Just a reminder that the new talk show on the Food Network, The Kitchen, will premiere tomorrow at 11am/10am Central. It will be interesting to see how co-hosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian interact with each other and if the show works.The only one with their own show that is current on the Food Network is Jeff Mauro, although Geoffrey Zakarian is on Chopped and Iron Chef America. Katie Lee is new to the Food Network, and is known for being married to Billy Joel and as the host of the first season of Bravo's Top Chef. Many complained about her on Top Chef and compared her to a robot, so we will have to see if she has improved since then. She was replaced by Padma Lakshmi after the first season.
After the jump are some other things to watch for this weekend on the Food Network as well as the episode descriptions of The Kitchen. I am interested to hear your opinions on The Kitchen if you do happen to watch it.
Other highlights on the Food Network in the next few days:
- Rachael Ray's new show/concept 3 in the Bag premiers Sunday morning at 9:30am ET
- The episode of Cutthroat Kitchen that Giada De Laurentiis will be a judge on will air Sunday at 10pm ET.
- The premiere of Rachael vs. Guy Celebrity Cook Off season 3 on Monday at 9pm ET.
- Geoffrey Zakarian will be taking over the Food Network Twitter account when The Kitchen airs tomorrow if you are interested in live tweeting with him.
The Kitchen Episode Descriptions from Food Network
Episode 1 - Welcome to the Kitchen
While Katie Lee makes Creamy Kale and Eggs for breakfast, the chefs
discuss their New Year's resolutions. They also introduce and prepare
delicious dishes to help viewers get dinner on the table. They debate
the merits of several kitchen gadgets versus a good paring knife and
Geoffrey Zakarian makes a Red Velvet Cocktail while the chefs dish on
what they're "Into and Over" this week.
Episode 2 - Cookbook Club
Viewers' tweets are answered as the chefs prepare a delicious
recipe featuring the most searched ingredients on foodnetwork.com;
chicken, kale and quinoa. Sunny Anderson introduces Jenny McCoy as the
first inductee of The Kitchen's Cookbook Club for her cookbook "Desserts
for Every Season." Jeff Mauro helps Sunny Anderson with her Easy Cheesy
Beefy Ravioli using pot roast cooked in a slow cooker. Geoffrey
Zakarian makes The Perfect Manhattan as they all discuss what they're
"Into and Over."
The hosts decide to peek inside each other's pantries and Marcela
Valladolid makes Pan Seared Pork Chops With Pineapple and Couscous.
Katie Lee and Jeff Mauro brave the cold to grill Salmon and Sunny
Anderson and Geoffrey Zakarian make their favorite Wing recipes.
Geoffrey gives his tips on muddling while mixing this week's delicious
cocktail.
This week, Sunny Anderson shares her recipe for Creamy Chicken
Succotash using frozen lima beans, and then chefs tackle foods most
people avoid, like pomegranates, ginger and butternut squash. The hosts
introduce their first "Personal Faves" segment where each cooks with a
loved one: This week Katie Lee and her mom sample two no-bake desserts;
Cow Pile Cookies and Banana Pudding Pie. As everyone shares what they're
"Into and Over," Geoffrey Zakarian mixes up a delicious gin cocktail.
FYI - I updated the cookbooks section for 2014 with all the Food Network related cookbooks I could find that have a release date. They include books by Guy Fieri, Kelsey Nixon, Rocco DiSpirito, Marc Forgione, and Food Network Kitchens.
Thanks for the heads up! I'll DVR The Kitchen and will give it a whirl. :)
ReplyDeleteWatching this now and the only thing saving it seems to be the Sandwhich King. He talks everyone else just reads the teleprompter.
ReplyDeleteThe Kitchen is terrible. It is like watching Thanksgiving Live 2013 all over again.
ReplyDeleteIt has potential..definitely not bad as thanksgiving live..that was a freaking disaster..I'm so glad giada isn't on here.
ReplyDeleteLOVE THE KITCHEN on FOOD Network, Informative and not silly stupid like the Chew show.. I am leaning lots today.....So glad Guy F isn't on the show....
ReplyDeleteAll chefs have lots to offer.......
There is NO WAY that The Kitchen was better than The Chew. There is no comparison other than they both have 5 hosts and are about food.
ReplyDeleteGiada HAD to interrupt on Thanksgiving Live because no one could get a word in edgewise over Alton's nonstop blabbering and trying to run everything. Glad that Fieri isn't on this show.
ReplyDeleteI just saw it and loved it. Jeff Mauro is so funny - he could do stand-up. The cast doesn't try too hard (like on The Chew) - they just seem to be having a good time together. And the fact that Geoffrey Z allowed his mistake at the end to stay in showed me just how great a person he is (that was so funny). The tips were neat also. I loved Sunny's new thing and them all testing new gadgets. It was great fun and helpful. I hope it succeeds.
ReplyDeleteI agree Alton was an ass..he always is ..but you don't overtalk everyone else like that..thats why she cut her finger..she needed to shut up..even in her own show she is arrogant and comes off as self centered..when she has guests
ReplyDeleteI so agree about Thanksgiving Live. Watched it once; never again. It is so stilted and boring. But The Kitchen -- Jeff Mauro (as I said above) could do stand-up. But I also love how he makes everyone else laugh so hard. It's natural. Sunny's pretty witty, too. And Geoffrey Z breaks down at all the humor -- that really humanizes him...not to mention how he left his mistake in.
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone has their own take on things but The Chew is contrived. They are all trying to be witty and high octane; and the carefully chosen panel of one who represents this and one that. I do like Carla a lot...she should have been given her own show. And I could listen to Mario B. ramble on anytime. But the show -- not so good. However, The Kitchen rolled along naturally, perhaps greatly due to Jeff M. but they whole cast was natural and informative.
ReplyDeleteAwful. I'm sticking with The Chew.
ReplyDeleteThat was painful to watch. Jeff M. Always yells(even on his own show). Sunny seemed to be yelling too. Although it had some moments, it felt like they were mostly talking over each other.Jeffrey Z. Is a delight to watch, why did that other woman keep calling Jeff, Jeffrey?
ReplyDeleteBecause his name is Geoffrey, not Jeff.
ReplyDeleteWish there were an edit button on here...sorry, I misunderstood your comment. Jeff Mauro and Geoffrey Zakarian...a Jeff and a Geoffrey on the same small panel and the only two men...could be confusing, but it looks like the panel is calling Geoffrey Zakarian "GZ."
ReplyDeleteTo me, Giada--not Alton, ruined Thanksgiving Live. I enjoyed The Kitchen (an obvious copycat takeoff on The Chew) more than I expected to.
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem. Mauro is taking over the show. Let the lady in the red top and Zakarian talk.
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me of politics and watching The View. Just 5 people with a common interest, yacking. Wanted to see what it was but it's boring. Would rather watch a show with one Chef. .
ReplyDeleteThere are too many people in this show. Too many cooks spoil the kitchen. This was only slightly better than Thanksgiving Live. I kept trying to watch but it just isn't holding my interest.
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of Zakarian I feel this was like watching the 2nd string Jr.Varsity players. I can think of at least 5 other people I would rather watch but I guess it's better than another repeat of DDD.
ReplyDeleteWhere to start with this less than stellar rip-off of The Chew? This crew has zero chemistry at the moment; the audio sounds as if they built this phony looking set in a barn; the talent is talking over each other. Individually, the talent is okay, except for Katie. Katie Lee has a voice like fingernails on a blackboard in that millenially annoying kind of way (and sounds just like the chick on SNL who plays an annoying chick)--whatever she is saying is lost in the grinding sound of her voice that prohibits comprehension. Get her a vocal coach or gently show her the door. Realizing this is the maiden effort, I'll check back in months in the hope that this beast develops into a consumable product. Appoint Jeff as the "Clinton" of this deal and have someone in charge. And fix the audio!
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoyed it, although they all need to practice not talking over each other. Geoffrey Zacarian's demonstration on why you should never saber a champagne bottle was hilarious -- took a little stuffing out of the stuffed shirt, as it were. Am I the only one who thinks he was probably born in a blazer and tie?
ReplyDeleteAgain, disagree. After 3 years of working day in and day out together, the cast of The Chew has amazing chemistry and they work extremely well together. Some of the game or craft segments may be a bit corny at times but they have consistently delivered hundreds upon hundreds of great shows.
ReplyDeleteThe Kitchen is an obvious copycat of The Chew. They did not roll along naturally at all. It was an hour of yelling-over-each-other with some good tips mixed in. I hope that they become better in the second set of episodes that they film but they are in no way better than The Chew yet. Not even close.
Geoffrey owns that refined look of his! Love it! I also enjoyed the show today.
ReplyDeleteI liked the show, and I think they'll build the chemistry. But I totally agree with you in regard to Katie Lee. She just doesn't seem to fit, and her voice is grating.
ReplyDeleteAw, I thought it was much better than Thanksgiving Live. Giada made Thanksgiving Live a disaster.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen The Chew. I agree that Jeff Mauro was hilarious, and I loved Geoffrey and Sunny too.
ReplyDeleteNow that everyone is comparing The Kitchen with The Chew, it's about time I see an episode of The Chew.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Alton was obnoxious, but Giada really was much worse.
ReplyDeleteDon't ya jus' wanna mess Zachy's hair up and see him dance the Robot?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it to a certain degree, but I also think it was too busy--the two men were more enjoyable to me than the women, although I think Sunny did well. I think it may get better, and yes, I'm so glad that Giada, Alton and Guy are not on it!
ReplyDeleteWhen she hosted season 1 of Top Chef, posters referred to her as Katiebot.
ReplyDeleteThey all talk at once. No cohesiveness w/ hosts - just a mishmash of everybody doing their own schtick. I will try it one more time.
ReplyDeletePainful is the only word I can use to describe this show. I can't believe that someone at Geoffrey Zakarian's level and skill would be a sell out and have anything to do with such a show.
ReplyDeleteZakarian is good but the rest is a bunch of just sorta there people I never normally watch. I've watched them before. Not interested.
ReplyDeleteIna is better. This was just a chance for Jeff to crack jokes. Too much like a boring talk show. Just not feeling this one.
ReplyDeleteAre they mostly just making leftovers? This is like listening in on 5 people who all work at the same place talking shop. Good thing this is on the weekend and out of the way. I don't think I ever want to see more than 3 Chefs in the same show and there are many others I'd rather see.
ReplyDeleteToo boring. Can't get into Sunny or Jeff at all. Chef Zakarian is ok but I'd rather see him on Iron Chef. The other two were ok but not spectacular. Too many people. Bobby Flay or Giada At Home is better.
ReplyDeleteI liked it a lot and I was surprised, because I started watching it with low expectations. The Kitchen IS NOT The Chew. There’s nothing new under the sun, as The Kitchen has elements from The Chew, which is a food hybrid of The View. Also, The Kitchen centers exclusively around that part of the house, while The Chew has more elements of a talk show (audience, guests, contributors, taped bits, etc.) Plus, The Chew is a live, daily network show, with a big budget at their disposal, while The Kitchen isn’t and it has to rely more on content and the
ReplyDeletehost’s personalities.
As a fan of Jeff, I wasn’t surprised. I expected him to shine and be a natural on this format and he didn't disappoint. I laughed a lot with him, as did the other hosts. To me, they have chemistry between them. Katie has greatly improved over her Top Chef days. Wasn’t great, but wasn’t bad, so that’s a good start. Overall, as it was the first outing, it was fun and informative. Let’s see the ratings later in the week but, it might have been good, since, at least the last couple of days, around FN Twitter and Facebook, most people have talked about The Kitchen (good or bad) than Guy’s shows overload or Giada’s appearance on Cutthroat Kitchen.
Thanks for more information about The Chew. I never saw it. I also liked The Kitchen, although I had low expectations. As for the hosts, I agree that Jeff really shined here. The only one I wasn't fond of was Katie. I'm not familiar with her from Top Chef either, but if she's improved from then, hopefully she'll continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteWow, I can see why.
ReplyDeleteI thought Katie was easy to listen to. It was my first time seeing her. Geoffrey Z. has talent. Jeff seemed like he was trying too hard. Five people is too many. I would be fine with Katie and Geoffrey Z. If this show does well it should not mean that all the repeats of DDD don't matter. That problem still needs to be fixed and not ignored.
ReplyDeleteKatie Lee isn't completely new to Food Network. She was on one of Paula Deen's shows more than once (as Katie Lee Joel)
ReplyDeleteIt's Monday, I just watched the Kitchen. Obviously rerun. I had honestly no idea this was happening, which I find interesting as I'm a Food Network junkie. I absolutely love this show! I truly did, I do hope that others agree because I hope it continues
ReplyDeleteThe Chew isn't live though - I mean, it is filmed before a live audience, but the episodes are taped over three weekdays the week before they air.
ReplyDeleteGiven Zakarian's legal troubles, I'm surprised it took him this long to cash a check like this.
ReplyDeleteI think it was a good start. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sort of took me back to the 90s when FN debuted. They mostly looked liked they were winging it, out of their element. Though Jeff is more of a natural regarding performing and it looked to me he was doing his best to keep it going. It was definitely awkward. I think some moments were probably more painful to the hosts than they were to us. They've got some kinks to work out. First being to forget about The Chew and be who they are and true to the premise of the show. I'm not familiar with Katie other than TC. She was ok, though doesn't quite fit with the other four. She seemed a little miffed that Geoffrey was over kale. I enjoyed Sunny. She needs some shows under her belt but I think she'll be good. I could see she was taking it in and assessing and noting. She's on the ball. Jeff is good. Jeff's a natural and FN is lucky to have him. Geoffrey needs to relax. He's wound pretty tight. He sort of reminds me of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. He'll do better across the board if can get out of his own head and into the experience. I was expecting Marcela to do better but I'm willing to give her some time as well. It has to be awkward for them in such new territory and with so many ways it could go. I think the producers needs to tighten up a bit on the production of each segment and let the hosts take baby steps into more of an improvisational, psuedo live type show. It's obvious they didn't have much, if any rehearsal, though I guess these first shows could be called that, but that's a pretty huge risk to take out the gate. All in all, I'd give it a C- grading on the curve.
ReplyDelete