Kitchen Nightmares

Remember PBS? They bring you "Sesame Street" and "Antiques Roadshow," and they are the guys who allegedly have no commercials. Remember them? Struggling to keep its tenuous hold on the margins of viewers' consciousness, holding at least a place discernible with peripheral vision, PBS now adds some spice for foodies. Starring on "Made in Spain," real chef of DC Jose Andres "brings the exciting flavors of his native Spain to the American audience with easy and informative recipes created in his Washington, DC, kitchen using products found here in the U.S." According to the PBS website, each episode presents an easy-to-follow recipe for a great Spanish dish, which would-be Spaniards can whip up in their own heartland kitchens. In addition to whetting your appetite for something spicy and savory, "Made in Spain" may trigger episodes of wanderlust, because it shows "treasured Spanish locations," where each episode's dishes originated. For a nation still convinced Taco Bell serves "authentic" Mexican food, "Made in Spain" may seem just a little too piquant for the palette, but Jose Andres himself may become one of America's favorite ethnic dishes.

The competition is hot as"¦ well as a hotplate! And as each new season commences we see more contestants vying for the coveted role of The Next Food Network Star. It truly can be a life altering prize that has "made" stars of the likes of Guy Fieri, Aaron McCargo, Jr., Adam Gertler, and Melissa d'Arabian among others. The Food Network competition is stiff and aspiring chefs from all over the US apply for the opportunity to compete for a show of their own on the popular network. Probably the biggest success story is found in Guy Fieri who has so much personality that he cannot be denied. He even hosts a game show on the NBC network now called Minute To Win It along with his popular Diner's, Drive-in's, and Dives plus Guy's Big Bite (both on the Food Network). Appearing as a contestant on Next Food Network Star is a golden opportunity for an aspiring chef who has a standout personality and those who enter are a widely diverse group that may consist of food bloggers, sous chefs, dietitians, personal or executive chefs, and even the occasional attorney who have dreamt of one day being a famous chef.

Project Runway TV Show is a reality show hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum that has aspiring fashion designers fighting for their chance to get a shot in the industry. Each week the designers are required to complete tasks, either as teams or solo and then they are judged by a panel of experts from the fashion world. And just like every other competition there will be backstabbing and tears before the judges make their final decision of who goes and who stays each week. Project Runway TV Show is the ultimate internship for any fashion designer in the making!

Aired in over eighty countries, and boasting well over 11 million American viewers, "The Dog Whisperer" proves that people love their dogs and Cesar Milan. Each week, self-taught professional dog trainer Cesar Milan shows how dog owners can and must become "pack leaders" for their dogs. He emphasizes exercise, discipline, and affection, and he stresses that the majority of canine misbehavior originates in owners' failure to assert their leadership with their dogs. The disclaimers insist that "The Dog Whisperer" documents only how Milan rehabilitates problem dogs and is not intended as instruction in how to train a pet. Despite the caution, legions of viewers attest to the power and wisdom of Milan's techniques. All three of Milan's books have become New York Times best-sellers with worldwide sales totaling more than two million copies.

American reality shows seldom satisfy as much as the fabulous dishes produced on this program! That is they would if we could get our hands on them and actually taste them like the judges do. Contestants have challenges in each episode that test their culinary talents specifically in the art of making desserts. Gail Simmons is the host and judges include Johnny Luzzini, Hubert Keller, and Dannielle Kyrillos with two challenges per episode. One challenging test is called a Quickfire followed by the Elimination Challenge. Quickfire being as the title implies, a quick test of the contestant's fundamental and basic skills in the kitchen. Elimination round is difficult and each chef must show how adaptable and creative they can be with a list of needs and use of specific ingredients. As with many other reality style shows, one contestant is eliminated at the end of each week, until there are only two remaining and the heat is not only in the kitchen but almost comes through the screen to us, the viewing audience. The loser is announced during the "Judges Table" at the end of each episode. Challenging these "experts in their own field" is a fun way to find out who can take the pressure and stand the heat until the finale at the end of the season. The winner receives $100,000 and the prestigious title of Top Chef in the world of Pastry Desserts.

The first of two spin-offs from Bravo's phenomenally popular "Top Chef" TV show, the masters edition focuses on accomplished chefs competing more for acclaim as the best of the best than for cash and glamorous prizes. Competition starts with twenty-four prominent masters of haute cuisine, who face unusual challenges from celebrity judges, who then evaluate their fare and determine which kitchen-kings stay and which pack-up their blades and hit the road. For example, one episode of "Top Chef Masters" challenged the chefs to prepare satisfying and flavorful lactose-free and gluten-free meals for Hollywood stars with food allergies. Rising to the occasion, the chefs showed dazzling inventiveness without hyper-drama. "Top Chef Masters" show breaks the reality television rules by showing chefs behaving with dignity, professionalism, collegiality, and even some plain old courtesy. No ego. No tantrums. Despite the absence of super-sensation, "Top Chef Masters" TV show has scored well in ratings, because it focuses more on the food than the cooks' foolishness.