The Food Nerds

Melissa d’Arabia was the season five (August 2009) winner of the Food Network’s The Next Food Network Star and many suspect her win could be attributed not only to her talent in the kitchen, but to the way she embodies family home cooking in an economical time when staying in is more common than going out.As with all Network Star winners, the channel gave her a show of her own, and in her Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian she “pairs her varied culinary and life experiences to provide food lifestyle solutions and approachable recipes for all stages of life,” according to the network.Staying true to her show’s title, she offers tips such as: (more…)

There’s no shortage of food programs on television and now with the Food Networks recent addition of new dessert shows, we’re all getting our sugar fix on nightly television. Recipes, competitions and delicious creations will leave your mouth watering after watching an episode or two. If you’re a cook, attempting to earn that title, or just fascinated by the creative cuisine, check out a few of these great shows.

1. Cupcake Wars: Airing Tuesdays 9pm/8c, each week 4 cupcake bakers from around the country come together for an epic battle of baking. Three challenges are used to determine a winner amongst the four, who gets a chance to showcase their work. Oh yeah, and 10,000. Three judges decide on each week’s winner.
2. Kid in a Candy Store: Host Adam Gertler travels around the country to find some of the most unique and delicious sweets you’ve ever seen. Some stops take us through the production process of some of our favorites such as dip and dots or salt water taffy, while others introduce us to new concoctions including deep fried cupcakes and beet ice cream. Adam hits the trail every Monday at 8p.m./7 c. And if you’re having trouble sleeping, re-runs air Monday nights at 3a.m./2c. (more…)