Summer TV Gets Cooking
Posted by Colleen Fischer on Edible TV.
Here we are in June, with our favorite network series fading into memory as we stare down a summer largely full of reruns and bottom-of-the-barrel reality television. But it doesn’t have to be that way for TV cooking fans: Here’s a list of food-related shows set to premiere this summer that will keep your squawk box simmering through till September.
June Appetizers
Next Food Network Star: The competition is already under way, and at least one competitor has already slunk away in defeat. Will this year’s winner of Food Network’s popular show go on to rival Guy Fieri in popularity, or will we end up with another Amy Finley or Dan and Steve? Or will a runner-up again steal the spotlight, like Adam Gertler? Sundays at 9 p.m. Eastern on Food Network, premiered June 7.
Food Party: All I can say is . . . wow. This show features artist Thu Tran alongside a full cast of puppets, creating wacky and wonderful things in a colorful kitchen. The show’s site puts it best: “[E]ach episode will or will not instruct you on how to prepare wild gourmet multi-course meals with ingredients you probably have on hand in your kitchen already, such as pretzel rods, eggs, narwhal lungs, bizarre plot twists, secret ingredients, and pizza.” Tuesdays at 11:15 p.m. Eastern on IFC starting June 9.
Chopped: People derisively called it a Top Chef knockoff, but they must have tuned in anyway because Chopped is back for season 2. Tuesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern on Food Network starting June 16.
Top Chef Masters: The cook-off that needs no introduction goes the reinvigorating route of many aging reality institutions by bringing in the celebrities. The culinary wattage of Wylie Dufresne, Rick Bayless, and more will have to blind us to the uncertainty of a Top Chef lacking its Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio. Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Eastern on Bravo starting June 10.
July Entrées
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Bottoms up! It’s time for season five of the outspoken chef’s travel show. Mondays at 10 p.m. Eastern on Travel Channel starting July 13.
Viva Daisy!: The Rachael Ray-produced series starring Daisy Martinez makes a long-awaited return to spice up the summer. Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Eastern on Food Network starting July 11.
5 Ingredient Fix: This show just recently finished its first six-episode season, and a new season of simple, quick recipes from Claire Robinson is right around the corner. I’m guessing few ingredients equal a recession-friendly hit here. Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Food Network starting July 25 (with repeats on Saturdays at 8 a.m. in the meantime).
August Side Dishes
Chefs vs. City: This upcoming travel show seems like a cross between Food Network staples like Rachael Ray’s Tasty Travels or Road Tasted and CBS’s The Amazing Race. Chefs Aaron Sanchez and Chris Cosentino compete in food challenges against local foodies in a new city each week. Sundays at 10 p.m. Eastern on Food Network starting August 2.
What Would Brian Boitano Make?: Yes, seriously. Apparently, the champion figure skater and South Park idol is also a great cook with a flair for entertaining. We’ll see if Food Network worked out the kinks of this non-food celebrity-driven format after the less-than-successful Dweezil and Lisa. Sundays at 1 p.m. Eastern on Food Network starting August 23.
September Dessert
Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin: Corwin is best known for his successful series on Animal Planet exploring wildlife around the world. He brings a similar concept to exotic cuisines with this globe-trotting Food Network show that sounds a bit like Travel Channel’s culinary shows. Expected to premiere in September on Food Network.
Any other food shows we’ve missed that you’re looking forward to this summer?
Photo: bandini from morguefile.com
