ABC's THE CHEW Kicks Off the Holiday Season With '12 Plates of Christmas'

THE CHEW is television's "Holiday Headquarters," and this December the show is ringing in the festivities in style by providing viewers everything they need - from soup to nuts - to celebrate the holidays this winter. Hosted by celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining & style expert Clinton Kelly and health & wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" invites viewers into its kitchen weekday afternoons to dish about everything from easy entertaining to making meals on a budget, while celebrating and exploring life through food.

On Monday, December 5, "The Chew" unveiled "Clinton's Cooltide Yuletide" series in which "The Chew's" resident style & entertaining expert shares his easy and inexpensive tips on how to be fabulous this holiday season without spending a lot of time and money.

Launching on Thursday, December 8, "The Chew's" "12 Plates of Christmas" will showcase the co-hosts' favorite holiday dishes, from inspiring main courses and decadent desserts to party appetizers that won't pack on the pounds. "The Chew" will bring viewers everything they need for their holiday parties, gatherings and celebrations this year.

"The Chew's" holiday countdown continues throughout December. Highlights include:

DECEMBER 19: The five finalists of "The Chew Holiday Cookie Swap" to appear on "The Chew" and share their cookie recipes with America. One lucky winner will receive $5,000. More information can be found at "The Chew" Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thechewonabc

DECEMBER 21: "The Chew" is celebrating New Year's early with "Chew Year's Eve," looking back on the year in food while supplying viewers with party tips, recipes and cocktails to kick off 2012 in style.

DECEMBER 23: It's "The Chew Christmas Spectacular" when the co-hosts get together - along with "Chew Crew" correspondents Danny Boome and Evette Rios - for a Christmas party showcasing foods and gifts and helpful hints for all of the last minute holiday shopping and festivities.

About "The Chew": Celebrating and exploring life through food, "The Chew" is an innovative and groundbreaking daytime series co-hosted by a dynamic group of engaging, fun, relatable experts in food, lifestyle and entertaining. Produced by GorDon Elliott's Chew Productions for the ABC Television Network, "The Chew" serves up everything food - from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more - all aimed at making life better, fuller and more fun. Featuring celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health & wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, "The Chew" is a leap forward into a delicious new kind of lifestyle series. Follow "The Chew" (@thechew) and hosts Mario Batali (@mariobatali); Michael Symon (@chefsymon); Clinton Kelly (@clinton_kelly); Carla Hall (@carlahall) and Daphne Oz (@DaphneOz) on Twitter ™