Food Network Celebrates Thanksgiving with New Specials and Themed Programming

This November, Food Network is celebrating Thanksgiving all-month long with more than 25 hours hours of holiday programming including a slate of brand-new series, specials, themed episodes and classic shows dedicated to food's biggest day. This marks an increase of more than 30% from last year's Thanksgiving programming, spanning almost 40 episodes across 22 different titles. The primetime lineup includes premieres of Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge, a three-episode competition hosted by Giada De Laurentiis, on Sunday, November 4th at 9pm (all times ET/PT); Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption on Sunday, November 11th at 10pm; BAREFOOT CONTESSA Cook Like A Pro: Thanksgiving Sides on Saturday, November 17th at 8pm and Macy's Thanksgiving Cake Spectacular, hosted by Martha Stewart, on Sunday, November 18th at 8pm. Brand-new Thanksgiving digital content will roll-out on social media all month, leading into #FEASTWEEK and the live interactive event #CHOOSEYOURSIDE on Sunday, November 18th. Before and after the feast, viewers can bliss out on the nostalgia of classic holiday-themed episodes during a Thanksgiving Day marathon on Thursday, November 22nd from 9:30am-6pm.

"Food Network is simply the destination for all things Thanksgiving - our content is unparalleled in delivering the best in recipes, tips and strategies for a wonderful holiday," said Courtney White, General Manager and Executive Vice President, Programming, Food Network and HGTV. "We are thrilled to deliver more hours than ever before of entertainment and expertise leading into the big day."

Ultimate Thanksgiving Challenge kicks off the season with a face-off between five talented chefs who must create mind-blowing Thanksgiving dishes. Host Giada De Laurentiis puts these competitors to the test, challenging them to prepare the most delicious and innovative turkeys, side dishes and desserts to ever hit a dining room table. Judges Alex Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall and Christian Petroni determine which chef heads into the holiday with the $25,000 grand prize and bragging rights. The three-episode series premieres Sunday, November 4th at 9pm and the winner will be named on Sunday, November 18th at 9pm. Viewers wanting more can visit FoodNetwork.com/UltimateThanksgivingChallenge and join the conversation on social using #UltimateThanksgivingChallenge.

On Sunday, November 11th at 10pm, chefs Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence welcome back four former Boot Camp recruits in Worst Cooks in America: Thanksgiving Redemption. The much-improved recruits team up to make a Thanksgiving feast for the chance to win a brand-new suite of kitchen appliances and culinary redemption. Uncover the very best of the worst at FoodNetwork.com/WorstCooks and share your biggest Thanksgiving disasters on social media using #WorstCooks.

Ina Garten's favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal is the side dishes, and she's leaving no vegetable unturned for sides that steal the spotlight on BAREFOOT CONTESSA Cook Like A Pro: Thanksgiving Sides, airing Saturday, November 17th at 8pm. Ina's dishes include Mushroom and Leek Bread Pudding with Homemade Gravy and Cranberry Fruit Conserve to Haricots Verts with Dill and Hazelnuts and three of her own twists on Classic Mashed Potatoes. She also highlights some cool, side-inspired table setting ideas and asks her friends Jennifer Garner and Nigella Lawson to share their own must-have Thanksgiving sides. For more, viewers can browse FoodNetwork.com/BarefootContessa and join the conversation on social media using #BarefootContessa.

Martha Stewart hosts the new primetime holiday special Macy's Thanksgiving Cake Spectacular, premiering Sunday, November 18th at 8pm. Witness all the incredible cake creations as four of the country's best cake artists come together to design culinary masterpieces that pay tribute to the beloved Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and floats. Featuring Buddy Valastro, Yolanda Gampp and Susan Tercero as judges, one cake artist will take home the ultimate honor for best in show, while walking away with $25,000 for the holidays. Head to FoodNetwork.com/ThanksgivingCakeSpectacular for an insider's look at Macy's iconic floats and use #ThanksgivingCakeSpectacular on social.

Thanksgiving-themed premiere episodes of fan-favorite series, including Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Guy's Grocery Games, Holiday Baking Championship, The Kitchen, The Pioneer Woman, Trisha's Southern Kitchen and more will also air in November.

On Thanksgiving Day, viewers can spend the day prepping with a nostalgic all-day marathon from 9:30am-6pm of classic holiday-themed shows, including episodes of 30-Minute Meals, Barefoot Contessa, Everyday Italian, Guy's Big Bite, Food 911, Boy Meets Grill and Good Eats.

On digital and social, Food Network's Countdown to Thanksgiving begins November 1st with brand-new content every day. The week leading into Thanksgiving, #FEASTWEEK kicks things into high gear with best-of-the-best recipes and tips, and live event #CHOOSEYOURSIDE on Sunday, November 18th offering expert demos, recipes, tips and interactive q&a. With an audience reach of 250 million during the Q4 holidays and nearly one billion video views last November across its digital platforms, FoodNetwork.com is the destination HUB for Thanksgiving content with recipes, digital originals, galleries, entertaining guides and more.

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