Belong to the camp that loves watching the Food Network? You'll be happy to know that it's not only bringing back some of its popular shows for more seasons, but it'll also be adding some surprising new developments into the mix.

The Next Food Network Star is back for a fifth season in June — and a sixth is already planned for 2010. Once Top Chef Masters is over, you can tune into season two of The Next Iron Chef, which returns in October. Wondering what happened to season one contestants Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez? Well, they'll be featured in a new program called Chef vs. City.

In the show, which debuts this July, the duo will be "pitted against two local foodies in a winner-takes-all race through a different city each week."

Intrigue is only one word we have for a new cooking show airing in August, starring none other than — you'll never guess — Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano. In the daytime show — tentatively and humorously titled What Would Brian Boitano Make?, the ice skater will demonstrate how he entertains for friends.

Also coming this year is Sandra Lee's budget-friendly cooking show Sandra's Money Saving Meals and Extreme Cuisine With Jeff Corwin, which sounds like Food Network's answer to Bizarre Foods. In 2010's lineup, Rescue Chef Danny Boome will host a new series that shows diners how to prepare healthier, cheaper versions of their favorite take-out dishes; Alton Brown will host a miniseries on foods that have changed the world; and Anne Burrell tackles a team of hopeless home cooks in Worst Cooks in America.

I can't wait to check out Boitano's show, for the shock factor. I'll also tune into watch Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez, some of my favorites from Next Iron Chef. What shows are you looking forward to watching?

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If you thought last week was jam-packed with food events, then get excited for this week, as the festivals just get better. If I could teleport myself around the world, there's no question I'd hit up the nation's celebrations, from pickles to pie to asparagus to spam.

We will, however, be supporting the cause to end childhood hunger at Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation series (if you're signed up to go to the San Francisco event, perhaps we'll see you there!). If you know of any other events we've left off the list, chime in below!

• Dallas, TX: Dallas Wine & Food Festival — Apr. 22-26
• Beaufort, NC: Beaufort Wine & Food weekend — Apr. 22-26
• Sugarland, TX: The Grand Wine & Food Affair — Apr. 22-26
• San Francisco, CA: Taste of the Nation San Francisco — Apr. 23
• New Haven, CT: Taste of the Nation New Haven — Apr. 23
• Wilmington, DE: Taste of the Nation Wilmington — Apr. 23
• Mount Olive, NC: North Carolina Pickle Festival — Apr. 24-25
• Stockton, CA: Asparagus Festival — Apr. 24-26
• Pompano Beach, FL: Pompano Beach Seafood Festival — Apr. 24-26
• Waikiki, HI: Waikiki Spam Jam — Apr. 25
• La Crosse, WI: Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival — Apr. 25
• Celebration, FL: Great American Pie Festival — Apr. 25

To see the rest, read more

Yesterday Restaurant magazine and S. Pellegrino announced its famed list of the world's 50 best restaurants. The list is developed by a large panel of well-regarded international judges consisting of 806 chefs, restaurateurs, food critics, and journalists.

For the fourth year in a row, Ferran Adriá's experimental Spanish restaurant, El Bulli, has been named the best eatery in the world. Coming in at sixth, Thomas Keller's Per Se is the highest-ranking US restaurant.

The most shocking news, however, is that Gordon Ramsay's flagship London establishment, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which was number 13 on last year's list, is totally absent from this year's. To check out the complete list, read more

My sister is on the cover of a fabulous new book called Change the World For Ten Bucks. The idea behind the book — which is written by an organization called We Are What We Do — is small actions multiplied by lots of people equals big change. Basically if everyone stops using plastic bags and recycles more, the world will be a better place! I'm a huge fan of the book and the concept.

Thus, I'm doing my part to help: my sister has organized a day of volunteerism for a large group of people, and I'm donating a delicious lunch for them to enjoy. Since Earth Day is tomorrow, I invite you to join me by packing this picnic and planning your own day of volunteerism.

To keep energy up I'm making maple-almond trail mix with dried bananas. I'll also pack a bunch of fresh fruit (apples, bananas, strawberries, etc.) for the group to snack on. For lunch, the volunteers can choose either roasted red pepper sandwiches with tapenade and basil or curried chicken salad with spiced chickpeas. Both items are healthy and well-balanced. To look at the recipes, read more

• Learn how to properly cook with rhubarb and strawberries. — Epicurious
• What makes a great bartender? — The Atlantic
• One reviewer wonders: are newspaper restaurant critics becoming obsolete? — Serious Eats
• Celebrate the Obama's 100th day in the White House with a delicious dinner menu. — Chow
• A wreath made out of radishes is a surprising Spring decoration. — The Kitchn
• When it comes to perfect plating, white pedestal servers are incredibly versatile. — Simply Stated

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Although it's not necessarily a classic pairing, goat cheese and grapes make one delicious odd couple. I first fell in love with the duo as a topping for crostini and tonight I'm excited to experiment with the creamy cheese and burst-in-your-mouth fruit as a pizza topping. Store-bought dough means this meal comes together in under a half an hour.

For a dinner that is healthy and satisfying, serve with simple greens. Look at the uncomplicated recipe when you read more