The Swedish newspaper, DN, published an interview on April 23rd: ‘Why so many food programmes on TV?* Then I was asked: ‘What do these programmes tell us about cultural differences?’

Programmes like Top Chef, Hells Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay in America, tend to emphasise the reward or the prize. The winner gets their own restaurant in Las Vegas, or a big cash prize, or gets their restaurant to make a lot of money.

English programmes often follow the premise of ‘fulfilling a dream’ or ‘turning your life around.’ Master Chef follows amateur cooks who aspire to a new life. Jamie Oliver has helped change the English way of preparing food. Even Gordon Ramsay’s UK programmes have quite a different tone than the US versions.

Swedish food programmes are quite different. They are very popular right now, and nearly always take place in a home or home environment. People judge each other - their friends, family, celebrities. Food is uncomplicated and most important is the conversation around the dinner table. Old fashioned Swedish peasant values prevail into the modern world of TV food programmes.

The website is: www.lagomsisu.com

John Alexander AB