Next Iron Chef. Next Food Network Star.

If you have been coming to this forum long enough you know that I am a sucker for reality competitions based in the kitchen (ala Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef.) The Food Network has just announced the return of two good ones, The Next Iron Chef and The Next Food Network Star. As usual, I plan on watching them both! Anyone else? The Next Food Network Star has a very weak field (it is not Top Chef) but for some reason the different tone is refreshing and even though they rarely ever succeed, it is a joy to watch. With The Next Iron Chef, you are dealing with some serious big names in the culinary world. This is probably the series that lead to the announcement of Top Chef Masters by Bravo. Nothing like seeing a renowned chef getting eaten alive by pretentious food critics! THE NEXT IRON CHEF: SEASON TWO Premieres: October 2009 Kitchen Stadium once again opens its doors to find a new culinary warrior in the sizzling primetime series The Next Iron Chef. Ten top chefs from around the country will compete to join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon and be launched into instant fame. Hosted by Alton Brown (Good Eats, Iron Chef America), the reality show will force the contestants into a series of challenging situations that test their culinary skills and mental toughness. As they travel near and far, the chefs must demonstrate their speed, artistry, innovation and leadership as they strive to attain greatness and become Americas Next Iron Chef. THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR: SEASON 5 Premieres: June 2009 Televisions most challenging food fight, The Next Food Network Star, provides 10 hopeful TV chefs with the chance to compete for the biggest prize on television: his or her own Food Network show. Each season, the finalists endure a series of complex challenges that determine their culinary competence and on-screen star potential. Iron Chef Bobby Flay leads the selection committee, who ultimately decides the winners fate and launches one lucky man or woman into a food and television celebrity. [via futoncritic]