What a Weekend - and Week - for Food TV: New Shows, New Episodes

What a wild weekend and week this is for food shows! Really. It’s probably the busiest in quite a while. Why? Changes in shows, brand new programs and new episodes and “seasons” of returning favorites.

First, a lot happens tomorrow, Sunday. The first big thing is the premiere episode of a certain Iron Chef’s latest cooking show: Grill It! with Bobby Flay How does this new one differ from Boy Meets Grill? Well, first-off Flay put the word out in the Spring he wanted to hear from the best grillers. So each episode features a guest, an amateur or pro-am griller who demonstates their specialty. Bobby then follows suit. Or as the Food Network puts it: “The guest griller’s best recipe will be the ‘food of the day,’ but Chef Flay will not know the selection until the guest arrives and will have to whip up his own recipe on the fly.”

Nice idea. And Flay behind the outdoor grill — hey, sure the guy is extremely versatile — but this somehow always seems where he’s happiest, or at least where we the audience are happiest to see him. Btw the first show features grilled beef short ribs! Interesting piece of trivia here. The “Grill It!” cookbook which came out months before the show is currently number 3 on the NY Times books list. The premiere show is on at (why do they do these ungodly hours?) 9am Sunday.

Immediately after at 9:30am Eastern is the second episode of the absolutely wonderful new Secrets of a Restaurant Chef with Anne Burrell who’s doing an entire roast leg of lamb and a peach crisp dessert. Right there are two don’t miss shows with two talented chefs. Love it. An hour later, Sunny Anderson returns with her new episdoes of her new and popular Cooking for Real; that’s on at 10:30am.

The rest of the news for manana is night and late night. First a brand new Iron Chef America episode with challenger Michael Cimarusti taking on Masaharu Morimoto. A quick “Google” of Cimatrusti shows he loves seafood, Japanese knives, sushi … sounds like a good pairing for an interesting food battle. Wonder what the secret ingredient is going to be.

Right after ICA is the latest episode of the Next Food Network Star. After that is a sneak peak of Sunny Anderson’s new road show — Yes, after a mere six episodes of her cooking show, she’s given a second show! That has to be a new record! — How’d That Get On My Plate? which is basically yet another new version of The Secret Life Of … and Unwrapped as far as I’m concerned. The premiere episode has to do with “honey”. That sneak peak is at 11pm Sunday or you can see it Monday night at 9:30pm (after two episodes of, ahem, Unwrapped).

Speaking of Monday …. Nope. Wait. Almost skipped over something. On PBS, at least for me … you see PBS local stations all do what they want when they want, some follow a logical pattern, some don’t, so what’s airing for me might be in 200 other markets the same day. On a different day what’s airing for me is no where else but in my area. Maybe it’s been shown two weeks ago elsewhere. Maybe it’s going to be shown elsewhere next week. It’s the whole insanity of PBS local station autonomy being both a strength and a weakness, but nationally always a confusion. In short, for me, but maybe or maybe not for you, on Sunday, Sara’s Weeknight Meals with Sara Moulton is showcasing Greek dishes and she has on as guest NYC celeb chef Michael Psilakis. They should have called this the Greek Y show. Why? Because they’re making Braised Lamb Yiouvesti, Yiouvarlakia and Vegetarian Yemista. That’s Y.

Ah, at last, on Monday … There’s been all this “flutter” I’ll call it about Emeril Live moving from the Food Network over to it’s sibling channel, the Fine Living channel. On the one hand, yeah, I get it, Emeril Live has always been a FN staple. But then, you see I found out just the other day that while, yeah, Emeril Live would be on FL at night, in fact at the exact time slot, 7pm Eastern it has been on on FN for a decade. Turns out that Emeril Live was not completely leaving Food Network, only “Food Network at night”. Huh? Yeah, reruns of Emeril Live are being shown everyday at 2pm now on FN. And then you have him again on Fine Living at night. So, as Bugs Bunny would ask, what’s all the hub-bub, bub? And my answer is. Dunno, seems much ado about nothing. (And you thought I couldn’t get Bugs, Emeril and Shakespeare into the same paragraph, didntcha?)

Anyhow last year, cleverly, chef Emeril Lagasse made between 50 and 70 new Emeril Live episodes at the very end of 2007. Food Network has been doling those out at a one-a-week pace since New Years, meaning you would get one new one amidst four reruns every week. So with it’s “move” to the Fine Living channel, this week, there’s all new Emeril’s. That’s right, never before seen one’s in other words. They’re burning through a month or two in a sense to showcase the new move. Then we assume FL will do what sister channel FN did and do a once a week new one with six (they’re putting Emeril Live on seven nights a week, not just five) old shows mixed in. Yeah, Emeril is gone but between the seven nights and now two networks there’s a whole lot more Emeril around … not that he’s gone. Wonderful and yet so very confusing at the same time.

And not to be outdone, over on the Travel Channel, Monday at 10pm it’s a brand new season of No Reservations with globetrotting philosopher and foodie extraordinare Anthony Bourdain at 10pm. First episode up, a visit to Laos. Is that enough of a wild and crazy food show week for you? If not, Tuesday night is the season finale of Hell’s Kitchen on Fox.

News Bites: Sara Moulton Returns; Spike is TC’s Leech; Bye-Bye Barbie

Sara’s Weeknight Meals — Wow. This one flew so low under the radar I nearly missed it. (Alas, PBS shows are always like that though, aren’t they? Never any commercials for them. Never any pre-marketing on their own network. You either get lucky looking or you find it months after it’s been on.) Fortunately this new show starts this week.

Celebrity chef and cookbook author Sara Moulton returns to 200 public television stations — check here for location, day and time — on Sara’s Weeknight Meals, her new 20-episode cooking show series. Over 80% of American households can join Sara as she shares everything she knows about getting flavorful healthy meals on the table each weeknight with minimal fuss and maximum satisfaction.

Admired by millions as the host of Cooking Live, Cooking Live Primetime, and Sara’s Secrets, Moulton was one of Food Network’s defining personalities during the outlet’s first decade. Food Network continues to rerun Sara’s Secrets. “I’m delighted to have found a new home,” says Moulton. “Public television remains the bastion of truly educational food programming in America.” In fact, public television is a natural fit for Moulton, whose first work in the medium was as a behind-the-scenes associate of Julia Child on public television’s Julia Child and More Company in 1979.

Based on her cookbook, Sara’s Secrets for Weeknight Meals, the show demonstrates Sara’s rethinking of dinner, featuring fast and tasty entrees that break out of the predictable mold, including ideas for “Breakfast for Dinner,” “Soup for Supper” and “The Substantial Sandwich.”

Top Chef — Spike is Top Chef’s leech this year. Ok, this might not immediately convey the thought intented, so let me explain. Every reality show, every season, every year there is at the very least one contestant you don’t like. They may not totally qualify as the “villian” per se (they could, they might not). But they are the one you least like. The one you most wish would be voted or judged off. But they some how never go. (At least they don’t go fast enough.) And that is the that show’s “leech”. So it’s not that they are leeching off another contestant (necessarily). It means they grab a hold of something and won’t go. They’re that moving bug in the Roach Motel you can’t shake out, or shake completely into the glue. They’re clinging on. They’re teflon-coated. The fly you either can’t swat, or which you swear you keep hitting yet it buzzes away seemingly unharmed.

For Top Chef this year that is definitely Spike. What a major pain in the butt. And so stupid too. Last week Manuel got knocked off for not fighting hard enough and for going with Spike’s disaster. This week does Spike learn from that? No! Of course not! That would require brains. So Spike is the one to go along with something that wasn’t a good idea. Does Spike face irony and get axed? Of course not! He’s a leech, I tell you! … Who’s the ultimate Top Chef leech? I’m thinking it has to be Hung Huynh. Afterall isn’t he the first winner that no one liked at the time? That’s the ultimate leech when you win the contest after millions of viewers were virtually shaking the TV set back and forth.

Hell’s Kitchen — Meanwhile on Hell’s Kitchen, contestant Sharon — more famously known on the show as “Barbie” for being so interested in wearing makeup in the kitchen while getting everything else wrong in the kitchen — got tossed off. And we find that Petrossa who’s a catering director hasn’t been on “the line” in a kitchen in over 20 years. Brilliant! I will say one thing, it’s refreshing to see the guys actually win the first contest of the day. Think that’s the first time in the series. Not sure. I didn’t get to watch the first season. But the last two the girls always seem to win the morning challenges and get the adventures and the men always lost and got the penalty duty. So, good to see that change finally. It was getting to be a real pattern.

Oh, right and we found out Corey can be a real piece of work as she was trying to nominate people to get axed based on her strategies not real experience. What else did we find out in the last two episodes? Jen just will not shut up. Not just talking about her mouth in the kitchen, her long boring stories of justification to chef Ramsay. Vanessa is too meek. Jason we already know is an idiot from episode one, but number two confirms it. Ironically, Ben a former cook and Rosann a former cook are strong contenders; who would have thought it?

Cooking for Real — Sunny Anderson’s Food Network cooking show started on Sunday morning. What’s my review? Well, I have a rule: I do not do an official television series review of a new show until I’ve seen at least three episodes. So, look for that later this month. Meanwhile, my recommendation? All I can say is, her food had my mouth watering and she kept me interested. So, bet you can guess where I’m leaning on this on.

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.