Attention foodies: Three new series are set to debut on Food Network that are sure to get your blood pumping.
The first arrives Thursday, another on Saturday and the final one comes Oct. 27. We'll take them in order.
But first, true confessions. I am in no way a "foodie," which, by one definition is "a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food and seeks new food experiences as a hobby."
I don't understand foodies. I have no desire to be a foodie. I'd just as soon eat my mama's meatloaf and potatoes as experiment with such exotic stuff such as cilantro and quinoa.
I well recall how I scoffed in 1993 when the Food Network premiered. "Who's going to watch people cooking," I asked. "I'd rather watch milk curdle."
I was wrong. Plenty watch.
From 1994's The Essence of Emeril to the competition series Chopped, Food Network has "carved" out a savory niche and continues to prosper. Its chefs are international celebrities and its fans passionate. Food Network is now available in an impressive 97 million households in the United States.
Here's the new stuff headed our way.
• Chopped: Impossible, 7 p.m. Thursday, hosted by wine and food author Ted Allen. Former Chopped champions tie on the aprons and return to compete in an "epic" four-part tournament.
In other words, Food Network has figured out one more way to tweak the Chopped formula into something semi-new. Here's how it works.
Through three preliminary battles, Restaurant: Impossible's Robert Irvine will sit on the judging panel as 12 Chopped champs "face some of the most mind-blowing baskets in Chopped history."
For those unfamiliar with the premise, the mystery baskets contain eclectic ingredients that must be cobbled together into a dish in minimal time for the panel to judge.
Three competitors will make it to the grand finale, where one will win $15,000. More importantly, he'll win the opportunity to continue to "an impossibly daunting" wild card round against Chef Robert.
If the last chef standing can knock off Irvine, he'll take home an additional $25,000. Is it impossible? We'll see.
Passing judgment will be the Chopped stable of judges -- Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Aaron Sanchez, Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian.
In the first episode, competitors are given canned whipped topping to include as an appetizer ingredient, the entrees round offers some stinky cookies, and the ingredient for the dessert round has teeth.
• Patricia Heaton Parties, 11 a.m. Saturday. You loved the 57-year-old Heaton on Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle, but did you know she's a party girl?
And by that I mean she loves to throw parties.
"While everybody knows Patricia as a talented and hilarious actress," says Food Network honcho Bob Tuschman, "until now only her family and friends have experienced her fantastic at-home parties."
In the six episodes, Heaton will share her favorite party-friendly foods and home entertaining advice.
She'll be drawing inspiration from her family (Heaton and her husband, British actor David Hunt, have four sons), their travels and themed parties (such as Halloween), football tailgates and anniversaries.
In the premiere episode, Heaton welcomes her Middle co-stars Brock Ciarlelli, Charlie McDermott, Jen Ray and Eden Sher, along with makeup artist Tyson Fontaine for a Halloween party to remember.
Be sure to take notes as Heaton makes Tombstone and Coffin Grilled Cheese, Smoky Tomato Soup, Zombie Punch with Eyeball Ice Cubes, Spooky Salad with Blood Dressing and Candied Pretzel Parts.
Future episodes feature her 25th wedding anniversary celebration, a backyard meal with her sons and a special ladies night.
• Chopped Junior, 7 p.m., Oct. 27. It's being billed as "Little Chefs With Big Skills."
Chopped Junior showcases the creative culinary talents of girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 15 as they try their hands at making masterpiece meals from the weird ingredients in the mystery basket. All of this takes place under the stress of the ticking clock counting down the minutes in the Chopped kitchen.
The mandatory mystery ingredients range from pickled pigs feet and tofu to birthday cake.
Food Network promises "unbridled energy, big personalities and unstoppable originality" as the youngsters vie for the crown of Chopped Junior Champion and its $10,000 prize.
The young cooks, many of whom have grown up watching Food Network, will be judged throughout the season by a rotating panel of Chopped judges along with guest judges. The guests include Laila Ali, Camila Alves, Valerie Bertinelli, Billy Gardell, Sam Kass, Mila Kunis, Tia Mowry, Hayden Panettiere and Martha Stewart.
Style on 10/18/2015