Food Network Announces December 2012 Highlights

Alton Brown brings the heat to Kitchen Stadium as he crowns the Next Iron Chef in the season finale of The Next Iron Chef: Redemption, premiering Sunday, December 23rd at 9pm. Food Network gets in the holiday spirit with three weekends of themed cooking blocks with premiere episodes of daytime favorites featuring new specials: Holiday Kitchen Takeover with Giada and Sabrina, Barefoot Holiday: Back to Brooklyn and All-Star Cookies. Sprinkling the primetime lineup with holiday cheer, Food Network serves up themed episodes of Chopped, Iron Chef America, Restaurant: Impossible and Sweet Genius. FoodNetwork.com is the go-to destination for all things holiday including recipes, tips and tricks to make this season the best yet. Join the Food Network conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

FEATURED SERIES

The Next Iron Chef: Redemption -Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 9pm
Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 9pm- "Risk"

The Chairman revisits a classic challenge from season four: risk. Last season, the chefs arrived at an auction in an art gallery to find the items weren't paintings, but rather ingredients they would cook. This season, the six remaining chefs arrive at an airplane hangar to discover an ingredient auction where the currency for bidding is their very precious cooking time. In this incarnation, though, the Chairman has gone big, and the chefs find massive ingredients transported in freight trucks. The chefs must figure out how they can bid to win and still have enough time left to cook these giant ingredients. They compete not only to stay in the competition but to also win an airline ticket that takes them to the next phase of the competition in Las Vegas. The two least successful chefs head to the Secret Ingredient Showdown, and only five head to Sin City for the next round.

Premiering Sunday, December 9th at 9pm -"Fusion"

The chefs arrive in Las Vegas and gather in a wedding chapel at the MGM Grand Hotel. Nothing says Las Vegas like a quickie wedding and in the spirit of the Vegas wedding, the chefs must produce culinary bliss and prove that opposites do attract, even in the kitchen. The chefs must marry exotic ingredient combinations to produce something new and Iron Chef worthy. The two least successful chefs go head-to-head in the Secret Ingredient Showdown, and only one continues the road to Redemption in the next round.

Premiering Sunday, December 16th at 9pm - "Transcendence"

The four remaining chefs have dazzled the judges with their culinary magic, so fittingly they meet up with legendary Las Vegas magician, David Copperfield, for this challenge.

Copperfield magically produces an ingredient that the chefs must use as they tackle one of the Chairman's classic challenges from the past - the reinvention of the Las Vegas buffet. Copperfield conjures up the "secret" ingredient that becomes the theme for a buffet that must transcend all expectations of the traditional Las Vegas chow fest. The Chefs cook in teams of two to create a buffet that impresses in both flavor and presentation. The least successful team heads to the Secret Ingredient Showdown where they face off against one another, quickly becoming foes instead of friends. One chef survives to head into the finale and gets one step closer to becoming an Iron Chef.

Premiering Sunday, December 23rd at 9pm -"Passion/Respect" - SEASON FINALE!
For the season finale in Las Vegas, the three remaining chefs must demonstrate their passion to become the Next Iron Chef. To kick off the challenge, each judge selects an ingredient that stirs his/her own culinary passion. The judges decide on their ingredients based on one question: If you were cashing it all in tomorrow, what one, must-have ingredient would you want to see on your last supper menu? These three ingredients shape the chefs' "last supper" in Las Vegas, where they must show a burning passion for the judges' ingredients with a single tasty dish. In an exciting twist, one of the chefs is eliminated, and only two chefs move on to the final showdown in Kitchen Stadium. The surviving chefs must create three dishes using ingredients that represent the culinary heritage of the three longest standing Iron Chefs Morimoto, Flay and Symon, who are there as guest judges. The chef who follows the theme of respect and also creates the tastiest food is crowned The Next Iron Chef.

HOLIDAY CONTENT

Chopped - Premiering Sunday, November 25th at 10pm -"Chopping in a Winter Wonderland"
Holiday time is here, and the chefs open up the first basket to find spiral ham and beautiful Italian cookies. Family memories influence decisions in their first dishes, but Santa Claus melons come to town for the entrée round, and one of the competitors makes a big holiday mess in the kitchen. Then, in the dessert round, the two remaining chefs must turn eggnog and Hanukkah gelt into the perfect final gift for the judges.

Holiday Weekend Cooking Blocks - Premiering Saturday & Sunday December 1st and 2nd, December 8th and 9th, and December 15th and 16th from 7am-12pm
For three festive weekends in December, Food Network shares holiday entertaining tips and recipes from fan-favorite chefs. These blocks feature new episodes from Paula's Best Dishes, The Pioneer Woman, Trisha's Southern Kitchen, Giada at Home, Rachael Ray's Week in a Day, Sandra's Restaurant Remakes, Guy's Big Bite, Sandwich King, and The Best Thing I Ever Made.

Breakdown of Premiere Holiday Themed Episodes included in blocks:
Premiering Saturday, December 1st at 9:30am - Paula's Best Dishes - "A Very Chatty Christmas"

Paula has her favorite girls in the kitchen with her today! Sisters Amy and Suzette have known Paula since they were knee high, and they can't wait to cook up a delicious holiday meal. First, they get started on Paula's mouth-watering Crawfish, Bacon and Mushroom Stuffed Beef Tenderloin. Next on the menu, Amy and Suzette show Paula how they celebrate with their Eggplant Rice Dressing. It's not the Christmas season without a fruitcake, so Paula bakes up a quick and delicious Fruitcake Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce.

Premiering Saturday, December 1st at 11am - Trisha's Southern Kitchen - "Holiday Cookie Party"

Trisha is joined in the kitchen by her dear friend, Lisa, and her daughters, "T-Bone" and Haley, for a Yearwood tradition, her annual holiday cookie swap. Together they make Sweet Tea for the bakers, and then it's on to the cookies. There's bound to be a cookie to please everyone as Trisha makes Snickerdoodles, Bess London's Pecan Tassies, and lovely Iced Sugar Cookies.

Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 9am - Rachael Ray's Week in a Day - "Italian Comfort"
Rachael whips up five soul-soothing Italian comfort food dishes that'll help you beat the holiday stress. Recipes include: Braciole and Sausage Sunday Gravy; Cheesy Rice Cake Stuffed With Herbs and Greens; Potted Beef and Celery Root With Celery Gremolata; Cannelloni or Stuffed Shells With Veal and Sweet Sausage; and Eggplant and Zucchini Roll Ups.

Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 10am - Sandra's Restaurant Remakes - "The Famous and Fantastic"

Sandra Lee is making fantastic and easy home versions of the most famous and decadent dishes. First she makes her Ultimate "Should be a $1,000" Pizza that's covered in caviar just like the one she had at Nino's Belissima. Then, she makes her version of Shanghai Lobster, a remake of one of her absolute favorite Wolfgang Puck dishes. For dessert, she remakes a childhood favorite snack-cake, and lastly, for Cocktail Time, she tries a drink called the Fire Breathing Dragon and makes one of her own.

Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 10:30am - Guy's Big Bite - "Mediterranean Surf and Turf"

Guy Fieri draws flavor inspiration from the Mediterranean as he puts his spin on a surf and turf meal. He's grilling T-Bone Lamb Chops and serving them with Homemade Olive Tapenade and Fresh Mint. To go with that, Charred Octopus and White Bean Salad, with a special technique for super tender octopus.

Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 11am - Sandwich King - "Holiday Sandwiches"

Most people associate the holidays with big roasts, but Jeff Mauro isn't most people. He's got sandwiches on the brain when everyone else is in feast mode, and he's always thinking about ways to work with that holiday cheer, so he heads to his grandmother's house to learn the secret to her special holiday sausage bread and -- what else? -- turn it into a sandwich. He puts his take on it and makes a Sausage Bread Brunch Sandwich. He also takes the classic roast beef and jazzes it up a bit with some fresh beef jus on the side for dipping. The holidays in the Mauro household just wouldn't be the same without a side of Spaghetti and Broccoli Aglio Olio.

Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 11:30am - The Best Thing I Ever Made - "Stocking Stuffers"

'Tis the season to indulge! Ted Allen, Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarti Sequeira and Jacques Torres unwrap their best ever homemade holiday treats. Maraschino Cherries, Coconut Toffee, Linzer Heart Sandwich Cookies and Chocolate Covered Cereal are easy to make and make unforgettable gifts!

Premiering Saturday, December 8th at 10:30am - The Pioneer Woman -"Christmas is Coming"

It's seasonal snapshots from the ranch as we join the Drummonds over three days of Christmas. Ree's Rigatoni and Meatballs are the perfect meal to enjoy while trimming the tree, and to help Santa with all that cookie fatigue, Chocolate Mint Brownie Bites go out on Christmas Eve. And what goes better with a traditional ranch style Christmas Day than Drop Biscuits and Sausage Gravy for brunch?

Premiering Saturday, December 8th at 11am - Trisha's Southern Kitchen -"The Yearwood Sunday Supper"

Trisha and her beloved sister, Beth, recreate the proper Sunday supper of their childhood and invite the preacher who married Trisha and Garth as their guest of honor. On the menu is Roast Beef With Gravy, Tom Cruise Green Beans, Spoon Rolls, and Lizzie's Old Fashion Cocoa Cake.

Premiering Saturday, December 8th at 11:30am - Giada at Home - "Happy Holidays"
Giada De Laurentiis and her family celebrate Christmas California-style with a beautiful holiday dinner on the beach. The menu features Christmas Seafood Salad, Christmas Stuffing With Bacon and Chocolate-Chestnut Tortelli.

Premiering Sunday, December 9th at 9am - Rachael Ray's Week in a Day - "Seasons Servings"
Feed hungry friends and family with five holiday-worthy meals that can be made in just one day. Recipes include: Ruby Port Braised Short Ribs and Mashed Potatoes, Prosciutto or Pancetta Wrapped Pork Roast With Fennel and Golden Raisin Stuffing, Pastitsio With Lamb and Sausage, Winter White Coq Au Vin, and Risotto Timbal.

Premiering Sunday, December 9th at 11:30am - The Best Thing I Ever Made - "Piece of Cake"
Bundt Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Carrot Cake, and Angel Food Cake are all on the menu, and with just one piece, you'll discover why Alton Brown, Alex Guarnaschelli, Scott Conant and Ron Ben-Israel say these cakes are simply the best they've ever made.
Premiering Saturday, December 15th at 11am - Trisha's Southern Kitchen -"Trisha's Favorite Foods to Gift"
Trisha and her close friend, Kim, get together for the classic Southern tradition of making food as gifts. There's Hot Corn Dip to munch on while cooking, and then it's on to the gift making. With nostalgic recipes like Margaret's Raisin Bread in a Can, Crockpot Chocolate Candy and Peanut Brittle, a homemade gift can't go wrong.
Premiering Sunday, December 16th at 9am - Rachael Ray's Week in a Day -"Wintry Mix"
Rachael whips up five mouthwatering meals that are perfect make ahead dishes for cold nights including: Eight Spice Squash and Chicken Thighs Stew With Lentil Rice, Creamy Winter Vegetable Soup, Portabella Mushrooms, Hot and Sweet Pepper Ragu With Pappardelle, Jane Fox's Famous Tortilla Soup, and Mushroom and Spinach Bread-Zagna.
Premiering Sunday, December 16th at 11:30am - The Best Thing I Ever Made -"Crowd Pleasers"
Got a tough crowd to please? Your friends won't be able to resist crispy, delicious fried chicken, zesty tropical shrimp, grilled summer salad or mouthwatering pancake lasagna. Find out why Geoffrey Zakarian, Roger Mooking, Eric Greenspan and the Voltaggio brothers say these dishes will make everyone happy.

Holiday Kitchen Takeover with Giada and Sabrina- Premiering Saturday, December 1st at 11:30am
In this one-hour holiday special, renowned chef Giada De Laurentiis and top interior designer Sabrina Soto will surprise one lucky family with a gift of a lifetime: a breathtaking, floor-to-ceiling makeover of their dated, dysfunctional kitchen and family room. Giada and Sabrina will work together to give the family a stunning space that is equipped for a chef, designed for a magazine cover, and built for a lifetime.

Barefoot Holiday: Back to Brooklyn - Premiering Saturday, December 1st at 12:30pm
It's a trip down memory lane for Ina and Jeffrey with a day trip to Brooklyn visiting places old and new. The day kicks off with a fabulous breakfast, then armed with a packed lunch it's off to Brooklyn for a culinary tour including a visit to Franny's Pizzeria, before heading to East Hampton for a retro nightcap.

Iron Chef America - Premiering Sunday, December 2nd at 10pm-"Food Network vs. Cooking Channel"

In this holiday battle, three chefs representing Food Network - Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Robert Irvine and Ted Allen - go head to head against three chefs representing Cooking Channel - Iron Chef Michael Symon, Nadia G and Ben Sargent.

Cupcake Wars - Premiering Thursday, December 6th at 8pm -"Cupcakes on Parade"
'Tis the season for cupcakes as four bakers compete for the opportunity to serve their cupcakes at a VIP party for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade in Chicago.

Sweet Genius - Premiering Thursday, December 6th at 10pm -"Holiday Genius"
In the mood for mistletoe and merriment, Chef Ron has a host of holiday surprises for the competitors. In the first test, he sends out a little ambassador from the North Pole, a fabled pudding and a classic yuletide candy. The chefs get an icy inspiration for the second test, along with a starchy packaged food and a colorful refreshment. When the last two chefs compete in the final holiday hoorah - the cake test - they must find a way to make chocolate treats work with beets and a magical inspiration.

All-Star Cookies- Premiering Sunday, December 9th at 10am

Join Food Network favorites as they whip up their favorite cookie recipes to share around the holiday season.

Restaurant: Impossible - Premiering Sunday, December 9th at 10pm -"Holiday: Impossible"
Robert Irvine journeys to Joplin, Mo., to help a Boys and Girls club devastated by tornadoes get back on its feet with the help of Michael Chiarello and the Lexus Culinary team.

NEW EPISODES

Chopped

Premiering Tuesday December 11th at 10pm ­- "Thirsty for Victory"

The chefs start off moving very fast in the appetizer round trying to make stellar dishes from lump crabmeat and ice cream cones, but in the rush, one competitor forgets something important in the oven. Then thirsty for victory, the chefs find a sports drink in the basket in the entrée round, and then must use carob syrup and spaghetti squash to make a delicious dessert.

Premiering Tuesday, December 18th at 10pm - "Trout Bout"

With brook trout in the first basket, the chefs try to reel the judges in with some amazing appetizers. Then, candy and kale in the entrée round keep the chefs' creativity on overdrive, and as the finalists attempt to make sesame seed buns into tasty desserts, they make some intriguing choices.

Restaurant Stakeout

Premiering Wednesday, November 28th at 10pm - "Little Place, Lotsa Drama"

Willie helps first-time owner, Michael, fix his struggling Mexican restaurant, Taqueria Autentica, in Bloomfield, N.J. Opening just one year ago, Michael's restaurant has wrestled with novice mistakes, botched food orders, and a young staff behaving inappropriately. Now, a wave of negative customer reviews is seriously threatening the restaurant's bottom line. If things don't change fast, the restaurant may have to close its doors for good.

Premiering Wednesday, December 5th at 10pm - "My Big Fat Greek Nightmare"

Willie comes to the aid of Spiro, owner of Athena Mediterranean Cuisine in Brooklyn, N.Y. The restaurant is a family affair for Spiro, with his mother, three brothers and a nephew all playing roles in the day-to-day operation. But it's dwindling customer base and reviews pointing to unprofessional service suggest that sometimes business and family are a bad mix. If Willie can't get this passionate family operating on the same page, Spiro's restaurant could become another Greek tragedy.

Premiering Wednesday, December 12th at 10pm - "A Bunch of Spoiled Brats"

Willie travels to Joey D's Pizzeria in Metuchen, N.J., to help the owner, Joey, put an end to the family drama that is tearing his business apart. Eight years ago, Joey risked everything to pursue a lifelong goal of opening his own restaurant. The gamble paid off as his establishment soon became a local favorite. Now, after almost a decade of successful operation, Joey's twenty-something stepdaughters have essentially taken control of the place. Their bad behavior is driving customers away and if Willie can't help Joey rein them in, he just might lose everything.

ON-AIR THEME WEEKEND

Southern Belles Weekend- Premiering Saturday, December 29 and 30th from 7am-12pm
Join Paula Deen, Trisha Yearwood and Ree Drummond as they share their favorite down home recipes in new episodes of Paula's Best Dishes from 7-9am, Trisha's Southern Kitchen from 9-10am and The Pioneer Woman from 10am-12pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

PREMIERE EPISODES

Daytime: Guy's Big Bite, Home Made in America with Sunny Anderson, The Pioneer Woman, Paula's Best Dishes, Sandra's Restaurant Remakes, Sandwich King, Trisha's Southern Kitchen

Primetime: Health Inspectors, Mystery Diners, Sweet Genius

DIGITAL CONTENT

Holiday Central

Make this the easiest season ever with the most festive Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year'srecipes from Giada De Laurentiis, Ron Ben-Israel and more. Get great ideas for every part of the feast, including simple recipes that leave you more time to spend with family, the most impressive ideas to wow any cookie swap and genius options for table settings and gifts.

New for 2012:

Holiday Entertaining

Celebrate the season with fresh ideas for parties from Ina Garten, Melissa d'Arabian and Sandra Lee. Whether it's designing the perfect centerpiece to warm your holiday table or ideas for fun family-friendly parties, Food Network has the perfect way for you to spread holiday cheer.

12 Days of Cookies

We asked 12 Food Network chefs for their best holiday cookies, and they delivered family favorites you're sure to love. From Bobby Flay's ultra-chocolate cookies to Ree Drummond's orange flavored sugar cookies, we've got something for everyone. Plus, find exclusive video tips for make-ahead cookies from Trisha Yearwood.

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring and empowering through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.45 million. Headquartered in New York,

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