A Comparison of Two Popular Cooking Shows:

30 Minute Meals

Title SequenceJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

The intro to Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Meals shows scenes of the chef cooking, as well as other “fast-paced” images, such as streets bustling with people and cars.

Conveys the idea of a quick meal for those who lead a fast-paced lifestyle.

The intro to 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray portrays the cook interacting with the title of her show, and introducing each word.

Her relaxed and cheeky title sequence conveys the atmosphere of her kitchen, as well as the types of food she cooks.

Jamie Oliver Rachael RayImages

Jamie employs the use of a timer throughout the show, which counts how long it has taken him to cook or prepare each part of his meal.

He also has a camera set up to view the inside of his oven so that viewers can see exactly how the food should look as it cooks.

Unlike Rachael Ray, Jamie often promotes that he has purchased his products from Sainsbury’s

Rachael’s show often provides extra tips to viewers as she cooks, such as “An assembly line saves time,” and “Save the asparagus trims for a super soup.”

Ray also does not advertise specific products or brands, and many food labels seen on cans and boxes have been replaced.

Music

Jamie Oliver Rachael Ray

The introduction music to 30 Minute Meals is very upbeat and quick paced—which is quite indicative of the show, as well as Jamie’s personal style of cooking.

The music that introduces 30 Minute Meals with Rachael Rayis very upbeat, but it also has a relaxed and fun feel to it—which is also indicative of her show and her style of cooking.

SetJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

The set of Jamie’s show is, in fact, his own kitchen and home. All of his appliances are modern ; everything he uses is set up in a very ideal and easy-to-grab manner. His kitchen has quite a personal feel to it because of the way it is adorned with pictures and decorative plates. Moreover, at the end of each show Jamie sets up his kitchen table with the food he has cooked to show how it could be presented for guests and family.

Rachel’s show is filmed on a television set, and in recent years has been filmed in front of a live audience. The set utilizes bright, vibrant colours, as well as an older-looking fridge and oven. Ray also uses her own brand crockery.

Dishes OfferedJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

Oliver consistently offers full three-course meals in each episode. His meals are something one would expect when eating out at a restaurant, and as a result they require a certain level of technical ability. He also takes the coloursand display of food into great consideration. Moreover, each meal needs a fast pace (a “race against the clock”) in order to be completed in thirty minutes or less.

Rachael Ray’s dishes are often very simple, good-tasting comfort food. Unlike Jamie Oliver, Ray usually cooks either an appetizer and entrée or entrée and dessert in each episode, but never a three-course meal.

BehaviorJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

Jamie uses his hands quite a bit while cooking and talking to his viewers. His cooking seems rushed; however he remains calm and efficient throughout each episode. He explains a lot of his cooking methods, and attempts to educate his audience. Oliver also occasionally relates his meals to his family, as is the case with his dish entitled “Pregnant Jools’ Pasta.”

Rachael also uses her hands quite a bit while speaking, and is often very enthusiastic about the food she is cooking; her behavior is very relaxed and laid back. Ray also converses with her viewers as though they are old friends. Additionally, she relates certain meals to personal memories and family moments.

LanguageJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

“pukka”

“Full wack”

“lovely jubbley

”

Though he has created some catchy words like “pukka!” Jamie most often uses common, everyday words and terms while cooking such as “smack bang in the middle,” and “dump in.” He often describes his food as “beautiful,” and “simple and elegant.”

Rachael often speaks to her viewers as though they are old friends. Furthermore, she has created a wide variety of words from “yum-o!,” “stoup,” (stew/soup), and “GB” (garbage bowl), though she has gained fame for the term “EVOO” (extra virgin olive oil).

“Yum-”O!

“EVOO”

“stoup”

DressJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

Jamie’s dress is very casual—most often a plaid button-down shirt and jeans or khakis and a cardigan. He often keeps a dish towel looped into his belt to keep his hands dry as he works.

Rachael often dresses in semi-casual outfits—usually a nice blouse and jeans.

Target AudienceJamie Oliver Rachael Ray

Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals is a show that universally appeals to both men and women. His target audience are people who enjoy good food, but do not want to, nor do they have the time to, spend all day preparing dinner. Moreover, Jamie’s show is generally targeted towards the average family of four—people who can afford all of the essential equipment needed, such as food processers, to cook certain foods. He expects his audience to have such kitchen essentials, especially since they are quintessential in making the cooking process faster.

30 Minute Meals with Rachael Ray is a cooking show that appeals more to women—generally working mothers who do not have much time in their busy days to devote to cooking big meals. Rachael’s target audience are every day cooks who may only have basic kitchen crockery, as well as those who enjoy simple and delicious comfort food.

30 Minute Meals?

Jamie Oliver Rachael Ray

While researching and analysing Jamie and Rachael’s respective shows, I found myself wondering if each meal did, in fact, take 30 minutes or less to make. I decided to take on two somewhat similar dishes from each cook.

I chose to make Rachael’s Spinach and Mushroom Crostini and Chicken Ragu. Though the recipe claims the meal will take a mere 24 minutes, it does not account for the amount of prep work, which added about 30 minutes to my time.

From Jamie’s numerous recipes, I decided to make his meal entitled, “Jools’ Pregnant Pasta with Chicory Salad and Frangipane Tarts.” Though I was unable to complete the meal within 30 minutes, it is very likely that I would have been able to had I not had issues with the size of my food processor.

Jools’ Pregnant Pasta with Chicory Salad and Frangipane Tarts