Food Network to put Latina on the air

Mon11Jun2007

Food Network to put Latina on the air

I confess, I sometimes watch the Food Network. And with the exception of very few shows (one of which has been cancelled), I consider it trash. The kind of trash you want to watch again and again, and at various times of the day, religiously. In watching a whole lot of the Food Network, I noticed that there are very few people of color on the channel, and the few that are there are relegated to the deadly early morning or late night hours. Up until now -- and in spite of the fact that Latin America boasts some of the most diverse and awe-inspiring cuisines in the world -- there was no Latino representation on the Food Network, but that's history now:

Ingrid Hoffmann has been tempting Spanish-language audiences by cooking traditional food with a modern twist and offering common-sense tips for entertaining. Now she wants to translate that recipe into English.

With her new show "Simply Delicioso," airing Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. beginning July 14, the Colombian-born Miami resident becomes the Food Network's first Latina host. Already known to Spanish TV watchers through her cable show Delicioso on Galavision and segments on Univision's Despierta America, Hoffman will join the ranks of other Spanish-language stars who have tried to cross over to English - not always successfully.

Indeed, not always successfully.

Check out a video of the new food diva here and tell us what you think. Does she stand a fighting chance on the Food Network?

Via / Hispanic Business

Image via Hispanic PR Wire

Smells Like...Basura (Wednesday, May 21 2008)
Massive Inflation Changes the Mexican Diet (Tuesday, May 20 2008)

Jennifer

Feedback (6) | Del.icio.us

Feedback (6) » Share your opinion

1. Peruanista ~ Wednesday, Jun 13 2007 | 17:19H:

"I noticed that there are very few people of color on the channel" ... but Ingrid Hoffmann is white. Just because she speaks Spanish and is from Colombia doesn't make her a person of color. This "latino" identity is so fake.

2. Lorenzo ~ Friday, Jun 15 2007 | 14:27H:

I think that's great that they decided to bring in their first Latina host. Change is a slow coming thing, so I'm glad to see them making an effort to diversify their network :D. I love the Food Network! I like watching Food Network Star. Anyone else watch this? If you do, then I'm sure you guys caught the episode on the 11th right? They had an episode with Bon Appetit magazine. I work with them and they're having a contest where you can win a trip to NYC or $1000 in All-Clad cookware. Check it out here to enter http://condenast.eprize.net/bonappetit/index.tbapp?affiliate_id=1i you can enter everyday if you want!

3. Jessica Rose ~ Sunday, Jul 22 2007 | 13:22H:

I really enjoy her show! However I am a bit confused. She claims to be a latina Diva, but with a name like Ingrid Hoffmann I have a hard time believing she is 100% Hispanic or latin. I am 50% German and I know for a fact that is not a Latin name.

4. Maegan la Mala ~ Monday, Jul 23 2007 | 07:27H:

Hold up and wait a minute. I am not privy to Ingrid's bloodline but her being light skinned and having the last name Hoffman doesn't automatically take away her Latina membership card. There are many many Latinos in South America with German last names. In South America just like here in the US there was immigration from other countries and intermarriage.

5. Sarah ~ Wednesday, Aug 29 2007 | 11:45H:

Well I don't know if they still have Iron Chef Japan on, but they aren't representing oriental cuisine at all. I mean sometimes white chefs will make Japanese or Chinese dishes, but I would rather watch an actual Japanese or Chinese person make these dishes. I am tired of all the representation of Italian cooking and not really much of Latin or Oriental cooking.

6. Jennifer Woodard Maderazo ~ Wednesday, Aug 29 2007 | 12:10H:

Excellent point, Sarah. And judging from what producers Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson keep parroting on their reality show "Next Food Network Star" about Food Network viewers (presumably overwhelmingly white) wanting to "see themselves reflected" in the TV personalities, I'm guessing we won't be seeing many Asians any time soon.

VivirLatino