We can all agree that Food Network has changed over the years, right? What was once a network filled with shows that taught you how to cook (oh, I still miss Sara Moulton's 'Cooking Live' so, so much) has turned into a channel with more competition and reality shows than shows that teach you anything.

Sure, there are still many shows on the network that show you how to create a meal -- '30 Minute Meals,' 'The Barefoot Contessa,' 'Everyday Italian' and others -- but the other shows get all the attention. There's a lot of great stuff on Food Network (as Allison Waldman noted in her list of 10 best Food Network shows), but also a lot of terrible stuff.

Here are my choices for the very worst of the worst shows on Food Network. I'm not sure what you might be surprised by more though, what is included on the list or a certain show that isn't.

The season finale 'The Next Food Network' airs Sunday at 9PM ET, and if you've been watching since the first episode, you know that it's been a good competition. All the three finalists -- Aarti Sequeira, Herb Mesa, and Tom Pizzica -- seem to have a good shot at winning the top prize.

We have our own thoughts about who would excel with his or her own Food Network television show, but if you've studied the judges' reaction, one candidate seems to have the inside track to victory.

Check out our analysis of who will be 'The Next Food Network Star,' starting with the chef most likely to win ...

When the Cooking Channel launched a couple of months ago, we were rather critical of lineup, but since then, a handful of shows have not only proven to be the best on the network, but might be our favorite new food programs, period.

Here's three Cooking Channel shows that you should take the time to check out:

1. 'Unique Eats.'
Kind of like 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' 'Unique Eats' is a terrific show about food from a foodie's point of view. In this case, specific places in a particular area are chosen for the unique fare they serve, and then the experts tell viewers why it's so special. The focus on interesting shops, bakeries, restaurants and eateries is excellent, but what makes the show so compelling is that the people going on and on about these locales are recognizable foodies from other networks and channels.

The Food Network and its bevy of stars have a lot of culinary bases covered, but they are missing many, especially some pretty trendy ones. Given the economy, the focus as of late is on budget cooking, but there are more than a few niches the Food Network and its new sister network, the Cooking Channel, are missing.

At a screening of 'The Next Food Network Star' (Sun., June 6 at 9PM ET), judges Susie Fogelson, senior vice president of marketing, creative services and brand strategy, and Bob Tuschman, senior vice president of programming and production and the newly announced general manager of Food Network, discussed many aspects of what makes a great food program.

Coming into the 'Next Food Network Star' competition, Tuschman said he and the producers do not have a show idea in mind. This season features many contestants from very different walks of life. There are chefs, lawyers and bloggers all vying for the top prize, their own Food Network series.

"I think we like the fact that we never know what the show is going to produce," Tuschman said. "So, what we're looking for is just somebody we think could be a breakout star."

TV Squad reader, Steve, likes to cook with celebrity chefs. He says watching a recipe on television is "easier to understand than just reading in a cookbook." And, if you ask me, he probably likes the friendly company of Emeril, Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. But, recording cooking shows on VHS is a pain. To find his favorite pizza recipe, Steve would have to search through the tape. He asks TV Squad: Are there any DVDs/CDROMs of celebrity cooking shows?

Yes and no, Steve. There are, but I found surprisingly few.