Customer Reviews

Jacques Pepin Fast Food My Way Set of 3 DVDs

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Jacques Pepin is my favorite TV chef. His technique is amazing. These recipes are from all segments of his life and they are fairly uncomplicated. I believe this series is Pepin's finest in production style and quality. And the master chef is in great form.

About the DVDs, these are good video transfers but it appears that the audio has been tampered with. The TV broadcast sound quality is very good but the DVD's have an annoying distortion. I don't why they did this but it's clearly intentional because the promo ads have good audio. Also this set is not complete. There should have been 26 shows in this set but two are missing. Why did they make that odd ball decision? There's no chance they will release a DVD of the missing shows.

Jacques Pepin is a hero of mine and one of the very best TV chefs ever. And this series is nothing short of brilliant.

But the audio quality on the discs is simply terrible. I am dumbfounded that no one fixed this before they were released. The sound is so "hot" that everything buzzes, even the lilting organ music that used to make me so wistful while I was watching the show in its original run on PBS.

You can fiddle with your dials to make it bearable, barely. But what a shame. Jacques deserves so much better.

I loved these cooking videos. It is amazing how much you can learn when someone like Jacques Pepin is the teacher. Unlike some cooking shows, almost all of the steps are shown here, with clear explanations of each step. I am learning techniques like how to hold the knife, how to chop vegetables different ways, how to coordinate different activities in meal preparation, etc., aside from just the recipes themselves.

I prefer these videos over the ones by Emeril Lagasse (Mr. Bam!) because these are more calm, less frenetic, and I learn more. I don't buy cooking videos to be entertained, I buy them so I can learn about cooking. With this series, I am learning a great deal.

The recipes are also found in the book that accompanies this DVD series: http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Food-Way-Jacques-Pepin/dp/0618393129/ref=pd_sim_d_4
The book has the same title as this series "Fast Food My Way" by Jacques Pepin. On Amazon the book is searchable online and you can see the recipes and menus that are presented.

It is true that the sound quality is not perfect -- I am watching the show on my computer and turn the volume down somewhat to compensate. It sounds all right that way and does not buzz.

Some of the recipes have shortcuts I don't know that I would take, since I don't really look for fast cooking in general. I like to cook more complex recipes at home, and some ingredients like canned peaches I would probably avoid. But this is a matter of personal preference. I did not gravitate towards this series because the recipes were fast (and they are), but because I like learning new techniques and like Mr. Pepin's style of teaching. Many of the recipes are very good, though, even though they are pretty streamlined.

I would recommend the book to beginning and intermediate cooks, or anyone who enjoys watching good cooking shows and wants ideas for quick meals to prepare.

In these DVDs, Jacques is totally relaxed and you get the feeling he is demonstrating his personal methods for cooking in his home. He uses many "short cuts" and substitutions that are never a part of what he does on TV shows. His personality really shines.

It is a wonderful set to have and view (more than once) and reference for your home cooking! I highly recommend this set for all serous home cooks.

Love watching Jacques Pepin and getting his down to earth instruction. Very helpful and in great condition.

The great strength in this dvd series resides in its simplicity.
You do not need to be an experienceed cook to replicate any of these recipes.
If you are, however, you will still learn a great deal, as you realize that the ultimate skill lies in the ability to reduce complex techniques down to a few simple tasks.
Mr Pepin is a great teacher, and I have not found a book or another dvd (like the one with Mrs J. Child) that were not of the highest quality.

Beyond the educational value of this dvd:it is great entertainement listening to Mr Pepin funny and sometimes sharp comments (I found myself laughing a lot watching the dvd!).

I have not purchased the "More Fast food my way" dvd but watched the PBS series, and probably will get it, as it is also a a high quality series.

I will be giving a lot of these dvds for Christmas or Birthday presents.

Quick recipes from a cooking god, and on DVDs to boot.

Doable by a novice like me, but I'd recommend the often excellent America's Test Kitchen series to start with.

Thanks for the tip and encouragement, Mom. :)