As part of the NY Times‘ glance back at the decade, Anthony Bourdain waxes about a few galvanizing turning points in 2007 (the same year I interviewed him for WWWE.) Among many saucy turns of phrase, he manages to expertly dis and praise Gordon Ramsay in one glorious compound sentence. And, of course, “The Next Food Network Star” is a prime target, symbolizing just about all that’s gone off the rails in food television.

My subjective, ambiguous end-of-year editorial comment: Here’s hoping that 2010 brings more good food TV, less bad.

Happy new year!

Jamie Oliver’s been very busy over the past decade, especially the latter half, what with trying to make the world a more delicious and less obese place. He’s gone from charming to too-big-for-his-britches, many have argued, but such is the unavoidable fate of a celebrity chef/revolutionary. He’s just been awarded this year’s TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Prize for his good food works and activism. Along with a big chunk of change, Jamie (and 2 other TED prize recipients) will get to realize “one wish to change the world” which will be revealed at the TED 2010 conference in February.  Whatever your take on the Naked Chef (as he will always be to me), it’s not a bad thing that food and health are in the forefront of wish-making. For more about TED, the Prize and past recipients, click here.

Jamie Oliver and little piggy

Reality + TV cooking shows is, relatively speaking, not new, but this particular strain just might be. D’Amico Kitchen in Minneapolis is baring it all online. Every night from 7:30-10pm, you can now watch this restaurant kitchen live in action – no production overlay, no intentional product placement, no hyped up interpersonal attacks – yet, anyway.  Read more about it in this NY Times article, or, if it’s between 7:30 and 10pm (CST), skip right to the live stream.  Of course, we really want to see what goes on after 10pm, but maybe that’ll be next season.

Tivo those NBC sitcoms! Come and join me and Erin Culbreth while we talk about food and TV. We’re both alums of Bates College, but you don’t have to be. You’re invited just because you’re you. The Williams Club, 24 E. 39th St. NYC, 6:30 pm. More details here.

And while I have you, may I remind you that you better get on your holiday shopping? I have an idea. How’s about a copy of Watching What We Eat for that special someone(s) in your life? It comes in Christmas-y colors naturally. If you can’t support your local indie bookstore, click on the handy link to the right over there. And thank you!

Looks like...a book!