Rachel's Favourite Food is an Irish cooking show hosted by Rachel Allen and produced by RTE in which she cooks some of her favourite recipes for everyday living.
The series originally premiered in Ireland in 2004. It originally aired in South Africa on DStv's BBC Food channel, ending on Wednesday 19 March, 2008.
A rebroadcast of the entire series premiered on BBC Food on Thursday 20 March 2008, at 19h00. There are 39 episodes in three seasons.
Synopsis
Rachel's Favourite Food is comprised of three seasons, each with 13 episodes. They are titled Rachel's Favourite Food for Living (Season 1), Rachel's Favourite Food for Friends (Season 2) and Rachel's Favourite Food at Home (Season 3).
Season 1: Rachel's Favourite Food for Living
“What am I going to cook tonight?”
Anyone who cooks regularly for friends, family or just for themselves will be very familiar with that question.
The difficult part is often not preparing the food - which can be enjoyably simple - but coming up with the ideas for things to eat in the first place.
In the first season of the series, Rachel suggests menus for the different kinds of meals that people who are interested in cooking have to prepare: a quick but stylish midweek dinner party; Sunday brunch; favourite winter comfort foods; a children’s birthday party; a summer lunch – these are just some of the 13 different meals that make up the series.
Using readily accessible but interesting ingredients, the series features dishes from around the world – Italy, Spain, Thailand, America, Ireland, Mexico and Vietnam are just some of the places which have inspired Rachel's suggestions.
Married, with two small children, Rachel knows what it’s like to cook when you have a young family, a full-time job and many demands on your time. This series is aimed at people who like to cook, but often do not have much time to spend in the kitchen.
Season 2: Rachel's Favourite Food for Friends
Rachel Allen’s Favourite Food For Friends is about food for entertaining.
Entertaining at home should be great fun, not just for the guests, but also for the hosts. But it can be a challenge, too. It’s not just about cooking, it’s also about knowing what’s appropriate for the occasion. And it’s those special touches that make a party.
You want to have a romantic dinner for two? You need to impress your mother-in-law or your boss? It’s your turn to host the family Christmas dinner? You’ve asked friends around for a barbecue and it’s going to rain? You’ve been working all week but you’ve got people coming to dinner?
Relax and look no further because in this new series. Rachel provides the answers for the busy host who wants to give something special but which is easily prepared, using accessible ingredients in the minimum time.
Season 3: Rachel's Favourite Food at Home
Rachel Allen once again offers the delicious, inspiring and easy to follow recipes for which she has become famous.
Rachel's Favourite Food at Home draws on international influences, classic regional fare and good old family favourites to provide creative options for every occasion, whether planning a simple family meal, hosting a festive dinner for the entire clan, squeezing in a sneaky romantic meal for two, heading out for a glorious picnic, chilling out on the sofa with your favourite comfort food, or spending time baking muffins with the kids.
The episodes include: Easy Family Food; Sweet Celebrations; Picnics and Days Out; Food for Children; Extended Family Meals; Dining Al Fresco; Home Cinema; Big Celebrations and Edible Gifts.