TV Land

Sandwich Mania Hits Food Network With Between the Buns

Photo: Melissa Hom

Food Network’s new lineup reveals that Rahm Fama, executive chef at the Lodge at Vail and host of the upcoming show Meat & Potatoes (a sort of Man vs. Food without the challenges) will be hosting not one, but two shows during the upcoming season. The second is called Between the Buns and explores sandwiches and such at Mile End (New York), Franks ‘n’ Dawgs (Chicago), and the Oaks Gourmet (Hollywood), among others. Also: The Great Food Truck Race will wrap up in New York, with Nate Appleman judging, and new episodes of Iron Chef America include Seamus Mullen (ex-Boqueria) and Christopher Kostow of the Restaurant at Meadowood. The complete rundown is below.

SPECIAL SERIES

The Great Food Truck Race
Food Network’s exciting new coast-to-coast culinary competition concludes with the final three episodes.

Premieres: Sunday, September 5th at 9pm
“Big Trouble in the Big Easy”
The final four trucks arrive in New Orleans and meet Tyler at the Louisiana Superdome. The competitors run into shockingly unpredictable weather. Putting even more pressure on the teams, Tyler calls them with the Truck Stop challenge: the teams must close down their trucks for the night and meet him near the Mississippi River at day break to prepare a classic catfish dish for a local legend, Chef Jacques Leonardi (Jaques-Imo and Crabby Jack’s). The winning team earns $500 and the opportunity to immediately open their truck for business, while the three losing teams endure filleting 700 pounds of catfish before returning to their trucks.

Premieres: Sunday, September 12th at 9pm
“Small Town Showdown”
The remaining three teams pull into Jonesborough, Tenn., population 5,000. Nervous about how this small town will react to them, the teams meet Tyler on Main Street and realize that this leg of the race will hinge on their sales acumen and food quality. The trucks battle over the crowd assembled for a music festival but keeping their attention proves difficult. In the Truck Stop challenge, Tyler tells the team’s to meet him at Old Man Johnson’s farm to cook an authentic five-course prairie meal over an open fire to be judged by two cowboy historians from the American Chuck Wagon Association. As a reward, the winning team moves their truck to a greater populated town where they have the chance to beat out the competition.

Premieres: Sunday, September 19th at 9pm - SEASON FINALE!
“New York State of Mind”
The final two teams meet Tyler in Manhattan for an epic battle on the hungry streets of the Big Apple. In the final sprint of the competition, the trucks race through the five boroughs and scramble to make $500 at each location before moving on. To turn up the heat, Tyler calls the teams in the middle of the race with a Truck Stop challenge that brings them back to Brooklyn where they have an hour to prepare the other team’s signature dish for judge Chef Nate Appleman (Pulino’s Bar and Pizzeria). Chef Appleman awards a hefty advantage to the wining team, and it’s a nail-biting finish as both teams chase the Manhattan finish line where the winner of The Great Food Truck Race is crowned and receives the well-deserved prize of $50,000.

Chopped Champions
Competing for $50,000, the largest Chopped prize to date, 16 previous winners return to battle in a fierce five-part Chopped Champions event. The champs go head-to-head in four semi-final rounds to determine who will face off in the grand finale.

Premieres Tuesday, August 31st at 10pm
The first round of competition heats up when the chefs open their appetizer round baskets to find Rocky Mountain oysters. Then, in the entrée round, one chef gets nervous about cooking fish and another makes a costly mistake. Creative juices flow when the remaining two include candy bars and potatoes in a dessert, but only one chef advances.

Premieres Tuesday, September 7th at 10pm
Feeling the pressure, the chefs frantically cook up catfish for the appetizer round. Next, a frightening entrée round basket featuring alligator meat has one of the chefs running scared. The mystery dessert ingredient thrills one chef and dumbfounds the other, making for an interesting elimination.

Premieres Tuesday, September 14th at 10pm
The four chefs struggle with sweetbreads in the appetizer round. Then, it seems like a cinch when the competitors find chicken in the entrée round baskets, until they spy the other secret spiny seafood ingredient. The judges have a hard time deciding who leaves when both chefs serve up unique pickle desserts.

Premieres Tuesday, September 21st at 10pm
With only one spot left in the final showdown, the chefs open the appetizer round baskets to find something fishy and something fizzy. Then in the entrée round, the game changes when the remaining three cook up a gamy meat. The two remaining finalists stir up sweet fusions with a Tex-Mex staple and a Thai condiment from their baskets, but only one moves on.

Premieres Tuesday, September 28th at 10pm
With two victories under their aprons, the top four fight for $50,000 and a chance to claim the ultimate Chopped title. The chefs open the appetizer round baskets to find an oversized sea creature and a scoop-shop treat. Then, a wild combination in the entrée round basket makes an intense battle even more difficult. When the two remaining chefs find champagne in their mystery baskets, one whips up a championship-caliber dessert and takes home the $50,000 prize.

SERIES PREMIERES

MEAT & POTATOES
Premieres: Friday, September 24th at 10pm
Meet Rahm Fama. Actually, Meat Rahm Fama! A chef and meat nerd originally from New Mexico, Rahm combs the country for the choicest cuts. He obsesses over meat with fellow chefs, local foodies, and passionate chowhounds across the United States, making several stops in each episode to sample their meaty fare. From mounds of meatballs in New York and chicken-fried steak in Texas to loaded gourmet hotdogs in Chicago and monster beef patties in Oregon, Rahm’s carnivorous curiosities uncover the most mouth-watering meats and the side dishes that so perfectly complete them. Rated “M” for Meat, vegetarians beware.

Premieres: Friday, September 24th at 10pm - SERIES PREMIERE!
“Between the Buns”
Host Rahm Fama explores some of the country’s best tasting meats between buns. The Smoked Meat Sandwich dripping with juices takes center stage at Mile End Deli in Brooklyn, N.Y. Next, in Chicago, Rahm finds five-star dining on a buttery bun at Franks ‘n’ Dawgs where he devours The Foss Hog, a pork link topped with smoky bacon, a fried egg, and a slathering of maple mayo. On his last stop, he enjoys a taste of The Oaks Gourmet Market’s moist, flavorful burger made entirely out of prime, dry-aged steak with a pineapple and jalapeño compote, oozy Taleggio cheese, and crispy bacon in Hollywood, Calif.

SEASON PREMIERES

Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
Premieres Sunday, September 12th at 11:30am - Season 14
“Garden Fresh”
Sandra throws a garden party featuring fresh fruits and vegetable dishes and a beautiful tablescape to match. She whips up Caprese Salad Bites layered with fresh basil and mozzarella, easy Broccoli Pie, and flavorful Herb-Roasted Cornish Game Hens. For a sweet treat, she makes Blushing Strawberry Cupcakes and stirs up Pretty Pink Lemonade to wash it all down.

*In celebration of the new season, don’t miss Sandra’s Labor Day marathon on Monday, September 6th from 10am-4pm featuring some of the best episodes of her two shows: Semi-Homemade Cooking and Sandra’s Money Saving Meals.

*On September 27th, Sandra will release her biggest book ever: Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade The Complete Cookbook: 1,001 Easy Everyday Recipes for “The Way We Cook Today” (Wiley, 2010). For Sandra Lee fans, this is the ultimate Semi-Homemade collection; over 500 pages of delicious all-time favorites and new family-friendly recipes featuring food for every dining occasion that are quick to make and easy to put together.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate
Premieres Monday, September 27th at 9pm
“Local Favorites”
Food’s biggest stars including Rachel Ray, Guy Fieri, and Wolfgang Puck reveal their favorite dishes right around the corner from home. From the ultimate French Onion soup and crispy pepper pizza to flaky salt-encrusted fish and decadent coconut cake, these chefs don’t have to travel far for delicious dishes.

FEATURED SPECIALS

America’s Best
Alton Brown tours America’s Best chosen by Food Network Magazine with four premiere primetime specials.

Premieres Monday, September 20th at 9pm
“Comfort Food”
From the best no-nonsense pizza and golden hand-cut fries to the best fresh spaghetti and buttery mashed potatoes, everyone appreciates the culinary reassurance of comfort food. Alton Brown hunts down 10 of America’s Best comfort food locations chosen by Food Network Magazine highlighting eateries in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Boise, Idaho; Decatur, Ga.; Las Vegas; Miami; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; Philadelphia; and San Francisco.

Premieres Tuesday, September 21st at 9pm
“Food Destinations”
The finest food destinations offer dynamite dining punctuated by a little sophistication, and Food Network Magazine found the very best. From romantic sunsets and secret speakeasies to cowboy cookouts and culinary boot camps, Alton visits 10 of the best dining destinations in Big Sur, Calif.; Cleveland, Ohio; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Napa Valley, Calif.; New York; Orlando, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Walland, Tenn.

Premieres Wednesday, September 22nd at 9pm
“American Classics”
Classic dishes like gumbo, cheesesteaks, and clam chowder define America’s regions and Food Network Magazine editors map out the country’s best. Alton Brown tastes the ultimate regional cuisine in Atlanta; Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Chicago; Lockhart, Texas; Los Angeles; New Orleans; New York; Raleigh, N.C.; and West Yarmouth, Mass.

Premieres Thursday, September 23rd at 9pm
“Sweets”
Food Network Magazine editors combed the country for 10 of America’s Best sweets locations ranging from superlative soufflés and to-die-for donuts to innovative ice creams and fresh strawberry shakes. Alton Brown takes viewers on a tour through Columbus, Ohio; Glendora, Calif.; Key West, Fla.; Madison, Wis.; New Orleans; New York; Plant City, Fla.; Portland, Maine; San Francisco; and St. Louis.

NEW EPISODES
Aside from new series and seasons, don’t miss all-new episodes of Food Network’s popular primetime and daytime shows as well as Food Network’s featured competitions series, Iron Chef America and Food Network Challenge.

Primetime: 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, Ace of Cakes, Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, Family Style, Unwrapped

Daytime: Aarti Party, Big Daddy’s House, Down Home with the Neelys, Grill It! with Bobby Flay, Giada at Home, Paula’s Best Dishes, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef

Iron Chef America
The heat rises in Kitchen Stadium as the American Iron Chefs face off against fierce new competitors.

Premieres Sunday, September 5that 10pm
“Cora vs. Kostow”
Chef Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, Calif., enters Kitchen Stadium to take on fellow Californian, Iron Chef Cat Cora. Will his treatment of the secret ingredient shine, or will he taste defeat?

Premieres Sunday, September 12th at 10pm
“Garces vs. Pomeroy”
Portland-based Chef Naomi Pomeroy enters Kitchen Stadium to challenge Iron Chef Jose Garces. Will she win over the judges with her use of the secret ingredient, or will Iron Chef Garces take the honor?

Premieres Sunday, September 19th at 10pm
“Cora vs. Semus”
New York’s Chef Seamus Mullen enters Kitchen Stadium for the first time since competing on season two of The Next Iron Chef to battle Iron Chef Cat Cora. Will Chef Mullen take what he learned in the competition and bring his A-game, or will he fall flat to Iron Chef Cora?

Premieres Sunday, September 26that 10pm
“Garces vs. Fukushima”
Chef Katsuya Fukushima enters Kitchen Stadium to challenge Iron Chef Jose Garces. A chef under Jose Andres, Chef Fukushima turns out unconventional cuisine in Washington, D.C., but can his creativity win over the judges?

Food Network Challenge
Food Network gets the competitive juices flowing in Food Network Challenge with the biggest and most exciting food battles from around the world. Claire Robinson (5 Ingredient Fix) hosts as competitors vie for bragging rights and a $10,000 prize.

Premieres Sunday, September 26th at 8pm
“Disney Beauty and the Beast Cakes”
Four talented cake designers stretch their skills to recreate the characters and scenes from Disney’s classic film, The Beauty and the Beast. The competitor who impresses the judges with the most magical cake wins $10,000 - a true fairy tale ending.

ONLINE

TAILGATING: http://www.foodnetwork.com/tailgating/
Gear up for football season with recipes and tailgating tips from Guy Fieri and the rest of Food Network’s starting line-up. Chow down on can’t-miss classics from chicken wings and chili to cupcakes and brownies.
• Tailgating 101 with Guy Fieri: Master of all things dude-related, Guy has perfected the art of tailgating from equipment, to set-up, to rockin’ food.
• Duff Goldman’s Ultimate Tailgate Party: He’s Ace at more than just cakes, with a simple and delicious tailgating menu that includes hoagie dip, sausages, relishes and a sweet dessert.
• Guy’s Game-Day Recipes: Not only does Guy show you how to set up, he shares his best tailgating recipes, like Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Sloppy Joes with Crispy Onions, Tequila Bars and many more.

• Top Tailgating Chili: Delicious hearty and hot, we feature the best chili recipes from top Food
Network talent.
Sandwich Mania Hits Food Network With Between the Buns