Worst Cooks In America - Winner Receives $25,000

Tonight is the season four finale of Worst Cooks in America, where Rasheeda Brown represents team Anne Burrell and Alina Bolshakova represents Team Bobby Flay.  They will have to put together a three course meal for judges, with the winner taking home $25,000 and Food Network kitchen products from Kohl's.

The contestants that have been eliminated so far this season include:

Justin Warner's Rebel Eats Premieres Tonight - Finally

The time has finally come for Next Food Network Star winner Justin Warner's show to air on the Food Network.  His show Rebel Eats premieres tonight at 10pm EST on the Food Network with a replay at 1am EST.  The only other time it is scheduled to air right now is Saturday April 6th at 3pm, so be sure to watch it one of these times or set your DVR. 

The show description from the Food Network:

Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell - Precinct

Tonight on Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, Anne helps find an executive chef for Jeff Ruby at his flagship restaurant, Precinct.  Precinct is actually a very well rated restaurant that has received a 28 (out of 30) Food ranking from Zagat, and has a higher Zagat rating than any steakhouse in New York City or Chicago.  So this is a step up from some of the bars and pubs we have seen earlier in the season of Chef Wanted.

Cris Collinsworth, a former Cincinnati Bengal, and currently an announcer on NBC's Sunday Night Football, is an investor of the restaurant and will be on this episode as a guest.  A few years ago, Cris was actually rescued from a Jeff Ruby restaurant in Kentucky that tore loose from its moorings along the Ohio River (story).  You wont get that kind of random, useless information from the Food Network update.

All Restaurant Impossible Updates - How Many are Open Vs Closed?

As I have promised after the Restaurant Impossible season five finale, I have compiled a list of ALL restaurants that have been on Restaurant Impossible and the status of these restaurants.  In an interview earlier this month with the Atlantic City Blog, Robert Irvine was quoted as saying, (regarding Restaurant Impossible) "We’ve done 69 and I’ve lost seven. The success rate is awesome."

Well, my math is a little different regarding how many have closed, and how many remain open.

Anne Burrell, Ina Garten Among Chefs at White House Event

The 135th White House Easter Egg Roll is on Monday, April 1st on the White House lawn.  Yesterday, Michelle Obama's Let's Move Twitter account revealed the chefs that were invited to cook at the event, which include Food Network's Anne Burrell and Ina Garten.  The other chefs include Spike Mendelsohn (Next Iron Chef), Barbara Smith (B. Smith), Katie Chin, and teen chef Flynn McGarry. 


Other participants include many mascots, 'Kid President' Robbie Novak, and Adrian Peterson and Danica Patrick as guest readers.  They also live stream the event if you are into that.

Robert Irvine Partners with Comcast Business

Comcast announced today a partership with Robert Irvine 'to spotlight how technology can help
improve workplace efficiency and enhance the guest experience within the hospitality industry.'  They will 'work together to educate hoteliers and restaurant and bar owners on the importance of integrating technology into their operations to help improve efficiency, increase revenue and reduce costs - while also enhancing the overall guest experience.'

He currently has a partnership with Sysco, which I am sure you have noticed on Restaurant Impossible lately.  Throw in the Lexus partnership on Restaurant Impossible, his Subway sponsorship, his Transitions Lenses sponsorship, and a rumored upcoming protein bar, I would say his agent is doing his/her job.

Read the Full Press Release Below:

Sandra Lee's Writing Style - 'Semi-Fiction'

Peter Kramer/AP

Sandra Lee, known for her 'Semi-Homemade' cooking, has written a fiction book called The Recipe Box, which can be described as 'Semi-Fiction.'  The book is set to be released on July 2nd, 2013, but the Wall Street Journal has read an early copy of the book.

The similarities from Sandra Lee's actual life and the book reported by the Wall Street Journal include:

Restaurant Impossible - Sweet Tea's Update

Tonight is actually the season five finale (this episode was listed with season 1 on the Food Network website) of Restaurant Impossible, with the sixth season beginning shortly on Wednesday, April 17th.  This episode has Robert Irvine is going to Sweet Tea's Restaurant in Pineville, North Carolina to help a restaurant struggling due to a hard to find location.  Besides not being able to attract customers, the restaurant also has an identity crisis.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about the Sweet Tea's to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews and comments are post Restaurant: Impossible):

Kitchen Ambush, Can Dinner Save My Family? - Upcoming Food Network Pilots

There are two upcoming pilots airing on the Food Network, one being called Kitchen Ambush, and the other called Can Dinner Save My Family?

Kitchen Ambush airs this Sunday at 11:30am, and again on Monday, March 26th  at 6pm.  The show description states:

"Each week, two huge Food Network stars show up unannounced at someone's house, to prove they can cook an unforgettable meal with whatever's in the kitchen. It doesn't matter if the cupboards and refrigerators are empty, these culinary MacGyver's will still find a way to turn out a great dinner. The only question is — which chef will do it better?"

The first episode has Robert Irvine going up against Alex Guarneschelli to prepare a better meal.

Pappas From Restaurant Impossible To Close

Pappas restaurant in Benicia, California, which was featured in Season 3 of Restaurant Impossible (original air date May 9, 2012), will close Sunday, March 24th at the end of the day after 23 years in business.  The Benicia Herald reported that the restaurant almost closed in February, but owner Mike Anestasios was trying to line up some financing options, none of which panned out.  He plans to retire after closing the restaurant.

The reasons given by the owner as to why the restaurant needed to close include:

Food Network April 2013 Programming Highlights

The Food Network has put out a press release detailing the programming in April on the channel and some of the highlights include:

• The new season of Chopped All-Stars starting Sunday April 7th.
• Also new episodes of the normal Chopped
• More new episodes of Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell, Restaurant Stakeout and Cupcake Wars
• The start of a new season of Restaurant Impossible and Mystery Diners
• New seasons of Sandwich King and Guy's Big Bite during the daytime on weekends.

Press Release Below:

Giada De Laurentiis to Write Series of Children's Books

AP News reported that Giada De Laurentiis 'has signed with Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA), for a children's book series called "Recipe for Adventure." The publisher announced Thursday that the first book comes out Sept. 3. Designed for ages 7 to 10, the series will feature siblings Alfie and Emilia as they travel to great food cities around the world.'

Sounds like a Triple-D themed children's series, with the kids traveling and eating food.  Giada joins fellow Food Network star, Ree Drummond who has also written a series of children's books called Charlie The Ranch Dog

Bobby's Dinner Battle Canceled, Plus New Version of Throwdown To Come

Photo - Food Network

Martie Duncan from last season of Next Food Network Star recently interviewed Bobby Flay at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF).  In this quick interview, Bobby Flay revealed that his show, Bobby's Dinner Battle will not return for another season, after just five episodes, because 'it just didn't work.' 

Late last year, Bobby Flay's 3 Days to Open, was canceled after just six episodes, so add this to the list of failed attempts at Bobby Flay shows.  Meanwhile, it took the Food Network a whole year to come up with a one hour special for Next Food Network Star winner Justin Warner.

Restaurant Impossible - Soup to Nuts Diner Update

Tonight is the season five finale of Restaurant: Impossible, where Robert Irvine is going to the Soup to Nuts Diner in Tavares, Florida.  The restaurant is very dirty, and the owner Sharon is losing so much money with the restaurant, she is in jeopardy of losing her home to foreclosure.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about the Soup to Nuts Diner to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews and comments are post Restaurant: Impossible):

Geoffrey Zakarian's Food Talk Tonight at 8pm EST on SiriusXM

Last month at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBEWFF), Geoffrey Zakarian interviewed a bunch of celebrities and chefs for a SiriusXM radio show called Food Talk.  The show will be airing tonight on SiriusXM from 8-9pm EST on Channel 107 if you are interested in listening.

The celebrities scheduled to be on the show include: Anne Burrell, Guy Fieri, Marc Murphy, Scott Conant, Andrew Zimmern, Sunny Anderson, Al Roker, Curtis Stone, and Lee Schrager (festival organizer).

So tune in tonight to find out who was a chef and clown on a cruise ship or who used a fake ID to bartend illegally as a teenager.

Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell - Ola at Turtle Bay

Tonight on Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell, Anne helps Fred DeAngelo and his wife Cheryl find a new executive chef for their restaurant, Ola.  Ola is located on the north shore of Oahu at the Turtle Bay Resort.  The four chefs competing for the job include: Crystal Zehetner, Sean Currid, Casey Barnes and Jared Combs.

Here is something pretty interesting from an article from the Honolulu Pulse.  The show actually reached out to Fred DeAngelo, and offered to help find him an executive chef as they knew he was busy with running two restaurants.  Perhaps they wanted to go on a trip to Hawaii?

Caseyville Cafe - Restaurant Impossible Update

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on Restaurant: Impossible, Robert Irvine is going to the Caseyville Cafe in Caseyville, Illinois to provide help to a failing restaurant.  The owners, Diane and Robin have been overrun by the kitchen and servers, which is costing them thousands of dollars.  Robert gives the staff an ultimatum to decide who is in and who is out at the restaurant.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about the Caseyville Cafe to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews and comments are post Restaurant: Impossible):

Maniaci's Italian Bistro - Restaurant Impossible Update

Photo - Food Network

Tonight on Restaurant: Impossible, Robert Irvine is going to the Maniaci's in Mohnton, Pennsylvania to provide help to a struggling restaurant.  Three sons took over the restaurant after their mother passed away, and they are running the business into the ground.  As I normally do with Restaurant: Impossible episodes, I searched around the Internet to read stories, comments and reviews about Maniaci's to get an idea of how the restaurant is doing since Robert Irvine visited, and here is what I found (note - all reviews and comments are post Restaurant: Impossible):

Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay Feud Heats Up

In the latest issue of Men's Journal, Gordon Ramsay had a long interview where he talked trash on many chefs including Cat Cora and Bobby Flay.  In the interview, Gordon says about Bobby Flay, "...I can still look at a box of raw ingredients and put together the best fucking dish you'll ever eat.  That's why I laugh when they say, 'Let's see if he's a real chef.  Let's get him up against Bobby Flay on 'Iron Chef.''  I'm like, 'Fucking do me a favor...come on.  I've forgotten more than he's known!'"

Bobby Flay responded to that today on Twitter and called out Gordon Ramsay:

Alton Brown To Launch Podcast - The BrownCast

Alton Brown, in his usual Post-It note style of tweeting, told his fans about a new podcast he is starting and giving a 'wet run' tomorrow.   The name of the podcast for now is the BrownCast, but he is taking suggestions for a better name.  You have the option of emailing your question to Alton, tweeting a question to him or calling into the podcast to ask a question.  I have typed out the series of Post-It notes, so you don't have to click on the series of the correct series of Twitter pictures:

Dear Twitterverse, Tomorrow (Friday) we're taking a wet run at our new podcast called: The Browncast.  We're just working out our systems but

 ...we'll be taking your questions and comments 3 ways.  You can email us at [email protected] OR

Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell - Culina Restaurant

Photo - Food Network

Tonight's Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell is looking to find a new executive chef at Culina Restaurant.  Culina is located in the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles, California.  It looks like tonight's winning chef is actually going to end up working at the restaurant.

Culina's Twitter page says " GRANDI NOTIZIE! ("Big News!) Thurs, 3/7 at 10pm we'll announce a NEW chef of Culina on FoodNetwork's ChefWanted!"  They have also said they will be live tweeting during the episode.

Humorous Guy Fieri Tweets - Round 2

Guy Fieri is one of America's favorite people to make fun of, and Twitter is always full of Guy Fieri jokes and insults.  Here are the latest and greatest from Twitter:

1. @NotGaryBusey

Marcella Valladolid To Judge The American Baking Competition on CBS

Marcela Valladolid has recently stated she was working on something 'huge' where she had to be on location for 30 days.  Now we know what she has been working on...

CBS announced today a new summer reality series called The American Baking Competition. The series is based on the format of the hit UK show "The Great British Bake Off" premieres Wednesday, May 29 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Food Network Sunday Night Recap - Winners and Losers

Here is a quick update on the competition shows that aired on the Food Network last night, with the winners and eliminations.  Cupcake Wars was on at 8pm, followed by Worst Cooks in America at 9pm, and Iron Chef America at 10pm with the battle of Bobby Flay vs. Hong Thaimee.

The winner of  this Cupcake Wars episode was Pure Cupcakes, who are based out of San Diego.  The teams were challenged to make cupcakes for a San Diego Zoo party, and Pure Cupcakes came out on top and won the $10,000.

Cupcake Wars Season Eight Preview

A new season of Cupcake Wars start tonight at 8pm, and tonight's theme is a party for the San Diego Zoo.  The themes for the rest of the month include the show The Young and the Restless, the band All-American Rejects, a Hawaiian Food Festival, and an I Heart Radio Music Festival.  Also, check out the themes for the rest of the season, and who will be the guest judges on the eighth season of Cupcake Wars:

Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell - Zengo NYC

Last night's Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell on the Food Network was at Zengo in New York City looking to find a new executive chef for the Asian/Latin fusion restaurant.  Despite drama in the second challenge and during his dinner service, David Sears (pictured right) came out with the victory and was offered the executive chef position at Zengo.

So, is David still at Zengo as the chef?