Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Food Network’s competitions embrace Valentine’s Day
It’s that time of year again: romance is in the air and Food Network is never one to let a good holiday go to waste. Food just has a place alongside every holiday, and the culinary channel’s many cooking competitions are bringing some sweet, sweet love into their kitchens with “Chopped,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Worst Cooks in America” all presenting special Valentine’s Day episodes.
“Chopped” switches things up when four pastry chefs battle it out this week in the Tuesday, Feb. 13, Valentine’s episode. The masters of sweets fall in love when they learn that host Ted Allen has thrown mealtime conventions aside and requires them to cook three sweet desserts rather than a three-course meal.
Guy Fieri is also in a lovey mood, and on Sunday, Feb. 11, he invites three of “Guy’s Grocery Games’” regular judges to bring their significant others to Flavor town for a friendly competition. In the first challenge, Guy sends out the couples to shop together for a romantic dinner, but with one of them wearing a blindfold, that ticking clock adds a bit of urgency to what could otherwise be a fun shopping trip.
Over at boot camp, mentors Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence show the recruits how to make perfect sweets for their sweeties in the Sunday, Feb. 11, episode of “Worst Cooks in America.” First, the recruits learn how to properly whip cream, with the mentors suffering the sweet, sweet consequences if they slip up. Then, they’re tasked to put together multicomponent desserts that are capable of winning over their soft-hearted mentors.