Rewrapped: Chef Neil Fuentes of Jojoto in Branford Takes on Food Network Again

Chef Neil Fuentes, the Singing Chef, is making his return to Food Network this Saturday, 12/6, at 1 pm. Previously, Chef Fuentes who recently opened the sizzling Venezuelan restaurant Jojoto in Branford, was a competitor on Chopped. But, ironically enough, he chopped himself . . . well, more like his finger. But, he’s back, and he’s back for redemption! 

Casting Call: Guy’s Grocery Games Is Shopping for Some Talented Chefs

Want your shot on Triple G?

When we saw Chef Plum of Newton, CT compete on the brand new Guy’s Grocery Games, our hearts were beating fast.  Would Plum be able to best the other talented chefs that he was up against?  But, toughest of all, we didn’t know what kind of crazy twist Guy Fieri would throw his way in Flavortown Market.  Would he only be able to pick out ingredients from a certain aisle, only be allowed to use foods that start with the letter D, only be allowed to spend $20, or only be able to use pre-made foods?  Or, would it be something even tougher?  

Chef Plum races through the supermarket, trying to stack up $20,000 worth of groceries

Well, we were happy to see our buddy get to the final round and take home some hard-earned dough!  Want your shot at winning, getting the bragging rights, and taking home the $20,000 prize?  Of course!  Starting off, Relativity Television and Guy’s Grocery Games are looking for some talented chefs and professional cooks to be a part of the brand new season of Triple G.  Here’s a description of what they are looking for:

“We are holding a nationwide search – looking for outgoing, highly skilled chefs and professional cooks from all backgrounds, any style of cooking welcome. Whether you cook at a fine dining restaurant or own your own diner, are an executive chef, sous chef, private chef or caterer – if you think you have the chops to make mincemeat out of the competition, you want to apply!”

To apply, just e-mail GGG@RTVShows.com with the following information (please include the City/State where you live in the subject line of your e-mail):

• Name

• Phone Number

• Curent title of occupation

• Description of your culinary background

• A recent photo of yourself

• A few photos of dishes that you’ve made

• Explanation why you think you have what it takes to win Guy’s Grocery Games

Casting Call: Bake Your Way onto Network TV

A major TV network is now looking for a bakery shop assistant for a NYC area bakery run by a celebrity owner.  Whether you’re the manager of a bakery, work at the counter, dream of opening your own bakery, or even have your Baking and Pastry Arts degree, this just might be the gig for you.  The shoot dates, right now, will be around late March into April.  

Casting Call: Guy’s Grocery Games Looking for Chefs for Season 2

Guy Fieri and the crew of Food Network‘s “Guy’s Grocery Games” are looking for talented chefs and professional cooks for Season 2.  Do you think that you or someone you know can handle the craziness of this brand new food competition show that has a surprise around every single grocery aisle?  If so, you’ll want to submit your info for a chance to compete (like our buddy Chef Plum of Newtown, CT did) and get up to a $20,000 prize.  

If you’d like a shot, send an e-mail here that includes:

City/State in the subject line of your e-mail

In the body of your e-mail, share…

• your name
• phone number
• your current title of occupation
• a description of your culinary background
• a recent photo of you
• a few photos of dishes that you’ve created
• and why you think you have what it takes to win

Good luck everybody! 

Chef Plum of Newtown Competes on Fieri’s New Show, Guy’s Grocery Games

Capture from Guy’s Grocery Games, from Food Network

Chef Plum is no stranger to TV.  Whether it’s his numerous appearances on local TV, competing on the inaugural show of The Taste, a mini Chopped competition on Food Network, or even eHow cooking webisodes over the internet, Chef Plum’s got it covered.  Plus, we haven’t even mentioned the great things he does through his friendship and work with Pro Players Insiders.  Plus, lots of people in CT know Chef Plum through Plum Luv Foods and his pop up dinners.

Chef Plum will be taking on three other chefs in the second episode of Guy’s Grocery Games! Go Plum!

Well, our beloved Plum who is larger than life, will be on TV again soon.  This time around you’ll find him on Guy Fieri’s new show, Guy’s Grocery Games, on Food Network.  The new series premieres on 10/20 at 8 pm on Food Network and on 10/27 you’ll see Chef Plum compete.

Colony Grill Featured on New Cooking Channel Show Pizza Cuz

Want some stingers and hot oil with that pie?

A while back we wrote about a special TV filming at the cult legend pizza of Connecticut:  Colony Grill.  At the time, all we knew that it was for a new show on a major network.  Well, we’ve got the scoop for ya:  Colony Grill of Stamford will be featured on a brand new Cooking Channel show called Pizza Cuz.  The series premiere is May 6 and the Colony Grill episode will air Monday, May 13 at 9 pm on Cooking Channel.  We’ll have more information about the show and the episode shortly, but in the meantime, check out the episode description:

Now Casting: Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsay

Is your kitchen and restaurant, well, a nightmare?  Then you’ll need the help of world-renown Chef Gordon Ramsay.  He’s been helping restaurants turn themselves around since 2004 when he premiered Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares on BBC and brought his successful show over to America in 2007 as Kitchen Nightmares.

We’re excited to announce that Gordon is looking for more restaurants to help out that need his help, expert advice, revolutionary thinking, and tough love.  The casting call begins immediately and here’s the info:

• If you’re interested, e-mail both kitchennightmares@theconlincompany.com  and knauditions@gmail.com.

• Put the name of your restaurant and the city in the title:  Johnny’s/Bellmore LI, for example.

• Include your name, phone number, contact information, name, location of your restaurant, your restaurant’s website (if you have one), type of cuisine, how long you have been open, and why you deserve and need Gordon’s help.

• Download the application or apply online at www.TheConlinCompany.com.

Just a note:  restaurants need to have been open for at least a year, can’t be a franchise, and need to have at least 35 seats.

Are You and the Fam Party Masters? Wanna Show off, Be on TV, and Win Some Big $? Casting Call!

Just some of the reality show clients from Twin Talents

•••

There’s another new TV show for a major network (we can’t say which) that is casting here in the Greater Stamford/Connecticut are and it’s called “Party Masters.”  While this might not be the final name of the show, the spirit of the show fits in well with the name.  They are looking for families that love to throw parties.  The winning family will be pitted against another winning family to see who can throw the most awesome party in the world!  To beef it up and add some incentive, they are giving each family $50,000 so they can really throw a party to remember.  You might be a great family to enter if:

1) You throw parties that somehow end up on YouTube and become viral hits.

2) You throw wild surprise parties that last all night or for days.

3) You go hog wild at your backyard bbqs and they become legen…wait for it…dary.

4) Your theme nights are so intricate and involved that people forget that they aren’t in the Roaring 20’s or that they really aren’t mobsters.

Chef Prasad Chirnomula of Thali on Food Network’s Chopped Tonight

Credit: from Oaxaca Kitchen site

Yes, you read that correctly.  Chef Prasad Chirnomula of Thali and Oaxaca Kitchen fame will be showing off his culinary chops tonight at 10 pm on Chopped, “Yuzu Never Know.”  Tune to Food Network and see Prasad’s other three challengers and to see what he’s up against!  Each episode is a contest of quick thinking, culinary technique, and just plain raw genius.  Many a chef have quaked when they open up the dreaded baskets, and with good reason.  You never know what you’ll find inside of there.

Well, we do know some details of what’s inside.  We’ll break down the three rounds and will fill in more information after the airing, including the competitors and the winners.  Good luck Chef Prasad!   May the best Indian chef who owns Thali and Oaxaca Kitchen win.  We’ve updated this post to reflect the competitors, the ingredients, and those who were chopped.

Competitors 

1) Prasad Chirnomula: Thali and Oaxaca Kitchen (CT)

2)  Kenneth Johnson:  Pescatore (NY)

3)  Zaina Dell’Aquila:  Condé Nast Café (NY)

4) Fanny Gerson:  La Newyorkina (NY)

Cooking Rounds

1) Appetizers:  chefs must use yuzu, cucumber, black mission figs, and sturgeon filet.

    Who’s chopped?  Chef Prasad, you’ve been chopped.  He forgot to put cucumber in his sturgeon croquette.  Although Chef Fanny’s ceviche was tough, the omission of the cucumber warranted Chef Prasad getting chopped.  In addition, they felt that the mandatory ingredients got lost in his other spices.

2) Entrees:  orange gelatin, mutton chops, baby leeks, and banana potatoes.

Who’s chopped?  Chef Fanny was chopped.  Her potatoes and the sauce on them was great, but her broiled mutton chop had raw fat on it and wasn’t “up to par.”

 3) Desserts:  Israeli couscous,  Mexican chocolate, pasilla chiles, and pineapple.

Who’s chopped?  Chef Zaina, you’re chopped.  Her “bread” pudding was too dry and, overall, the judges felt that Chef Johnson’s  dishes utilized the ingredients better.

Winner

Kenneth Johnson of Pescatore lasted ’til the end and took home the $10,000.  He plans to go to Europe and make his granddaughter even prouder.

Air Times 

10 pm, 5/1/12 on Food Network.  Other showings are 5/2 at 1 am, 5/10 at 9 pm, and 5/11 at 12 am.  Past that, you’re on your own.  Check your listings. ;)