Food Network's 'The Kitchen' Premieres Tomorrow

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."

Episode 3 - Wings Two Ways

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.

Episode 4 - Conquer and Cook

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.