A&E NETWORK PRESENTS NEW ORIGINAL SERIES ROCCO GETS REAL STARRING CELEBRITY CHEF ROCCO DISPIRITO DEBUTING SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT 1:00PM ET/PT

New York, New York, September 22, 2008 � Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito rides to the rescue of eager and often "culinary challenged" individuals seeking solutions to a wide variety of everyday cooking dilemmas in ROCCO GETS REAL premiering Saturday, October 4, at 1:00pm ET/PT on A&E. "A unique fusion of reality and lifestyle series, ROCCO GETS REAL is as much a show about what's on the table, as the energy one brings to the table.

In ROCCO GETS REAL, famed celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito helps ordinary people tackle their kitchen crises and create special moments and meals for their loved ones. Each week, Rocco swoops into the homes of real people and teaches them how to overcome their cooking fears and create a dish and a memory their family and friends will remember for a lifetime. Whether it's a marriage proposal, a family reunion, or just Sunday dinner, Rocco shows them that taking the time to cook is about so much more than the meal itself." As he puts it, "There's nothing I love more than helping people find their place at the table."

Rocco DiSpirito's passion for cooking began at the very young age of 11, cooking with his 'mama' in their Jamaica, Queens kitchen. At 16 he entered the Culinary Institute of America and continued his education at Boston University graduating with a degree in business. Following graduation, Rocco wasted no time and started working with some of the masters in the culinary field including Dominique Cecillon and Gray Kunz.

In 1995, Mr. DiSpirito opened Dava, (2 stars from New York Times) and just two years later, Union Pacific (3 stars from New York Times). He was named one of Food and Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs" and was the first chef to grace the cover of Gourmet Magazine as "America's Most Exciting Young Chef".

In addition to his many restaurants, Rocco DiSpirito has authored four cookbooks, Rocco's Real-Life Recipes, Rocco's Italian American, Rocco's Five Minute Flavor and Flavor which won the coveted James Beard Award. Rocco's fifth cookbook, Rocco Gets Real, will be released in early October of 2008. Rocco can also currently be seen on "Dancing With The Stars."

Robert Sharenow and Michael Morrison are the executive producers for A&E Network. Rocco DiSpirito is Executive producer for Flavorworks Inc. ROCCO GETS REAL will be produced for A&E by Pilgrim Films. Executive Producer for Pilgrim Films is Craig Paligian.

A&E is "Real Life. Drama." Now reaching more than 97 million homes, A&E is television that you can't turn away from; where real life shows are dramatic and scripted dramas are authentic. A&E offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment; ranging from the network's original scripted series including "The Cleaner" starring Benjamin Bratt and "The Beast" starring Patrick Swayze, to signature Real-Life franchises, including the Emmy-nominated "Intervention," "Dog The Bounty Hunter," "Paranormal State" and "Criss Angel Mindfreak," and the most successful justice shows on cable, including "The First 48" and "Crime 360." The A&E website is located at www.aetv.com. For more press information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.