Food Network: A Culture and its Food Formed Through Media

Food Network: A Culture and its Food Formed Through Media Since 1993, Food Network has been creating hungry viewers throughout the county, and even other parts of the world. Some countries have their own food network. For example Food Network: Canada and Food Network: Asia. The basic cable and satellite television channel has taken regular episodic programs about food and cooking to a whole new level in the media. It airs specials on various kinds of delicious, rare, and even bizarre ‘eats' that civilization has to offer.The Genre theory allows us to ategorize this type of programing as food television. There is basically no violence associated with the programs aired so the range in audience is boundless. The target audience can be any person, young or older, who enjoys cooking. For people who like eating and even a curious audience who wonders what other cultures eat. With a large range in audience The Food Network could form our culture to what kind of food people eat. This is known as Cultural Norms Theory.The channel even displays compelling competitions were chefs face off against each other in hopes to aspire to ulinary fame, and eliminate rival opponents. The network is an ideal presentation of the reinforcement theory; that reinforces the attitudes, beliefs and values of the media consumer. The audience is drawn to competition, were the winner is awarded and the loser goes home. Especially in American culture where the audience not only loves food, but also the approach of a rival matchup with a prize or a dream come true. The competition events adds to the entertainment substance of the Network.These food competitions also prompts the mystification/demystification theory, where he media has the power turn a normal person into a big star. After Just a few achievements the network will overexpose a skilled chef like Bobby Flay, Racheal Ray, Guy Fieri or Gordon Ramsey into a national figure overnight with multiple shows. As the theory states it can also do the exact opposite toa known figure. Below is a picture of celebrity chef, Paula Deen, in tears on NBC's ‘Today Show, after being publically disgraces for using the N word.Celebrity chef Paula Deen breaks into tears on NBC News' ‘Today show on June 26, alking about the controversy that damaged her $17-million-a-year food empire. – http://www. nydailynews. com. Oprah Winfrey on Paula Deen's N-word scandal The Characters ot the network nave become icons in the world ot culinary a image is recognized, and consumers identify with them so much that they are used in advertisements and promotions. Adding to the characters personal synergism. Guy Fieri won the second season of Food Networks, The Next Food Networks Star. Below is a picture of Guy Fieri in an advertisement for TGI Fridays.In the list of numerous programs the network has created over the years it still exhibits the ‘how to' cooking shows were the consumer can learn recipes, and how to prepare healthy meals. With so many programs introduced in one network, even if food is an element in every program, a mass amount of content seems to also exercise the Uses and Gratifications Theory; that we the consumers all use the media for different reasons and purposes. The function and purpose (information/ persuasion/entertainment) of Food Network could be different for every media consumer.There is information on recipes and ways to cook. There is persuasion on what is healthy to eat as well what kind of food to eat, based on what stars have chosen in contests and advertisements. There is much more entertainment in the new competitions, and reality T. V. based programing. This Analysis of the Food Network channel has taught me a lot about mass communication and the effect a simple genre can have on a mass amount of media consumers. Even if it's Just the simple content of food and no violent or sexual behavior the effectiveness can still be significantly structured.