NEW YEAR, NEW SERIES: FOOD NETWORK PRIMETIME HEATS
UP!
Guy Fieri, Ted Allen, and Adam Gertler Host Three Series Premieres in
January 2009
NEW YORK – November 17, 2008 – This January, Food Network pumps up its
primetime lineup with three series premieres full of fun-filled food
entertainment! First, Guy Fieri returns as host of Ultimate Recipe
Showdown as a new batch of home cooks step up and put their prized
personal recipes to the “ultimate” test, premiering Sunday, January 4th
at 9pm ET/PT. Then, course-by-course eliminations leave one chef
standing in Chopped hosted by Ted Allen, premiering Tuesday, January
13th at 10pm ET/PT. Finally, The Next Food Network Star season four
finalist and charismatic foodie, Adam Gertler, attempts outrageous
food-related jobs on Will Work for Food, premiering Monday, January 19th
at 8:30pm ET/PT.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown – Season Two
Premieres: Sunday, January 4th at 9pm ET/PT
With more than 12,000 recipes submitted from home cooks across America,
Ultimate Recipe Showdown returns for another season of delicious
competition as the top 24 contestants battle head-to-head for national
glory. Hosted by Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives; Guy’s Big Bite),
the series features six categories: Comfort Food, Burgers, Cakes, Hot
and Spicy, Desserts, or Hometown Favorites. Each week, the judges crown
an “ultimate” winner who receives $25,000 and the chance to have his or
her recipe featured nationwide at T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants.
Chopped
Premieres: Tuesday, January 13th at 10pm ET/PT
Passion and expertise rule the kitchen on the fast-paced new series,
Chopped. Hosted by Ted Allen (Food Detectives), the series challenges
four up-and-coming chefs to turn a selection of everyday ingredients
into an extraordinary three-course meal. After each course, a contestant
gets "chopped" until the last man or woman left standing claims victory.
Each week, a rotating panel of culinary elite judges including Alex
Guarnaschelli, Aaron Sanchez, and Geoffrey Zakarian will decide whose
dishes shine the brightest and award the winner $10,000.
Will Work for Food
Premieres: Monday, January 19th at 8:30pm ET/PT
Adam Gertler shared his humorous take on food throughout season four of
The Next Food Network Star. Now, he pairs his comedic timing with an
adventurous spirit in the new series, Will Work for Food. The series
exposes Adam to the world of little-known food jobs as he fearlessly
puts his life – and mouth – on the line to try them all! Whether taking
honey from three million bees, sculpting ice with a chain saw, foraging
for truffles, or digging a wine cave, Adam will do anything in the name
of food.
ULTIMATE RECIPE SHOWDOWN Season Two
– Episode Descriptions
Premiering Sunday, January 4th at 9:00pm ET/PT –
SEASON PREMIERE!
“Comfort Food”
Just in time to warm up the cold winter nights, Food Network looks
for the Ultimate Comfort Food recipe in the season two premiere of
Ultimate Recipe Showdown. After a nationwide recipe search, four
finalists will compete in two rounds: speed and signature dish to
uncover the heartiest of repasts. From La Soupe du Cinq Mai to
Apple-Date Fritters with Lemon Curd Cream and Candied Ginger, a
panel of food experts will determine whose comfort food is the
yummiest and the winner will receive $25,000 and the chance to have
his or her recipe featured nationwide at T.G.I. Friday’s®
restaurants.
Premiering Sunday, January 11th at 9:00pm ET/PT
“Burgers”
In this week’s episode, Food Network seeks the Ultimate Burger
Recipe. Following a nationwide recipe contest, four finalists will
compete in the speed and signature dish rounds to see which home
cook can create the juiciest burger. From an Adobo Quesadilla Burger
with Grilled Corn Salsa to Turkey Burgers with Prosciutto and Melon,
a panel of food experts will determine whose burger tops the rest
and the winner will receive $25,000 and the chance to have his or
her recipe featured nationwide at T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants.
Premiering Sunday, January 18th at 9:00pm ET/PT
“Cakes”
Food Network is looking for the Ultimate Cake Recipe. After a
nationwide recipe contest, four finalists will compete in the speed
and signature dish rounds to uncover the most decadent baked good.
From Double Chocolate Malt Shop Cupcakes with Cherry-Vanilla
Buttercream to Ruby Red Grapefruit Cake with Pecan Glaze, a panel of
food experts will determine whose cake is the best and the winner
will receive $25,000 and the chance to have his or her recipe
featured nationwide at T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants.
Premiering Sunday, January 25th at 9:00pm ET/PT
“Hot & Spicy”
Food Network is looking for the Ultimate Hot and Spicy Recipe. After
a nationwide recipe contest, four finalists will compete in two
rounds: speed and signature to discover the zestiest dish. From
Sautéed Scallops with a Spicy Piquillo Pepper Puree to White Bean
Chicken Chili, one dish will be crowned the most flavorful hot and
spicy recipe. A panel of food experts will determine whose hot and
spicy dish is the best and the winner will receive $25,000 and the
chance to have his or her recipe featured nationwide at T.G.I.
Friday’s® restaurants.
Premiering Sunday, February 8th at 9:00pm ET/PT
“Desserts”
Sweet, delicate and moist – Food Network is looking for the Ultimate
Dessert Recipe! After a nationwide recipe contest, four finalists
compete in the speed and signature rounds. From Raspberry Puffs with
Goat Cheese Mousse and Thyme to Glazed Caramelized Roasted Banana
Bread Drop Doughnuts, a panel of food experts will determine whose
dessert is the sweetest of them all and the winner will receive
$25,000 and the chance to have his or her recipe featured nationwide
at T.G.I. Friday’s® restaurants.
Premiering Sunday, February 15th at 9:00pm ET/PT
“Hometown Favorites”
In this week’s episode, Food Network looks to discover the Ultimate
Hometown Favorite Recipe, a category that features dishes that a
particular region has perfected and made famous. The nationwide
recipe contest has yielded four finalists who will compete in the
speed and signature rounds. From Tongue Tantalizing Barbeque Pork to
North Atlantic Pan Seared Cod with New England Succotash and
Cranberry Vinaigrette, a panel of food experts will determine whose
hometown favorite dish is the most delectable and the winner will
receive $25,000.
Diana Davis, 33, of Sherman Oaks, CA wasn't
always into cooking. After struggling for years with weight and
health issues, she decided to change her lifestyle and started
on her journey to healthy living in the kitchen. Diana's
signature dish, La Soupe du Cinq Mai, was inspired by Cinco de
Mayo-with a French Twist!
Emily Hobbs, 23, of Ozark, MO has devoted her
entire life to food. While saving money to attend culinary
school in New York City, Emilie constantly develops recipes and
maintains a food blog. Emily created her signature dish, Baked
Butternut Four Cheese Farfalle with Sage specifically for
Ultimate Recipe Showdown.
Rick Massa, 58, a retired Los Angeles Police
Department/SWAT Officer from Simi Valley, CA is known for his
love of cooking. He now spends his time creating unique recipes
for his grandchildren, like his signature dish, Cheese Lovers 5
Cheese Mac & Cheese.
Michaela Rosenthal, 51, of Woodland Hills, CA is
a married mother of two adult children and a freelance greeting
card writer/designer. She started cooking after working at a
gourmet food company and has become a seasoned veteran of the
recipe contest circuit. Michaela competed in season one of
Ultimate Recipe Showdown and created her signature dish, Cream
of Parsnip Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, to try to capture
victory this season.
“BURGERS”
Harold Cohen, 74, a retired plastic surgeon from
Hollywood, FL has traveled the world and now spends his time
developing the perfect burger. Although legally blind, Harold is
confident that his feel for food will help him to create his
travel-inspired Iberian Burger and win over the judges.
Sonya Goergen, 31, a new mom from Moorhead, MN
was raised to love cooking and family get-togethers. She
developed her signature dish, Adobo Quesadilla Burgers for a
family birthday barbeque.
Brigitte Nguyen, 27, is a recent culinary school
graduate of Lexington, KY who works in catering. She always
longs for authentic Vietnamese food, and when she couldn’t find
her favorite Vietnamese sandwich in Kentucky, she decided to
whip up her own recipe using local ingredients, which eventually
morphed into her signature dish, Vietnamese Bistro Burgers.
Sarah Sommerfield, 28, a part-time MBA student
and marketing professional from New York, NY can’t live without
her favorite childhood dishes – French toast and burgers. She’s
combined these delicious treats to create her signature dish,
Croque Monsieur Burger.
“CAKES”
Deborah Biggs, 38, of Omaha, NE is a part-time
substitute teacher turned fanatical food competitor who is
determined to make her mark on the recipe circuit. Deborah’s
signature dish, Triple Hazelnut Cake with Chocolate Buttercream
Frosting is based on a grand prize winning recipe from her local
state fair.
Julie Hession, 34, a freelance food journalist
from Las Vegas, NV developed her signature dish based on her
love of cake and sweet potatoes. The recent Duke University
graduate plans to impress the panel with her Sweet Potato Layer
Cake with Spiced Pecan Buttercream.
Jamie Nondorf, 28, of Mesa, AZ is a recent
dental school graduate with a major sweet tooth. After months of
experimentation, Jamie has perfected the recipe for her Key Lime
Coconut Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting.
Melinda Winner, 46, relocated from North
Carolina to Gulfport, MS after seeing the devastation of
Hurricane Katrina. Melinda, who uses her cooking skills to feed
construction workers that are rebuilding the area, is
adventurous in the kitchen and constantly experimenting. Ruby
Red Grapefruit Cake, Melinda’s signature dish, is a result of
her experimental approach in the kitchen.
“HOT & SPICY”
Jim Fox, 45, of Wilmette, IL spends his days as
the Chief Financial Officer of a national real estate investment
firm, and his nights cooking for his family. Inspired by green
chilies during a trip to Santa Fe, NM, Jim originally developed
his signature dish, Sharsh’s White Bean Chicken Chili for his
wife.
Jason Hernandez, 38, a marketing professional
from Germantown, TN has a passion for Southern cooking. Over the
last ten years, Jason has perfected his Southern skills,
especially the recipe for his Spicy Low-Country Shrimp and
Grits.
Chris Milano, 30, of San Francisco, CA has two
loves – food and football. After leaving a job in football,
Chris started a culinary tour and lifestyle company based on the
diverse foods of his hometown. His signature dish,
Argentinean-Style Grilled Swordfish with a Spicy-Orange
Chimichurri, reflects the ethnicities, flavors and styles of San
Francisco.
Laureen Pittman, 44, a paralegal from Riverside,
CA spends her spare time vacationing in Baja testing local
cuisine. The Southern California native enjoys the heavy Mexican
influence on local culture and food which inspired her to create
her signature dish, Killer Baja Chili Rellenos Mariscos.
“DESSERTS”
Dennis Deel, 51, of Wooster, OH began cooking in
2004 as a way to relieve stress and this hobby has grown into a
passion. The winner of many national recipe contests, Dennis
created his signature dish, Gingersnap Mango-Lassi Cheesecake
out of his love of East Indian foods.
Jenny Flake, 32, a part-time pilates instructor
and full-time mom from Gilbert, AZ was a finalist in the Comfort
Food category in season one of Ultimate Recipe Showdown. Jenny
developed her Roasted Banana Bread Drop Doughnuts by combining
the two desserts her family loves most.
Lisa Roman, 34, a graphic designer created
Heartbreak Healer cookies that became a favorite of her friends.
The army wife from Roswell, GA developed the recipe years ago
and distributed them to her single, heartbroken friends.
Camilla Saulsbury, 38, of Nacogdoches, TX
created her signature dish, Roasted Plum and Basil Trifle based
on her crop of summer basil. The writer, sociology professor and
fitness instructor has won several recipe contests including the
Cookie category in season one of Ultimate Recipe Showdown.
“HOMETOWN FAVORITES”
Andreann Geise, 39, of Myrtle Beach, SC credits
Ultimate Recipe Showdown with reigniting her love of cooking.
Andreann’s late father inspired the creation of her signature
dish, Tongue Tantalizing Barbeque Pork.
Laurie Lufkin, 42, is as passionate about
cooking as she is about her hometown of Essex, MA. Her recipe
for Essex Steamer Clam Cakes with Traditional New England Tartar
Sauce has been passed down from her grandmother.
Julie Ohnstad, 33, of Marietta, GA has traveled
the world, but now cares for her young child. During her free
time, Julie developed her signature dish, Hotlanta Style Chicken
and Waffle Sandwiches, by combining two Southern staples in a
unique sandwich.
Cheryl Perry, 47, of Elizabeth City, NC values
the importance of utilizing fresh local produce. Inspired by her
home near the ocean, Cheryl created her signature dish, Seafood
Stuffed Trout Drizzled with Citrus Butter, by using fresh
seafood from her hometown.
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