‘Chic and Easy’ Premieres This Sunday

Seems the Food Network is just rolling out new shows left and right lately. Seems too they’re finding talented cooks/hosts as well. There seems to be a bit of irony in the fact that last years Next Food Network Star produced, in my opinion at least, a dud of a winner Sorry Amy, but to me you and your food were both uninspired. Yet the new shows and the cooks that host them that have come out of left field since that time — Ingrid, Neelys, Sunny — have all been winnners. Let’s see if Mary Nolan can make it four in a row.

First off, just who is she? From Food Network: Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Mary Nolan was inspired by a creative and food-loving family who exposed her to hands-on epicurean adventures including working on her grandparents’ rural farms, preparing meals, and culinary-focused vacations. While studying journalism at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mary enrolled in nutrition and food science courses and began catering bridal showers and parties. Spending a semester in Italy provided yet another source of inspiration for Mary’s cooking. After graduating from college, Mary moved to New York City to become an assistant at premier culinary magazine, Gourmet where she eventually became an advertising copywriter. Dedicated to sharing her fresh perspective and passion for accessibly chic entertaining, Mary is currently attending The Institute of Culinary Education.

As for the show, it’s described as this: Whether it’s a ladies-only soiree, a posh picnic, or big movie night, Mary Nolan proves that successful entertaining results from mouth-watering menus and stylish, welcoming atmospheres. Her exciting twists on the traditional create entertaining delights like Stilton-Stuffed Dates, Sweet and Smoky Popcorn, and Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting. Whether highlighting her practical approach to using local produce, showcasing a single splurge ingredient, or impressing guests with a unique flea-market find, she always offers crowd-pleasing and affordable solutions to make memorable entertaining Chic & Easy.

To be honest, my gut feeling here is … I dunno. I’m just not personally a big of fan of the Sandra Lee meets Martha Stewart meets “Party Girl” thing of turning a lamp O-ring into a napkin something, a carved watermelon into a planter or any of that stuff. And while I’m not totally sure this show is or isn’t going that way, it seems they might. Two things though, if this show does go that way, I’m cool enough to say that there aren’t enough of these kind of shows on for the folks who do get a kick from them. And the second thing is, again, it might not go this way afterall, not fully. Like you, I’ll have to take a peek and find out.

Chic and Easy debuts Sunday, May 18th at 10:30am Eastern.

Three New Food Network Cooking Shows in the Next Three Months

A lot of new brand new shows coming as well as returning old ones. For a quick run down.

In one week, Hell’s Kitchen returns with season four on Fox. Come June, A&E is debuting Rocco to the Rescue with Rocco Dispirito. In July, Emeril Green on the (not launched yet) Green Network. Also in July, see below, Grill It! with Bobby Flay. In April, as mentioned already, four new Chefographies, plus one of the three new shows on the Food Network who are going bang, bang, bang with a new show in April, May and June. For details, we’re taking this straight off the press release:

• Cooking For Real

Premieres Sunday, April 6th at 10:30AM ET/PT

With an understanding of everyday life and that real people deserve down-to-earth delicious meals, Sunny Anderson serves up solutions for easy-to-prepare, fantastic-tasting menus. Sunny’s fresh, uncomplicated approach to classic comfort foods, along with her passion for interpreting the flavors from her unique travels, brings a bright style to delectable, down-home dishes. Every recipe is designed with an eye toward real life budgets, easy-to-find ingredients and time saving tips to make preparation a breeze. From her spicy yet sweet Shrimp Pot Pie from New Orleans, her favorite bistro-inspired Wilted Green Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, or her mouth-watering take on Germany’s finest, Baked Apple with Crisp Topping, Sunny elevates the everyday meal in Cooking for Real!

About Sunny Anderson: Growing up traveling the world as an Army brat, Sunny indulged in many local cuisines. When she joined the Air Force, she continued her culinary world travels and also discovered she had a desire to explore music, becoming an award-winning military radio host and news reporter. Sunny continued her broadcast career playing radio host at stations in New Orleans, Montgomery, Detroit, and finally, in New York at hip-hop radio powerhouse, HOT 97. Sunny also served as Food & Lifestyle Editor at Hip Hop Weekly Magazine and previously ran her own catering company, Sunny’s Delicious Dishes. She debuted on Food Network back in 2005 as a special guest on Emeril Live, and in 2007, Sunny co-hosted Food Network’s series of specials, Gotta Get It.

• Chic & Easy

Premieres Sunday, May 18th at 10:30AM ET/PT

Whether it’s a ladies-only soiree, a posh picnic, or big movie night, Mary Nolan proves that successful entertaining results from mouth-watering menus and stylish, welcoming atmospheres. Her exciting twists on the traditional create entertaining delights like Stilton-Stuffed Dates, Sweet and Smoky Popcorn, and Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting. Whether highlighting her practical approach to using local produce, showcasing a single splurge ingredient, or impressing guests with a unique flea-market find, she always offers crowd-pleasing and affordable solutions to make memorable entertaining Chic & Easy.

About Mary Nolan: Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Mary Nolan was inspired by a creative and food-loving family who exposed her to hands-on epicurean adventures including working on her grandparents’ rural farms, preparing meals, and culinary-focused vacations. While studying journalism at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mary enrolled in nutrition and food science courses and began catering bridal showers and parties. Spending a semester in Italy provided yet another source of inspiration for Mary’s cooking. After graduating from college, Mary moved to New York City to become an assistant at premier culinary magazine, Gourmet where she eventually became an advertising copywriter. Dedicated to sharing her fresh perspective and passion for accessibly chic entertaining, Mary is currently attending The Institute of Culinary Education.

• Secrets of a Restaurant Chef

Premieres Sunday, June 29th at 10:30AM ET/PT

With extensive experience as a top restaurant chef and a lifelong passion for food, Anne Burrell 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.

About Anne Burrell: Now serving as Executive Chef at New York hot-spot Centro Vinoteca, Anne Burrell has always stood out in the restaurant business for her remarkable culinary talent, bold and creative dishes, and her trademark spiky blond hair. After training at New York’s Culinary Institute of America and Italy’s Culinary Institute for Foreigners, she gained hands-on experience at notable New York restaurants including Felidia, Savoy, Lumi, and Italian Wine Merchants. Anne can also be spotted battling on Food Network’s Iron Chef America as Mario Batali’s energetic and reliable sous chef. Additionally, Anne taught for three years at New York’s Institute of Culinary Education and recently took over the kitchen at New York’s Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano.