Food Network Shows
The Food Network might seem like an unlikely channel on which to find a reality series. But with all the young and upcoming chefs out there just wanting a chance to show what they have and all the established chefs wanting to show off their culinary skills, there are plenty of shows on the Food Network that have a reality feel to them.
Food Network Challenge - "Food Network Challenge" is a competitive cooking show that pits professionals against each other. They must complete the tasks (which vary) in the amount of time specified. The winner of each challenge wins $10,000 in cash and a gold medal.
Some of the challenges on past shows have been wedding cakes, birthday cakes, pastries, chocolate, and pizza. There have also been crazy challenges such as edible mansions, cereal skylines, and the spam cook-off. There have been different categories such as best barbecue, great chowder, and the chili bowl. The show has even had cook-offs for teens and kids.
Throwdown with Bobby Flay - Chef Bobby Flay is known for his cooking expertise, but that does not mean he is the best at cooking everything. In "Throwdown with Bobby Flay," he goes around the country looking for the best cook in a category - best barbecuers, best pizzamakers, best wingmakers, etc.
Once he finds someone, he makes a surprise visit and challenges him or her to a cook-off. While Bobby is a master chef, the person he challenges is in his or her home environment, so the cook-off usually proves to be taxing and exciting.
The Next Iron Chef - What better reward is there for winning a cooking reality show than to be named an Iron Chef? Appearing on the show from "Iron Chef America" were host Alton Brown and the Chairman, Mark Dacascos. It featured eight chefs from around America who were battling to be the new chef on the show "Iron Chef America."
The first five challenges were held at the Culinary Institute of America. The next two were held in Munich, Germany and Paris, France. The finale was held in the Food Network studios in New York. The winner and new Iron Chef America is Michael Symon.
The Next Food Network Star - There have been three seasons of "The Next Food Network Star," the show that looks for the next big culinary name to host his or her own show on the network.
Season one was won by Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh. They hosted the show "Party Line with the Hearty Boys" that ran from 2005 to 2006. Season two was won by Guy Fieri. His first series on the Food Network was titled "Guy’s Big Bite," but he also recently began his second series "Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives." The winner of season three was Amy Finley. She had originally been eliminated in third place, but when finalist Joshua Adam "Jag" Garcia had to withdraw; Amy was brought back to go against Rory Schepisi in the finale. Amy's show, "The Gourmet Next Door" premiered on the Food Network on October 14, 2007.
All American Festivals - "All American Festivals" seeks out regional specialties that are celebrated in small towns across America. Some of the festivals the show has covered in the past are the National Hard Crab Derby Competition, the Hope Watermelon Festival, the Bridge City Gumbo Festival, and the Chuckwagon Cook-Off. In addition to covering the festivals, the show also looks at other aspects of the festivals such as parades and pageants.
Latest Recaps on Reality TV
Reality News: MTV Debuts Legally Blond the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods June 2
Posted: 15 May 2008
MTV’s latest reality series “Legally Blond the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods” will premiere June 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The show features Haylie Duff as the mentor as well as the executive producer. This eight episode series will look at what it takes to star in a Broadway musical. [...]
Real World Hollywood: Bri Brings Home HoHo
Posted: 15 May 2008
Dave and Kim claim to be friends with benefits, but I don’t think Kim truly sees it that way in her heart. She pushed Dave away at the bar, so he did what any guy would do – he found another girl. He brought Justine home and Kim just lost it. She [...]
American Idol: Syesha Leaves
Posted: 14 May 2008
As I predicted, it will be a war of the Davids in the American Idol finale this year. Tonight’s show started out with the final three singing, “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” Was I the only one that thought David Cook looked slightly uncomfortable singing disco? Then, we got to see Fantasia [...]
Hell’s Kitchen: Ben Leaves as Matt Rebounds
Posted: 13 May 2008
Corey thought Matt would only last a day or two on the Red team, but he actually thrived there! Chef Ramsay put the chef’s palettes to the test and it was Matt that pulled out the win for the girls. That really helped him bond with them. He was no longer whinny [...]
