“AWWWESOME!” – Toys”R”Us® Introduces 2015 Holiday Marketing Campaign

Dual Approach Features Clever TV Spots That Capture What Really Goes on When the Toy Store is Closed, While Ads that Tug at the Heartstrings Showcase the True Spirit of the Season of Giving

This week, Toys”R”Us® will begin to roll out its 2015 holiday marketing campaign with a fully-integrated program that encompasses television, digital and print advertising. At the center of the campaign is the notion of “AWWWESOME,” which is used to punctuate the company’s value offerings, competitive advantages and emotional connection with its customers. Key holiday messages are conveyed through a series of clever advertisements that reveal what goes on in toyland after store closing, while a number of poignant spots capture the spirit of the season and intimacy of special moments with loved ones.

Toys”R”Us® Introduces 2015 Holiday Marketing Campaign

“AWWWESOME is central to this year’s campaign because it speaks not only to our breadth of selection and expertise, but it is exactly what kids see when they walk wide-eyed into a Toys”R”Us store,” said Rich Lennox, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Toys”R”Us, U.S. “As consumers begin to make decisions on where to shop this holiday season, we wanted to clearly convey the unique value proposition we are offering through strong promotional messages – but ones that are delivered in a fun and engaging way. And, as a brand that is truly synonymous with the holidays, we wanted to take pause and reflect on those special moments that are at the heart of what Christmas is all about.“

Witty “Shelf-Talker” Spots Put Toys On Center Stage

Barbie & Ken Chair

To illustrate the company’s breadth of products and unique services, Toys”R”Us is imagining what happens in toyland when no one is looking through a series of more than a dozen “Shelf Talker” spots. The 15- and 30-second ads, which will begin to air this week, reveal a whole new world where hijinks and drama ensue among the varied personalities of toys found in the store. One demonstrates the company’s vast selection of toys as everyone’s favorite power couple, Ken® and Barbie®, lost, drive through the store aisles in their pink convertible. Ken is in the driver’s seat – and, in that all-too-true scenario – he is convinced they are headed in the right direction and refuses to ask for help in finding their destination. In a second spot, which reinforces the company’s Price Match Guarantee, Optimus Prime learns a tough lesson as a baby doll inadvertently lets it slip that he is but one of many tough Transformers® on the shelf, sending him into hysterics. New “Shelf Talker” spots will be introduced throughout the holiday season featuring popular toys while delivering customer benefits, such as current deals and services available at Toys”R”Us.

Capturing the True Spirit and Heart of the Season

In a series of beautifully filmed 30- and 60-second spots, Toys”R”Us seeks to place a spotlight on those moments of giving, surprise and wonder that make Christmas so special.

In a series of beautifully filmed 30- and 60-second spots, Toys”R”Us seeks to place a spotlight on those moments of giving, surprise and wonder that make Christmas so special. The first ad, which will begin airing on November 1, unfolds as a young child notices her elderly neighbor has the only house on the block left undecorated for the holiday season. The girl decides to make this gentleman’s holiday merrier by enlisting the help of a friend to trim a large tree in his front yard. Her efforts appear to go unappreciated, and she is crestfallen. On Christmas morning, however, the little girl awakens to find a note at her front door and is amazed to discover that her neighbor has left mountains of gifts under the tree. As she and her friends run to unwrap the presents, the little girl notices the gentleman peering out his window, and they smile at each other knowing each has been given the best possible gift of the season.

Additional ads, which demonstrate the spirit of Christmas, will be unveiled throughout the holiday season. They will air on TV and be featured in cinemas across the country.

Created in partnership with BBDO Worldwide, an international, award-winning creative agency, the spots will air on all major networks and cable stations, including ABC, CBS, CW, FOX and NBC, as well as ABC Family, Animal Planet, A&E, BET, Bravo, Discovery Family, E!, Food Network, Hallmark, HGTV, Lifetime, OWN, Oxygen, TBS, TLC and TNT, among others. Top national morning and syndicated talk shows, including TODAY, Live with Kelly & Michael, ELLEN, Rachael Ray, The Dr. Oz Show, The Fab Life and Steve Harvey, will air the commercials throughout the holidays.

Extending the Campaign with Unique Digital Content

To extend the reach of the “AWWWESOME” campaign, Toys”R”Us will feature brand new, exclusive content on the company’s social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. Continuing all season long, Toys”R”Us will have an exciting playlist on YouTube, combining the wit of “Shelf Talkers” with the concept of the immensely popular unboxing videos. Fans can watch as their favorite playthings release each other from their packaging, while showcasing the unique features and personalities of these toys. Kids and kids at heart can also check out www.YouTube.com/ToysRUs for fun, time-lapse videos and behind-the-scenes content of the campaign, as well as to replay the magical moments of the commercials.

Additionally, now through mid-December, Toys”R”Us promotional activity will be seen across the Web. The strategy includes premier placements on high-impact homepages, including YouTube and Hulu.com, among others. And, as a digital extension of the retailer’s broadcast promotions, www.ABC.com, www.CBS.com, www.FOX.com and www.NBC.com will feature Toys”R”Us ads online as part of a larger partnership with the networks.

Don’t Miss The Signature Tastings At This Year’s Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Food & Wine

The Big Apple’s 8th Annual Gourmet Gathering Returns October 15-18

2014 Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival Presented By Food & Wine Raised $1 Million To Help Fight Hunger

Approximately 55,000 Attended the 7th Annual Festival to Eat. Drink. End Hunger

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Volunteers wait to greet guests at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

The eighth annual Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE (NYCWFF) returns October 15–18, 2015. With more than 100 events taking place from Wall Street to Harlem, the Festival presents a variety of ways for people to sip, swirl and savor their way through offerings from some of the world’s best chefs and culinary personalities. Tickets are still available to the Festival’s signature tasting events taking place at its culinary campus on Piers 92 & 94 throughout the weekend. Approximately 55,000 passionate gourmands and aficionados helped raise $1 million for the nation’s leading hunger-relief organizations in 2014.

The Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE takes place October 15 – 18, 2015. (PRNewsFoto/Food Network & Cooking Channel..)

“Food Network was honored to once again partner with the amazing culinary talent and television personalities who generously gave their time to make the 2014 Festival weekend a success. Eradicating hunger, both here in New York and across the country, is something we know we can always count on our talent and fans to support and we are excited to see what Lee Schrager and his team curate for next year’s Festival,” said Brooke Johnson, President of Food Network & Cooking Channel.

The Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and No Kid Hungry®, with 100% of the Festival’s net proceeds helping fight hunger. Southern Wine & Spirits of New York is the exclusive provider of wine and spirits at the Festival.

The Food Bank For New York City has been the city’s major hunger-relief organization working to end hunger throughout the five boroughs for more than 30 years. Nearly one in five New Yorkers relies on the Food Bank for food and other resources and the organization takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides meals and builds capacity in the neediest communities, while raising awareness and engagement among all New Yorkers. Through its network of more than 1,000 charities and schools citywide, Food Bank provides food for more than 63 million free meals for New Yorkers in need. The Food Bank For New York City‘s income support services, including food stamps (also known as SNAP) and free tax assistance for the working poor, put more than $100 million each year into the pockets of New Yorkers, helping them to afford food and achieve greater dignity and independence. In addition, Food Bank’s nutrition education programs and services empower more than 275,000 children, teens and adults to sustain a healthy diet on a low budget. To learn more about how you can help, please visit foodbanknyc.org.

No child should go hungry in America, but 1 in 5 kids will face hunger this year. Using proven, practical solutions, No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger today by ensuring that kids start the day with a nutritious breakfast and families learn the skills they need to shop and cook on a budget. When we all work together, we can make sure kids get the healthy food they need. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength. Join us at NoKidHungry.org.

The 135,000-sq. ft. gourmet centerpiece at Pier 94 will house the GRAND TASTING PRESENTED BY SHOPRITE FEATURING SAMSUNG® CULINARY DEMONSTRATIONS PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD taking place on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18. New York’s newest and best restaurants and businesses will delight attendees with their dishes, as guests sip on the most notable wines and spirits from the Southern Wine & Spirits of New York portfolio. Everyone’s favorite Food Network and Cooking Channel culinary personalities and more celebrities will take to the Samsung® Culinary Demonstration stages presented by MasterCard to share some of their favorite recipes with fans. The schedule for the weekend includes:

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Shaw-Ross International Importers pouring wine Chateau D’Esclans at The Lobster Place Presents Oyster Bash sponsored by Negra Modelo hosted by Tyler Florence during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at The Standard, High Line, Biergarten & Garden on October 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: Absolut Vodka on display at CHOPPED! Best Bloody Mary Brunch Perfected By ABSOLUT during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at New York Hilton – Grand Ballroom on October 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: TV Personality Andrew Zimmern runs a presentation at KitchenAid stage at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 18, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for NYCWFF) *** Local Caption *** Andrew Zimmern

Saturday, October 17
Anne Burrell, Giada De Laurentiis, Alex Guarnaschelli, Carla Hall, Katherine Heigl, Emeril Lagasse, Masaharu Morimoto, Rachael Ray, Marcus Samuelsson, Aarón Sánchez & John Besh, Tiffani Thiessen and Geoffrey Zakarian

Sunday, October 18*
Valerie Bertinelli, Bobby & Jamie Deen, Haylie Duff, Tyler Florence, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine, Patti LaBelle, Katie Lee, Debi Mazar & Gabriele Corcos, Marc Murphy & Ted Allen, Michael Symon and Andrew Zimmern

*Guests attending the Samsung® Culinary Demonstrations on Sunday, October 18 will have the chance to win one of 12 pairs of tickets being given away to the movie premiere for BURNT on Tuesday, October 20.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Chef Anne Burrell poses with her book “Own Your Own Kitchen” conducts a culinary presentation on KitchenAid stage at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYCWFF) 

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Chef Tyler Florence signs copies of his book “Fresh” at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYCWFF) 

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Chef Marcus Samuelsson gives a cooking demonstration at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NYCWFF) 

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: View of the audience at the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite featuring KitchenAid® culinary demonstrations presented by MasterCard during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Pier 94 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Chefs prepare food at Meatopia X: The Carnivore’s Ball Presented By Creekstone Farms Hosted By Michael Symon during New York City Wine & Food Festival at Esurance Rooftop Pier 92 on October 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

Its next-door neighbor, Pier 92, will transform during the weekend as the platform for five signature Festival tastings. Beginning on Thursday, October 15, the pier will offer a taste of Italy from more than 30 of the nation’s best trattorias, slice-slingers and meatball shops at GIADA DE LAURENTIIS’ ITALIAN FEAST PRESENTED BY RONZONI SPONSORED BY THE NEW YORK POST. On Friday, October 16 America’s best burger maestros will battle it out to be crowned this year’s Blue Moon People’s Choice Award-winner or Pat LaFrieda’s 2015 NYCWFF Burger Bash® Champion at the iconic BLUE MOON BURGER BASH PRESENTED BY PAT LAFRIEDA MEATS HOSTED BY RACHAEL RAY.

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Chefs Aaron Sanchez (L) and John Besh pose at the Johnny Sanchez Dinner hosted by John Besh, Aaron Sanchez and Katy Sparks as a part of the Bank of America Dinner Series during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Tavern On The Green on October 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images for NYCWFF) *** Local Caption *** Aaron Sanchez; John Besh

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: Dead Rabbit cocktails being served at Cooking Channel Presents Chicken Coupe hosted by Whoopi Goldberg during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at The Loeb Boathouse on October 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 16: View of the Santa Cristina Wine station at Ronzoni’s La Sagra Slices hosted by Bongiovi Brand pasta sauces & Adam Richman presented by Time Out New York during the New York City Wine & Food Festival at Esurance Rooftop Pier 92 on October 16, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for NYCWFF)

Fall Into Chopped-tober On Food Network With New Tournament Chopped: Impossible And New Series Chopped Junior

Robert Irvine is in the Chopped Kitchen in Chopped: Impossible Premiering on Thursday, October 22nd

Little Chefs with Big Skills Compete on New Series Chopped Junior Premiering on Tuesday, October 27th

October brings two new premieres to Food Network with an impossible stunt and exciting new series hosted by Ted Allen. Former Chopped champions are pushed to their limits when they return to compete in an epic four-part tournament in Chopped: Impossible, premiering on Thursday, October 22^nd at 8pm ET/PT. Ted Allen presides over the Chopped: Impossible‘s premiere episode on Thursday, October 22nd at 8pm ET/PT, as competitors are given canned whipped topping to include as an unwelcome appetizer ingredient, the entrees round offers some awfully stinky cookies and when the dessert round arrives, the ingredient has teeth which will force the remaining two competitors to choose whether they will bite back or run scared.

Special guest and contestant Robert Irvine of Food Network’s Chopped – Impossible

Through three preliminary battles, Restaurant: Impossible’s Robert Irvine will command a seat on the judging panel, as twelve returning champs face some of the most mind-blowing baskets in Chopped history. Three competitors will power on to the Grand Finale, where one will win $15,000 and the chance to throw down in an impossibly daunting wild card round: against Chef Robert. If the last chef standing can beat Robert, they stand to win $25,000 more, for a total of $40,000! But they will have to achieve the impossible to take home the huge prize and be judged along the way by Chopped judges Maneet Chauhan, Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Aarón Sánchez, Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian.

Judges Scott Conant, Amanda Freitag and Aarón Sánchez with host Ted Allen on Food Network’s Chopped

Then the stakes are big and the competitors are little as talented junior chefs vie for the title of Chopped Junior Champion in new series Chopped Junior premiering on Tuesday, October 27(th) at 8pm ET/PT. Chopped Junior showcases the talents of girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 15 years old seeking to make unforgettable meals from the mystery ingredients under the infamous ticking clock of the Chopped kitchen. They may bring their unbridled energy, big personalities and unstoppable originality to the kitchen, but only one can be crowned Chopped Junior Champion winning the $10,000 prize.

Host Ted Allen is seen on the set of Food Network’s Chopped Junior, Season 1.

Host Ted Allen checks in on junior chef Grace LaFountain as she cooks with lamb loin chops, mini pepperoni pizzas, Chinese long beans and orzo during round 2 as seen on Food Network’s Chopped Junior, Season 1.

Throughout the season of Chopped Junior, ambitious young chefs open their baskets to find mandatory mystery ingredients ranging from pickled pigs feet to tofu to birthday cake and are challenged to create appetizers, entrees or desserts before the clock runs out! Over the course of the season, the junior chefs show their incredible culinary skills as they transform their basket ingredients into masterpiece dishes.

CELEBRITIES GEAR UP FOR FIRST EVER “CHOPPED TOURNAMENT OF STARS”

ATHLETES, ACTORS AND COMEDIANS, OH MY!

Chopped Tournament of Stars premieres Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT on Food Network

Five Episode Competition Featuring Celebrities Competing in the Chopped Kitchen for Charity

With a $50,000 grand prize for charity on the line, celebrities from different walks of life compete in the ultimate Chopped Tournament of Stars, premiering Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT. The five-part competition series, hosted by Ted Allen, includes four celebrities going head-to-head each week in themed episodes over three rounds: appetizer, entrée and dessert – each featuring mystery ingredients within the Chopped basket. Featuring sports stars, comedians, actors, and for the first time, veterans from Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, the celebrities are judged by a rotating roster of Chopped regulars, including Maneet Chauhan, Amanda Freitag, Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos and Geoffrey Zakarian, to determine which celebrity will advance each week to face off in the finale on Sunday, April 6th at 9pm ET/PT, with a chance to win the grand prize for the charity of their choice.

“This tournament brings together the most diverse, talented group of celebrities we have ever had compete in the Chopped Kitchen, “ said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network. “With $50,000 on the line for their charity, these celebs fill the kitchen with action, drama and comedy as they do everything they can to be the victor.”

Episodes include:

Sports Stars compete on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Premiering Sunday, March 9th at 9pm ET/PT
“Sports Stars!”
Four famous athletes bring their fierceness and passion to the Chopped Kitchen for a five-part $50,000 celebrity tournament! With the charities they are playing for in their minds, the competitors open the first basket to find a scary ingredient – alligator. Then in the entrée round, the celebs must cook with some strange eggs and some tiny limes. The final two sports stars that make it to the dessert round put their athleticism and enthusiasm into making a great final dish that includes crystallized ginger and wafer cookies.
Competitors: Brandi Chastain, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Greg Louganis, Charles Oakley
Judges: Alex Guarnaschelli, Marc Murphy, Geoffrey Zakarian

Lou Diamond Phillips on Chopped Tournament of Stars

Premiering Sunday, March 16th at 9pm ET/PT
“Rachael vs. Guy!”
These four competitors are all cooking-competition veterans, alums of Food Network’s Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off, but they have never stepped foot in the Chopped Kitchen! How will they do with beef tongue and microwaveable chocolate cake in the appetizer basket? Then the stars have a pizza party in the entrée round after they discover leftover slices in the basket. With hopes of making it to the $50,000 finale, two competitors must make desserts using chocolate bars and banana chips.
Competitors: Penn Jillette, Coolio, Lou Diamond Phillips, Carnie Wilson
Judges: Maneet Chauhan, Marc Murphy, Chris Santos

Food, Fun And Five Talented Co-Hosts Are On The Menu In New Daytime Series The Kitchen

Co-Hosts Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian Join Daytime Lineup on Saturday, January 4th at 11am ET/PT

Co-Hosts of Food Network’s The Kitchen

Food Network kicks off the New Year with five times the food and fun in the brand-new series The Kitchen, co-hosted by culinary favorites Sunny Anderson, Katie Lee, Jeff Mauro, Marcela Valladolid and Geoffrey Zakarian.   From food trend discussions and family meal tips to trivia games and twitter questions from viewers, the entertaining one-hour, thirteen-episode series will cover all things culinary.

Each episode takes place in the show’s casual, inviting kitchen-living room set, where the five co-hosts come together for lively discussions, recipe demos, guest interviews and, at the close of each episode, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” a special cocktail segment with Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, also a master mixologist. Other recurring segments include: “Simple Suppers,” where hosts prepare an easy weeknight dinner dish along with tips and ideas; “Personal Faves” featuring co-hosts and their loved ones preparing a favorite family recipe; “Cookbook Club” welcomes cookbook author interviews and demos; and “Myth or Fact” where the co-hosts guess whether a common cooking belief is true or false. The Kitchen premieres Saturday, January 4th at 11am ET/PT.

“Everyone knows all good parties end up in The Kitchen, where the conversation, laughs and food flow,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Food Network.  “Sunny, Katie, Jeff, Marcela and Geoffrey each have a distinct food voice, engaging personality and sense of humor that together make The Kitchen a delicious way to spend an hour.” 

While growing up traveling the world as an Army brat, Sunny Anderson’s parents always encouraged her to indulge in the local cuisine. When she joined the Air Force as a radio broadcaster and journalist, she continued her trek through the world for news stories while indulging in culinary finds along the way. After leaving the Air Force as an award-winning broadcaster, she continued her travels as a radio DJ in many cities, culminating in her dream job in New York at a number-one rated radio station. There, as a hobby she began cooking for her friends in the entertainment business and turned her growing client list into a catering company. That led to a guest appearance on Food Network’s Emeril Live! in 2005 and shortly after, she left her radio career and closed her catering business to focus on chasing yet another dream – sharing her recipes with the Food Network audience.  Her first show Gotta Get It, a food gadget show, premiered in 2007, followed by Cooking for Real, How’d That Get On My Plate and Home Made in America with Sunny Anderson. Her cooking style combines classic comfort foods along with unique flavors inspired by her many travels. With an understanding of everyday life and the belief that real people deserve down-to-earth, delicious meals, Sunny offers real food for real life. In September 2013, she released her New York Times Best Selling debut cookbook, “Sunny’s Kitchen: Easy Food for Real Life” (Clarkson Potter).  Sunny lives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn with her four rescue cats: Cheddar Cheese, Truffle Tycoon, Milky Mouth and Sea Salt.

Ming Tsai’s “Simply Ming” Collection Launches on HSN

Celebrity chef and restaurateur Ming Tsai has debuted his collection of “Simply Ming” cutting edge kitchen tools and accessories on HSN, www.HSN.com and HSN mobile. The high-quality line combines functional innovation with Ming Tsai’s extensive culinary background to create uniquely engineered products that are perfect for the demands of today’s home cooks. Throughout his career, Ming Tsai has proven that he not only loves to cook, but has a true passion for showing others how easy it is to cook.  The “Simply Ming” Collection is a natural extension of this commitment.

The “Simply Ming” Collection can be used by experienced chefs and novices alike.  Materials like hard-anodized aluminum and high-end ceramics help deliver overall performance and durability.

Simply Ming HSN Premiere 4-piece Aero Knife Gourmet Set

Ming Tsai Simply Ming Bamboo Cutting Board with Magnetic Knife

Simply Ming HSN Premiere 4-piece Aero Knife Gourmet Set

The line will offer a variety of culinary products and cookbooks and include exclusive configurations of: the 4-piece AeroKnife™ Set; Edge of Glory Knife Sharpener; the Bamboo Cutting Board with Built in Magnetic Knife Technology; a Nuwave Cooking Station Induction Burner; and a Nuwave Elite 9″ Frypan.  Additionally, the collection will include two cookbooks, Simply Ming One-Pot Meals and Simply Ming in Your Kitchen, featuring many of his East-West favorites.

4TH ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

The 4TH ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS is pleased to announce this year’s award winners. Award Winners were announced via livestream, and will receive their awards at the TASTE AWARDS RED CARPET GALA AND RECEPTION in Los Angeles on JANUARY 17TH, which will be filmed for later broadcast.

The TASTE AWARDS Medallion. (PRNewsFoto/TasteTV)

The ANNUAL TASTE AWARDS (also known as the TASTY AWARDS) in Hollywood celebrate the year’s best in Food, Fashion, and Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio. In honor of their achievements, SCHILTZ FOODS ROAST GOOSE is providing complimentary holiday goose to winners of the Best Food Program: Television, Best Food Travel Series: Television, Best Food Travel Series: Web, Best Green or Organic Program, Best New Series, Best Food Program: Web, Best Film or Documentary, and Best Comedy categories. This gourmet roast goose will also be served at the January 17th Hollywood awards event. Additional award winner partner perks will be announced shortly.

The TASTE AWARDS RED CARPET GALA AND RECEPTION will feature a star-studded lineup of food and fashion TV celebrities, and has—in the past—included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and other media platforms such as the FOOD NETWORK, THE STYLE NETWORK, BRAVO, THE COOKING CHANNEL, TLC, DISCOVERY, LIFETIME, E! ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION, PBS, NBC, ABC, THE CW, HGTV, THE TRAVEL CHANNEL, HD NET, HULU, YOUTUBE, SONY PICTURES, and more.

RACHAEL RAY AND GUY FIERI RETURN TO COACH EIGHT CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS IN NEW SEASON OF RACHAEL VS. GUY: CELEBRITY COOK-OFF

CHILLI, GILBERT GOTTFRIED, CORNELIA GUEST, DEAN MCDERMOTT, KATHY NAJIMY, HINES WARD, CARNIE WILSON AND JOHNNY WEIR COMPETE FOR CHARITY

SEASON PREMIERE SUNDAY, JANUARY 6TH AT 9PM ET/PT

FOOD NETWORK icon RACHAEL RAY and best-selling cookbook author and successful restaurateur GUY FIERI, return to coach and mentor eight new celebrity contestants for the second season of RACHAEL VS. GUY: CELEBRITY COOK-OFF, premiering SUNDAY, JANUARY 6^TH at 9pm ET/PT. The eight celebrities are divided into TEAM GUY and TEAM RACHAEL, as they head out to the west coast to compete over the course of six episodes in intense weekly challenges that are sure to have them working, fighting and laughing along the way. The losing team must send its two bottom-rated contestants to face off against each other, with one member sent home each week in a blind tasting elimination challenge. The last celebrity standing will join the ranks of season one winner, LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS, and win $50,000 for the charity which they are playing for.

RACHAEL RAY AND GUY FIERI RETURN TO COACH EIGHT CELEBRITY CONTESTANTS IN NEW SEASON OF RACHAEL VS. GUY: CELEBRITY COOK-OFF

“I am thrilled to be returning with Guy for a new season of Rachael vs. Guy,” said RACHAEL RAY. “We are upping the ante this season, with eight new celebrity contestants, thrilling challenges and great humor. Viewers will be amazed at the contestants’ skills in the kitchen as they battle it out for their charity.  And it is always great to compete for ultimate bragging rights against Guy.”

Chefs Return For Second Chance At The Ultimate Culinary Title In The Next Iron Chef: Redemption

Web-Exclusive Battles at FoodNetwork.com (www.foodnetwork.com) to Determine Tenth Cast Member

Hosted by Alton Brown, Eight-Episode Series Premieres Sunday, November 4th at 9pm ET/PT,

New Iron Chef Crowned in Season Finale on Sunday, December 23rd at 9pm ET/PT

A roster of acclaimed chefs return for a second chance to become a member of the IRON CHEFculinary society this

Alton Brown, Host of the Next Iron Chef: Redemption

fall, with the premiere of THE NEXT IRON CHEF: REDEMPTION on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH at 9PM ET/PT. The fifth installment of this top-rated competition series also adds a few newcomers to the mix, who have had their own experiences of not quite winning the crown. The competitors are given new opportunities to prove their skills are IRON CHEF-WORTHY, while revisiting some of the memorable moments that sent them home in the past. The culinary battle-royale, hosted by ALTON BROWN and shot in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, tests the kitchen chops, masterful skills and fortitude of these supreme experts, and culminates with the naming of the newest Iron Chef on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23RD at 9pm ET/PT.

THE NEXT IRON CHEF is produced by TRIAGE ENTERTAINMENT in conjunction with FOOD NETWORK and is based partially on the format IRON CHEF owned by FUJI TELEVISION NETWORK INC. IRON CHEF AMERICA THE SERIES pits some of America’s favorite chefs against the inspired food wizardry of American Iron Chefs BOBBY FLAY, MARIO BATALI, MASAHARU MORIMOTO, CAT CORA and Next Iron Chef winners, MICHAEL SYMON, JOSE GARCES, MARC FORGIONE and GEOFFREY ZAKARIAN.