Much-Anticipated ‘Emeril Green’ Premieres Today with Six in a Row

The long-anticipated and slightly overdue, Emeril Green premieres today, Monday July 14 on the Discovery Green channel. The overdue part comes from earlier reports were that it was supposed to launch along with the new cable channel on June 6th. Making up for that, there will be six, that’s right, six new of the new episodes on tonight.

And if that wasn’t enough it’s going to be in what’s called “heavy rotation”, or to put in it viewer-speak “they’re going to be showing it a whole lot”. How much? A search on the DirecTv service shows over 48 showings in just two days. That means if you miss the initial six shown tonight at 8pm Eastern, pretty much turn on the channel anytime this week and you’re bound to hit upon one just by sheer chance.

So what’s big about this? Well for one, a new cooking show is always news. Second, it’s Mr. Bam! himself, Emeril Lagasse. Third, it’s not only his first show in something like four or five years — the last being the Essence of Emeril — it’s his first show ever outside of the Food Network. It’s also his first since the Martha Stewart buy out of his ton of “old stuff” too.

Seems anytime Emeril does something he does it big. And even though this is a “small show”. No giant audience. No cooking with his own band accompaniment. (Though we’ll miss Doc Gibbs and the boys.) This is big in terms of numbers. No idea how many episodes of this Emeril already has in the can, but each half-hour show will be shown daily, and not one, but two new shows each day, back to back. So again it’s a full-hour of Emeril.

Here’s the concept taken right off the site: “Picture an ultimate foodie fantasy store, then drop in some real people who have real culinary challenges and watch as America’s most beloved chef comes to their rescue, offering educational information on how everyday cooking can be healthy, organic, and eco-friendly.

On each daily episode, Emeril will be challenged with some daunting food dares that his fans or foodie wannabes throw at him. How many meals can he get out of that $20.00 fat ostrich egg? Is it possible to make a meatloaf ‘meatless’ for a vegetarian? Can he make a decadent angel food cake for someone allergic to flour? Can he combine cold fruit and hot meat together to make a gorgeous and green dinner dish?”

Where the green comes in — this is afterall the “Green Network” — is the focus on locally-grown foods and eco-friendly cooking. So what can we expect from this new show?

In “Fish Tales”, Chef Lagasse helps a woman prepare a meal made from several different types of fish that is worthy of her husband’s hometown New Bedford, Mass. On “Light for Life” Emeril fuels Laura’s new, healthy lifestyle with a recipe designed to help her keep off the 130 pounds she lost. “Cuba Libre” episode focuses on some of the most flavorful pork dishes come from Cuba with a new and modern twist. “A Winning Combo”, Helynn’s husband can make a gourmet meal out of beans and boudin. Helynn’s competitive nature won’t allow her to settle for second place, even in the kitchen. Chef Lagasse works to take a novice in the kitchen and up her game with dishes like Oysters with Hot Sauce Sorbet and Snapper Wrapped in Banana Leaves.

“Jambalaya Jones”: What if you’ve fallen in love with the flavors of New Orleans and want to recreate those memories? Chef Lagasse helps Mike recapture the flavors in his jambalaya. And in “East Meets West”, Americans still have plenty of questions. Which cut do you use for grilling, which grade makes the best hamburger, or how can you tell if a steak is done? In this episode Chef Lagasse meets Valerie who loves steak but doesn’t know which cut to buy, how to cook it or even how to handle it. Emeril gives her a little meat know-how and serves up his beef lettuce wrap with a chimichurri sauce and baby bok choy stir fry as a delicious solution to her dilemma.

Anne Burrell’s Show ‘Secrets of a Restaurant Chef’ Premieres Sunday

You probably know of Anne Burrell. At least if you’ve ever seen an episode of Iron Chef America when Mario Batali is the chosen steel warrior of the day. If so, then you know Anne is the sous chef helping Batali out with the mop of yellow popping all over the screen during the competition.

But Anne is second place no more (ok, we’re talking figuratively as I’m sure she still is one of Mario’s assistants, but that said …) It’s time for Chef Burrell to take a walk in her own limelight with Secrets of a Restaurant Chef starting tomorrow, Sunday at (the ungodly werid hour all new FN shows start) 9:30am. It’s long past time for the Food Network to hire actual chefs as hosts and not the endless supply of home ec teachers, Rachael wannabes, and others who, have their place when in small doses, have of late taken over the entire channel as Ming Tsai, Wolfgang Puck, Michael Chiarello, Emeril Lagasse and in large part Batali (he’s still an Iron Chef but his next new food show is on PBS) have all said goodbye to FN leaving one gigantic culnary black hole to be filled.

From the press release: “Burrell with extensive experience as a top restaurant chef and a lifelong passion for food, takes the mystery (and apprehension) out of the professional kitchen and highlights the practical techniques necessary to create delicious at-home meals. Based on her love for rustic food with simple ingredients and intense flavors, Anne prepares surprisingly achievable dishes such as Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb with Roasted Fennel, Artichoke, and Red Bliss Potatoes and Brined Grilled Pork Chops with Parmesan Polenta, Sautéed Swiss Chard and Bacon. With stand-out recipes perfect for a party but easy enough for an everyday meal, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef will make the viewer’s dinner table the hottest reservation in town.”

On her first show, Anne “reveals the secret to preparing rich, meaty Pasta Bolognese – a recipe that doesn’t require any overnight simmering or pricey ingredients. Her simple technique earns a huge flavor payoff and still leaves time for a perfect side of Grilled Asparagus with Poached Egg, Parmigiano and Lemon Zest.”

Btw, speaking of the Sunday lineup and new shows, Chic and Easy with came-from-nowhere cook Mary Nolan isn’t on, as she’s done her six-show quota — it’s a Food Network thing; new shows get six shows only. If they like them, they go back into production with new ones quickly. Yeah, and they call that a “season” too. Six-ep season, yeah, weird werid. But it’s their “way”. Does Mary get the nod? Dunno yet. Too early or I would have heard something. To be candid I missed all her shows. DVD’s on the fritz. Can’t get up that early and everything I’ve read on other blogs and boards about her and the show makes me shudder.

Another newer show is Paula’s Best Dishes which seems to showcase, yes, Paula Deen’s best recipes along with guests showing up. Two of the last three episodes had such incredible guests on as her husband Michael (yawn) and her brother Bubba (snore) … which I guess are considered celebs if you’re some kinda Paula groupie, but for the rest of us normal people, family ain’t guests. Dunno about you but is there any house any where where family are considered guests? Nope, I didn’t think so. So why should she get away with it?

Anyhow, I guess for once her new show actually lives up to the second part of the description as Katie Lee Joel is on today. You know her at least. Wife of singer Billy Joel? The one who hosted Top Chef before Padma? And my number one choice as a person Food Network will announce they’ve hired sometime in the next six months and getting her own show. Again, never read about this any where. This is my guess only. And I’m always right! Anyow “they’re sharing some of their favorite brunch recipes including Paula’s Crab Benedict and Katie’s Souffléd Pumpkin Pancake.” Paula’s show is on at a more respectable (that means I know I won’t sleep through it) 12:30 in the afternoon.

Ted Allen Joins Food Network Hosting New ‘Food Detectives’ Show in July

Famed culinary expert Ted Allen joins the Food Network family with the debut of his new series Food Detectives, premiering Tuesday, July 29th at 9pm ET/PT. The half-hour primetime series explores the delicious connection between science and food, pulling back the curtain and revealing the answers to some of the most puzzling food mysteries and will feature experts from Popular Science magazine.

“We’ve wanted to work with Ted for years on a series of his own and we’ve found a great fit in Food Detectives,” said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network. “Not only will this show provide a wealth of interesting information for our viewers, it also gives Ted an opportunity to show off his wit and culinary knowledge.”

“I’m so excited to be working with Food Network on this new series,” said Allen. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to head up my own show and I know that viewers are going to be totally engaged with the information we are discovering on Food Detectives!”

Food Detectives mixes a healthy dose of humor with a wealth of fascinating factoids. Aided by willing culinary techs and the brains from the leading science and technology magazine Popular Science, the series will conduct experiments to find the truth behind the most interesting food myths. Ted and his team will dig deep to answer questions like: Does it really take seven years for gum to digest in your stomach? Is the five-second rule true? Can an “apple a day” really keep the doctor away? Viewers can also get in on the fun by submitting their most puzzling food conundrums for potential show experiments.

Emmy Award winner Ted Allen was the food and wine specialist on the groundbreaking Bravo series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, has also been a judge on every season of Food Network’s Iron Chef America and Bravo’s Top Chef and is the author of “The Food You Want to Eat: 100 Smart, Simple Recipes”.

2008 James Beard Awards Winners

The winners of the 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards announced Sunday night, June 8th, include:

Restaurants and Chefs, National

Outstanding Restaurateur: Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, New York

Outstanding Chef: Grant Achatz, Alinea, Chicago

Outstanding Restaurant: Gramercy Tavern, New York (Danny Meyer)

Outstanding New Restaurant: Central Michel Richard, Washington (Michel Richard)

Rising Star Chef: Gavin Kaysen, Cafe Boulud, New York

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, Tartine Bakery, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Service: Eleven Madison Park, New York

Oustanding Wine and Spirits Professional: Terry Theise, Terry Theise Estate Selections, Silver Spring, Md.

Outstanding Service: Terra, St. Helena, Calif.

Chefs - Regional

Best Chef: Great Lakes - Carrie Nahabedian, Naha, Chicago

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic - Eric Ziebold, CityZen, Washington, DC

Best Chef: Midwest - Adam Siegel, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro, Milwaukee

Best Chef: New York - David Chang, Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York

Best Chef: Northeast - Patrick Connolly, Radius, Boston

Best Chef: Northwest - Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland, Wash.

Best Chef: Southwest - Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colo.

Best Chef: South - Michelle Bernstein, Michy’s, Miami

Best Chef: Southeast - Robert Stehling, Hominy Grill, Charleston, S.C.

Best Chef: Pacific - Craig Stoll, Delfina, San Francisco

Books

Cookbook of the Year - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, “The River Cottage Meat Book”

Cookbook Hall of Fame - Paula Wolfert, “Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco”

Asian Cooking - Niloufer Ichaporia King, “My Bombay Kitchen: Traditional and Modern Parsi Home Cooking”

Baking and Dessert - Peter Reinhart, “Peter Reinhart’s Whole Grain Breads: New Techniques, Extraordinary Flavor”

Cooking from a Professional Point of View - The French Culinary Institute with Judith Choate, “The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Cuisine”

Entertaining - Trish Magwood, “Dish Entertains”

Americana - Jean Anderson, “A Love Affair with Southern Cooking”

General - James Peterson, “Cooking”

Healthy Focus - Jean Harvey-Berino with Joyce Hendley and the editors of EatingWell magazine, “The EatingWell Diet”

International - Anne Willan, “The Country Cooking of France”

Reference - Rowan Jacobsen, “A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Oyster Eating in North America”

Single Subject - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, “The River Cottage Meat Book”

Wine and Spirits - David Wondrich, “Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to ‘Professor’ Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar”

Writing on Food - Barbara Kingsolver, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life”

Photography - Photographer: France Ruffenach, “The Country Cooking of France” by Anne Willan

Also ….

Television Food Segment, National or Local: The Victory Garden, PBS

Television Food Special: Top Chef Holiday Special, Bravo

Television Food Show, National or Local: Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie, American Public Television

Website Focusing on Food, Beverage, Restaurant, or Nutrition: Epicurious.com, Tanya Steel

Multimedia Writing on Food: Josh Ozersky and Daniel Maurer, nymag.com, “Grub Street”

News Bytes: Deen Show Peek; Chefs’ Night Out; the Beards; Tyler in Idaho

Many weekends are slow, food news-wise. This is definitely not one of those.

On the air we have a preview of Paula Deen’s new cooking show on Sunday early afternoon and later that night episode 2 of NFNS. Off the air and live, the biggest thing of this weekend and perhaps of the year is the Annual James Beard Awards Sunday night.

First up is Tyler Florence who travelled to Boise for a food charity event, A Chefs’ Affaire. What it is involves a five-course gourmet dinner created by Idaho chefs from 20 different restaurants. There is also a live chef auction and a silent auction. Benefits go the the Idaho Foodbank. Celebrity chef Tyler Florence presents a cooking demonstration prior to the dinner.

Sunday night is the 2008 James Beard Awards, basically the Oscars of the Culinary World. For who’s up for what check out are post on the Beard Finalists we did in March. On Monday we’ll let you know who the winners were. Ah, but for a moment let’s look at last night in Big Apple, namely the Chefs’ Night Out party hosted by Bon Appetit at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

Well some bloggers (not me, sniff) were lucky enough to go, so let me quote the ulterior epicure:

It’s kind of an unofficial kick-off for the James Beard weekend of festivities leading up to the James Beard Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception at Lincoln Center on Sunday, June 8. The event involved loud music, a dance floor, lots of cocktails, a dessert “buffet,” passed finger foods, an ice cream truck, and lots of people-watching.

Attendees included: Barbara Fairchild, Andrew Knowlton, Tom Colicchio, Tracie des Jardins, Johnny Iuzzini, Anita Lo, Drew Nieporent, Gail Simmons, Ilan Hall, Grant Achatz, Donatella Arpaia, Michael Psilakis, Bradford Thompson, David Kinch, Harold Dieterle, Anne Burrell, Fabio Trabocchi, John Besh, Lee Ann Wong, and many more…

And for photos of the event there was “live blogger” snack (that’s her cool name) taking photos on her cellphone straight to her blog. No captions but I know for sure I saw Gail Simmons, and Ted Allen with some guys and Daniel Bouloud sucking on a Good Humor bar (I kid you not), and a blurry pic of a guy against a wall who’s hair reminds me of Marcel from the first season of Top Chef. Not saying it was, some blurs look like other blurs, but it could have been.

As for television, on Sunday night there is a brand new Iron Chef America with star chef Marcus Samuelsson entering Kitchen Stadium for the first time, taking on Iron Chef Bobby Flay; that’s at 9pm Eastern, followed at 10pm Eastern with the second episode of The Next Food Network Star (which we both showed a clip of and talked about the other day.)

In the daytime however, there’s a Paula Deen marathon from 11am to 2pm, culminating at 1:30pm with a sneak peek of her latest new cooking show, Paula’s Best Dishes. As FN describes it this way: “What happens when America’s favorite Southern cook opens up her kitchen to family, friends, viewers, and the best home cooks in the country? Paula is cookin’ up something new as she rescues viewer recipes, learns the secrets of some of America’s best cooks and shares stories and traditions with friends and strangers alike.”

For this Sunday’s show the theme is “Deli Delights” with guest local Savannah chef, Alan Nowell paying a visit. Next week the show premieres in its regular Sunday at 12:30pm time slot with Paula managing to get her husband Michael into the kitchen with her.