FOOD Network has spiced up its programming by adding a new after-hours series to its show line-up.
The TV station pulled out all the stops for its upcoming nighttime broadcast, Wildcard Kitchen.
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Wildcard Kitchen intertwines two beloved aspects of American culture, which are poker and food.
Each of the debut season’s eight episodes will feature three fan-favorite chefs coming together to play three hands of the culinary card game.
As the show’s host, Top Chef finalist Eric Adjepong will be tasked with taking over Food Network’s test kitchen and exclusively inviting the three players for the night.
Each player participating in the high-stakes game must put $5K in the pot.
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“The competitors, who all know each other well, have scores to settle and personal stakes to lose as they battle to create dishes based on the cards they are dealt and bet using their own instincts and cold hard cash,” an article on the Food Network website said.
“The luck of the draw determines the dishes and cooking time, while wildcards deal unpredictable challenges into the mix that test the chefs like never before.”
Wild Kitchen is all about the chefs letting their hair down, and having a good time with one another in the name of good fun.
“Wildcard Kitchen makes viewers feel like they are behind-the-scenes for an exclusive late-night poker game with their favorite chefs,” Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food, Warner Bros. Discovery told Food Network.
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“The competition and good-natured trash talk is fierce, funny and unlike anything Food Network has offered.”
According to the abovementioned article: “Chefs competing against each other include Chopped judges Maneet Chauhan, Brian Malarkey and Marc Murphy; Italian cuisine masters Gabriele Bertaccini, Rocco Dispirito and Antonia Lofaso; and best friends Stephanie Izard, Joe Sasto and Justin Sutherland. Guest judges include Anne Burrell, Esther Choi and Scott Conant.”
Wildcard Kitchen is set to premiere on Tuesday, March 12 at 9|8c.
THE HEAT IS ON
One of Food Network’s most popular chefs recently caught flak on social media.
On Thursday, Guy Fieri, 56, was called out for nepotism after having his son in Season 5 of the Tournament of Champions.
The new season of Tournament of Champions premieres on February 18.
32 chefs from the East and West coast, including four returning champions, will show off their cooking skills in the backet-style competition.
And there is one person on the show that is close to Guy.
His son, Hunter, 27, although not a chef on Tournament of Champions, is a part of the competition.
According to Food Network’s website, Hunter follows all of the action backstage.
He interviews the winning chefs after each round to get their real reactions.
Hunter has taken on this role on the past seasons as well.
But, fans are calling out the nepotism of Guy by having his son on the Tournament of Champions.
CALLING HIM OUT
Food Network fans shared their thoughts on X, formerly Twitter, and Reddit.
“Where is Simon? I’m sick of this nepo baby s**t,” one fan asked.
“Friends, with @FoodNetwork’s Tournament of Champions qualifying rounds in air, it’s prime Hunter Fieri Nepo Baby season,” said another.
“Does Guy Fieri own the Food Network because what is his bland no talent son doing there? Bring back the other commentators #TournamentOfChampions #NepoBabies,” a third asked.
The Food Network page tweeted, “Shout out to @HunterFieri for keeping track of all 4 dishes in the works! That job is NOT easy! #TournamentOfChampions.”
To that, many fans complained about Hunter, saying his job wasn’t that hard.
“He went to college. I am certain he knows how to read from the script,” one said.
“Sure, yay Hunter on your reading from a script,” added another.
One Reddit fan wrote, “Watching it live on Food Network Canada. Surprise! Hunter is part of the show. Not all surprises are good.”
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