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**FOOD NETWORK FEBRUARY 2012 HIGHLIGHTS**

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

FOOD NETWORK FINDS THE WORST COOKS IN AMERICA AND COMES TO THE RESCUE ON RESTAURANT: IMPOSSIBLE

Plus: Chocolate Theme Weekend, Alton Brown Special and ‘Sandra’s Chocolate Celebration’

 

NEW YORK – January 11, 2012 – Food Network takes February by storm with a healthy dose of new programming including new seasons of Worst Cooks in America with Anne Burrell and new competitor Bobby Flay and primetime favorite Restaurant: Impossible with Robert Irvine. Superstar Chef Bobby Flay challenges two-time champion Anne Burrell in the competition designed to turn disasters in the kitchen into at-home culinary experts in the season three premiere of Worst Cooks in America on Sunday, February 12th at 9pm. Weeknight primetime programming gets a boost with Robert Irvine as he’s back on the road to save restaurants struggling to survive in the season three premiere of Restaurant: Impossible on Wednesday, February 8th at 10pm. Additionally, on Mondays at 8pm, Roger Mooking and Aarón Sanchez spice up primetime in their quest to find the most delicious, and hottest food in the country in new episodes of Heat Seekers while viewers also get to journey along the overshadowed road of chefs struggling with their weight in new episodes of Fat Chef Thursdays at 10pm. In the sweet sprit of decadent desserts and Valentine’s Day, Food Network serves up a Chocolate Weekend with new episodes of fan-favorite daytime shows on Saturday, February 11th from 7am – 1pm and Sunday, February 12th from 7am – 12pm anchored by Sandra’s Chocolate Celebration hosted by Sandra Lee on Saturday, February 11th at 12pm. Alton Brown also gives his tips for the perfect chocolate treats in his Good Eats special Turn on the Dark premiering Friday, February 10th at 8pm. FoodNetwork.com also serves up perfect ideas for the big game and great ways to bring Valentine’s Day fun to the whole family. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

SEASON PREMIERES

 

Worst Cooks in America

Premiering Sunday, February 12th at 9pm

The hit primetime competition series that turns hopeless cooks into confident kitchen mavens returns for a third season with two-time undefeated series champion Anne Burrell challenged by superstar chef Bobby Flay. The show pits Anne against Bobby, each leading a team of eight “recruits” in a grueling eight-week boot camp designed to transform these culinary disaster-makers into competent cooks.  A $25,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winning contestant who achieves the most progress and best performance, in addition to bragging rights and victory for their culinary mentor.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 12th at 9pm – SEASON PREMIERE

“Best of the Worst”

In the season premiere, the sixteen “recruits,” each nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills, arrive at Base Camp and attempt to impress Anne and Bobby with their own “signature” dish.  The chefs then make their team picks and for their first challenge, the contestants engage in a high-stakes breakfast battle – with Anne’s team attempting Orange Pumpkin Pancakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Maple Syrup and Bobby’s recruits assigned Bobby’s Blue Corn Pancakes with Whipped Orange Honey Butter and Cinnamon Maple Syrup.  But some of these recruits can barely fry an egg, so the chefs go back to basics demoing some simple egg techniques.  The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining fourteen competitors cook on.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 9pm

“Going Global”

The remaining contestants take a culinary field trip to Chinatown for a lesson in the ancient art of noodle pulling, and comedy ensues as the inexperienced recruits attempt this specialized task. Anne and Bobby prep the recruits for battle by teaching them a popular sauce that the recruits must re-create. With ingredients flying and noodles aplenty, the contestants cook their way through the competition to see who can master this technique and impress their chef mentors. For the next challenge, the contestants create a meatball by selecting a country’s flag and developing a dish tailored to that country’s cuisine. From Spanish Albondigas to Greek Keftedes and Danish Frikadeller, each contestant must grind their own meat and create their unique meatball that represents the tastes of that nation. The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining competitors cook on.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 9pm

“Extreme Flavor”

The contestants meet Anne and Bobby at a pizza parlor for a lesson in creating dough from scratch, and they also school their malleable culinary recruits in the art of combining flavors that marry together perfectly on top of a delicious pizza pie. The contestants must then invent and execute a one-of-a-kind pizza from pantry ingredients, and the stakes are high as the winner of the challenge wins a player swap for their chef mentor. After a winner is chosen, the contestants’ palettes are challenged by making each contestant blindly taste unlikely flavor combinations such as watermelon/feta cheese and caramel/bacon. The recruits must use one of these out-of-the-box marriages of flavors to spice up a protein for a delicious main dish. The two least successful contestants in executing the perfect blend are sent home.

 

 

FEATURED SERIES

 

Fat Chef

For overweight chefs, working in the food industry is a double-edged sword. While indulging their love of food has brought them success, money and respect, it’s also the root of a very unhealthy lifestyle. Fat Chef follows overweight food professionals over the course of four months as they confront their food issues and, with the help of therapists, nutritionists and trainers, defeat their abusive relationships with food.

  • Premiering Thursday, February 2nd at 10:00pm

“Rocco/Kim”
Cleveland-based chef Rocco Whalen weighs more than 300 pounds and can’t seem to put the brakes on his nonstop eating, while fellow overweight Cleveland caterer Kimberly McCune Gibson samples her decadent dishes all day and binges on takeout at night. Both blame their obesity on having no time to cook for themselves or exercise, and they need help to take back control of their health.  With the goal of losing 25% of their body weight in sixteen weeks, Rocco and Kimberly will work under the guidance of trainer Brett Hoebel.  Can they conquer their cravings and learn time management, or will their jobs continue to destroy their bodies and lives?

  • Premiering Thursday, February 9th at 10:00pm 

“Ally/Mike”
Ally Vitella is a New York City caterer who is addicted to the delectable party food she serves every day. Mike Digby is a line cook at a Chicago bistro who can’t get enough of the mouth-watering burgers and fries he churns out every night.  Both chefs weigh more than 300 pounds and can’t control themselves around their own food. The food industry is killing them but they are determined to lose more than 75 pounds each over sixteen weeks without jeopardizing the careers they love. With the help of trainers Christine Avanti and Brett Hoebel, these chefs relearn everything they know about food and exercise in order to transform their bodies and save their lives.

 

Heat Seekers

Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking are back to spice things up and see who can handle the heat in this tongue-torching odyssey to discover the most deliciously spicy food across the country. Over the course of the season Roger and Aarón’s journey to experience the spiciest dishes take them to restaurants in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, San Diego, Tampa and Washington, D.C. With a high-stakes challenge at the end, the winner gets bragging rights, and the loser suffers a little public humiliation. 

  • Premiering Monday February 6th at 8pm ET/PT

“Nashville”

Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking head to the Nashville, Tenn. to check out the hottest eats in Music City. First stop is the Broadway Brewhouse where the guys try the Diablo Shrimp Pasta, a fiery dish loaded with habanero peppers and topped with jalapeno bacon-wrapped shrimp. Next up is Mad Donna’s, an East Nashville favorite known comfort food with a hefty kick. Aarón and Roger sample their insanely hot Habanero Mac N’Cheese and a Bloody Mary made with Vodka of Doom. No trip to Nashville is complete without some hot chicken, and the guys face off with the hottest chicken in town at Scoreboard Bar and Grill. The Satan’s Tongue Hot Chicken gets blazing heat from a dried habanero paste called gunpowder. Roger and Aarón are joined by Tennessee Titan safety, Jordan Babineaux, for a fiery face-off to see who can handle the heat. The loser gets an NFL-style “cool down.”

  • Premiering Monday February 13th at 8pm ET/PT

“Tampa Bay”

In the city by the bay, Chefs Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking head to Eats American Grill to check out their legendary Midwest BLT. A fiery twist on the classic, it’s piled high with crispy bacon, fried green tomatoes and a seriously spicy house hot sauce. Next, the duo heads across the bay to Crabby Bill’s on Indian Rocks Beach for the Volcano Gator Nuggets with hair-singeing ghost pepper mayo. Last stop on their journey is Nitally’s Thai-Mex Cuisine in St. Petersburg. Aarón and Roger experience new levels of extreme heat as they tackle Nitally’s notorious Inferno Soup. It’s so hot no one has ever finished an entire bowl, but with a thousand bucks on the line, both try to avoid their picture on the wall of shame.

 

DAYTIME SEASON PREMIERES

Sandwich King

  • Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 11am

As an Italian-American from Chicago, Jeff’s heart pumps red sauce. Good thing Italians are also known for their spectacular sandwiches. Jeff’s friend Paula from Danny’s Café makes his all-time favorite Italian-style sandwich: The fried meatball hero. The Sandwich King soaks in some inspiration before heading home to have a whack at this special sandwich himself. When he’s done with that, it’s on to another slice of Italy: a cheesy eggplant parmesan hero, before rounding things off with a simple chopped salad.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 11am

Jeff doubles up on the coziness by creating dishes that exemplify comfort food. He heads to the Palace Grill to get the scoop on a couple of classics from his friend, George. Gooey grilled cheese is on the menu, and Jeff takes some of that inspiration home and does it one better with his grilled cheese two ways. Next up is meatloaf, and the Sandwich King pairs it with crispy onions and slips it onto a soft potato roll. He finishes his meal with a warm bowl of roasted tomato soup.

 

FOOD NETWORK SPECIALS

Turn on the Dark

Premiering Friday, February 10th at 8pm

Alton Brown serves up a new special on chocolate just in time for Valentine’s Day.

 

Sandra’s Chocolate Celebration

Premiering Saturday, February 11th at 12pm

Sandra Lee takes viewers to her favorite spots in New York City to share her most beloved chocolate treats. Then, she travels back to her kitchen to whip up some decadent chocolate creations inspired by her favorites sweets.

 

THEME WEEKENDS

Chocolate/Valentine’s Day

Premiering Saturday, February 11th from 7am – 1pm and Sunday, February 12th from 7am – 12pm

Whether viewers want a fresh take on a chocolate treat or have plans for a romantic dinner for two, Food Network presents two \ weekend cooking blocks to help satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth with new episodes of 30 Minute Meals, The Pioneer Woman, Paula’s Best Dishes, Barefoot Contessa, Giada at Home, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian, Guy’s Big Bite, Down Home with the Neelys, and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef plus an all-new one hour special hosted by Sandra Lee.

 

NEW EPISODES

 

Chopped:

  • Premiering Tuesday, February 7th at 10pm –  “I’m your Huckleberry”

In the first round four competitors try to make octopus and huckleberry into dishes that will make them stand out as Chopped winner material. Then in a high-energy second round, champagne corks and hammers go flying. After two finalists create desserts with a Peruvian drink and a Mexican cheese, one walks away with all the dinero while the other gets nada.

  • Premiering Tuesday, February 14th at 10pm – “Chewing the Caul Fat”

As the clock ticks down on the first round, one chef gets into a pickle with the pickle juice. Then in the entrée round, the chefs must figure out something savvy to do with Savoy cabbage and a curious web of fat before a very competitive final round – featuring edible flowers – results in a daring dash for the ice cream machine.

  • Premiering Tuesday, February 21st at 10pm – “Good Chop, Bad Chop”

With canned spiced ham in the first basket, the chefs must stay determined if they want to elevate their dishes. Then, lake perch is the catch of the day in the entrée round, and one chef makes an unorthodox decision with the avocados. Finally, a French bakery staple makes for a buttery surprise in the final basket.

 

Cupcake Wars:

  • Premiering Sunday, February 5th at 10pm – “Year of the Cupcake”

The Year of the Dragon is about to begin, as four bakers battle to have their cupcakes at the Los Angeles celebration of the Chinese New Year.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 12th at 8pm – “Cupcake Love Story”

Four bakers compete for their cupcakes to take center stage at a VIP party for the biggest opera stars.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 8pm – “Monster Truck Jam”

It’s monster truck madness as four bakers battle for a place at the VIP Pre-Race Pit Party for Monster Truck Jam.

  • Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 8pm – “Screamfest”

Director Eli Roth is special guest judge, as four cupcake bakers try to scare their way into the closing night VIP party for Scream Fest at the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

 

Iron Chef America:

  • Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 10pm – Morimoto vs. Bogle
  • Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 10pm – Flay vs. Hastings

 

Restaurant: Impossible:

  • Premiering Wednesday, February 8th at 10pm –  “Moss’ Prime Rib and Spaghetti House”

When Chef Robert Irvine gets to Moss’ Prime Rib and Spaghetti House in Elyria, Ohio, he soon realizes that the problems of this restaurant go beyond the subpar food. Owners Robert and Sandi are bullish and stubborn, refusing to accept the help that their struggling business needs. Can Robert and his team rebuild this struggling restaurant and the family behind it in two days?

  • Premiering Wednesday, February 15th at 10pm –  “Chatterbox”

Chef Robert Irvine often sees restaurant owners with little experience and lofty ideas, but Lynn, the owner of Chatterbox in Windham, N.H., takes the cake. A former stay-at-home mom, she used her late husband’s life insurance policy to open up a restaurant, hoping to provide for her five children. Robert has just two days to give the family the tools and skills the need to run a successful restaurant.

  • Premiering Wednesday, February 22nd at 10pm –  “Anna Maria’s”

Chef Robert Irvine has seen many dirty and neglected restaurants, but none have made him physically ill like Anna Maria’s in Scranton, Penn. The Italian eatery’s glory days were 25 years ago, and owners Jack and Mary, with their son Tucker, are in over their head trying to keep the doors open. Chef Robert Irvine’s biggest challenge will be getting the kitchen up to code with only $10,000 and two days.

 

Daytime: 30 Minute Meals, Barefoot Contessa, Down Home with The Neelys, Giada at Home, Guy’s Big Bite, The Pioneer Woman, Paula’s Best Dishes, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Sandwich King and Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian

 

Primetime: Chopped, Cupcake Wars, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Fat Chef, Heat Seekers, Iron Chef America and Restaurant: Impossible

 

DIGITAL CONTENT

 

Big Game Bash

Beginning January 6th, gear up for the biggest game of the year with Food Networks chefs. Get the best chili, wings and potato skins for the big game parties, as well as easy cocktails the whole gang will love.

New for 2012:

  • Exclusive online video of star chefs Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay’s nacho cook-off– Italian vs. Southwest
  • Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell’s individual videos on how to throw the perfect game day party
  • Anne and Bobby’s top ten game day tips on how to impress any football fanatic

Award Winning Eats
Plan a perfect awards night party with treats, sweets and movie munchies from Food Network chefs.

  • Fun recipes for any mood including action and adventure or romantic comedies
  • How-to videos from fan-favorite chefs on how to make the perfect party snacks

 

Valentine’s Day
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Food Network’s great ideas and recipes whether it’s a delicious meal for the whole family or a romantic night for two.

  • Pat and Gina Neely share the perfect way to cook for two
  • Recipes including Chocolate Molten Cake that are perfect to make with the whole family

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FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.3 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), and Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com),  is the manager and general partner.

FOOD NETWORK PREMIERES NEW SERIES ‘FAT CHEF’ AND RETURNS WITH A NEW SEASON OF ‘HEAT SEEKERS’ IN JANUARY

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Fat Chef Premieres Thursday, January 26th at 10:00pm ET/PT

Heat Seekers Premieres Monday, January 16th at 8:00pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, NYJanuary 4, 2012 Food Network primetime heats up 2012 with eight new episodes of Heat Seekers beginning Monday, January 16th at 8pm ET/PT. Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking are back to spice things up and see who can handle the heat in this tongue-torching odyssey to discover the most deliciously spicy food across the country. Over the course of the season Roger and Aarón’s journey to experience the spiciest dishes take them to restaurants in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Nashville, San Diego, Tampa and Washington, D.C. With a high-stakes challenge at the end, the winner gets bragging rights, and the loser suffers a little public humiliation.

New series Fat Chef gives viewers an inside look at the struggle chefs face when their love for food becomes overwhelming and affects their health. Premiering Thursday, January 26th at 10pm ET/PT, the six episode series follows twelve overweight culinary professionals from Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio on their four-month venture to overcome weight issues with the help of therapists, nutritionists, and trainers.  Each episode will include two chefs working with their health consultant, including Christine Avanti (nutritionist, author of Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food), Robert Brace (dubbed as one of New York’s “top fitness gurus”) and Brett Hoebel (previously one of the trainers on The Biggest Loser), as they look to defeat their abusive relationship with food and regain control of their lives.

Episodes include:

HEAT SEEKERS:

Premiering Monday, January 16 at 8:00pm – SEASON PREMIERE!
“Dallas”
Chefs Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking hit Dallas for a tongue-torching challenge of Hotter than Hell sliders – and the loser looks like a clown.  Literally.  Plus, the duo taste test Texas-style “Wangs” and creole-style enchiladas with ghost pepper sauce.
Restaurants visited include: Buttons Restaurant, The Alligator Café, and Rooster’s Roadhouse.

Premiering Monday, January 23 at 8:00pm
“Las Vegas”
With a name like Fire-Breathing Dragon, there’s definitely going to be heat. Roger Mooking and Aarón Sanchez face off to see who can handle the hottest sushi roll on the Vegas strip, and somebody’s going to really lose his shirt. Plus, the two sweat it out with a Mexican chicken dish, “Cry Today, Cry Tomorrow” and tasty, Jalapeno-drenched potato twisters.

Restaurants visited include: LBS Burger Joint, Lindo Michoacán and Rice & Company.

Premiering Monday, January 30 at 8:00pm
“San Diego”
In San Diego, Chefs Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking tackle the hottest pepper they’ve ever tasted. It’s a Naga Viper-drenched pork carnitas challenge with the loser singing for his food, Mariachi-style.  Plus, they visit Charger football legend Junior Seau’s restaurant for the hottest Ahi Poke in Southern California, and both turn up the heat with an island fiery favorite, mango pepper shrimp.
Restaurants visited include: Seau’s The Restaurant, Mama Jamaica’s and Café Coyote.

FAT CHEF:

Premiering Thursday, January 26at 10:00pm – SEASON PREMIERE!

“Michael/Melba”
Michael Mignano is a 36-year-old, morbidly obese pastry chef from Long Island with a dangerous fast food addiction. As he hovers around 500 pounds, his life and health are in dire straits. Meanwhile, Harlem soul food maven Melba Wilson is a single mom wrestling with obesity of her own, as she deprives herself during the day and binges at night. Both blame their extreme weight on long hours, stress, and constant temptation synonymous with the food industry. Their weight is putting their lives in serious danger.  Now they are doing something about it – following them over sixteen weeks, Michael and Melba attempt to reassess their relationships to food. With the help of Robert Brace working with Michael and Christine Avanti working with Melba, these chefs will try to lose 25% of their body weight and regain control of their lives.

Premiering Thursday, February 2at 10:00pm

“Rocco/Kim”
Cleveland-based chef Rocco Whalen weighs more than 300 pounds and can’t seem to put the brakes on his nonstop eating, while fellow overweight Cleveland caterer Kimberly McCune Gibson samples her decadent dishes all day and binges on takeout at night. Both blame their obesity on having no time to cook for themselves or exercise, and they need help to take back control of their health.  With the goal of losing 25% of their body weight in sixteen weeks, Rocco and Kimberly will work under the guidance of Brett Hoebel.  Can they conquer their cravings and learn time management, or will their jobs continue to destroy their bodies and lives? 

Premiering Thursday, February 9at 10:00pm 

“Ally/Mike”
Ally Vitella is a New York City caterer who is addicted to the delectable party food she serves every day. Mike Digby is a line cook at a Chicago bistro who can’t get enough of the mouth-watering burgers and fries he churns out every night.  Both chefs weigh more than 300 pounds and can’t control themselves around their own food. The food industry is killing them but they are determined to lose more than 75 pounds each over sixteen weeks without jeopardizing the careers they love. With the help of Christine Avanti working with Ally and Brett Hoebel working with Mike, they will attempt to relearn everything they know about food and exercise in order to transform their bodies and save their lives.

# # #

 

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers’ best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.25 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), and Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com),  is the manager and general partner.

 

WORST COOKS IN AMERICA Season Three (2012) – Episode Descriptions

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

WORST COOKS IN AMERICA
Season Three (2012) – Episode Descriptions

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Episode photos from the season premiere episode with Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay
Premiering Sunday, February 12th at 9pm ET/PT – SEASON PREMIERE

“Best of the Worst”
In the season premiere, the sixteen “recruits,” each nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills, arrive at Base Camp and attempt to impress Anne and Bobby with their own “signature” dish. The chefs then make their team picks and for their first challenge, the contestants engage in a high-stakes breakfast battle – with Anne’s team attempting Anne’s Orange Pumpkin Pancakes and Bobby’s recruits assigned Bobby’s Blue Corn Pancakes. But some of these recruits can barely fry an egg, so the chefs need to go back to basics teaching four simple egg techniques. The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining fourteen competitors cook on.
Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 9pm ET/PT
“Going Global”
The remaining contestants take a culinary field trip to Chinatown for a lesson in the ancient art of noodle pulling, and comedy ensues as the inexperienced recruits attempt this specialized task. Anne and Bobby prep the recruits for battle by teaching them the crucial knife skills they will need to recreate their chef’s noodle dishes. With ingredients flying and noodles aplenty, the contestants cook their way through the competition to see who can master this technique and impress their chef mentors. For the next challenge, the contestants create a meatball by selecting a country’s flag and developing a dish tailored to that country’s cuisine. From Spanish Albondigas to Greek Keftedes and Danish Frikadeller, each contestant must grind their own meat and create their unique meatball that represents the tastes of that nation. The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining twelve competitors cook on.
Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 9pmET/PT
“Extreme Flavor”
The contestants meet Anne and Bobby at a pizza parlor to learn how to make dough from scratch, and the chefs also school their malleable culinary recruits in the art of combining flavors that marry together perfectly on top of a delicious pizza pie. The contestants must then invent and execute their own one-of-a-kind pizza from pantry ingredients, and the stakes are high as the winner of the challenge wins a player swap for their chef mentor. After a winner is chosen in a blind tasting, the contestants’ palates are challenged to identify unlikely flavor combinations such as watermelon/feta and caramel/bacon in a blindfolded taste test. The recruits must choose their own extreme flavor combinations to spice up a protein for a delicious main dish. The two least successful contestants in executing the perfect blend and are sent home.
Premiering Sunday, March 4th at 9pmET/PT
“Late Night/Date Night”
In a middle-of-the-night culinary showdown, the contestants arrive at a 24-hour diner to meet Anne and Bobby who present them with two classic diner favorites: loaded nachos and chili fries. Bobby and Anne take turns teaching their teams how to make upscale takes on these snack foods, and then the recruits are let loose to invent their own versions of the dishes. The culinary battle then goes from diner to fine dining as the teams learn to cook an impressive, upscale entrée. The chefs also demonstrate how to butterfly and cook their protein and create a pan sauce which the recruits must replicate. The recruits are also challenged to create their own original side and plate two completed entrees to enjoy with their chef in an intimate one-on-one date. The two that fall below the culinary bar are sent home.
Premiering Sunday, March 11th at 9pmET/PT
“Luck of the Irish”
The heat is on as the contestants must recreate their mentor’s favorite meal using only taste, smell and the overall appearance of the dish as guidance. In a twist, Bobby and Anne watch from a closed circuit monitor to see how the contestants work when left on their own. With no help from their team leader, the recruits must rely on one another to re-create their chef’s plated meal. In the main dish challenge, the contestants need the luck of-the-Irish as they cater an Irish-themed party. Anne and Bobby give the contestants a lesson in creating potato skins, and also reveal four different Irish-inspired hors d’oeuvres the contestants must prepare for the party. The winners from the previous challenge assign their team’s hors d’oeuvres. Luck is ultimately not on the side of two contestants, but the remaining six culinary hopefuls live to cook another day in the kitchen.
Premiering Sunday, March 18th at 9pmET/PT
“Something Fishy”
Seafood is the lesson of the day as Anne and Bobby demonstrate the fundamentals of preparing oysters, mussels,
crab legs, lobster and shrimp. The contestants must then work as a team to prepare an impressive, colossal raw bar
tower in only one hour. The seafood theme continues as Anne and Bobby demonstrate how to fabricate an arctic
char, scrape the bones for tartare and grill their fillets. In a dramatic ingredient reveal, the contestants each get their
own 15-lb. salmon to filet. Once their chefs critique their filets, the teams make a mad dash to the pantry to create
their own seasoning profile for their fish and perfect a delicious, yet ambitious fish tartare. Two contestants sink to the
bottom of the seafood challenge, but the remaining hopefuls gear up for another day of learning in the kitchen.
Premiering Sunday, March 25th at 9pmET/PT
“Kicked Off by Kin Folk”
The contestants face the toughest judges yet, cooking and serving a kid-friendly entrée and vegetable “lunch lady”
style to a class of second graders. The students taste the dishes and give their unfiltered opinions to Anne and
Bobby. In the next challenge, Anne and Bobby invite the recruit’s loved ones to bootcamp for a family meal, but it’s
Bobby and Anne who will be eating with their loved ones – none of whom will know which recruit cooked which dish.
With the drama heightened, the contestants create an entrée and dessert, and then watch from closed circuit
monitors as their chef’s and loved one’s weigh in on the food’s flavor. After hearing opinions about their new,
hopefully improved cooking, the contestants are at the mercy of the people they love most to determine whether they
will cook another day.
Premiering Sunday, April 1st at 9pmET/PT
“Worst to First: The Final Battle”
In the final battle, the two remaining contestants must execute their own three-course menu for a panel of culinary
titans at New York City restaurant, David Burke Kitchen. Bobby and Anne work with their respective contestants to
design the menus, taking into account their personal culinary journey. The contestants learn new techniques, go
grocery shopping, practice their menu and execute all three courses in a dramatic end to an exhausting competition.
Finally, the panel of culinary experts, including David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger, determine
which chef has moved from worst to first and will walk away with the $25,000 grand prize.

SUPERSTAR CHEFS ANNE BURRELL AND BOBBY FLAY TRANSFORM KITCHEN-CHALLENGED CONTESTANTS IN SEASON THREE OF PRIMETIME COMPETITION SERIES WORST COOKS IN AMERICA

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Team Flay Battles Undefeated Series Champion Team Burrell in Returning Hit, Season Premiere Sunday, February 12th at 9pm ET/PT

NEW YORK – January 3, 2012 – Worst Cooks in America, the hit primetime competition series that turns hopeless cooks into confident kitchen mavens, returns for a third season with two-time undefeated series champion Anne Burrell challenged by superstar chef Bobby Flay on Sunday, February 12th at 9pm ET/PT.  The show pits Anne against Bobby, each leading a team of eight “recruits” in a grueling eight-week boot camp designed to transform these culinary disaster-makers into competent cooks.  A $25,000 grand prize will be awarded to the winning contestant who achieves the most progress and best performance, in addition to bragging rights and victory for their culinary mentor.

 

“After two undefeated seasons of Worst Cooks in America, I’m ready for a third,” said Burrell.  “Going against Bobby Flay takes the challenge to another level, but I’m ready to whip these contestants into shape and the winner is sure to be from Team Burrell.”

 

“Anne may have had some early victories in past seasons, but this show is ready for a change and I’m going to bring it,” said Flay. “I’ll work my team until they can chop, filet and grill with the best of them.”

 

In the season premiere, the sixteen “recruits,” each nominated by family and friends for their atrocious cooking skills, arrive at Base Camp and attempt to impress Anne and Bobby with their own “signature” dish.  The chefs then make their team picks and for their first challenge, the contestants engage in a high-stakes breakfast battle – with Anne’s team attempting Orange Pumpkin Pancakes with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Cinnamon Maple Syrup and Bobby’s recruits assigned Bobby’s Blue Corn Pancakes with Whipped Orange Honey Butter and Cinnamon Maple Syrup.  But some of these recruits can barely fry an egg, so the chefs go back to basics demoing some simple egg techniques.  The contestant with the least successful dish on each team is sent home, while the remaining fourteen competitors cook on.  Upcoming episodes feature an international cuisine challenge, seafood preparation and cooking for a class of third graders – culminating in the series finale on Sunday, April 8th at 9pm ET/PT, where the two most improved contestants are judged by culinary experts David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger and the $25,000 grand prize winner is named.

 

Full episodes will be available at www.FoodNetwork.com/Worst-Cooks-In-America the day after premiere.  Additional online content includes host and contestant information, “Caption This” photo galleries and cast q&a’s.

 

ABOUT ANNE BURRELL

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 has also battled 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. She served as Executive Chef at New York hot-spot Centro Vinoteca from its opening in July 2007 through September 2008.  She stars in Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and appeared on The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs on Food Network. Anne’s bestselling cookbook “Cook Like A Rock Star” (Clarkson Potter) was released in October, 2011.

 

ABOUT BOBBY FLAY

Bobby Flay’s versatility is evident in the multiple talents he brings to the field as a chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and media personality.  Since debuting on Food Network in 1994, Bobby has continuously hosted programs that bring cooking tips and information on American regional fare to a national audience.  He currently stars on the hit Food Network series Iron Chef America, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Grill It! with Bobby Flay and Food Network Star, and Cooking Channel’s Brunch @ Bobby’s.  He has restaurants around the county, including Mesa Grill (NYC, Las Vegas, Paradise Island); Bar Americain (NYC, Mohegan Sun); Bobby Flay Steak (Atlantic City) and Bobby’s Burger Palace (multiple locations).    Bobby is also the bestselling author of ten cookbooks.

 

Worst Cooks in America is produced by Optomen Productions, Inc.

**FOOD NETWORK JANUARY 2012 HIGHLIGHTS** FOOD NETWORK KICKS OFF 2012 WITH NEW COMPETITION SERIES ‘RACHAEL VS. GUY CELEBRITY COOK-OFF’

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Plus: New Series ‘Fat Chef’, Six Season Premieres and a Star-Studded Special 

 

NEW YORK – December 13, 2011 – Food Network rings in the New Year with a belly full of brand-new programming, including two new series and six season premieres. On New Year’s Day, two of America’s favorite Food Network stars, Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri go head-to-head in Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off premiering Sunday, January 1st at 9pm. During the six-episode series, both have the chance to recruit a roster of well-known celebrities to their team, putting their culinary coaching skills to the test, but only one celebrity contestant can win a $50,000 prize for charity. New series Fat Chef gives viewers an inside look at the struggle chefs face when their love for food becomes overwhelming and affects their health. The series, premiering Thursday, January 26th at 10pm, follows culinary professionals on their four-month journey to overcome weight issues and defeat their abusive relationships with food. Food Network heats up primetime as Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking return to spice things up in season two of Heat Seekers premiering Monday, January 16th at 8pm, while Ree Drummond is back on the ranch with a new season of her daytime series The Pioneer Woman premiering Saturday, January 14th at 10am. During a Food Network primetime special event, airing Sunday, January 8th at 10pm Bobby Flay and Michael Symon go up against Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli in a challenge to prepare a three-course meal for 100 people in only 48 hours, using only food that would have otherwise been trash on The Big Waste. Also, in honor of healthy resolutions, Food Network dedicates an entire weekend of daytime premiere episodes as star chefs share easy and healthy cooking advice on Saturday, January 7th and 8th from 7am-12pm with healthy tips and recipes online at FoodNetwork.com/health. Then, The Big Game Party Weekend kicks off Saturday, January 28th and 29th at 7am as Food Network dishes out tips to help the sports-fanatic foodies plan ahead for the big game, plus a robust online roundup at FoodNetwork.com/biggame. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

SERIES PREMIERES

 

Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off: Premiering Sunday, January 1st at 9pm

Two of Food Network’s biggest icons, Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri, will square off against each other for culinary bragging rights in Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off.  In this six-episode competition series, the Emmy®-winning talk show host Rachael Ray and best-selling cookbook author and successful restaurateur Guy Fieri, will each serve as coaches and mentors to eight multi-talented celebrities, all of whom are passionate about food and cooking.  Divided into ‘Team Rachael’ and ‘Team Guy’, each episode features celebrity contestants battling it out in a fun, fast-paced culinary fight-to-the-finish, with the two bottom-rated contestants from the losing team going head-to-head in a blind tasting elimination challenge. In the end, the last contestant standing is crowned king or queen of the Celebrity Cook-Off and wins $50,000 for the charity they are playing to support.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 1st at 9pm – “Celebrity Food Festival”

Rachael Ray and Guy Fieri welcome eight celebrity contestants to the first ever Celebrity Cook-Off! The competition begins immediately as Rachael and Guy pick their teams, and after teams are picked it’s time to get the party started as the teams must throw a food festival and each celebrity must cook one dish that serves 150 people. At the end of the festival the bottom two celebrities compete in a sudden death challenge, and one celeb isn’t cut out for the culinary world and is eliminated from the competition.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 8th at 9pm –“Let Them Eat Cake”

This week, Rachael and Guy sweeten things up when they challenge the seven remaining celebrity contestants to a dessert-making contest. Each team must create four desserts, including one with a secret savory ingredient. The treats will be judged by 13 pastry students and instructors from a professional culinary institute. A surprising evaluation from the pastry chefs puts Rachael and Guy in a tough position, but they must decide which celebrities performed the weakest. Finally, the bottom two competitors are chosen to go head-to-head in the elimination challenge.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 15th at 9pm –“Chopping Block”

Chopped judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, and Scott Conant are stepping into the Cook-Off kitchen to judge the remaining six celebrities as they go head-to-head in one-on-one battles. Each team is put on the chopping block when the celebrities are challenged to cook their version of a judge’s signature dish. In the end, the judges pick the winners of each challenge leaving two surprising front runners to compete in the elimination challenge. One celeb doesn’t make the cut and is “chopped” from the competition.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 22nd at 9pm –“Lunch Cart Showdown”

With five celebrity contestants remaining, it is time for Rachael and Guy to wheel out the next challenge. The celebs discover that each team will operate their own curb-side lunch cart to serve more than one hundred New York City pedestrians. The customer is always right, and in this challenge the patrons will decide which lunch cart was able to serve up the more delectable lunch to determine the winner. Then, the bottom two celebrities battle it out in a sudden death elimination challenge to decide who remains in the competition.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 29th at 9pm –“Friends and Family Favorites”

Things get personal this week when Rachael and Guy invite their closest friends and family over for an intimate supper club catered by the four remaining celebrity contestants. Each contestant prepares a family-style meal for the table to be judged by the hosts nearest and dearest. The winners are picked to go onto the finale and compete for the coveted prize of $50,000 for their charity. Two celebrities are eliminated in this round, but the bottom two will have a chance to compete in the “last chance challenge” to earn some last minute money for their charities before they get sent home for good.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 29th at 10pm –“Restaurant Battle”

In the final round of Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, the two remaining celebrity contestants face the toughest challenge yet. Each will open up their very own restaurant where they will design everything from the menu to the theme and décor in one day. With the help of surprise partners, each restaurant serves a packed house full of hungry guests including Tim and Nina Zagat, founders of the Zagat Restaurant Guide. The Zagat’s reveal the winner and one celebrity contestant earns the $50,000 grand prize for charity.

 

Fat Chef:  Premiering Thursday, January 26th at 10pm

For overweight chefs, working in the food industry is a double-edged sword. While indulging their love of food has brought them success, money and respect, it’s also the root of a very unhealthy lifestyle. Fat Chef follows overweight food professionals over the course of four months as they confront their food issues and, with the help of therapists, nutritionists and trainers defeat their abusive relationships with food.

 

PRIMETIME SEASON PREMIERES

 

Heat Seekers:

  • Premiering Monday, January 16th at 8pm –“Dallas”

Chefs Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking hit Dallas for a tongue-torching challenge of “Hotter than Hell” sliders, but the loser looks like a clown. Plus, the combo taste test Texas-style “wangs” and creole-style enchiladas with ghost pepper sauce.

  • Premiering Monday, January 23rdat 8pm –“Las Vegas”

Chefs Roger Mooking and Aarón Sanchez face off to see who can handle the hottest sushi roll on the Vegas strip, the Fire Breathing Dragon. Also, the duo take dive into a Mexican chicken dish called “Cry Today, Cry Tomorrow” and jalapeno-drenched potato twisters.

 

DAYTIME SEASON PREMIERES

 

The Pioneer Woman:

Premiering Saturday, January 14th at 10am – “Big Calf Working”

Premiering Saturday, January 21st at 10am – “All Stocked Up”

Premiering Saturday, January 28th at 10am – “The Big Game”

 

Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa D’Arabian:

Premiering Sunday, January 8th at 9am – “Wallet Friendly Wraps”

Premiering Sunday, January 15th at 9am – “Accessible Yet Exotic”

Premiering Sunday, January 22nd at 9am –“Paradise by the Cooktop Light”

Premiering Sunday, January 29th at 9am – “Big Buffalo. Ten Bills”.

 

Barefoot Contessa:

Premiering Saturday, January 21st at 11am – “Miguel While You Were Out”

Premiering Saturday, January 28th at 11am – “Drill Dinner”

 

Down Home with the Neelys:

Premiering Saturday, January 7th at 9am – “Healthy Habits”

Premiering Saturday, January 4th at 9am – “Food Memories”

Premiering Saturday, January 21st at 9am – “Money Saving Party”

Premiering Saturday, January 28th at 9am – “Game Night Grub”

 

Secrets of a Restaurant Chef:

Premiering Saturday, January 7th at 10am – “Cod and Blood Orange Glaze”

Premiering Sunday, January 15th at 11:30am “Grilled Skirt Steak”

Premiering Sunday, January 22nd at 11:30am –“Crispy Stuffed Chicken Breasts”

 

PRIMETIME SPECIAL

 

The Big Waste: Premiering Sunday, January 8th at 10pm

Every year Americans waste 100 billion pounds of food – food that could have easily been eaten. To get to the heart of this issue Bobby Flay and Michael Symon go up against Anne Burrell and Alex Guarnaschelli to create a three-course meal for 100 people in 48 hours using only food that would have otherwise been trash.

 

THEME WEEKENDS

 

Healthy Resolutions Weekend Cooking Block: Premiering Saturday, January 7th and Sunday January 8th from 7am – 12pm

Start the New Year with a weekend’s worth of quick and easy healthy cooking tips featuring new episodes from

30 Minute Meals, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Giada at Home, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian, Hungry Girl, Guy’s Big Bite and Down Home with the Neelys.

 

Big Game Party Weekend Cooking Block: Premiering Saturday, January 28th and Sunday January 29th from 7am – 12pm

There is only one way to plan the next blowout sports party, and it’s with the help of fan-favorite Food Network chefs. Catch premiere episodes of 30 Minute Meals, The Pioneer Woman, Paula’s Best Dishes, Barefoot Contessa, Giada at Home, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian, Guy’s Big Bite, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Down Home with the Neelys.

 

NEW EPISODES

 

Chopped:

  • Premiering Tuesday, January 3rd at 10pm – “Chop on Through”

Competitors: David Ward, Johnny McLaughlin, David Nichols, Elise Kornack

Judges: Marcus Samuelsson, Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant

  • Premiering Tuesday, January 10th at 10pm – “Far, Far Out”

Competitors:  Faye Hess, Giorgio Rapicavoli, Joe Simon, David Seigal

Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Chris Santos, Maneet Chauhan

  • Premiering Tuesday, January 17th at 10pm – “Frozen Fries with That?”

Competitors: Adrienne Grenier, Clark Barlowe, Dan Giusti, Ian Friedman

Judges: Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos, Maneet Chauhan

  • Premiering Tuesday, January 24th at 10pm – “Redemption Competition”

Competitors: Anna Maria Santorelli, Tryg Siverson, Michelle Garcia, Sammy Davis, Jr.

Judges: Amanda Freitag, Chris Santos, Maneet Chauhan

  • Premiering Tuesday, January 31st at 10pm – “On The Line”

Competitors: Dewey Losasso, Ronit Penso, Sylvain Harribey, Marcus Lepke

Judges: Aarón Sanchez, Marc Murphy, Missy Robbins

 

Cupcake Wars:

  • Premiering Sunday, January 1st at 8pm – “Wicked”

Four cupcake bakers battle for a place at the star-studded party for the Los Angeles opening of the hit Broadway musical ‘Wicked.’

  • Premiering Sunday, January 8th at 8pm – “Soccer Final Cup(Cakes)”

Four cupcake bakers try to score their way into the celebration of the Major League Soccer Cup Finals.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 15th at 8pm – “American Music Awards”

Four returning Cupcake Wars champions fight to present their cupcakes to music’s biggest celebrities at the after party for the American Music Awards.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 22nd at 8pm – “The Rose Bowl”

Four talented bakers battle their way to the end zone for a place at the VIP party for the 2012 Rose Bowl.

  • Premiering Sunday, January 29th at 8pm – “I Love Lucy Anniversary”

Four cupcake bakers vie for a place at the star-studded celebration of the 60th anniversary of I Love Lucy.

 

Iron Chef America:

  • Premiering Sunday, January 1st at 10pm – “Flay/Valladolid vs. Morimoto/Zimmern
  • Premiering Sunday, January 15th at 10pm –“Garces vs. Raij
  • Premiering Sunday, January 22nd at 10pm –“NIC Winner vs. Sawyer
  • Premiering Sunday, January 28h at 10pm –“Tailgate Showdown”

 

Daytime: Bama Glama, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Paula’s Best Dishes,

 

Primetime: 30 Minute Meals, Giada At Home, Guy’s Big Bite, Hungry Girl, Restaurant Impossible, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals

 

DIGITAL CONTENT

 

Healthy Every Week: http://www.foodnetwork.com/health

Launching on New Year’s Day, Food Network’s January “get back on track” franchise gives users the delicious recipes and ideas they expect from Food Network chefs without the guilt.

New for 2012:

  • Bobby Flay’s tips and tricks on how to cook healthy, yet still delicious meals
  • A month-long challenge calendar with healthy eating tips
  • Daily blog posts on how to stick to resolutions and live a healthier lifestyle

 

Big Game Bash: http://www.foodnetwork.com/biggame

Beginning January 6th, gear up for the biggest game of the year with Food Networks chefs. Get the best chili, wings and potato skins for the big game parties, as well as easy cocktails the whole gang will love.

New for 2012:

  • Exclusive online video of star chefs Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay’s nacho cook-off– Italian vs. Southwest
  • Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell’s individual videos on how to throw the perfect game day party
  • Anne and Bobby’s top ten game day tips on how to impress any football fanatic

 

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