD series and the 2006 launch of the Create channel featuring the best of public television's lifestyle programming. APT is known for its leadership in identifying innovative, worthwhile and viewer-friendly programming. It has established a tradition of providing public television stations with program choices that strengthen and customize their schedules such as JFK: Breaking the News, Battlefield Britain, Globe Trekker, Rick Steves' Europe, Great Museums, Jacques Pépin: Fast Food My Way, America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated, Broadway: The Golden Age, Lidia's Family Table, California Dreamin' -- The Songs of The Mamas & the Papas, Rosemary and Thyme, P. Allen Smith's Garden Home, The Big Comfy Couch, Monarchy, and other prominent documentaries, dramatic series, how-to programs and classic movies. For more information about APT's programs and services, visit APTonline.org. Press should contact Donna Hardwick at 617-338-4455, ext. 129 or via email at Donna_Hardwick@APTonline.org.
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