Four Food Network shows fit for every appetite

Whether you’re interested in a contest between professionals and amateurs, you want an over-the-top host with weird hair, or you want wild ingredients, cooking shows  have a lot to offer. If you love food as much as I do, you might want to check these shows out.

1. Chopped- Hosted by Ted Allen

The novelty behind Chopped is the mystery basket. Each basket has four unknown ingredients that must be used in their dish. The contestants must create their own dish within a given time, and they have to work with odd ingredients they most likely haven’t seen before. If you like surprises, then this might be the show for you.

Each ingredient must be transformed in some way to be complete. There is an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert round. The show is judged by a panel of three judges, and it often features a celebrity guest judge. The winner is rewarded with $10,000.

2. Cutthroat Kitchen- Hosted by Alton Brown

Cutthroat is the name of the game. The contestants have to get any ingredients needed within 60 seconds, and are given $25,000 at the beginning of each round. Throughout each round, an auction occurs, and contestants can “sabotage” each other, allowing one chef to take another chef’s ingredients or cooking wear.

There are four rounds, usually an appetizer, an entree, and a dessert, eliminating one chef after each round. The show adds humor by putting people through challenges, which makes it much harder when they make the dish.

However, despite the conditions, the chefs remain light-hearted. This show’s different twists and turns make cooking shows even more of a fun, amusing experience. If you want humor and fast paced action cooking, you might enjoy this show.

3. Cooks vs Cons- Hosted by Geoffrey Zakarian

Though the name may be deceiving, there are no convicts. There are four contestants: two professional cooks and two untrained cooks, whose identities are unknown by the judges.

Cooks vs Cons perfectly showcases how a professional can make mistakes and amateurs can be just as good as the pros. Amateurs earn $5000 more than the professionals if they win. If you want a more suspenseful cooking show, give Cooks vs. Cons a chance.

The show consists of two rounds. In the first round, the chefs have to make a certain dish, and incorporate an ingredient chosen by the judge. After the first round, one chef is eliminated. The chefs identity is released to the judges after they choose a winner. It is interesting to see the difference of cooking styles and abilities.

4. Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives- Hosted by Guy Fieri

A controversial figure on Food Network is the man infamous for his frosted tips and fiery bowling shirts.

Guy Fieri is a larger than life culinary figure and television show host who uses tons of hyperboles and has an interesting vernacular. His show focuses on his travel around the country to find any sort of  food joint serving up great food.

He is shown one to two signature dishes of a locally-renowned restaurant, and of course gets to try the food. Guy Fieri always has a great attitude towards the food, and always goes to the best restaurants. If you’re interested in a goofy host, over exaggeration, and of course, his fiery bowling shirts, then you might be interested in Triple D.