Well, Tyler Florence (Food 911) has this show called Tyler's Ultimate, and he picks a dish--omelet, apple pie, seafood soup, goes to where this dish was invented, watches how it's made, goes somewhere else where a variation is made, then goes back to New York where he does his "ultimate" version.
I usually ignore his version and download the recipe for the classic version. Got the recipe for classic French omelet, apple tartin, bouillabaise (sp?). Mm boy, them good.
Then there's Mario Batali's Mario Eats Italy, where Mario goes up and down Italy and shows us the best eats. That show is dangerous to watch--I usually end up raiding the fridge after.
Good Eats has some useful tips, and besides, it's funny. It once showed the original recipe for Ceasar's salad (you don't use anchovie, you use Worcestershire, and you eat it with your hands), and better, shows us the historical and chemical basis for some of the dishes made.
Gordon Eliot's fun. HIs latest show is Follow That Food, where he traces some dish or ingredient from its origins to around the world.
Tony Boudain's show is fun. I'd like to have his job.
Rachel Ray--eh, too perky. NIgella Lawson's more my idea of a woman.
I miss Keith Floyd in BBC. Now that was one mad chef.