or


[03/18/08 - 11:23 AM]
NBC Turns Up the Heat with 'The Chopping Block,' New Cooking Competition Series Starring Super Chef and Original Bad Boy of British Cooking Marco Pierre White
The eight couples chosen to participate will arrive in Manhattan hoping to fulfill a single dream - to open their own quality restaurant.

[via press release from NBC]

NBC TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH 'THE CHOPPING BLOCK,' NEW COOKING COMPETITION SERIES STARRING SUPER CHEF AND ORIGINAL BAD BOY OF BRITISH COOKING MARCO PIERRE WHITE

Opinionated Chef/Restaurateur White and Panel of Judges Will Put Eight Couples Through Weekly Elimination Challenges Until One Winning Pair Realizes Their Lifelong Dream Of Opening Their Own Chic Manhattan Restaurant

BURBANK - March 18, 2008 - NBC will feature celebrated chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White (UK's "Hell's Kitchen") in a new original cooking competition series "The Chopping Block," in which the British Michelin star chef will offer neophyte hopeful chefs/restaurateurs working in couples a chance to compete in America's greatest restaurant challenge for their chance to open their own Manhattan restaurant. The series is being produced for NBC by Granada America.

The announcement was made today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

"Everyone flirts with the idea of what it would be like to own their own restaurant," said Plestis. "Our series will expose all of the unseen pitfalls, the behind-the-scenes madness and utter exhaustion that accompanies the passion, art and business of a new restaurant all under Marco's watchful and critical eye. In the end, one couple will be totally thrilled - but their real challenge will have just begun."

Dawn Airey, ITV's Managing Director of Global Content added: "We are delighted to be partnering with NBC on this dynamic new series. This is a perfect example of how a global content business should work. We have married some outstanding UK talent, nurtured by Natalka Znak of ITV Productions in UK and our own network, with an original format created by David Barbour and Julian Cress of our Los Angeles based office, Granada America, to create what I am sure will be a globally successful format."

The eight couples chosen to participate will arrive in Manhattan hoping to fulfill a single dream - to open their own quality restaurant. The controversial and unpredictable White represents their best chance as one of the world's most notable chefs and restaurateurs.

"I am lucky enough to have realized my dream and I will never achieve anything greater than 3 stars Michelin," said White. "What excites me today is creating opportunities for others to fulfill their dreams and visions. The great thing about 'The Chopping Block' is that it gives couples this amazing opportunity to change their lives forever and the interesting bit for me is seeing who appreciates this and takes full advantage of it."

The heat is on when White ushers the couples - split into two teams of four couples each - to two empty restaurant spaces, side-by-side, in the middle of Manhattan. There, they are afforded less than a week to accomplish a multitude of tasks, including: a design and makeover of the space, planning a menu and generating buzz-worthy publicity to ensure a crowd. Both establishments will open at the same time and will be competing for the same customers each night - as well as against 26,000 other restaurants in the world's busiest (and hungriest) city.

A panel of judges will be assigned to observe the chaos that inevitably unfolds on opening night. The next morning, after the dust has settled, White will return with the reviews. The worst-performing restaurant's operators will have to plead their case - because one couple will be sent packing.

Subsequent episodes will test the remaining contestants on their restaurant and culinary skills, such as concocting a signature dish, preparing freshly killed game, handling a wedding reception and how savvy they are with four of the world's classic cuisines - French, Asian, Italian and Mediterranean. Ultimately, each episode concludes as the weary wannabe chefs face the critics - and Chef White. One couple per week will be asked to turn in their aprons and go home.

The challenges grow more intense until the grand finale where one couple will make a lasting impression that will allow them to realize their lifelong dream and open their own chic Manhattan restaurant.

Born in Leeds, UK in 1961 the son of a local chef and Italian mother, White trained with Michael Lawson, Albert Roux, Nico Landenis, Pierre Koffmann and Raymond Blanc before opening the restaurant that won him two Michelin stars, Harveys. He then went on to win three stars at the Hyde Park Hotel and the final accolade was to keep these stars and win five red knives and forks - the ultimate accolade for in dining service and the only restaurant in Britain to be granted this honor, at The Oak Room. His restaurants in the UK included The Canteen, Mirabelle, Quo Vadis, Criterion, Marco Pierre White at the Hyde Park Hotel and The Oak Room.

He inspired a generation of super star chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Mario Batali and Heston Blumenthal and made it his mission to raise standards of cooking and service.

White retired from the kitchen in 1999 and handed back his three Michelin stars. He was persuaded to go back into the kitchen by ITV Productions for series three of the UK's hit reality show "Hell's Kitchen" and proved that his fiery passion was still burning brightly.

"The Chopping Block" is produced by Granada America. David Barbour and Julian Cress are the executive producers.





  [march 2008]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· CHOPPING BLOCK (NBC)
· HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.