Last time, we talked about homestyle cooking magazines.  Now, let's go over a few of the "personality" cooking magazines that have proliferated in recent years.

Cooking with Paula Deen has a special place in my heart, because as you all know I have a weakness for butter.  I have a deep affection for this magazine because I've always thought that if I were on the cover of my own magazine, this is exactly how I'd look - kind of stiff, kind of uncomfortable, with a little "oh please don't take my picture" in my eyes.  Of course, the recipes are good, hearty Southern fare for the most part.  There are a lot of them, which I like.  There are some travel and personality pieces - I can take them or leave them - and some product guides which tend to be very pretty but a little superficial.  All in all, if you like the TV show you'll like the magazine and vice versa.

Everyday with Rachael Ray is similar in format - lots of recipes and some extra stuff.  Frankly I do not care what kind of tinted moisturizer Rachael Ray thinks I need, but the cooking product guides are pretty in-depth, so it's a wash.  The recipes look pretty good and are quite varied, but most of the "extra stuff" just gets on my nerves.  Possibly because it puts me in mind of Rachael Ray's annoying laugh.  It's funny - just like her shows, I like the actual cooking stuff (30 Minute Meals) and hate everything else (every single other show she's on). 

Personally, I don't think you should need some celebrity chef to put on the cover of your magazine - the food should stand on its own.  Next time, I'll talk about my favorite cooking magazine of all time - it's the one I subscribe to!