**Food Network April 2012 Highlights**
Season Finale of Worst Cooks in America and Return of Chopped All-Stars
Plus: Series premieres of ‘Meat Men’ and ‘Trisha’s Southern Kitchen’
Food Network springs into April serving up two new series, four season premieres, and a must-watch season finale of Worst Cooks in America. Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell coach the two remaining contestants as they go head-to-head for a chance to walk away with $25,000 in the season finale of Worst Cooks in America on Sunday, April 1st at 9pm.
The following Sunday, April 8th at 9pm, Chopped All-Stars returns for a second season of surprise ingredients and unparalleled competition with fresh Food Network faces and seasoned Chopped veterans battling it out for a chance to win a $50,000 prize for charity. The primetime lineup carves up time for new series Meat Men, premiering on Monday, April 9th at 11pm, as .
Trisha Yearwood prepares home-cooked dishes and shares her favorite family recipes in the all-new series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen *Image courtesy of Food Network
Then, daytime gets a taste of Southern cooking and hospitality as music superstar Trisha Yearwood prepares home-cooked dishes and shares her favorite family recipes in the all-new series, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen, premiering Saturday, April 14th at 10:30am. Also, in a one-hour Food Network special, Hunger Hits Home, viewers get a first-hand look at the crisis of childhood hunger in America through the eyes of the people on the frontlines of the battle—parents and children, anti-hunger activists, educators and politicians committed to eradicating the problem on Saturday, April 14th at 8pm. Food Network also boasts a slew of daytime and primetime season premieres including The Best Thing I Ever Made, Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives and Guy’s Big Bite.
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FEATURED SERIES
- Premiering Sunday, April 1st at 9pm – “Worst to First: The Final Battle” – SEASON FINALE! In the final battle, the two remaining contestants must execute their own three-course menu for a panel of culinary titans at New York City restaurant, David Burke Kitchen. Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell work with their respective contestants to design the menus, taking into account their personal culinary journey. The contestants learn new techniques, go grocery shopping, practice their menu and execute all three courses in a dramatic end to an exhausting competition. Finally, the panel of culinary experts, including David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson and Susan Feniger, determine which chef has moved from worst to first and will walk away with the $25,000 grand prize.
Iron Chefs Michael Symon and Cat Cora Compete in Season Two of Chopped All-Stars *Image courtesy of Food Network
Chopped All-Stars
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 9pm Food Network’s top-rated hit Chopped All-Stars returns for a second season filled with fan-favorite chefs, unexpected ingredients, and fierce competition for a $50,000 prize for charity. In each of the five themed episodes, hosted by Ted Allen, four specially selected chefs are challenged to create three courses from mystery ingredients. Top-notch judges will decide who gets “chopped” each week, leading up to a final showdown among the four episode winners.
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 9pm – “Iron Chefs Do Battle” – SEASON PREMIERE! Four world-class Food Network chefs go head-to-head in the first competition of the All-Stars tournament. In the appetizer round, the Iron Chefs race to make dishes out of beef tendon and crawfish. Then, in the entrée round, the Iron Chefs are thrown off guard by a challenging protein. The two remaining Iron Chefs must tackle a dessert round, using black beans and queso fresco. Competitors: Iron Chefs Cat Cora, Marc Forgione, Jose Garces and Michael Symon Judges: Scott Conant, Aarón Sanchez, Geoffrey Zakarian
- Premiering Sunday, April 15th at 9pm – “Primetime vs. Daytime” Four sensational series’ hosts bring international flavors to the All-Stars tournament. But they must step out of their comfort zones when they discover chicken feet and another difficult protein in the first basket. Competitors: Show hosts Keegan Gerhard, Jeffrey Saad, Aarti Sequeira, and Marcela Valladolid Judges: Amanda Freitag, Aarón Sanchez, Geoffrey Zakarian
- Premiering Sunday, April 22nd at 9pm – “Food Network Star Contestants” Four chefs from Food Network Star attempt to excel in an entirely new arena. First, they try to display razor sharp skills in the razor clams appetizer round. In a meat-and-potatoes entrée round, standing out is the challenge for the chefs. Following the dessert round, the judges have some stern words for the chefs. Competitors: Food Network Star Season Seven Finalists Justin Balmes, Penny Davidi, Vic “Vegas” Moea and Chris Nirschel Judges: Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Aarón Sanchez
- Premiering Sunday, April 29th at 9pm – “Judge Remix” Vying for the last remaining place in the All-Stars finale, four Chopped judges try to prove that they can cook. Brawn and brains — goat brains that is — are requirements for the appetizer round. After one judge-turned-competitor is chopped, the rest move on to the entrée round where they must use Berkshire pork and preserved duck eggs. Competitors: Chopped judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Marcus Samuelsson and Chris Santos Judges: Amanda Freitag, Aarón Sanchez, Geoffrey Zakarian
SERIES PREMIERES
Renowned New York butcher and meat boss Pat LaFrieda gives viewers an inside-look into his booming and hectic family meat purveyor business in Meat Men *Image courtesy of Food Network
Meat Men
- Premiering Monday, April 9th at 11pm Famous New York butcher and meat purveyor, Pat LaFrieda, brings viewers inside the fascinating world of Meat Men. Pat, his cousin Mark Pastore, and his dad Pat Sr., run Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors, a third-generation meat purveyor business that supplies some of the most prestigious restaurants and bistros in New York City. Whether it’s last-minute requests, creating custom burger blends, or dealing with difficult customers, Meat Men takes viewers on a “high-steaks” ride with a side of humor, served medium rare.
- Premiering Monday, April 9th at 11pm “White Label Burger” Pat makes custom burger blends for Michael White, one of the hottest chefs in America and winner of numerous Michelin stars for his Italian cuisine. This is Chef White’s very first burger, so the pressure is on and it’s up to Pat to work his meat magic. Meanwhile, Pat Sr. aims to hang the signature LaFrieda Meats sign on their new place in New Jersey, and one of Pat’s worst fears come true.
- Premiering Monday, April 16th at 11pm “The Prime Rib” Pat and Mark are gunning for one of the most famous steakhouses in Washington, D.C. – The Prime Rib. They only get one shot to impress the “Godfather of Steak,” Buzz Beler. Determined to expand the business beyond New York, Pat invests two hundred thousand dollars in a new packaging machine.
- Premiering Monday, April 23rd at 11pm “Burger Re-Mix” Pat is asked to recreate an existing burger blend for the popular, meat-centric restaurant, Resto. This is challenging for Pat, though, who is famous for creating new blends, not replicating them. Meanwhile, business is booming, and it’s time to buy new trucks to keep up with demand, and Pat Sr. proves to be a tough-as-nails negotiator.
- Premiering Monday, April 30th at 11pm “Steaks on a Plane!” Pat and Mark go to Miami to drum up new business, and they’ve arranged to meet with two of the hottest chefs in town, Michael Schwartz and Michelle Bernstein. While the guys are away, Pat Sr. is in charge at LaFrieda Meats, and he hasn’t run the shop on his own in quite some time – will he be up for the challenge of a last-minute order?
Trisha’s Southern Kitchen
- Premiering Saturday, April 14th at 10:30am Music superstar and best-selling cookbook author Trisha Yearwood brings her family-inspired recipes and food traditions to Food Network this spring. The series invites viewers into the kitchen with Trisha for her favorite meals, nostalgic stories and visits from family and friends. Themed shows range from preparing traditional dishes from her childhood to planning a baby shower and a family reunion barbecue to offering tips on lightening up standard Southern recipes. The six-episode series features Trisha’s unique how-to tips and techniques for down-home dishes like Barbecued Chicken, Uncle Wilson’s Grilled Onions, Chick-less Pot Pie and Sweet and Saltines.
FOOD NETWORK SPECIAL
Hunger Hits Home
- Premiering Saturday, April 14th at 8pm In the wealthiest nation in the world, one in five children live in the shadow of hunger. In a new Food Network produced documentary, Hunger Hits Home, audiences get a first-hand look at the crisis of childhood hunger in America through the eyes of the people on the frontlines of the battle—parents and children, anti-hunger activists, educators and politicians committed to eradicating the problem. Hunger Hits Home examines the causes, complications and misconceptions about childhood hunger in the United States and offers a glimpse at some of the innovative solutions being put into practice today. Narrated by Oscar®-winning actor and longtime anti-hunger activist Jeff Bridges, Hunger Hits Home is a heart-wrenching, yet empowering hour-long look at one of our nation’s little-known emergencies.
SEASON PREMIERES
- Premiering Monday, April 2nd at 10pm – “Triple D All Stars” – SEASON PREMIERE! Guy’s hitting the road with a couple of his A-list friends. In Georgetown, Texas, Guy chows down with Matthew McConaughey at a massive diner serving up ham and waffles. Then, in Minneapolis, Guy visits fellow foodie Andrew Zimmern and his favorite neighborhood pizza joint.
- Premiering Monday, April 9th at 10pm – “Streamlined Sammies” Guy’s pulling right up to the window and digging in. In Austin, Texas, Guy hits up a tiny trailer serving made-from-scratch sammies. In Minneapolis, Guy checks out a food truck that cranks out fresh lobster rolls, and in Dallas, a side-of-the-road joint focuses on one thing only: burgers.
- Premiering Monday, April 16th at 10pm – “Crankin’ Up the Classics” Guy’s checking out some joints that are kicking the staples up a notch. In Minneapolis, there’s a family-run Italian deli cranking out pizza and fresh pasta. Then, in Dallas, Guy’s all-time favorite football player, Earl Campbell, joins him for gumbo and burgers with brisket.
- Premiering Monday, April 23rd at 10pm – “Passin’ the Baton” Guy’s hitting the road and chowing down on some long-standing traditions. In Ventura, Calif., Guy stops at Pete’s Breakfast House, a rocking breakfast joint serving up pancake burritos and fiery-hot sandwiches. In Baltimore, Guy checks out the Greek spot where two cooking families serve up age-old family recipes.
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 10:30am – “Guy Had a Little Lamb” – SEASON PREMIERE! Guy roasts a juicy leg of lamb to pile high into meaty sandwiches with golden and addictive Crispy Garlic Potato Flanks and fresh Fennel Brussels Sprouts Slaw on the side.
- Premiering Sunday, April 15th at 10:30am – “Eat With Your Hands” Guy is cooking up a no-utensils-allowed meal. He reveals the secret sauces behind his famous Straight Up with a Pig Patty Burger and prepares Tequila BBQ Spare Ribs, cooked low and slow until the alcohol has vanquished and the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender.
- Premiering Sunday, April 22nd at 10:30am – “Chicken in Waffles” Guy introduces his Chicken and Stuffed Waffles recipe with golden waffles, stuffed to the brim with shredded chicken and sautéed bell peppers.
- Premiering Sunday, April 29th at 10:30am – “Guy’s Retro Redux” Prepare to time travel as Guy puts his modern spin on retro favorites. He gives a fresh take on the creamy tetrazzini of yesteryear with his Turkey and Green Chile Al Forno. His Salad of the Goddesses with Poached Shrimp also brings the tried-and-true Green Goddess Salad into the now.
The Best Thing I Ever Made
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 11:30am Acclaimed chefs, cookbook authors and Food Network personalities reveal not only what they love to eat, but what they love to make. From personal family recipes to favorite dishes off their own menus, these food experts share their secrets and show viewers how to cook what they consider to be The Best Thing I Ever Made.
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 11:30am –“Party Food” – SEASON PREMIERE! Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, Jeff Mauro and Alex Guarnaschelli get the party started with their favorite festive recipes, from delicious Deviled Eggs with a truffle twist to bite-sized Scallion and Ginger Pancakes.
- Premiering Sunday, April 15th at 11:30am – “Chicken Dinners” Food Network chefs, including Alton Brown and Sunny Anderson, share their treasured chicken recipes and dishes – from classic roast chicken to Chicken Pot Pie with a unique spin.
- Premiering Sunday, April 22tnd at 11:30am – “That’s Italian” Guy Fieri, Rocco DiSpirito, Alex Guarnaschelli and Scott Conant reveal why Italian favorites Cioppino, Mama’s Meatballs, Cannoli, and Spinach & Ricotta Gnudi are the best dishes they ever made.
- Premiering Sunday, April 29th at 11:30am – “One-Pot Wonder” Alton Brown, Anne Burrell, Melissa d’Arabian and Susan Feniger share simple, easy and delicious one-pot recipes, including Winter Vegetable Soup, Black Pepper Clams, Pot Roast, and Snapper with Braised Fennel.
NEW EPISODES
- Premiering Tuesday, April 3rd at 10pm – “Viewers’ Choice!” Chopped viewers get to weigh in on the ingredients that go into the mystery baskets. In the first round, the chefs must figure out how to cook a dish made with a favorite regional meat product. For the entrée round, viewers have chosen a jarred ingredient for the contestants, and for dessert, the chefs get creative as they figure out how to combine black licorice root with a salty snack food.
- Premiering Tuesday, April 10th at 10pm – “Ready, Set, Escargot!” Snails are the first order of business in the Chopped kitchen as the competitors attempt to make escargot with red jalapeños for the appetizer and Chinese eggplant and ground lamb for the entrée. Two finalists compete to make desserts from garnet yams and roasted noodles.
- Premiering Tuesday, April 17th at 10pm – “Own it!” Four entrepreneurs show off their culinary skills in the Chopped kitchen. In the first round, their hearts sink when they see hearts of palm and rabbit escabeche in the basket. Then, three chefs fight to make goat chops a great main dish. In the final round, it is crunch time for two chefs as they make dessert using blue corn tortilla chips.
- Premiering Sunday, April 1st at 8pm – “Funny or Die” It’s time to laugh out loud as four cupcake bakers try to make their cupcakes viral at a VIP party for FunnyOrDie.com.
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 8pm – “Rock of Ages” Get ready to rock as four cupcake bakers battle to take the stage at the Los Angeles opening of the Broadway smash hit “Rock of Ages.”
- Premiering Sunday, April 15th at 8pm – “Yo Gabba Gabba” The men of Cupcake Wars go to battle as four returning bakers compete for a place at the VIP party for the hit show “Yo Gabba Gabba Live.”
- Premiering Sunday, April 22nd at 8pm – “Derby Dolls” Four bakers try to elbow past the competition for a chance to bring their cupcakes to a party celebrating the Los Angeles Derby Dolls.
- Premiering Sunday, April 29th at 8pm – “Country Music Awards” Cupcakes go country as four returning bakers, who all lost in previous Cupcake Wars, come back to battle for redemption and a spot at the star-studded after party for the Country Music Awards.
- Premiering Sunday, April 1st at 10pm – “Symon vs. Yagihasi” Iron Chef Michael Symon faces off against Challenger Takashi Yagihashi, executive chef at critically acclaimed Takashi in Chicago. Judges Simon Majumdar, Candice Kumai and Peter Jacobson decide who comes up on top.
- Premiering Sunday, April 8th at 10pm – “Flay vs. Allegretti” Iron Chef Bobby Flay faces off against challenger Alain Allegretti, executive chef at La Promenade des Anglais in New York City. Judges Simon Majumdar, Cady Huffman and Candice Kumai select the winning chef.
- Premiering Sunday, April 15th at 10pm – “Garces vs. Cowan” Iron Chef Jose Garces faces off against challenger Madison Cowan, the first ever Grand Champion on the hit series Chopped. Judges Karine Bakhoum, Laurent Tourondel and Farmer Lee Jones decide who walks away the champion.
Daytime: 30 Minute Meals, Barefoot Contessa, Cooking for Real, Down Home with The Neelys, Giada at Home, Guy’s Big Bite, The Pioneer Woman, Paula’s Best Dishes, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, Sandwich King, The Best Thing I Ever Made, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian, and Trisha’s Southern Kitchen
Primetime: Chopped, Cupcake Wars, Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, Fat Chef, Food Network Challenge, Good Eats, Heat Seekers, Iron Chef America, Restaurant: Impossible, Restaurant Stakeout, Sweet Genius, The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Worst Cooks in America
DIGITAL CONTENT
Celebrate Easter with Melissa d’Arabian’s family-friendly tips and ideas, including how to make perfect hard boiled eggs. Also, FoodNetwork.com serves up 60+ of the best Easter recipes for brunch and dinner, from deviled eggs to perfect ham and sweet desserts.
Smart Shopping – The Best, Aisle by Aisle
Each week, with a little bit of planning, the supermarket doesn’t have to be such a daunting chore. With help from Melissa d’Arabian, Rachael Ray and Sandra Lee viewers can plan a week’s worth of meals and shop smarter with Food Network favorite recipes—with ingredients from the freezer section, produce, meats/dairy aisles and more. Also, FoodNetwork.com dishes out shortcuts on ingredients that work for more than one meal.
This sensational April programming shines on Food Network! Thank you for reading Eatnlisten.com foodie blog.
Brad
