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Six-Episode Series Premieres Sunday, January 1 at 9pm ET/PT

 

Alyssa Campanella, Aaron Carter, Coolio, Taylor Dayne, Joey Fatone, Cheech Marin, Lou Diamond Phillips and Summer Sanders Compete For Charity

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http://www.multivu.com/players/English/53282-food-network-rachael-vs-guy-celebrity-cookoff/

 

NEW YORK, NY – November 14, 2011 – 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, premiering Sunday, January 1^st at 9pm ET/PT.  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.

 

“Rachael vs. Guy is the most exciting, funny and suspenseful piece of television I have ever made. This show is true reality television; no staging, no tricks and no do-overs,” said Rachael Ray.  “These contestants bonded with each other making the drama of the competition even more thrilling and intense.  I think everyone will be amazed to see our contestants compete at the highest level and perform like master cooks, we honestly couldn’t believe it.”

“I’ve known Rachael for years and I was psyched to finally have the opportunity to collaborate,” said Guy Fieri. “I also had a blast coaching the celebrity contestants as they battled it out in the kitchen for their favorite charities.”

The eight celebrity contestants hail from a broad range of backgrounds, from TV, to movies, to sports and music, they include, Summer Sanders (Two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer and national sportscaster); Lou Diamond Phillips (Golden Globe^®-nominated actor, Stand and Deliver); Aaron Carter (Multi-platinum-selling recording artist and actor, Popstar and Supercross); Joey Fatone (Singer, actor, television personality and founding member of top-selling supergroup ‘N Sync); Taylor Dayne (Chart-topping recording star and actress, Broadway’s “Aida” and Television’s “Nightman”); Coolio (Grammy^®-winning hip-hop artist); Cheech Marin (Grammy-winning comedian, screenwriter and actor); and Alyssa Campanella (Winner, Miss USA 2011 and Runner-Up, Miss Teen USA 2007).

 

The series kicks off and the heat is on, as Rachael and Guy welcome the contestants and select their teams.  The two teams face off in a showdown for the first ever Celebrity Cook-Off Food Festival, where each team member must create an original dish for 150 people.  At the end of the festival, each contestant’s fate lies in the hands of the attendees, who vote for the team with the best food.  The bottom two celebrities from the losing team must compete in a sudden-death, blind taste challenge judged by Rachael and Guy, where it is determined which celebrity goes home.  The celebrities are pushed to new culinary limits over the course of the series, including operating their own curb-side lunch cart in New York City; contending in one-on-one Chopped style battles, complete with special guest judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, and Scott Conant straight from the Chopped set.  It all culminates in the finale, where the final two celebrity contestants face their toughest challenge and attempt to launch their very own restaurant, where they must develop the menu as well as create a restaurant theme and décor.  Finale includes special guest appearances by Nina and Tim Zagat, co-founders of Zagat Survey, where the winner will be determined by utilizing the Zagat rating system.

 

Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook-Off is produced by Jane Street Entertainment.

 

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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.

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 8^th 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 3^rd 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 2^nd 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 3^rd, 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 10^th 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 17^th 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 24^th 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 8^th 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 8^th 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 15^th 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 22^nd 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 29^th 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 2^nd 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 9^th 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 16^th 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 23^rd 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 30^th 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 2^nd 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 9^th  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 16^th 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 23^th 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 6^th 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 13^th 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, 19^th at 12pmET/9amPT – “From the French Pantry”

Premiering Saturday, November 26^th at 12pmET/9amPT – “Cooking with Wine”

 

Spice Goddess

Premiering Saturday, November 5^th at 11amET/8amPT – “Leftover Indian Style”

Premiering Saturday, November 12^th at 11amET/8amPT – “Garden Recipes”

Premiering Saturday, November 19^th at 11amET/8amPT – “Bal’s New Favorites”

Premiering Saturday, November 26^th at 11amET/8amPT – “From the Pantry”

 

Unique Eats

Premiering Sunday, November 27^th at 10pmET/7pmPT – “Queens”

DAYTIME PREMIERE EPISODES:

 

Brunch @ Bobby’s

Premiering Saturday, November 5^th at 2pmET/11amPT – “Caribbean Brunch”

 

Chuck’s Day Off

Premiering Sunday, November 6^th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “Pots & Pans”

Premiering Sunday, November 13^th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “The Veg Supplier”

Premiering Sunday, November 20^th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “Women in the Kitchen”

Premiering Sunday, November 27^th at 4pmET/1pmPT – “The Regulars”

 

Easy Chinese: San Francisco

Premiering Saturday, November 5^th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Intimate Wedding Celebration”

Premiering Saturday, November 12^th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Shellfish and Seafood”

Premiering Saturday, November 19^th at 1pmET/10amPT – “Chinese BBQ”

Premiering Saturday, November 26^h at 1pmET/10amPT – “Perfect Party Food”

 

From the Kitchens of…

Premiering Sunday, November 6^th at 10amET/7amPT – “Kenmore”

 

Kelsey’s Essentials

Premiering Saturday, November 26^th at 2:30pmET/11:30amPT – “Hooray for the Holidays”

 

Simply Baking

Premiering Sunday, November 6^th at 3:30pmET/12:30PT – “Time to Bake”

 

Week in a Day

Premiering Saturday, November 5^th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Souperstar Suppers”

Premiering Saturday, November 19^th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Fall in Love with Fall”

Premiering Saturday, November 26^th at 3pmET/12pmPT – “Meatlovers Lane”

 

PRIMETIME PREMIERE EPISODES:

 

A Cook’s Tour

Premiering Tuesday, November 1^st at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Eating on the Mekong”

Premiering Tuesday, November 8^th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Wild Delicacies”

Premiering Tuesday, November 22^nd at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “Cod Crazy”

Premiering Tuesday, November 29^th at 9:30pmET/6:30pmPT – “The Struggle for the Soul of America”

 

Eat St.

Premiering Tuesday, November 1^st at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Lip Smackin’ Delights”

Premiering Tuesday, November 8^th at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Rib Tastic”

Premiering Tuesday, November 22^nd at 8pmET/5pmPT – “Made in Manhattan”

 

Pitchin’ In

Premiering Thursday, November 3^rd at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Hog Wild”

Premiering Thursday, November 10^th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Turkey”

Premiering Thursday, November 17^th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Cranberries”

Premiering Thursday, November 24^th at 10:30pmET/7:30pmPT – “Mushrooms”

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COOKING CHANNEL (www.cookingchanneltv.com) is an entertainment brand dedicated to today’s passionate food lover.  For food people, by food people, Cooking Channel is the answer to a growing hunger for more content devoted to food and cooking in every dimension from global cuisines to international travel, history and unconventional how-to’s.  Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com, Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com) and Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com), is the manager and general partner.

Culinary Recruiter Carrie McCully Hunts For The Best Chefs Across the Country

Series Premieres Thursday, November 10^th at 10pm ET/PT

 

Food Network raises the real-life stakes in its newest series Chef Hunter premiering Thursday, November 10^th at 10pm ET/PT.  In this new six episode docu-reality series, culinary recruiter Carrie McCully provides a few promising out-of-work chefs the opportunity to audition for a coveted Executive Chef position in some of the top restaurants around the country.  In each episode the select chefs are put to the ultimate test as the restaurant’s general manager and owner challenge the chefs’ culinary skill, business acumen and tenacity required to be an Executive Chef.  The chosen chefs then experience the most pressure-filled night of their lives, as they get the chance to run the restaurant for the night.  For one Chef, getting the job could change their own fate and the fortunes of a top restaurant.

 

“Chef Hunter shows a side of the restaurant industry that people rarely see,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network.  “The series gives you an insider look at the stress, drama, creativity and broad skills involved in overseeing the daily operations of a top restaurant kitchen.”

 

In the season premiere, the general manager of an acclaimed restaurant in Los Angeles calls on Chef Hunter Carrie McCully to fill the executive chef position that recently became available, to keep the reputation that the restaurant has worked hard to earn. After looking at hundreds of applicants, the search has narrowed to the restaurant’s top three candidates.  After a quick face-to-face meeting, each of the chefs is asked to create one original appetizer as well as a signature hamburger for the menu.  Appetizers are one of the most profitable items on the menu, so as the chefs put their unique spin on these dishes, they must keep food costs in mind. After the chefs present their dishes, he decides that one chef is not the right fit for his restaurant. The remaining two chefs are handed the keys to the restaurant for one night as they are given the task to create their own menu, work with the staff, and serve a packed house of the restaurant’s best customers. After a night of enduring the pressure of running the kitchen and interacting with customers, Carrie and the general manager evaluate the finalists, with one chef earning the title of Executive Chef at the exclusive restaurant.

 

Carrie McCully is the Principal for Force of Nature Media, a boutique-consulting firm that specializes in recruiting and placement for culinary professionals in the United States.  Carrie found her niche fifteen years ago in New York City when friends who owned restaurants and clubs began asking for advice about server’s uniforms, designs, menus, marketing and help with finding new talented chefs from her vast network of connections.  Soon she realized that her passion for fine food, design and thinking outside the box, along with her innate skill of balancing tradition with foreseeable trends, would be her career calling. Over the years Carrie has had the privilege of working with some stellar forces including Alain Ducasse, Terrance Brennan, Martha Stewart, Alison Price Becker, The Museum of Modern Art, and Kathryn Bigelow, among others.

 

Chef Hunter is produced by Smart Dog/Valencia Productions LLC.

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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.

Series Premiere Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network

 

Food Network puts viewers in the Halloween spirit serving up a deliciously scary new primetime series, Halloween Wars premiering Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm ET/PT.  The four episode competition series places five teams, comprised of cake decorators, candy makers and pumpkin carvers, working in unison to create the ultimate Halloween themed display. One team is eliminated each week, with the winner taking home $50,000.  Hosted by Justin Willman (Cupcake Wars), and including renowned cake decorator Shinmin Li and Hollywood conceptual artist Miles Teves on the judging panel, the competitors must battle it out to prove who is the best, all the while scaring viewers pants off with some of the most amazing horror tales through their cake, candy and pumpkins.  Each episode will see a celebrity guest judge join the panel including, Rob Zombie (musician/film director, Halloween), Jaime King (actress, Sin City), Scout Taylor-Compton (actress, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement), and R.L. Stine (author, Goosebumps).

 

Episodes include:

 

Premiering Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm ET/PT – SEASON PREMIERE!

“Witches and Scary Places”

Five teams go to battle to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays of a creepy witch and a scary haunted house. At the end of the battle, one team’s creation won’t be enough to impress the judges forcing them to go home with tricks and no treats.

 

Premiering Sunday, October 9^th at 9pm ET/PT

“Scary Tales”

The four remaining teams battle to create Halloween-themed displays of a twisted version of a fairy tale.

 

Premiering Sunday, October 16^th at 9pm ET/PT

“Zombies vs. Vampires”

Three remaining teams create an epic, sugary sweet battle between zombies and vampires.

 

Premiering Sunday, October 23^rd at 9pm ET/PT

“Underworld”

In the finale, the last teams standing create mind-blowing displays of the unknown underworld. In the end, one team creates the scariest and most impressive display and wins the title of Halloween Wars champion and a $50,000 grand prize.

 

ABOUT JUSTIN WILLMAN:

Justin is well known as the witty correspondent on The Rachael Ray Show with more than 20 appearances. He also tours nationally with a hugely popular one-man comedy/magic live show, Justin’s Tricked Out Tour. For that, he was voted Entertainer of the Year 2010 by Campus Activities Magazine for a record-breaking fourth year in a row. He has guest-starred on Disney Channel’s The Suite Life on Deck and the CBS show The Defenders, co-starred in the hit MTV show Room 401, appeared in the Showtime documentary Make Believe, and toured with musician Jason Mraz.  Justin also created and executive produced the video-on-demand TV series, Turning Tricks, on the DirecTV network. In addition, he stars in Hubworld and Scrabble Showdown on the recently launched Hub Network.  He also serves as the host of the primetime competition series Cupcake Wars and Last Cake Standing on Food Network.

 

ABOUT MILES TEVES:

Miles is a character sculptor/conceptual artist, using various mediums of painting, sculpting and drawing to create hundreds of characters for film, television and video games. This wildly talented visual artist and Southern California native landed his first film job on the landmark fantasy film Legend. Some of Miles’ more notable credits include: RoboCop’s costume from RoboCop, the Crystal Skulls/Skeletons in Indiana Jones”, Robin’s suit in Batman & Robin, and the Dead Pirate walk undersea from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.

 

ABOUT SHINMIN LI:

Shinmin is a renowned cake decorator, who has appeared as a guest judge on Top Chef: Just Desserts, and eloquently put the contestants in their places. She studied graphic design at The School of Visual Arts in NYC before attending Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, and she earned her degree in Grande Patisserie in 2003.

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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.

THE NEXT IRON CHEF RETURNS WITH STAR-STUDDED NEW SEASON

Plus: Frightfully Good New Series ‘Halloween Wars’ and a special ‘Sandra Lee’s Halloween: Sandra in Wonderland’

 

Food Network gears up for an unprecedented fall season with a season premiere, two new series, and all things Halloween. In the most exhilarating season to date, Food Network serves up The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs hosted by Alton Brown where ten dynamite chefs battle in intense challenges to gain a coveted spot in Kitchen Stadium beginning on Sunday, October 30^th at 9pm. Halloween spirits fill the air as Food Network dishes out its new competition series Halloween Wars beginning Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm. Five teams comprised of the best pumpkin carvers, sugar artists and cake decorators create extremely spooky and incredibly detailed displays in hopes to win a $50,000 grand prize. Food Network also dishes out a bevy of new Halloween-themed daytime episodes during the Sweets and Treats Weekend Saturday, October 22^nd and Sunday, October 23^rd at 7am – 12pm anchored by Sandra Lee’s Halloween: Sandra in Wonderland premiering Sunday, October 23rd at 9am. Sandra takes viewers on a fantastical journey with extraordinary sweet treats, cocktails and costumes. Capping off an exciting October, fan-favorite chefs share their own culinary chops and tasty techniques in the new series The Best Thing I Ever Made premiering Sunday, October 16^th at 11:30am. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

 

 

FEATURED SERIES

 

The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs: Premiering Sunday, October 30^th at 9pm

Hosted by Alton Brown and shot in Los Angeles and New York, the fourth season of The Next Iron Chef amps up the competition to meet the elevated skills of these supreme experts – challenging their kitchen chops, mental toughness and masterful instincts. Ten of the world’s most celebrated super chefs including Anne Burrell, Michael Chiarello, Elizabeth Falkner, Alex Guarnaschelli, Cooking Channel’s Chuck Hughes, Robert Irvine, Beau MacMillan, Spike Mendelsohn, Marcus Samuelsson and Geoffrey Zakarian go to battle to become a member of the elite Iron Chef culinary society. The winner will join the ranks of Bobby Flay, Marc Forgione, Jose Garces, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon as a member of the Chairman’s team on Iron Chef America.

 

SERIES PERMIERES

 

Halloween Wars:  Premiering Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm

Food Network serves up a deliciously scary four part competition series, Halloween Wars, just when viewers thought it was safe to walk past a haunted house or take a short cut through the cemetery. Five teams of cake decorators, candy makers and amazing pumpkin carvers unite to prove they are the best and walk home with a big cash prize, all the while scaring viewers pants off with some of the most amazing horror tales – all made from cake, candy and pumpkins. Bring an appetite because Food Network is heating things up on the chilly Halloween night.

• Premiering Sunday, October 2^nd at 9pm – SEASON PREMIERE!

“Witches and Scary Places”

Five teams made up of an expert pumpkin carver, cake decorator, and sugar artist go to battle to create mind-blowing Halloween-themed displays of a creepy witch and a scary haunted house. At the end of the battle, one team doesn’t get quite spooky enough and is eliminated.

• Premiering Sunday, October 9^th at 9pm

“Scary Tales”

Four remaining teams go to battle to create mind-blowing displays of a twisted version of a fairy tale. For one team, it’s not a happily-ever-after ending as they are sent home in a painful elimination.

• Premiering Sunday, October 16^th at 9pm

“Zombies vs. Vampires”

Three remaining teams create Halloween-themed displays of an epic battle between zombies and vampires. In the end one team cannot handle the pressure and is eliminated.

• Premiering Sunday, October 23^rd at 9pm

“Underworld”

The two final teams battle to create mind-blowing Halloween themed displays of the underworld. Only one team will become the Halloween Wars champion and win a $50,000 grand prize.

 

The Best Thing I Ever Made: Premiering Sunday, October 16^th at 11:30am

Acclaimed chefs, cookbook authors and Food Network personalities, people who have spent their lives obsessing over food, reveal not only what they love to eat, but what they love to make.  From personal family recipes to favorite dishes off their own menus, these food experts share their secrets and show us how to cook what they consider to be The Best Thing I Ever Made.

 

ON-AIR THEME WEEKEND

 

Sweets and Treats Weekend: Saturday, October 22^nd and Sunday, October 23^rd at 7am – 12pm

Get ready for Halloween with a weekend block of sweet recipes featuring new episodes from Paula’s Best Dishes, Barefoot Contessa, Cooking For Real, Giada at Home, Hungry Girl, Best Thing I Ever Made and the premiere of the one-hour special, Sandra Lee’s Halloween: Sandra In Wonderland!

 

Online at www.foodnetwork.com/halloween viewers can see a video of Sandra Lee’s best Halloween costumes through the years and vote on which version of Sandra they like best. Also online, viewers get spooky cupcake recipes and tips to plan the perfect kid’s party menu.

 

ADDITIONAL HALLOWEEN PROGRAMMING

 

Chopped: Premieres Sunday, October 16^th at 10pm

“Trick or Treat Chicken Feet”

It’s Halloween, and the chefs step bravely into the first round and find candy and … chicken feet! It quickly turns into a nail-biter at the Chopping Block when the judges discover claws in their appetizers. Then, more sweets and uncommon meats in the entrée round keep the competitors cooking creatively. In the last round, the chefs must adjust their plans when their dreams of perfect desserts threaten to turn into Halloween nightmares.

 

Sandra Lee’s Halloween: Sandra in Wonderland: Premieres Sunday, October 23^rd at 9am

Join Sandra Lee as she celebrates Halloween as only she can! Sandra’s dreams come true when she awakes and finds herself transformed into several of her favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland and beyond!  The spectacle doesn’t end with the costumes as Sandra slips into a dreamy parallel universe to create the perfect Halloween sweets, plus a collection of cocktails ideal for an unforgettable Halloween party!  Don’t miss the fun and the surprises on this trip into a Halloween fantasy with Sandra Lee and her greatest party recipes.

 

Food Network Challenge: Premieres Sunday, October 23^rd at 8pm

“Halloween Ghost”

It’s the witching hour for four top cake artists as they must battle to create ghost story cakes that’ll thrill and chill – all in the spirit of Halloween. Only one lucky soul will survive the tricks and take home the $10,000 treat.

 

Iron Chef America: Premieres Sunday, October 23^rd at 10pm

“Forgione vs. Wong”

There are lots of tricks and treats in this sweet Halloween battle, as Iron Chef Marc Forgione is challenged by Chef Lee Anne Wong. Celebrity judges include Kathy Griffin, Donatella Arpaia Stewart and Kelly Ripa.

 

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Premieres Monday, October 24^th at 9pm

“Frightfully Good”

Fried brains, duck tongue tacos, a spleen sandwich, and barbecue pig tails might sound scary to some, but not to Curtis Stone, Michael Symon, Ming Tsai and other celebrated chefs. These dishes and more are so frightfully good, they’ll haunt viewers forever.

 

NEW EPISODES

 

Iron Chef America: Flay vs. Staib: Premiering Sunday, October 2^nd at 10pm

Food Network Challenge: Extreme Alien Cakes:  Premiering Sunday, October 9^th at 8pm

 

Daytime: 30 Minute Meals, Barefoot Contessa, Down Home with the Neelys, Cooking For Real, Giada at Home, Hungry Girl, Mexican Made Easy, Paula’s Best Dishes, Pioneer Woman, Sandra’s Money Saving Meals, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef

 

Primetime: Challenge, Chopped, Crave, Diners Drive-ins and Dives, Restaurant: Impossible, Sweet Genius, The Best Thing I Ever Ate

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