Food Network's New Offerings
Just ahead of upfronts, the Food Network has sent around a press release touting its new offerings for prime time and daytime. Some are just subsequent seasons of already familiar shows (Next Iron Chef, Next Food Network Star), while others are brand new: Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, Chefs vs. City, Worst Cooks in America among them. After the jump, the press release with show descriptions.
Prime Time
Chefs vs. City
Acclaimed chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez are pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through a different city each week, through the most fascinating, unusual food locations. Each team begins with a clue leading them to their first food challenge. Challenges could include everything from wine stomping to the eating the spiciest chili west of the Mississippi to diving for sea urchins! The five challenges take the chefs and foodies on an adrenaline-charged, food-lovers tour of each city, and once complete, it’s a sprint to the finish line to see if the locals can protect their home turf or if the Food Network chefs can conquer a new city. Premieres: July 2009.
Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin
Renowned for his expertise in wildlife and conservation, Jeff Corwin sets his sights on exploring human culture through regional cuisine in his first Food Network endeavor: Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin. With an open mind (and mouth), this thrilling primetime series follows the passionate foodie and anthropologist as he tears through countries like Thailand, Mexico, Greece, and Peru on radical culinary adventures. Learning from the natives, he samples the exotic foods and local customs that mold each community. Jeff enjoys countless surprises and unforgettable flavors during this fun-filled culinary quest – all in a day's work! Premieres: September 2009.
The Next Iron Chef: Season Two
Kitchen Stadium once again opens its doors to find a new culinary warrior in the sizzling primetime series The Next Iron Chef. Ten top chefs from around the country will compete to join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon and be launched into instant fame. Hosted by Alton Brown (Good Eats, Iron Chef America), the reality show will force the contestants into a series of challenging situations that test their culinary skills and mental toughness. As they travel near and far, the chefs must demonstrate their speed, artistry, innovation and leadership as they strive to attain greatness and become America’s Next Iron Chef. Premieres: October 2009.
Worst Cooks in America
Premiere chefs Anne Burrell and Beau MacMillan each take on a team of six hopeless home cooks and try to transform them from kitchen zeros into kitchen heroes in only 10 days. Viewers will follow 12 “recruits” as they face a series of high-pressure culinary challenges to help triumph over their inability to cook. The two who make it to the end will face the final challenge: prepare a three-course, restaurant-quality meal for a panel of food critics who think they are tasting dishes prepared by chefs Anne and Beau. On the line are the chefs’ professional reputations, $25,000 for the recruits, and the chance to say they are no longer one of the Worst Cooks in America! Premieres: January 2010.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown: Season 3
The cooks with the best recipes in America battle head-to-head for national glory in Ultimate Recipe Showdown. Hosted by Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives; Guy’s Big Bite), the series features everyday folks competing in a Kitchen Stadium-like arena to pit their best dishes against one another. Whether it’s the recipe that always gets requested from family and friends or the delicious dish that was passed down from grandma, viewers will see who truly possesses the “ultimate” recipe. Premieres: Second quarter 2010.
The Next Food Network Star: Season 6
Television’s most challenging food fight, The Next Food Network Star, provides 10 hopeful TV chefs with the chance to compete for the biggest prize on television: his or her own Food Network show. Each season, the finalists endure a series of complex challenges that determine their culinary competence and on-screen star potential. Iron Chef Bobby Flay leads the selection committee, who ultimately decides the winner’s fate and launches one lucky man or woman into a food and television celebrity. Premieres: June 2010
Foods That Changed the World
Food guru Alton Brown hosts this mini series that explores foods that have shaped the course of human history and influenced the way our species evolved. Alton will also investigate foods of the future and how technology will transform food worldwide in centuries to come. Premieres: Third quarter 2010.
Daytime
Sandra's Money Saving Meals
Well-known for her trademark Semi-Homemade cooking style, Sandra Lee now has her sights set on saving money! Her new daytime cooking series, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals, features incredible budget-friendly recipes for every day of the week. To maximize cost-saving success, Sandra shares unique ideas for savvy supermarket shopping, proper pantry stocking, and menu price points. She continues to stretch the dollar by creating a clever leftover dish from each episode with “Round 2 Recipes” exclusively on FoodNetwork.com. Sandra makes saving money simple, achievable and delicious for everyone! Premieres: May 10, 2009 at 12 p.m. ET/PT
Viva Daisy! Season Two
In season two of Viva Daisy!, popular TV personality Daisy Martinez takes viewers home as she shares her tips and tricks for creating quick, simple, mouth-watering meals inspired by her love of Latin cuisines. Daisy dishes for friends and family with recipes like savory Breaded Pork Chops with Spicy Pineapple Vinegar; spicy and sweet Chocolate-Chile Cake; and favorites like Tortilla with Artichokes, Piquillo Peppers and Tetilla Cheese; and Jicama, Black Bean, and Mango Salad. Season Two premieres: July 2009.
What Would Brian Boitano Make?
Everyone knows Brian Boitano won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating. What they don’t know: Brian is an accomplished cook who loves to entertain! In this new series, Brian takes viewers on a reality cooking adventure as he creates amazing food for a new event in each episode. Funny, knowledgeable and irresistible, Brian brings himself and so much more to What Would Brian Boitano Make? Premieres: August 2009.
5 Ingredient Fix
In her new daytime cooking series, 5 Ingredient Fix, host Claire Robinson proves delicious dishes only need five ingredients or fewer making cooking easier, faster and down right irresistible. She shows viewers how to enhance the natural flavors of carefully-selected, fresh ingredients to illustrate her belief that each ingredient should truly stand out in a recipe. Taking on popular but complicated recipes and re-inventing them with just five ingredients, Claire reveals how great food can be made simply and quickly! Airs: Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT
Take on the Takeout
In Take on the Takeout, Danny Boome visits delivery devotees with one goal in mind: to prepare a healthier, tastier, and less-expensive version of their favorite take-out dish faster than the restaurant can cook and deliver it. In addition to assessing cost and speed, the loyal customers taste and score the dueling dishes while blindfolded to determine the ultimate winner. With his practical ideas and British charm, Danny attempts to send the delivery boy packing to prove home-cooked meals beat take out any day! Premieres: 2010.
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34 Comments:
Here we go....I anxiously await the ripping apart of the above press release description of the new FN shows....LOL.
I think the one with Anne Burrell actually looks like fun.
arm1970 at 4:29PM on 04/21/09
Ask and you shall receive! Anne Burrell in prime time! Yes! Something interesting to watch. And if Next FN Star doesn't start for over a year, why are they showing new adds for it currently? Bobby Flay, "we'll be the judge of that."
lambowner at 4:36PM on 04/21/09
I want to say Jeff Corwin is a vegetarian, so that show could be interesting. But I could be making that up...
And I will never say no to more Alton Brown on my TV.
popcornfordinner at 4:44PM on 04/21/09
I was about to say that I swore Jeff Corwin already had a show like that, and then I realized it I had seen the special/pilot episode (about Thailand) a couple weeks ago on TFN. I actually liked it. He's very polite and respectful to everyone, and has a good sense of humor and sense of adventure.
As for "What Would Brian Boitano Make?" - not going to lie, I'm strangely drawn to this. It's either going to be hilarious, or crash and burn. Maybe both.
blisseau at 5:04PM on 04/21/09
Brian Boitano? Are you friggin kidding me? Next thing we know, Jesus will have his own show on how to serve himself for the Last Supper. FN, please get your act together! The only thing that looks interesting is Alton's series.
meem21 at 5:12PM on 04/21/09
I admit it. I stopped reading as soon as I saw Alton's doing a new mini series. I had to catch my breath for a moment. Add to that the fact that it's about foods that influenced history and I'm ready to piddle with excitement. Only downside... I have to wait until late 2010?! Damn you, Brown, for being so thorough in your research and development!!
crazy_betty at 5:33PM on 04/21/09
Will Corwin's show be vegetarian or is it one of those "let's travel and see what other people eat" instead of cooking shows?
gingercookiewithlime at 7:16PM on 04/21/09
Okay, I've got to say that I don't get the appeal in watching other people eat foods that are not appetizing. I'm not just talking about things that are culturally unfamiliar, but I get the same reaction watching clips of people stuffing their faces at eating contests. Maybe I just have an over-developed gag reflex, but I just don't see the appeal.
I'm not saying that shows like that shouldn't be on, I'm just saying that I really don't understand the enjoyment of something like that.
As for the rest, we'll see . Descriptions are one thing, execution is another.
dbcurrie at 7:35PM on 04/21/09
Sandra Lee is the worst thing to happen to the Food Network since they got rid of Sara Moulton. Right people, right?!
nikonratm at 8:34PM on 04/21/09
@gingercookiewithlime, gathering from what I saw in the Thailand special that aired last month or so, it's definitely *not* vegetarian (I wouldn't have even guessed Corwin was vegetarian to begin with). He ate everything the natives were eating, and that was like insect larvae and bloodcockles. At one point he even helped prepare a huge roasted pig, and I'm pretty sure he ate it (or at least was describing how fantastic it looked and smelled).
blisseau at 8:36PM on 04/21/09
@lambowner .. the ads that they are showing now are for Season 5 of the Next Food Network Star; the one on the press release is Season 6. Looking forward to all these new shows except Corwin; not into people eating weird food. Hope they continue Chopped that has been fun to watch this winter.
JulesLP at 9:27PM on 04/21/09
It's just so ... sad (save Alton of course). I am getting far better quality chefs/shows on my local PBS station here in Seattle. Other than the Barefood Contessa and Tyler Florence, I'm barely watching anything on FN anymore. Sigh.
funchefchick at 1:43AM on 04/22/09
Jules, thanks for the info.
Nikon, I can't imagine who watches Sandra Lee, maybe little old ladies and "breast" men. But I gotta respect Sara Moulton, who has had a really distinguished career and was privileged to work for the great Julia Child. She's not as gregarious as some, but she's the real deal.
lambowner at 10:13AM on 04/22/09
Take on the Takeout, and Worst Cooks are copies of British shows.
Worst Cooks is called Kitchen Criminals, and was actually pretty good with John Burton Race and Angela Hartnett.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/kitchencriminals_weekone.shtml
Pity we cannot get the UK Food Network here.
peekpoke at 2:07PM on 04/22/09
What Would Brian Boitano Make?
Sounds like the next Dweezil and Lisa.
Fatfudge at 2:56PM on 04/22/09
I'm glad to see Ann Burrell's getting another show but I'm having a hard time believing Sandra Lee is getting one too. Sandra Lee is the worst!
sttlady at 3:19PM on 04/22/09
Will the theme song for What Would Brian Boitano Make be the What Would Brian Boitano Do song from Southpark?
@fatfudge Dweezil and Lisa, that show was so bad it was funny!
cm82 at 3:56PM on 04/22/09
I don't suppose Brian Boitano will be making any huevos rancheros, will he?
Sandra Lee needs to go away. As does Anne Burrell. Chef vs City sounds so freaking lame.
TheScale at 4:27PM on 04/22/09
will all the hosts (except alton) be as annoying and fake as they are now? i hate what the fn has become.
hameshahungry at 6:10PM on 04/22/09
I am really, really, excited about Alton's new show! All his shows are so well done, and so informative.
quitecurious at 7:23PM on 04/22/09
I originally changed TV service providers in order to get the Food Network. Now most of the cooking shows I watch are on PBS. These challenges and reality shows on Fn are supposed to be entertaining but I am more interested to informative shows. Actually, the Food Network has been very helpful to me. I am now watching more news and business shows and getting my recipes and cooking knowledge from books. The one exception is Ina, the Barefoot Contessa. She has a pleasant personality and prepare great dishes. Thank goodness for TIVO. I can record her series without checking the useless Food Network schedule.
drjeckyl1 at 10:04PM on 04/22/09
Anne Burrell brings a lot of fundamental kitchen wisdom to TV. I'm so glad we're getting more programming with her.
FreshLemonZest at 1:23PM on 04/23/09
I have mixed feelings. WWBBD? No. Anne Burrell? Yes.
Me on TV? Oui.
www.gastrogirls.com
now THAT's funny.
GastroGirls at 5:29PM on 04/25/09
I can't get this out of my head now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-oiuPDnco
FoodPorncess at 8:21PM on 04/25/09
Anne Burrell needs to stop making the "muppet" voice no matter what show with which she's involved. It's "brown" Anne, not "BRRRROWWWNN!" We get it, FN is trying to give her a trademark, like Paula's "Hey Y'all" which is like nails on a chalkboard. Knock it off.
As for Corwin, saw the pilot and his mind was blown by an entire cooked pig, gnawing on its crackled skin so I'm guessing he's not a vegetarian.
FN, please do away with the awful "Throwdown" show - can there be one cook left who doesn't see the challenge from Bobby Flay coming?
kmitch218 at 10:21AM on 04/26/09
i really like anything with Guy Fieri - he's the best!
URS is pretty good if you haven't seen it yet!
Gizmosma at 8:14PM on 04/27/09
kmitch218 - agreed.....bobby flay's throwdown could be renamed, how to make any food better with chipotle peppers and ancho chilis!
Gizmosma at 8:18PM on 04/27/09
i don't get how you win Chef v. City??
Gizmosma at 8:20PM on 04/27/09
Food network has lost me. thereis only a few shows that are worth watching any more. Most of the new stuff is stupid and not instructive at all. When i watch a cooking show, I'd like to learn something. There's this show where this guy goes around to diners and tastes the food in the kitchens and after he has his mouth completely full, he starts commenting on the food, over the food being prepared. I call really bad manners and after seeing that, i would'nt eat there. And the vacations and hollidays--- Who gives a big rats a-- ! give me some more like Julia Childs!!!!!!!
I watched the last "Who's gonna be the next star" And , I guess for ratings reasons, they gave the win to a guy that could'nt even remember his lines. SCREW THEM.
old chef at 9:10PM on 04/27/09
FN is getting more and more like Bravo every season. Does every program have to be wrapped around competition? Screw "The Next...". Gimme Julia Child and Jacques Pepin any day.
FN, be advised - other networks are doing a much better job of what you used to do better than anyone else. And your audience knows it, even if you don't.
Kent McDonald at 10:53PM on 04/27/09
AFTER SLEEPING ON IT OVERNITE, I'VE CALMED DOWN. F. N. IS NOT ABOUT CUSINE, FINE DINING OR GOOD COOKING, IT'S ONLY GOAL IS - AUDIENCE- MORE PEOPLE WATCHING- RATINGS. THEY'RE GOING AFTER THE MASSES THAT THINK CANNED MUSHROOM SOUP, SHORTCUTS AND "TABLESCAPES". SO, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I'LL WATCH INA GARDEN AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS, BUT AS FOR THE REST OF IT--- IT STINKS! DAVE JOHNSON
old chef at 8:19AM on 04/28/09
Food Network lost me too several years ago. I too made sure I had cable so I could watch it - now I watch anything but. Except for Alton Brown - most other shows make me gag. I can sit through and actually enjoy shows on PBS and Fine Living, etc.
I just can't understand what their strategy is. Dumb down food? Annoy people who love food and want to learn to cook it? If so, they are succeeding.
http://www.indianculinarycenter.com
hameshahungry at 8:48AM on 04/28/09
Man.. FN was what originally propelled me to become the food science/culinary major that I am now. It's kinda depressing to see where it's ended up today. I would sit here and rant about what it should and shouldn't be, but I'd just be restating things that have been said already (nikonratm, hameshahungry, drjekyl1, old chef, Kent McDonald to name some good ones). Food network has changed focus from food to personality. I want food!! -_-
phishfood21 at 11:52AM on 04/28/09
HAHAHA I was dying when I read about "What WOuld Brian Boitano make?" it reminds me of the south park song "what would brian boitano do?" I wonder if he will be fighting grizzly bears on the show. That was hysterical!
twoojoe at 3:58PM on 04/28/09