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Top Chef Producers to Create NBC Restaurateur Show

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:49 -0800

From Magical Elves, the producers of Bravo's Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and the soon-to-air Top Chef: Just Desserts, comes yet another reality TV show, tentatively titled United Plates of America.

Unlike its sister productions, United Plates will air on NBC. The premise: aspiring restaurateurs compete in a number of challenges involving the restaurant's concept, cuisine, management, and marketability. The judges' panel will include wealthy investors in the culinary and business world.The prize is being called "among the biggest in reality show history" - the winner will receive a restaurant chain that opens in four locations across the US - funded by the investors themselves. "It's a culinary competition that anybody can take part in," said executive producer Dan Cutforth. "All you need is a great idea for a restaurant."

Finally, a different foodie reality TV concept. This show could be wildly captivating and educational, because the average American viewer doesn't have an inkling of knowledge about the operations behind a restaurant. I would definitely tune in to check out the show. What about you?

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 12

partysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:12:49 -0800

It was down to five cheftestants on last night's episode of Top Chef. The final Las Vegas challenge - the next two shows take place in Napa, California - highlighted the Bocuse d'Or, the world's most prestigious classical cooking competition. A plethora of big name chefs including Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, guest judged. Ready to discuss? Keep reading.

Top Chef Quiz: Strip Around the World

partysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:15:58 -0800

From breakfast in bed to big top-inspired soup, last night's episode of Top Chef had the chefs cooking up some crazy casino-inspired dishes, but not everyone's gamble paid off.

Emotions were high, and, of course, someone went home. Did you get too wrapped up in the drama to pay attention to the details? Take my quiz and test your savvy.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 11

partysugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:55 -0800

After a brief hiatus with last week's Fabio-hosted reunion dinner, we went back to Vegas - and into Padma's hotel room - for this week's episode of Top Chef.

The final six chefs started things off by cooking breakfast in bed for their fearless hostess and her celebrity chef friend Nigella Lawson. For the elimination challenge, each contestant created a dish for a party, drawing inspiration from different casinos on the strip. Who was playing to win? Let's talk about it when you read more.

I love how Nigella said Eli's dish "would be" good hangover food - you know, in theory. Whose quickfire dish would you want to eat if you were hungover?
How did you feel about Nigella as a guest judge?
What casino do you think would be hardest to base a dish around?
Kevin's dish looked great, but can anyone explain what it had to do with the Mirage?
Why do you think Jennifer has seemingly lost so much of her confidence?
With all the focus on Bryan's son and family life, did you think he might get kicked off?
Isn't it odd that the remaining guys are sharing a room? Shouldn't they be able to spread out by now?
What was up with the wind in that party venue?
Are buffalo wings something you associate with New York City? What iconic NYC food would you riff on in Michael's position?
How do you feel about who won and lost?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Food Network Aims to Entertain With 2010 Lineup

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:30:20 -0800

Looks like Food Network's switching gears to focus less on cooking expertise and more on entertainment. On the roster for 2010: more Brian Boitano, and a new show, Worst Cooks in America.

Worst Cooks in America, which premieres Sunday, Jan. 3, features 12 "hopeless cooks" who are divided into two teams, one under the tutelage of network vet Anne Burrell and the other led by Arizona chef Beau MacMillan.

The show's premise: bad cooks undergo a five-week "culinary boot camp" where they will learn kitchen techniques from Burrell and MacMillan that they must apply in weekly elimination challenges.

After the contestants have been narrowed down to two, they will compete for a grand prize of $25,000 in a final challenge that has them preparing a three-course meal for a panel of food critics who think the dishes have been prepared by chefs Anne and Beau.

For even more entertainment, Brian Boitano fans should also stay tuned for the return of the Olympic medalist, who's back with a second season of the screwball show What Would Brian Boitano Make? in March. Will you tune in to watch either of these shows - or are they too far a departure from the classic cooking shows that once dominated Food Network?

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Gordon Ramsay to Bring Masterchef to America

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:15:19 -0800

Gordon Ramsay sure is busy. Besides joining Tony Bourdain on the animated series circuit, the reigning king of chef empires will play a key role in a new show, Masterchef, airing soon on Fox.

The Masterchef series was first a hit in the UK in 1990 and has recently garnered high ratings in Australia. It's being described as a culinary American Idol. The show goes on a "nationwide search for the best amateur chef in America." While Ramsay will coproduce and be on air, it's unclear what role he will play in the new show. Scheduling hasn't been announced. Precisely what America needs! Another amateur cooking competition.

Do you think the show will appeal to the mainstream? Or has the TV cooking space reached its saturation point?

Animated Anthony Bourdain Stars in Cartoon Show

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:15:19 -0700

If you can't get enough of Anthony Bourdain, know that there'll soon be even more to love. The food industry's most opinionated figure is now getting his own cartoon series.

The six-part animated web series, titled Anthony Bourdain's Alternate Universe, will reveal Bourdain's "personal and unique view of the world that lives in his imagination." It's arrived out of thin air, even beating Gordon Ramsay's animated show to the punch. The first line in the trailer below? "If you've ever wondered what really goes on inside his head, you can stop."

Actually, I haven't. I already know the bad-boy chef's tiresome schtick, and it's not nearly as esoteric as everybody thinks it is. In some sort of . . . well, alternate universe, perhaps this cartoon would make more sense. Watch the trailer and share your thoughts after the break.

Bravo Turns to Pastry For Next Top Chef Spinoff

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:15:59 -0700

First Top Chef Junior, then Top Chef Masters , Top Chef Wine, and Top Chef, the Magazine. What's next: Top Chef Desserts? Actually, yes. This week, Bravo begins casting calls for a new TC spinoff airing in 2010, Top Chef: Just Desserts. In a move that means year-round Top Chef programming, the show will feature pastry chefs living together and facing off in - you guessed it! - a weekly elimination. No word yet on who the host or judges will be.

Calling pastry "a different skill," Bravo exec Frances Berwick added, "We're finding people really love this franchise, and there seems to be no end to the interest in it." Really? I beg to differ and, like PartySugar, I am tiring of the Top Chef brand - not to mention all the cake competitions that have become so prolific on TV.

What say you? Will you watch Top Chef: Just Desserts?

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Can You Match the Top Chef Dish to Its Creator?

partysugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:50:41 -0700

With two dishes per episode and five and half seasons, a lot of tasty creations have come out of Bravo's Top Chef. Since I know you're huge fans of the culinary reality competition, I thought it would be fun to look back at some of these dishes - that's why I put together this quiz. I'll show you a menu item from the past three seasons and you have to tell me who made it. Sound like fun? Start playing!

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Question 1 of 8

Seared scallops on a bed of hearts of palm and oyster mushrooms

Top Chef Masters: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:00:54 -0700

On Thursday, Bravo announced a second season of Top Chef Masters. When I heard the news, I had mixed feelings. While I'm a huge fan of Top Chef, the first season of Masters seemed to drag on. Kelly Choi was annoying and the critics lackluster. Although the participating chefs have not been announced, I'm not sure I want to watch. How about you? Am I the only one who is starting to tire of the Top Chef brand?

Photo courtesy of Bravo