What do Top Chef, Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri have in common?

Announced today, Top Chef, Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri were nominated for 2017 Emmys. But does that nomination change how we eat or perceive food television?

What do Top Chef, Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri have in common? Before anyone even thinks donkey sauce, all three were nominated for 2017 Emmys. Today, the list of Emmy nominees were announced. No huge upsets or mis-steps from the food world, but none were expected.

Food television, or food programming, has a few shows that have a big following or a significant culinary impact. These people and shows have changed the way foodies and non-foodies think about the food world.

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 24: Potential contestants attend the ‘Top Chef’ Season 12 casting call at Colicchio

Top Chef, Bravo’s top rated culinary competition, has launched many celebrity chefs’ careers. From Iron Chef/James Beard Award winning Stephanie Izard to award winning restaurateur and culinary personality, Richard Blais, many culinary elite have won or competed in this food competition. Of course, the reality show isn’t like a real kitchen. Many of the challenges are unrealistic. Still, foodies and non-foodies tune in religiously every week.

The rise of Top Chef changed how people chose restaurants. Instead of just searching for the best cuisine, guests sought out celebrity chefs from television. Numerous Top Chef alums opened restaurants all over the U.S. A quick look at Chicago shows several show alums with their own restaurants.

Watching the weekly challenges had viewers craving these contestants cuisine. Viewers felt connected not only to the chef but also their cooking. From the up-close beauty shots of each dish to the interview segments sharing the cooking turmoil, viewers feel like they are part of the kitchen community. Even if this show doesn’t win another Emmy, the Bravo show will continue for a long time.

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 22: Anthony Bourdain attends ‘WASTED! The Story of Food Waste’ Premiere during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 22, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

While nominated as host of the non-defunct The Taste, Anthony Bourdain is best known for his show Parts Unknown (also nominated). This slick production food/travel show has the snarky Bourdain experience a particular city. The show allows viewers to experience unique areas of a city and hopefully spark an interest in culture, locale and cuisine.

Bourdain makes no apologies for who is he. If he doesn’t like a particular drink, food or person, he’s not going to pretend it is wonderful. The honesty is refreshing. But, this show can be difficult to watch for some.

In Parts Unknown, Bourdain eats many foods that some people may find off-putting. We need to remember, the U.S., as a country, has difficulty eating particular foods. Other countries don’t. If you turn in to this show, don’t be surprised to see some offal or full nose to tail cuisine.

While Bourdain may appeal to the culinary elite, Guy Fieri is the voice for the every man. His nominated show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives is about good, real food. The restaurant may not have pressed table cloths or fancy table ware. But, these places will bring diners some great food. The show’s premise is simple, focus on the food, not the accessories.

MIAMI BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Guy Fieri gives a cooking demonstration at Goya Foods’ Grand Tasting Village Featuring Mastercard Grand Tasting Tents

Fieri is a big personality. With his bleached, spiked hair and signature catch phrases, people forget that his is a trained chef. True, some of his current restaurants have a kitschy appeal, the man can cook. He wouldn’t have won Food Network Star without being able to work his way through a kitchen.

Triple D has sparked legions of fans. Many people now make a point to find the featured restaurants during their travels. Everyone wants to travel to flavor town after seeing it on television.

A few other food related shows received Emmy nominations too. I’m sure that I wasn’t the only one who laughed out loud when Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg were nominated for their VH1 show. Food television isn’t going away, rather; it is only getting more popular.

So will any of these shows or television personalities win a 2017 Emmy? Tune into CBS on September 17 at 8 p.m. ET to watch the 2017 Emmys.

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