Food Network looking for really bad cooks

[southernitalian]

http://www.charlotte.com/192/story/72...

I can only imagine...

[HarryK]

I just sleuthed out the "real deal" on this!

Slated for first quarter 2009: Kitchen Zero to Superhero

"Many people think they can cook, but talk to their families and friends and you’ll hear a different story. In Kitchen Zero to Superhero, two celebrity chefs take on the training two teams of hopeless hacks who can barely hold a paring knife without creating carnage. The teams face off in challenges that eliminate each culinary clod until only two remain to vie for a huge cash prize. From burnt buns to caramelized crème brulee, viewers watch the battle to see who will go from Kitchen Zero to Superhero!"

It sounds like Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares meets The Bad News Bears. hehe

[Phaedrus]

Actually, this sounds like What Not To Wear for the culinary deficient.

[wattacetti]

It actually sounds like Kitchen Criminals, which ran on the Beeb a couple of years back. John Burton Race and Angela Hartnell compete with culinary incompetents to vie to see who can pull an Eliza Doolittle in front of restaurant crtitics.

[gyc]

I bet Food Network is going to do an American Version of "Kitchen Criminals", which was shown in the UK last year. It starred Angela Hartnett and John Burton Race and they each took helm of a group of hopeless cooks and attempted to teach them how to cook. The wannabe cooks were whittled down until one person from each team competed in the finale to cook a 3 course meal.

[Withnail42]

Sounds like what Marco Pierre White will be doing on NBC tis fall.

[Phaedrus]

Is this a race on who can be the most abusive towards the contestants? This is almost as good (bad) as the Japanese game shows where they beat up on the conestants.

[HarryK]

Naw, Marco's is actually a redo of the UK "Last Restaurant Standing".

[tatamagouche]

As a Denver blogger I actually got sent the details because they'll be in the area doing a casting call in mid-Aug. If you're in the Southwest and inclined to try out, details are there (address in profile). (I posted as much on the SW board too but I didn't ask the mods to sticky it...).

Actually, if Food Network joined forces with Comedy Central on this one, it could be really entertaining. If I were a program developer, I'd totally create a show where comedians had to cater million dollar fundraisers or something.

[HarryK]

>>> Food Network joined forces with Comedy Central on this one

You know, Comedy Central recently resurrected a new version of The Gong Show. Maybe they could have a Food Gong Show. :)

[Withnail42]

They should really bring The Gong Show concept into the FN boardroom during programing meetings. The next time someone suggests a new RR show GONG!, or a show where Paula can 'let her hair down' GONG!!, perhaps letting Giada out unscripted...GONG!!!

[Phaedrus]

They would all need earplugs. Plus, OSHA might step in before then.

[goodhealthgourmet]

"Actually, if Food Network joined forces with Comedy Central on this one, it could be really entertaining."
~~~~~~
but it would have to be done right, because there was nothing funny or entertaining about corey kahaney's short-lived stint as a contestant on TNFNS ;)

[RGC1982]

Isn't that what "How to Boil Water" was supposed to be about? I thought the blonde was going to slice her own fingers more than once, and I also thought Jacques was considering slicing his wrists after watching her at least once or twice. Tyler Florence seemed to have much more patience...

[DiveFan]

Stop it, STOP IT, puleeze. ROFLMAO!

I think I just sprained a rib muscle......

Definitely in the running for Funniest ......CH Topic....... Ever

[Withnail42]

Isn't this "Hell's Kitchen"?

[mpalmer6c]

I thought that was what they were doing with "The Next Foodnetwork Star."

[rochfood]

Is this where I heap my scorn upon The Food Network ? Yep..It looks like I came to the right place.

[cook52]

Don't they already have the worst cooks around?

[swsidejim]

hasn't this been their game plan/marketing plan for a while now?

[The Dairy Queen]

Sign me up! Would my humpty dumpty Elvis cake count? http://www.chowhound.com/topics/438182#3022771 Or my spongy, blue "yolkless eggs" from when Dunlop was COTM? http://www.chowhound.com/topics/494664#3452095 Or, how about my elephant man-like souffle from the unused cookbook thread? http://www.chowhound.com/topics/52903...

I wouldn't suppose there's a million dollar prize involved? After all, I would have to be humiliated on national television...

~TDQ

[LindaWhit]

Ding, ding, ding - ladies and gents, we HAVE a winnah! ;-)

Oh, TDQ, that blue egg one would DEFINITELY get you on the show! LOL

[The Dairy Queen]

Sadly, it tasted as awful as it looked.

~TDQ

[LindaWhit]

But it looks like your second try at those eggs worked a good bit better. But the blue eggs would work better for this show. :-)

[chef chicklet]

Dear DQ, I have to say for the most unique execution of eggs, you win.
I just don't want to see Sandra Lee stealing your idea. After all you own it.

I think your successes with cooking good food are by far greater than your mishaps :)

[dave_c]

With all the "fix it" shows - fashion, raising kids, training dogs and home improvement, this seems like the next logical step.

The premise sounds interesting and I'd be willing to watch the first few episodes to see how terrible these cooks are, how/what the professionals teach these horrible cooks and the end results. Not being a professional, I'm always interested in learning something new. Am I asking too much of the Food Network? lol.

Hopefully, the teachers are true professional chefs and not the Rachael Ray, Sandra Lee and Paula Deen's of FN. Also, if the show follow the typical formula, the show will have two host offering quirky banter. A cute woman and a metrosexual man???

[ChefJune]

Oy Vay!

[SophiaAyalaGettys]

Hey Chef June!

I was one of the Worst Cooks! And I can tell you, they are absolute true chefs and I was an absolute nightmare in the kitchen! This expirience changed my life and my health! I am now hoping to enroll in culinary school this coming spring or fall! (As soon as I can get the funding together:) I never knew this is what I always wanted to do. i hope you enjoy the show!!!

[Phaedrus]

This is so full of possibilities....

Scene 1:

Bad cook: I just set fire to the kitchen and I made your idiot proof recipe a total disaster. I am so sorry...

Paula Deen and Sandra Lee: Thrown some butter on it and no one will notice. Pass the damned bottle.

Scene 2:

Head of FN Programming: You have just won the New Food Network Star Contest!!

Bad Cooks: But we are here for remedial cooking lesson for the bad cook contest.

Head of FN programming: Same difference! Here, you get your own cooking show, now get out there make some money for me!!!

[LindaWhit]

LOL! Both scenarios are possible. :-)

But has anyone else wondered if they'll actually get the worst cook or someone pretending to be really bad in the kitchen just to get on TV?

[goodhealthgourmet]

phaedrus, thanks for the laugh. scenario 1 is hilarious!

[LabRat]

Are they looking to replace Sandra Lee?

[Phaedrus]

Now here is a thought, why don't we write in Sandra Lee, RR, and the lot. Think they'd get the hint?