America's Test Kitchen is a thirty minute cooking show that runs on PBS, Public Broadcasting Station) in the United States and in Canada. It is aired without commercial interruptions; however it does promote sponsors before and after the show.

The host of the show is Cooks Illustrated Magazine founder and editor in chief, Christopher Kimball. The show and the magazine are affiliated, and the magazine's test kitchen facility located in Brookline, Massachusetts is used as the set for the show.

At the beginning of each episode Kimball discusses a dish and the problems that cooks often come up against when fixing it. Soggy potato chips, dry meatloaf, and sponge cakes that stay flat are likely to be pointed out with disgust. At this point the audience is assured that the Test Kitchen has come up with a better way to create the dish. The recipe is recreated, with the reasons behind the changes. While the new, improved recipe bakes the show's host moves to another area which may consist of one of the following:

• Tasting Lab

• Product Reviews

• Techniques

• Recipe Tips

Watching Americas Test Kitchen is almost like a casual visit to an old friend, who also happens to be a very good cook. The cast laughs, jokes and generally seems to have a good time as they create and recreate some of America's favorite recipes.  This is the polar opposite to Gordon Ramsay's edgy style. 

Besides Christopher Kimball, the America's Test Kitchen cast consists of:

Bridget Lancaster, Julia Collin-Davison, Key Rentschler, Rebecca Hays, and Erika Bruce are the chefs who prepare the recipes in each episode.  As the recipes are prepared they discuss the reasons that certain changes have been made as Kimball looks on with interest.

Jack Bishop is the host of the Tasting Lab part of the show.  He discusses the taste test that was done, what the various tasters thought, and other information about the food chosen for that particular episode.  While he is talking about the various samples Kimball tastes them in the hopes of coming up with the same number one food as the test tasters did.

 Adam Ried is the equipment expert.  During the Equipment Corner part of the show he demonstrates the various products and has Kimball use them as well.  He and Kimball discuss the specifics of each brand and then Reid reveals the America's Test Kitchen favorite at the end.

On the America's Test Kitchen website you can find many of the same features as in the show.  Here you will find:

• Recipes for dishes that have been created on the show

• Video clips from the show

• Chat board and community (includes recipe swaps with other fans)

• A list of the ten most popular recipes on site

• Product reviews

• Tips

And much more.  In order to have full access to the recipe section you will need to become a member.  You can sign up for a fourteen day free trial to see if the website is something you would use.

There are a number of cookbooks that are published under the title of America's Test Kitchen. These books are to the current generation what Better Homes and Gardens (red plaid cover, three ring binder!) was to previous generations. The recipes are easily followed and made with ingredients almost anyone can find easily. They tend to be family friendly items, perfect for the average cook but delicious enough to keep the gourmet happy as well.

The show's fans love the banter, comeraderie, and friendly feeling that the cast somehow manages to convey across the airwaves. They eagerly watch episode after episode looking for the perfect chocolate cake or the macaroni and cheese that tastes like Mom made.

With magazines, televisions show, books, and website, America's Test Kitchen seems to be a favorite of many.