Catch me hawkin my product ...

Hey all! It's been a busy week for me here in NYC. On Sunday my new Cooking for Real episodes begin running and Monday is the official debut of How'd That Get On My Plate?.

So lemme give ya tha downlow ... At first the debut ep was to be either about milk or strawberries. We got back from Hawaii taping the beginnings of both chocolate and honey just a few weeks ago. Whatever they saw on those tapes made honey move to the front of the line, so if you can image there's a bit of scrambling goin on :-). We finished shooting the honey parts just last week in ATL and just yesterday I recorded the voiceovers for it. So, between taping, the editors, writers, producers ... everyone is really bustin' tail to get it finished. I don't know the norm cuz I'm new to this, but I've been told getting a show together in such short time is not typical. Everyone is cool though, no stress and they work well under pressure.

So, anyway been working on that plus some recipes for upcoming specials. Add to that interviews to promote the show and my week off the road is stacked with work. I got up early this morning to do radio interviews in about 20 cities via phone and still have some interviews tomorrow via phone. ... I'm hangin in there though. The radio stuff is fun and kinda easy since I used to host a radio show. Pretty funny feeling answering the questions instead of asking them.

Something else I haven't even discussed is how I've been looking for a new place with a bigger kitchen. Finally signed on to the new kitchen yesterday! So, I'm jugglin stuff right now and kinda love it. Busy is better than dormant.
... Want ya to know where to catch me b4 it's too late.
Tomorrow AM I'll be on with the Ed Lover Morning Show @ Power 105.1 in NYC ... they stream, so outta towners are welcome to log on and hangout, should be in the 7am hour ... Thennnnn July 4th ... This Friday, I'll be on Good Morning America!!! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! That's ABC and I think it'll be in the 8am hour, so tune in! They are broadcasting from Bryant Park for their summer concert series (Chaka Khan!!!) so it'll be a nice outdoor grilling segment. If you are from NYC, come on down and find me and say hi ... Even if I look busy :-) ... Ok, hope ya tune in tomorrow a.m. with Ed, I'm takin him breakfast again and hope he likes it!

New NFNS vid up ...

Aloha from Hawai'i ... if you are a Next Food Network Star watcher, check on Food Network for the show page, there are interviews with the cast after they leave and everything. Pretty neat, plus there's a weekly webisode with me and Adam Roberts yakkin it up about the week's episode. This week, I brought along my "brother" Du. Now, I call him my brother, but really he isn't. Basically, we are so close, we don't need people thinking we are dating, so we call each other brother and sis ... His mom is not my mommy, but boy has she been there for me. Du has also been there for me just like a brother. He gives me advice about boys and career and life ... we hang out and just really act like family. I love him :-) .... ok, oh hey also, coincidentally if you ever go on my Cooking for Real page on Food Network's website, you'll see a video about my best kitchen moment and I tell a story about Du and my fried chicken .. check it out, but first check out what all 3 of us, Adam, me and Du had to say about this week's NFNS ...



Hip Hop heads may recognize Du as "do it all" from Lords of the Underground, he's also done plenty of television and film work, so he may look familiar to you ...keep an eye out.... he's got some things on the way.

Be on Food Network with me!!!

Hey all!

I'm in Denver coming off a sugar rush-crash ... we were taping a segment for How'd That Get On My Plate? at LaMar's donuts in a suburb called  Broomfield and I do believe I ate some glaze and tore into just about every single donut they offered me!!! Oooowwweeee tasty! Ok, so back to the subject ...

  

How'd ya like to be on Food Network with me? I'm gonna be featured on a new Food Network show called Dear Food Network. Click there and read up, basically you send in a video or email with a food question or dilemma and if you get picked your video, question or even YOU may be on with me! This is exciting for me, I like meeting new people and even better if it's a conversation about something I love, food!! 

Check the website for ideas of what they are looking for and get on it!! You have to upload the video by July 14th. Include your age, where you live and get your friends and family involved if you want! Be creative or just be sincere, whatever feels right. The video can be uploaded to FoodNetwork.com/DearFN or e-mailed in to DearFoodNetwork@foodnetwork.com. Again ... Deadline is July 14.

On your mark, Get a new set, GO!

Heyyyyy!!! Tomorrow is the day I start taping my new episodes of Cooking for Real!!! About two weeks ago I went in for a lighting test ... seems they wanted to change some things around color and lighting wise ....I've never done a lighting test, but basically I just stood there while everyone worked. There were various different colors of backdrops and different shades of each of the colors. They'd move the color behind my head then all look at the monitor and comment on what colors they liked at what setting ... it was all very above me ... I couldn't tell you what looks good on me, much less behind or around me teeheehee ... so, I just stood there socializing. Then came this really pretty blue tile they put behind me to look at on camera. Now, I hadn't seen most of the crew since we taped, so there were plenty of hellos and I'm a talker so most of the time while I stood on my mark, I'm sayin' hi and yellin' across the room ... just happy to see everyone, seeing the shades of green and such behind me, but not getting too invested. Then they put about a foot-long sample of tiny blue tiles behind me to check it for color and I continued to yap, but made a big mental note "i like it, i like it, i like it". I'd talk, then look back at the tile and think "i like it, i like it alot". So, I get in today for the final lighting test now that all the colors have been changed and other things on set as well and what do I seeeeee??? MY BLUE TILE :-) Yaaaaaaaay!!!! Along with this really pretty royal blue backsplash that goes higher than norm behind the sink, I have a fridge with a see through door and a new range and oven. Plus, a dishwasher!? Ok, now I'm jealous ... I don't even have a dishwasher in my own apartment!!! teeheehee ... most of the set stayed the same though ... Just newer colors and appliances, plus new cabinets and pantry ... lol I know I keep saying nothing changed and then I tell ya about something new, but really plenty of the things remain from before. I took pics, then was told it may not be a good idea to post them now, but I got the go ahead for a description ... I felt like a paparazzi teeheehee ... so there ya have it ... beautiful blue tile, new fridge, wood cabinets and pantry ... it's just a cleaner look and the lighting is nice too.

I can't wait to start taping and cooking tomorrow and hope to share some stuff about the journey here. I remember the long days from the first 6 shows (it wasn't long ago) so, I know it'll be tough to post, but I think I'll be able to handle it, there are plenty of stories to tell during taping, so check in and I'll let ya know how the shows are coming along .... here's a pic I didn't post last week of a tart recipe I worked on for these new shows .... It has 4 ingredients and has the most simple preparation with the maximum flavor output ... can't wait to share the recipe ...

Cooking for Real: Week 3 preview ...

Hi all! I've spent most of the day recovering from a late night - early rise thing. Got up this morning to go hang out with DJ Whoo Kid and Coach PR over at G-Unit radio on Sirius' Shade 45 channel. People called in from all over the country and we had plenty of fun. Thanks to the guys from Dallas, Virginia, New York and the especially the two guys from Miami that called in to chat and hit me off with some great real places to get a meal when I go down there for the first time. Yeah, been all over the world, but I've missed Miami, so it's on my short list, I want some Cuban food and a hot beach! So, when I go down, now I have Janet's and Tom Jenkins to look into for a meal. Can't wait! This morning we had food from the 1st show that aired, which was a New Orlean's theme. Tomorrow's show is all about Tex-Mex flavors.

I went to high school and basic training for the Air Force in San Antonio and after being stationed in South Korea for a year, I was sent back to San Antonio to finish my enlistment. It's such a great city a with all the military bases in town, there's a chance to really get some world cuisine in San Antonio if you know where to look. Something you never have to look for in Texas though is Tex-Mex. It's alllll over the place, from the street stand to the super expensive restaurants. I think my favorite recipe from tomorrow's show is the Huevos Rancheros. This is a dish you can find many ways in the southwest. It's usually plated though, so I thought I'd make it more compact. It just happened one day in the kitchen, how to make it without it looking like just an over easy egg with some beans, cheese, tortillas and salsa. After I got the recipe down, it was about making each component really work and have personality. So, why buy a salsa when you can make a fresh pico de gallo? Why use just refried beans in the can when you can hook em up a bit and make a spread? The black bean puree I make on the show is so good on so many things, try corn chips to start and it'd be a better layer in 7-layer dip than just beans from a can as well too. Have fun with the puree and the pico de gallo recipe because they are good for so many other things alone without the company of everything that makes them work for the Huevos Rancheros. I only came up with the puree part of the recipe just this year and wish I'd had it in my life longer. I sometimes add way more cumin than I listed in the recipe, but any recipe is just a good starting point, so find your blend if you use it.

Ok, now the Churros aren't something I fell in love with in San Antonio, I fell in love with them on a train in NYC. Every once in a while, you'll catch a lady selling churros out of a grocery cart in the subway system, not the same lady of course, they are all over the city. Anyway, I had one and loved it, but wanted it fresh and not from a cart that was sitting in the subway for hours waiting on me to buy it. So, I came up with a way to make a version of the sugary doughnut-like dessert at home. The hint of lime really takes the flavor over the edge! Mouth is watering as I type, these were hard to keep on set for the beauty photos we had to get after I prepared each menu item. A sure crowd pleaser, try 'em for kids parties and for adults as well :-).

Then the corn comes from Texas and Red Hook, Brooklyn. I'll talk about the eating scene in Red Hook in the near future here because the season for eating there is on the way with the good weather and more people should make the trek even though it is now getting super crowded due to all the press. The good with the bad :-). Ok, hope you can catch Cooking for Real tomorrow! here's the official show descrip...

RE0103: MEXIN-IT UP
Premieres: Sunday, April 20that 10:30AM ET/PT, Food Network
Some of the best Tex-Mex street food happens right in your own kitchen when Sunny Anderson whips up her Huevos Rancheros with Homemade Black Bean Puree, Mexican Street Corn, and Homemade Churros with a hint of lime.

Cupcakes and show notes ...

How's that for a purrrty cupcake?? Yummy! I bought it last week from Chelsea Market's Ruthy's Bakery. I'm in to cupcakes. The cake, the frosting, the whole thing. Back in early 2006, I did a pilot for a food show and filmed a segment at Sprinkles in Los Angeles. They were on the cusp of national acclaim, but I'd already read about them in a few magazines, so I was psyched to get a free cross-country trip to eat cupcakes for free lol! I even got to make them with one of the owners, there's a tiny kitchen back there that cranks out a jillion cupcakes a day. I had about 6 cupcakes at the shoot and then after the day was complete at another great spot in L.A., Cafe De Artistes (amazing mac n cheese btw), I went back to Sprinkles for like 4 more. Then I went just a few doors down and got some of those homemade tortilla chips I saw frying in the window earlier. I had to do the intro to the show walking down the street and talking and every time I passed the window with chips deep frying in oil, I'd silently think to myself "chiiiiips" lol. I wanted to house those chips so baaad! I also wanted to eat some cupcakes too, and I'd already researched the next stop on the route and knew I wanted to eat that too. What a mess, only in town for a 2 day shoot, how do you fit all the eating in??? Anyway, Sprinkles' cupcakes were pretty darn good. If you go, skip the tiny wooden fork, I know it's in a classy area, but really ... a fork??? I can kill it in 2 bites, 5 with people watching, so ... c'mon teeny forks are for oysters, not cupcakes. teeheehee. I loved the chocolate-peppermint one. I don't know the name of it, but it is the one I remember and went back for later. Sat in my hotel room like a cupcake bandit, eating em on the bed with a plastic container of over priced milk in on hand and the booty in the other. The memory is quite funny and pathetic at the same time, but at that moment I was in heaven. I'd just filmed my first pilot and at the end of the day I had a lap full of cupcakes to celebrate. Well, the pilot didn't get picked up, but I eventually got a show on the network :-) and have great memories of a free cross country trip for a cupcake! I remember the chocolate being really good as well at Sprinkles. The red-velvet was yummy too, but I think my grandma takes the cake on that, pun intended :-). And I'll get to grandma a bit later in this post, but real quick. My fave spot so far in NYC for cupcakes is Out of the Kitchen! on Hudson Street in the W.Village. I think, I'd have to use an entire post explain how they taste, so I'll just say my mouth is watering now as I type and I haven't had one of their cupcakes in about a year!

So, hope you caught the second episode of Cooking for Real , It was all about taking you a bit into the south with pork chops, greens and cobbler. I mentioned my grandma during the show and didn't tell her before it aired. I wanted it to be a surprise. She is such an amazing cook and I always remember eating cakes and pies and the biggest breakfasts and heart warming dinners when we visited. So, she gives me reviews when I'm on and is always candid and never sugar coats things, but this week when we chatted after the show she said she sat with my aunt and cried while watching the show. Now, I gotta say that's an amazing feeling to know I touched her that way and she even said they were gonna make the stuffed pork chops! Now, what bizarro world am I in when my grandma is doing one of my recipes?? Totally crazy. I love her so much, she is hilarious and I know every time we talk I'm going to laugh. So, I'm glad episode two got the thumbs up from grandma. I watch and then when it's over I think to myself what I could've done differently or said and I hope I get a chance to share more stories and recipes and things and get better. Hindsight is crazy when you do television, I just can't wait to see how next week's episode turns out. I'm happy to get messages from people that are trying the recipes or parts of them. It's all about sharing! I'm really happy with my shows so far for being a rookie :-), hopefully I get a chance to get better like a fine wine or aged steak lol. Ok, Hope you guys catch the next one. It's a Tex-Mex theme with Churros, Huevos Rancheros and Mexican Corn. I did most of my living in San Antonio, about 6 years total split up by S. Korea. I luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv Tex-Mex! Chorizo is king!! lol I used to plot my living situation based on what Tex-Mex restaurants were in the area. For those nights that I don't feel like cooking, having good spots to eat close by is a life saver. It's really one of the main things I think about when moving, grocery stores, fish/meat market and restaurant locations. I'm getting back there very soon to visit some high school friends, but until then ....
RE0103: MEXIN-IT UP
Premieres: Sunday, April 20that 10:30AM ET/PT, Food Network
Some of the best Tex-Mex street food happens right in your own kitchen when Sunny Anderson whips up her Huevos Rancheros with Homemade Black Bean Puree, Mexican Street Corn, and Homemade Churros with a hint of lime.

And here's the rest of the episode descriptions ... TiVo or DVR is you can't catch 'em live ... and as always ... tell a stranger!!

RE0102: BISTRO NIGHT-IN
Premieres: Sunday, April 27th at 10:30AM ET/PT, Food Network
When you're craving a great bistro meal, don't rely on your corner spot, do it yourself! With a ‘Bistro Night-In’ Sunny Anderson cooks up Grilled Chicken with White Wine Mushroom Sauce, Garlic Hasselback Potatoes with Herbed Sour Cream and Wilted Green Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette.

RE0105: REAL COMFORT, REAL GOOD
Premieres: Sunday, May 4th at 10:30AM ET/PT, Food Network
Ever crave some comfort food only to find yourself not so comforted? Sunny Anderson helps out when she brings it home with a belly-warming menu of Meatloaf in Tri-Color Pepper Molds, off-the-charts Macaroni and Cheese, and Shake Shots to cap it off.

RE0106: GERMANY IS WONDER-VEAL
Premieres: Sunday, May 11th at 10:30AM ET/PT, Food Network
Lederhosen beware! Sunny Anderson fills you up with her delicious, German inspired meal. She starts things off with a traditional hunter's dish of veal Jaegerschnitzel served over Southern Cheese Grits, Honey-Glazed Carrots and finishes it all of with a mouth-watering Baked Apple with Crisp Topping. Guten appetit!!

And now ... another shot of my cupcake, it was between this and one topped with a Sesame Street character. I bought it for myself last week Thursday and rescued it from my fridge Sunday night! They really know how to pack a cupcake at Ruthy's! It was all snug in it's little plastic cradle that fit perfectly inside a shorter and wider than usual Chinese take out box. I'm saving the brown bag so I can re-use it and decrease my human footprint. Every teeny thing helps! p.s. cupcake lovers, feel free to share the best spot to get 'em in your 'hood in the comments ... i'm a traveler and ya never know when you'll need to celebrate on the road! :-)

My National CBS Debut!

If waking up Saturday morning was tough for you like it was for me .... I'm so cool with it. I totally understand, so here's the video of me and the CBS Morning Show crew trying to eat on a shoestring budget. I actually didn't know what my total would be in the end. The goal was to keep it under $40bux, I did know I made it, but not by how much. All I could think was, just be 39.99 lol 39.99 ... so I guess my internal dialogue took over and that's why you hear me joke about it towards the end of the clip. Anyway, I had so much fun ... I'm a newbie so they were taking a risk putting me on live network TV ... I knew I wouldn't curse or anything because after years of radio, it's like your mind goes subconsciously into 'clean, on-air mode', but who knows what the nerves will do? For me, the nerves are actually my friend, the storm before the calm, not the other way around :-). Aight ... moving pictures and sound ...

Phew!

omg, was I ever anxious about this morning's appearance on CBS' Morning Show! I was mostly just really tired yesterday because I had a very early rise Thursday and then another very early rise on Friday. Then, both days were full days. Remember how I said I got an amazing "Edward Scissorhands" cut this week? That was Thursday and I waited 4+ hours to get in the artist's chair!! She squeezed me in so I didn't mind at all and I saw some masterpieces walk out before me, so I knew she was gonna hook it up, but every thing last week just had me super tired last night. I was hoping to get enough sleep and actually had plans to nap, then wake up last night to do some things ... I slept right through my nap and didn't wake up until late. I was so happy, lol, I didn't want to oversleep, but I needed it so I'd be ready this morning. Ok, so I wanted to post some behind the scenes flicks from this morning. I'm going out to dinner to celebrate tonight, I am so hungry!!!! It's my favorite German restaurant in this area, I'll give a review tomorrow. Ok, hope you catch the show, Cooking for Real, tomorrow, April 6 on Food Network @ 1030AM EST. Check here for local listings and times.

Here are the pics! We had Wilted Greens with Bacon Vinaigrette, French Toast with Caramelized Pecans, Strawberries and Cream and we rounded it out with some Raspberry Fruit Smoothies! Yummy! The challenge was to be a "Chef on a Shoestring" and spend under $40bux. My total was liiiike 38.14, I think?? I jussst made it :-) Only thing you may have notices is the texture of the cream, it differs from what I usually do ... the heat of the studio lights made it a bit more loose than usual, no biggie ... I got my drizzle on! Dollops ain't all that! teeheehee, ok ...

Me cuttin' n smilin' :-)


I want some French Toast!! (40 year-old Virgin, lol, loved that scene)


Wilted Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette


Smooth it out!


Me and Chris Wragge

Some on-set flicks ...

Hey!
So, below are some other on-set shots from Cooking For Real and I also have a quick description of the first show....

Then, like two weeks before I began taping, I had to get into the Food Network Kitchens for some cookin'. Many of my recipes are for 1 or two people. I've gotten really good over the years at making just enough to not have left overs. Crazy thing is, from my catering days, I can also cook on the other end of the spectrum and make a jillion servings, just almost never do 4-6. So, when I presented my recipes to the network, the first thing I had to do was up my serving sizes because they like them to be 4-6 on their website. Makes sense to me, I dunno the stats, but I'm sure people appreciate a recipe that isn't so selfish. :-) teeheehee. Also, when I cook at home, there are things I never do like saaaaay .... measure? Or time things out. So, I got in the network kitchens to just work the kinks out. I had a great time and the kitchen crew were so nice. Just a total joy to work with! My station was right next to the dishwashing station and the guys in there had the radio on the whole time, not too loud, very professional, I was in heaven ... food and music together!?!?? So anyway, I also snapped little flicks of the food with my photobooth thingy on my lapper ... so here's a sneak peak at the Pain Perdu or French Toast as I call it from the 1st episode ... the food is plated by me, not my strongest talent ... but hope it get's you a bit excited. :-)

Here's the debut show description....
RE0104: NOSHIN’ N’AWLINS STYLE- PREMIERE EPISODE
Premieres: Sunday, April 6th at 10:30AM ET/PT
With a nod to New Orleans Sunny Anderson gets things jazzed up with a spicy yet sweet Shrimp Pot Pie, a sweet note of French Toast with Caramelized Pecans, Strawberries and Cream and a Sazarak Cocktail. Let the good times roll!


Ok these next two flicks are from the comfort food show, I made a twist on meatloaf that is yummmmy and mac n cheese of course, but with some touches from home, then a shake shot ... this show airs in May ...

Photos courtesy of Food Network


Aaaaaand the French Toast with caramelized pecans, strawberries in their own juices, and a sweet and light cream cheese spread.

My New Show!!!

hi all!

Well, I don't have to hold my tongue anymore!!! I have really good news and I hope you'll join me in the excitement!!! I wanna give you some background a bit to bring you up to speed if you haven't checked in or know what i've been working on ....

I still get questions about radio and what my plans are and i've answered them individually, but I feel the need to hopefully say it once on a blog and let it sit there for a sec. So, basically long story short, I got to NYC in 2001 at 26 years-old and the #1 question people asked me was "what's next?" and I would think, I just got here ... it was my dream and goal to get to HOT 97, I haven't thought of what's next.

So, I worked and enjoyed my dream. I enjoyed the listeners, the places I went, parties I hosted, I enjoyed so much. Then, I began to cook for friends on the side and after charging for groceries, then time, I staffed up and started catering events. Many of you came and enjoyed a meal at clubs or events, and for that I thank you so much. N.O.R.E was my first invoice for catering his studio press-day and other executives and companies followed suit. Then, I did my radio-norm and yakked about news, my personal life, and of course, cooking. Somewhere in there a listener actually listened and heard something they'd use later.

She happened to work as an audience coordinator for Emeril Lagasse's Food Network show, Emeril Live. In 2005, in a meeting with her team, ideas were discussed for show guests and topics for Emeril's new season. Somewhere in there, new to her position, she decided to speak up in the meeting and mention this chick she listened to on the radio that always talked about food and cooking. She thought, even though Emeril had never done a Hip Hop themed show, maybe this chick would be someone they should look at. That chick was me. (sidebar: the audience coordinator is now working with Emeril as an associate producer in his new venture with Martha Stewart)

Now, I can go on, and will at length one day, but the bottom-line is, I did the Emeril show and realized I knew what my next dream and goal was. Took me 4 years, but that day after taping the show and feeling really good, I realized I'd found a way to combine so much of what I loved into a radio career, and I could do the same with food television and chase down another dream. I left radio a month before the Emeril Live show was to air on Food Network in Oct 2005 and from that day on -- save for a very sad, wack 6 months in Cali (more on that later as well) -- all I did was work towards my new dream. there were so many people trying to get me to go back into radio at various points, but I figured if I got to NYC by 26, I had plenty more time to do another dream, why sit on one dream my whole life?? I only get one of these in this body, so I really want to live.

So anyway, I just wanna get to it, but feel the need to pad this with some back story, but the truth is, it's a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnng story and right now all I want to do is get a simple point across before I make my announcement. ;-)

No matter what, if you have a dream, a goal, a plan ... it can happen if you work. And I do mean work. And you have to believe and be honest with yourself. And really that scary feeling you get, the anxiety, the teeny little self-doubt, you gotta fight that, cuz I really think it's what it feels like when you are on the way to your goal ... your dream. It's scary, it's tough, but in the end it is so rewarding.

So, it is with my tears, hard work and a mention from 1 person in a television meeting, that I'm able to tell you ..... coming in April this year I begin to share another dream with you, those who I know and others I hope to know. Food Network has signed me to a new cooking show called Cooking for Real and it debuts April 6, 2008 at 1030AM EST. Below is the press release and in the next coming days and weeks, I'll continue to give updates and as much behind the scenes info as I am allowed. :-)

This show means so much to me, I focused on different types of food I've grown to love throughout my travels and did my best to bring them into your kitchen. I'm simple (teeheehee) and the recipes are simple as well, I hope you enjoy it and spread the word! I'm gonna be smiling, cooking, and sharing on Food Network!! 

I also hope to bring my website www.SunnyAnderson.com up to speed soon and this post as well as others will also begin to pop up on my blog at www.SunnyAnderson.blogspot.com

Please check in often for updates and news, and thanks so much for all the kind words. People don't post comments much, but I do get so many messages and emails and have some really cool conversations with you, and they are all appreciated. OK .... here's the official look :-) .....




FOOD NETWORK GETS ‘REAL’ WITH NEW SHOWS ON SUNDAYS
Sunny Anderson Hosts “Cooking For Real” Premiering Sunday, April 6th at 10:30AM ET/PT

Mary Nolan Hosts “Chic & Easy” Premiering Sunday, May 18th at 10:30AM ET/PT

Anne Burrell Hosts “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” Premiering Sunday, June 29th at 10:30AM ET/PT

NEW YORK, March 17, 2008 – Beginning this April, Food Network switches up Sundays adding new shows to its weekend ‘In the Kitchen’ lineup. First up in her new series Cooking For Real is former hip-hop DJ, Sunny Anderson, who simplifies and creates dishes with affordable, easy-to-find, easy-to-use ingredients and infuses them with rich, rewarding flavors. Next, culinary enthusiast Mary Nolan shows off her sophisticated yet simple meals and unique entertaining solutions with her new series, Chic & Easy. Well-known chef and Iron Chef America regular, Anne Burrell reveals professional kitchen mysteries and translates restaurant favorites in to approachable at-home meals on Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.

COOKING FOR REAL
Premieres: Sunday, April 6th at 10:30AM ET/PT
With an understanding of everyday life and that real people deserve down-to-earth delicious meals, Sunny Anderson serves up solutions for easy-to-prepare, fantastic-tasting menus. Sunny’s fresh, uncomplicated approach to classic comfort foods, along with her passion for interpreting the flavors from her unique travels, brings a bright style to delectable, down-home dishes. Every recipe is designed with an eye toward real life budgets, easy-to-find ingredients and time saving tips to make preparation a breeze. From her spicy yet sweet Shrimp Pot Pie from New Orleans, her favorite bistro-inspired Wilted Green Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette, or her mouth-watering take on Germany’s finest, Baked Apple with Crisp Topping, Sunny elevates the everyday meal in Cooking for Real!

ABOUT SUNNY ANDERSON:

Growing up traveling the world as an Army brat, Sunny indulged in many local cuisines. When she joined the Air Force, she continued her culinary world travels and also discovered she had a desire to explore music, becoming an award-winning military radio host and news reporter. Sunny continued her broadcast career playing radio host at stations in New Orleans, Montgomery, Detroit, and finally, in New York at hip-hop radio powerhouse, HOT 97. Sunny also served as Food & Lifestyle Editor at Hip Hop Weekly Magazine and previously ran her own catering company, Sunny’s Delicious Dishes. She debuted on Food Network back in 2005 as a special guest on Emeril Live, and in 2007, Sunny co-hosted Food Network’s series of specials, Gotta Get It.



CHIC & EASY
Premieres: Sunday, May 18th at 10:30AM ET/PT
Whether it’s a ladies-only soiree, a posh picnic, or big movie night, Mary Nolan proves that successful entertaining results from mouth-watering menus and stylish, welcoming atmospheres. Her exciting twists on the traditional create entertaining delights like Stilton-Stuffed Dates, Sweet and Smoky Popcorn, and Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes with Ganache Frosting. Whether highlighting her practical approach to using local produce, showcasing a single splurge ingredient, or impressing guests with a unique flea-market find, she always offers crowd-pleasing and affordable solutions to make memorable entertaining Chic & Easy.

ABOUT MARY NOLAN:

Born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, Mary Nolan was inspired by a creative and food-loving family who exposed her to hands-on epicurean adventures including working on her grandparents’ rural farms, preparing meals, and culinary-focused vacations. While studying journalism at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mary enrolled in nutrition and food science courses and began catering bridal showers and parties. Spending a semester in Italy provided yet another source of inspiration for Mary’s cooking. After graduating from college, Mary moved to New York City to become an assistant at premier culinary magazine, Gourmet where she eventually became an advertising copywriter. Dedicated to sharing her fresh perspective and passion for accessibly chic entertaining, Mary is currently attending The Institute of Culinary Education.



SECRETS OF A RESTAURANT CHEF
Premieres: Sunday, June 29th at 10:30AM ET/PT
With extensive experience as a top restaurant chef and a lifelong passion for food, Anne Burrell takes the mystery (and apprehension) out of the professional kitchen and highlights the practical techniques necessary to create delicious at-home meals. Based on her love for rustic food with simple ingredients and intense flavors, Anne prepares surprisingly achievable dishes such as Herb-Crusted Leg of Lamb with Roasted Fennel, Artichoke, and Red Bliss Potatoes and Brined Grilled Pork Chops with Parmesan Polenta, Sautéed Swiss Chard and Bacon. With stand-out recipes perfect for a party but easy enough for an everyday meal, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef will make the viewer’s dinner table the hottest reservation in town.

ABOUT ANNE BURRELL:

Now serving as Executive Chef at New York hot-spot Centro Vinoteca, Anne Burrell has always stood out in the restaurant business for her remarkable culinary talent, bold and creative dishes, and her trademark spiky blond hair. After training at New York’s Culinary Institute of America and Italy’s Culinary Institute for Foreigners, she gained hands-on experience at notable New York restaurants including Felidia, Savoy, Lumi, and Italian Wine Merchants. Anne can also be spotted battling on Food Network’s iron Chef America as Mario Batali’s energetic and reliable sous chef. Additionally, Anne taught for three years at New York’s Institute of Culinary Education and recently took over the kitchen at New York’s Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano.


FOOD NETWORK ( www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network and Web site that strives to be way more than cooking. The network is committed to exploring new and different ways to approach food - through pop culture, competition, adventure, and travel - while also expanding its repertoire of technique-based information. Food Network is distributed to more than 90 million U.S. households and averages more than seven million Web site users monthly. With headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Knoxville, Food Network can be seen internationally in Canada, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Monaco, Andorra, Africa, France, and the French-speaking territories in the Caribbean and Polynesia. The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also owns and operates HGTV(www.hgtv.com), DIY Network,(www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and FINE LIVING (www.fineliving.com), is the manager and general partner.

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Press Contacts

Cooking For Real
Lauren Mueller, 212-401-2426, lmueller@foodnetwork.com

Chic & Easy and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef
Michelle Betrock, 646-336-3683, mbetrock@foodnetwork.com