If the prospect of Summer ending makes you sad, remember one of the perks of Fall: new TV lineups. Not only is Bravo's Top Chef making its return on Wednesday, but Food Network's also debuting a handful of new shows this season.
When The Next Food Network Star came to a close, nearly a third of you were surprised by the outcome, and believed runner-up Jeffrey Saad should've taken top prize instead. In a less-than-unpredictable announcement, VP of Programming Bob Tuschman revealed that the Food Network has produced a mini-series of web episodes based on Jeffrey's original pilot, The Spice Smuggler.
One month from today, the network will debut Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, the network's equivalent of the Travel Channel's hit Bizarre Foods. On the first two episodes, former Animal Planet adventure host Jeff Corwin will eat rancid butter in Morocco and dive for spiny urchin in Greece. Chopped, the food channel's answer to Top Chef, also returns with a four-week championship event that features previous Chopped champions returning to compete once more for the chance to claim the ultimate title and bank another $10,000. And on Iron Chef America, chef Michael Symon battles it out in Kitchen Stadium with a handful of culinary students.
Does the network's Fall lineup sound enticing to you? What do you think of Jeffrey's return to TV? Are you hoping that he, too, will have a future at the Food Network?
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Martick Jewellery
I liked Jeffrey and I'm glad they're letting him expand on his pilot show idea. I thought his idea was very original and I'd be curious to watch it. I'm also a fan of Chopped, so I'm excited to see that this season as well. But I'm not a fan of Jeff Corwin, so I'll probably skip "Extreme Cuisine".
1Yes! I love Chopped! It's one of my favorite shows. I don't like Jeffrey. I find him boring. I preferred Jamika. I'm just glad they didn't bring Debbie back. I couldn't stand to hear her say "because I'm asian" on more time.
2I knew that they would bring Jeffrey back, I think it's dumb though! Melissa rocks her show, I rooted for her since the beginning, and now that doofus Jeffrey is getting a show? What is up with the freaking Food Network? Last year they had an amazing talent (Lisa) and yet they chose another doof Aaron to win and then brought back the doofy Adam for his show! Oh well, as long as Melissa is still on, then that's one show I'll be for sure watching!
3I loved both Melissa and Jeffrey but I did want Melissa to win and I'm glad she did.
4I'm beginning to get tired of the food network - the recent article in the NY Times was right - they show cooking in a way that will keep you on your couch and out of your kitchen
5every year we hear that maybe the best person didn't win and they end up with a show - so i'm not surprised that the network is bringing him back. not that i'm really that excited about his concept - i hope that his show does well.
6Jeffrey's concept was interesting but he is boring!! His shows will be only web episodes that I might watch or might not, depending on my mood. On the other hand, I've watched Melissa's first two shows and she is rocking it!! I'm really happy for her.
I absolutely LOVE "Chopped" and I hope it comes back for another full season. The championship shows should be very good. I'm looking forward to them.
I totally ignore most of what is written in the NY Times. They seem to have gotten a bit mean all of a sudden, perhaps because of their falling subscribers. I find myself going to their website less and less and not missing them at all. I didn't read that article about Food Network but it doesn't surprise me.
7Do you read FoodNetworkHumor.com? If you don't, you should! It is hilarious.
8Melissa's show is a huge yawn. They need to get rid of that bore fest and fast. Give me Jeffrey Saad any day with a different take on how to use spices in many ways.
9Have seen the Jeffrey spots-they're great. Instructions are really clear and he really makes you want to try using the spice. Have tried to like Melissa's new show, but its just a repeat of what's already on other shows.
10I watched Jeffrey's webisodes, and then I watched them again. It is one thing to be a food connoisseur, as are the multitude of talent on The Food Network, but Jeffrey is a flavor connoisseur. He operates on a level above "a pinch of this", or "a bam of that" bringing the flavor profiles of the dishes he creates to a whole other platform.
11About a year ago, I convinced my wife to allow me to buy a top of the line HDTV for two reasons: to watch Discovery's "Planet Earth" and to watch "The Food Network" in HD. The old adage holds true ; we do indeed first eat with our eyes. But in an era yet devoid of the long fabled smell-o-vision, Jeffrey's narrative would be the next best thing to complement my living room's entertainment center. Maybe MKS has a point, maybe I wont be rushing to my kitchen...but I would be enjoying Jeffrey's show just as much as I would enjoy eating the food (only without the calories).
I was kind of shocked Melissa won she is too bubbley for me. I really thought Jeffrey had it in the bag. Even though he didn't win I knew he would be back with some other type show. They did it for Adam and the food network always seems to make room for the runner-up all the time. SO, even though Jeffrey looked really disapointed when his name was not annouced I thought "don't worry Jeffrey you have a show right around the corner that you don't even know about" and that is exactly what happened. Good Luck to him!!
12Please please please expand Jeffrey Saad's production to a real show. I have really enjoyed his videos and recipes - having made all of the spice smuggler ones, I can say he is a real talent AND gives us something different than most of the Food Network fare.
13I would love to see Jeffrey with his own show on TV. I have watched what I can find on him on the internet, but watching him on TV would be so much easier. I cannot stand to watch Melissa's show. I didn't like her on The Next Food Network Star and so why would I watch her new show? Jeffrey needs to be on TV, please. I have made all his recipes and I need more.
14Jeffrey will get his own show one way or another, even if it is with Bravo or The travel channel...The Food Network had better grab this talented chef, fast. My money is on Jeffrey and that he has his own show within a year!
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