Food Network Challenge

infobox television
show_name = Food Network Challenge


format = Reality
runtime = 1 hour
creator =
starring = Keegan Gerhard
& rotating guest judges
country = USA
network = Food Network
first_aired = as specials, 2005
as series, 2006
last_aired = present
num_episodes =
imdb_id = 0842906
tv_com_id = 65268

"Food Network Challenge" is a competitive cooking television series that currently airs on the Food Network. Each episode, professional chefs compete in a timed competition in their professional specialty. The winner receives a check for $10,000 and a gold medal.

Format

The competitions are usually emceed by chef Keegan Gerhard and judged by various chefs that specialize in the task being focused on. Contestants are given a certain length of time to complete a task, usually with qualifiers. For example, cake competitions often have minimum height requirement, must match a certain theme, and require the competitor and assistant be able to move the cake to a judging table without it falling over.

Episodes are shot in front of a live audience, usually at tourist attractions such as the Mall of America or Disney World. Depending on the discipline and scope of the competition, the number of competitors range from three to hundreds. Occasionally, regional competitions are held to determine the competitors each week. Some of the events are also held as world championships or as invitationals.

The winner usually receives a check for $10,000 and a gold medal. In competitions featuring five or more competitors, silver and bronze medals are also usually awarded, though they have no cash prize.

Competitions

The competitions presented on the program cover a wide range of areas, from cake decorating to ice sculpting to Teppanyaki to macaroni and cheese, with cakes being the most frequently covered area.

External links

* [http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_cc/0,2495,FOOD_20077,00.html Official site]