COOKING CHANNEL CROSSES THE BORDER FOR AN UNPARALLED CULINARY EXPERIENCE IN ‘CHUCK’S WEEK OFF’ AND EXPLORES THE WIDE WORLD OF CHEESE IN ‘THE BIG CHEESE’
Plus: A New Season of Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen
NEW YORK – October 19, 2011 – This November, Cooking Channel serves up a full menu of 52 premiere episodes with a side of two new primetime series, four season premieres and two on-air specials. Chuck Hughes of Chuck’s Day Off returns in the spinoff series Chuck’s Week Off, where he heads to Mexico to explore the country and its incredible cuisine premiering Tuesday, November 8th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT. Cooking Channel’s newest face, cheese expert Jason Sobocinski, scouts out the best cheese makers in the country in the new series The Big Cheese premiering Thursday, November 3rd at 9:30pm ET/6:30pmPT, and fan-favorite Nadia G returns to her Bitchin’ Kitchen for a second season where she’s dishing out her best recipes and serving them up with extra sass starting Wednesday, November 2nd at 10pmET/7pmPT. Plus, Cooking Channel boasts new seasons of French Food at Home, Spice Goddess and Unique Eats. For one week only beginning Thursday, November 3rd, CookingChannelTV.com offers full-length episodes of its hottest programs marking the first time Cooking Channel has served up long-form episodes of their programming online. Following their November 2nd on-air premieres, episodes will be available online from Extra Virgin season two and Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen. Also, in the line-up will be an exclusive sneak peek of the premiere of one-hour special, The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia. Join the Cooking Channel conversation on Twitter and Facebook.
SERIES PREMIERES
The Big Cheese: Premiering Thursday, November 3rd at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT
The US is now the biggest cheese producer in the world and creates over 350 high-quality, award-winning cheeses. Join chef and cheese expert Jason Sobocinski as he tours some of the best cheese makers in the country and cooks alongside celebrated local chefs.
- Premiering Thursday, November 3rd at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Mac and Cheese”
Jason cooks a mean version of macaroni and cheese at his Caseus restaurant in New Haven, Conn., and he travels the country for innovative ideas and great cheeses to make new recipes. It is nonstop macaroni and cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner as he tours the nation, sampling everything from mac-and-cheese pancakes to an ultra-cheesy macaroni pizza.
- Premiering Thursday, November 10th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Homecoming”
Jason returns to his roots and visits his mentor, Ihsan Gurdal, owner of Fromaggio Kitchen in Cambridge, Mass. Later, he goes north to Vermont where, as an intern, he learned about rearing goats and making cheese from Michael Lee of Twig Farm. Jason’s first tour of duty rounds off with a goat barbecue, followed by a Turkish pizza cooked by celebrated Cambridge chef, Steve Johnson.
- Premiering Thursday, November 17th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Italiano”
Jason goes back to his roots to explore why Italian cheeses are so popular in the United States. In Wisconsin, he confronts a water buffalo as he seeks out the finest milk to make mozzarella. In Vermont, he learns the secret of a fantastic tiramisu, and in California he follows the trail of ricotta cheese, sheep’s milk yogurt and fromage blanc from farm to table.
- Premiering Thursday, November 24th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Sheep”
Sheep have been milked to make cheese for thousands of years, yet sheep cheeses are relatively uncommon in the United States. That is a missed opportunity, according to Jason, who sets out to educate the nation. From upstate New York to Vermont, even at home in his own kitchen, Jason milks, curdles and cooks his way to set the sheep record straight.
Chuck’s Week Off: Premiering Tuesday, November 8th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT
Chuck Hughes is taking a break from the daily grind of running his two restaurants. He trades in his black t-shirt and apron for a pair of shades and sunscreen as he travels to Mexico, making his way across the country in search of culinary adventures and authentic Mexican food. Cruising around in an open-air jeep, Chuck will drive coast to coast living out once in a lifetime experiences and eating amazing food.
- Premiering Tuesday, November 8th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Cabos”
Chuck visits Cabo, San Lucas, where he makes a mouth-watering lobster omelet and builds a traditional Baja cooking tool made from old farming equipment. He then goes deep sea fishing before heading to a barbeque in the middle of the desert where he learns how the locals prepare the catch of the day.
- Premiering Tuesday, November 15th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Guadalajara”
Chuck sinks his teeth into the city’s famous torta ahogadhas, pork sandwiches drowned in chili sauce. He also tries to convince the Chollolo brothers to reveal their secret recipe and meets with a Mexican wrestling legend’s mother, who teaches him all about her corn and pork soup.
- Premiering Tuesday, November 22nd at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Loreto”
In the town of Loreto, Chuck figures out what goes into El Rey Del Taco’s famous fish tacos before meeting some Mexican cowboys for a lesson in making ranchero cheese and their authentic beef jerky. Finally, he dives for chocolate clams and takes part in a traditional Mexican clam bake.
- Premiering Tuesday, November 29th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Yucatan”
In the Yucatan, Chuck picks habaneros and makes his own hot sauce while getting a crash course in Mayan cuisine.
FEATURED SERIES
Nadia G’s Bitchin’ Kitchen
- Premiering Wednesday, November 2nd at 10pmET/7pmPT – “(Dysfunctional) Family Night Pizza”
Nadia G whips up her family’s pizza recipes, but the party really gets started when she embodies her rock star fantasies and debuts her music video “Flavor of the Week.”
- Premiering Wednesday, November 9th at 10pmET/7pmPT –“A Proposal for a Proposal”
Nadia G whips up a romantic meal, fit for a proposal while she riffs on the idea of marriage.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 16th at 10pmET/7pmPT –“Back of the Fridge Bachelor Fest”
Nadia G conquers the challenge of the bachelor fridge. With a few herbs and some old-school know-how, Nadia G is whipping up delicious recipes from foods lurking in the back of the fridge.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 23rd at 10pmET/7pmPT – “Bitchin’ Bootycamp EXTREEEME!”
Nadia G shares her secrets to staying in Bitchin’ shape. She talks about health, debunks diet myths and cooks up three of her favorite tried and true low-fat recipes.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 30th at 10pmET/7pmPT – “Student Shkoff-fest”
Nadia G serves up a Bitchin‘ college survival guide complete with three simple-yet-succulent one-pot meals.
Extra Virgin
- Premiering Wednesday, November 2nd at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Dog Days of Delores”
Debi has decided to host a fundraiser for a dog charity event in her new home. Comedian and friend Kathy Griffin rolls up her sleeves and helps out in kitchen after Debi and Gabriele teach her how to make an appetizer of Figs and Gorgonzola Wrapped in Prosciutto.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 9th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Bees and Booze Housewarming Party”
The family is finally settled in the new house and wants to throw a memorable housewarming party for friends and family. Debi and Gab enlist the help of mixologist Matthew Biancaniello to come up with some cocktails with a Tuscan twist to pair with their delicious Italian entrées.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 16th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Evelena’s Super Fabulous Birthday Bash”
Debi’s 9-year-old daughter announces that all she wants for her birthday is to go skydiving, and Gab finds a way to surprise the whole family with an indoor skydiving experience. They then create Evelena’s favorite meal and throw a backyard pool party for her friends before the day ends with a surprise birthday message from Joe Jonas.
- Premiering Wednesday, November 23th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Going Green! Yay!”
The last season of Entourage has wrapped, and Debi is sharing one final toast to the successful run with her fellow actor Adrian Grenier who stops by to help her out in the kitchen.
COOKING CHANNEL SPECIALS
The Culinary Adventures of Baron Ambrosia
Premiering Sunday, November 6th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT
Culinary adventure-seeker Baron Ambrosia faces banishment from his hometown of the Bronx after being accused of pie theft by Grandmaster Mele Mel. Challenged by an athletic duel, he takes to the streets of Newark, NJ in search of the famed Jersey Devil fajitas, said to bring super-human strength to anyone that consumes them. Along the way, he’s distracted by the other food delights Newark has to offer including Trinidadian roti, Italian hot dogs and Portuguese dry soup.
For the Love of Pie
Premiering Sunday, November 13th at 8pmET/5pmPT
A pie craze is sweeping the nation, and Cooking Channel is out to showcase it. Call it a road trip, call it an obsession, but we will crisscross the country For the Love of Pie.
SEASON PREMIERES
French Food at Home
Premiering Saturday, November, 19th at 12pmET/9amPT – “From the French Pantry”
Premiering Saturday, November 26th at 12pmET/9amPT – “Cooking with Wine”
Spice Goddess
Premiering Saturday, November 5th at 11amET/8amPT – “Leftover Indian Style”
Premiering Saturday, November 12th at 11amET/8amPT – “Garden Recipes”
Premiering Saturday, November 19th at 11amET/8amPT – “Bal’s New Favorites”
Premiering Saturday, November 26th at 11amET/8amPT – “From the Pantry”
Unique Eats
Premiering Sunday, November 27th at 10pmET/7pmPT – “Queens”
DAYTIME PREMIERE EPISODES:
Brunch @ Bobby’s
Premiering Saturday, November 5th at 2pmET/11amPT – “Caribbean Brunch”
Chuck’s Day Off
Premiering Sunday, November 6th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “Pots & Pans”
Premiering Sunday, November 13th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “The Veg Supplier”
Premiering Sunday, November 20th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “Women in the Kitchen”
Premiering Sunday, November 27th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “The Regulars”
Easy Chinese: San Francisco
Premiering Saturday, November 5th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Intimate Wedding Celebration”
Premiering Saturday, November 12th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Shellfish and Seafood”
Premiering Saturday, November 19th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Chinese BBQ”
Premiering Saturday, November 26h at 1pmET/10amPT – “Perfect Party Food”
From the Kitchens of…
Premiering Sunday, November 6th at 10amET/7amPT – “Kenmore”
Kelsey’s Essentials
Premiering Saturday, November 26th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “Hooray for the Holidays”
Simply Baking
Premiering Sunday, November 6th at 3:30pmET/12:30PT – “Time to Bake”
Week in a Day
Premiering Saturday, November 5th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Souperstar Suppers”
Premiering Saturday, November 19th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Fall in Love with Fall”
Premiering Saturday, November 26th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Meatlovers Lane”
PRIMETIME PREMIERE EPISODES:
A Cook’s Tour
Premiering Tuesday, November 1st at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Eating on the Mekong”
Premiering Tuesday, November 8th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Wild Delicacies”
Premiering Tuesday, November 22nd at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Cod Crazy”
Premiering Tuesday, November 29th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “The Struggle for the Soul of America”
Eat St.
Premiering Tuesday, November 1st at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Lip Smackin’ Delights”
Premiering Tuesday, November 8th at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Rib Tastic”
Premiering Tuesday, November 22nd at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Made in Manhattan”
Pitchin’ In
Premiering Thursday, November 3rd at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Hog Wild”
Premiering Thursday, November 10th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Turkey”
Premiering Thursday, November 17th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Cranberries”
Premiering Thursday, November 24th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Mushrooms”
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