Looking for the latest in tasty television? Need to know the need-to-watch episodes of your favorite foodie shows? Chow Bella is here to help. We're reviewing the most delectable and dreadful with a handy, must-see schedule so you won't miss a thing.
Well, once again, the commercials during the Super Bowl showed us that irreverent advertising costing millions of dollars still gets the green light from a bunch of rich people in business suits, even in the midst of the worst economy since the Great Depression (no wonder we spent most of the game watching Puppy Bowl VI). For those of us who are still wondering what not wearing pants, screaming chickens, and talking babies have to do with brand image, take solace in this ad from Miller High Life. It may not have been the most creative thing we've seen, but we appreciated the idea and the effort.
This weekend's TV roundup and this week's must-see food show listings after the jump.
Reviews and Previews:
Is Charm City Cakes, the bakery featured on Ace of Cakes, a real business where people actually make sweets or is it some sort of Baltimore bizarro world where the staff plays games with bakery gadgets, talk like Toby from The Office, and hang out with singer/songwriter Jewel (who's conveniently brought her guitar along so everyone can hear how relevant her music still is) while her publicist updates his résumé and invisible magic cake elves finish all the projects? Thanks, but we'll keep watching Cake Boss. At least Buddy breaks a sweat.
This week, love is in the air (and in the kitchen) in anticipation of Valentine's Day, Martha's doing a celebration for Chinese New Year, Last Restaurant Standing is getting down to the final two (standing) restaurants, and the Travel Channel is launching the season premiere of Tastiest Places to Chow Down showcasing America's best burger joints. Turn the phone to buzz, Baby, we've got TV to watch.
Monday (February 8)
Regis and Kelly: Chocolate Challenge Week begins with chef David Burke. 10 a.m., Channel 12, NBC
Martha Stewart Show: "Romantic Recipes With Ben Ford." A Valentine's Day menu of herb-roasted hen, polenta fries, and chocolate-pudding cake with chef Ben Ford. 11 a.m., Channel 15, ABC
Cake Boss: "Castles, Cannolis & Cartoon Characters." Buddy and Mauro travel to Walt Disney World to make cannoli at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. 10 p.m., TLC
Ultimate Cake Off: "Top Dogs." Agility is the theme for cakes celebrating the American Kennel Club's Agility Invitational. 11 p.m., TLC
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives: "By Request." Old-fashioned eateries are visited, including a steak house in Oklahoma City; a 1940s diner in Los Angeles; and a Boston chowder joint that's been in the same family for 40 years. 11 p.m., Food Network
Tuesday (February 9)
Regis and Kelly: Chocolate Challenge Week continues with chef Jacques Torres. 10 a.m., Channel 12, NBC
Last Restaurant Standing: "The Singles." The final three teams prepare romantic takeout meals for two. Then, each restaurant hosts a singles night. 7 p.m., BBC
*(Series Premiere!) Tastiest Places to Chowdown: "Burgers." This series, which spotlights America's best places to pig out, premieres with a look at top burger joints across the country. 11:30 p.m., Travel Channel
Wednesday (February 10)
Regis and Kelly: Chocolate Challenge Week continues with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. 10 a.m., Channel 12, NBC
Martha Stewart Show: "Chinese New Year Show." A celebration of the Chinese New Year includes banquet-style meals with chef Joe Ng; a Peking duck recipe with opera singer Hao Jiang Tian; and Asian-inspired place settings. 11 a.m., Channel 15, ABC
Thursday (February 11)
Good Morning America: Rachael Ray prepares Valentine's Day recipes. 7 a.m., Channel 15, ABC
Friday (February 12)
Regis and Kelly: Chocolate Challenge Week ends with chef Marcus Samuelsson. 10 a.m., Channel 12, NBC
The Best Thing I Ever Ate: "Chocolate." Food Network stars discuss their love of chocolate. Appearing: Duff Goldman; Alton Brown; Tyler Florence; Claire Robinson. 11 p.m., Food Network
