THE TELEVISION SHOW YOU WILL NEVER SEE

The television program you will never witness was fantastic, featuring Valerie Bertinelli, Michael Voltaggio, Antonia Lofaso, and Tori Spelling, yet it remains unseen by you!

Amusing Yet Capricious Television

There exists nothing more entertaining or changeable than television! The resources, finances, and skills devoted to creating a show, even a single episode, is a concept none of us spectators can truly comprehend.

Although thrilling, not every show that gets filmed will actually be broadcasted, due to numerous factors; limited airtime on the channel airing it, simultaneous competition that negatively impacts ratings, and various other justifications.

The Television Program

This narrative revolves around a Food Network contest in which two of my kids and I participated. While it is a bit lengthy, it’s certainly worth your time.

In November 2018, I received a call about a new show, Family Food Showdown featuring Valerie Bertinelli as the presenter. I required two family members to join me for the show.

My son Omar is a culinary professional, serving as an executive chef for one of the East Coast’s oldest and most prestigious event catering companies. He declared, “No way mom! Cooking is a serious profession I practice and I can’t mess around with it in front of 35 cameras. Absolutely not.”

All my adult offspring are skilled cooks and excel in it, so my oldest, Tomio eagerly agreed, along with my youngest, Leah. My son Gabe would definitely have joined but due to his young family and the career he is nurturing, he couldn’t leave to participate.

Since you will never experience this wildly enjoyable and poignant episode, I’ll share the tale instead.

Family Food Showdown

Two families face off in their initial challenge round against one another. Our task involved preparing a beloved chicken dish from their well-stocked kitchen.

We excelled with a reinterpretation of a Brazilian dish, which we named ‘Bobo de Frango,’ a stew typically crafted with yucca, coconut milk, zesty herbs, and shrimp, known as Bobo de Camarao.

We substituted yucca with potatoes blended into the spicy coconut base and included chicken in place of shrimp. The judges loved it.

The judges? Michael Voltaggio, Tori Spelling, and Antonia Lofaso (who had also judged the GGG show I participated in two months before filming this show).

Second Round

Round two? We were required to part ways with one of our family members. They could stand aside and issue commands and guidance, but were prohibited from handling any items. Leah chose to step aside.

Given our victory

In the first round, we had the edge to make the initial selection regarding what would be prepared in the subsequent round.

Back in our kitchens, which had been cleared of everything, except a few basics and ground beef with a bag of rice, or shrimp with a box of pasta.

We had the opportunity to decide which to retain and which to relinquish. I was concerned about the rice cooking properly, so I opted to part with the beef and rice.

Leah then began shouting from the side, “Mom, nooooo! They are a Filipino restaurant family. They will excel with a rice dish!” By then, it was too late; I had already given it away, and indeed, they triumphed in round 2.

Round Three

Round 3. It was to become “Winner Takes All”! Now what? The other team could select who would be removed from our kitchen, and we would reciprocate with their team.

They eliminated me, and we got rid of their head chef. Tomio against the chef’s spouse! The task? Apples. Whatever was created had to incorporate apples.

OMG! Thankfully the swearing was edited out. Leah and I were going wild on the side, unable to assist Tomio, while he calmly, meticulously attempted the impossible: SFEEHAS (mini Arabic pizzas, or meat pies).

He topped them with chorizo and apples, finished with goat cheese and a drizzle of honey, and went above and beyond with the challenge ingredient, creating an apple, arugula, and walnut salad as a side!

We Triumphed – And You Will Never Witness It!

WE TRIUMPHED!! Tomio secured the victory for our family. When he showcased it to the judges and conveyed his affection for our family’s heritage and the cuisine he was raised with, I started to weep…

I don’t cry easily, not while viewing tear-jerkers, especially not on national television. Leah whispers in my ear, “Mom, your makeup!” but it was too late. Valerie already inquired why I was crying.

Oh, for heaven’s sake, this wasn’t going to look good. I explained that as a single mother of four kids, Tomio often took on the duty to care for his siblings and assist me in any way possible.

“Today, once more in your kitchen, he took the responsibility to secure this for His family.” Oh dear…. The expressions on the judges’ faces conveyed everything.

Production B-Roll

Of all the programs I’ve participated in with Food Network, this was the first one that dispatched a film crew to my residence, flew both of my children (Leah and Tomio) back home to capture B-Roll for the show’s editing. We had an absolute blast with their host and crew.

We were tasked with preparing something for the camera. It was the first occasion I had prepared a Lamb Tajine for the camera, which of course later had to be featured on my blog, as it is the best darn Tajine!

Tomio, Leah, and I had a fantastic experience in the kitchen, joking with the crew, and after we finished, we all gathered to eat. I sent them on their way with gifts, as they had other locations to film.

They mentioned that ‘Ours’ was the best stop yet, especially since it was in our home and they didn’t leave a restaurant kitchen smelling of grease and fried food!

You Will Never Witness It Because It Never Aired On Television

Regrettably, you will never view this show because Food Network couldn’t locate a stable time slot to broadcast it. It was aired on a Monday night simultaneously as American Idol and then attempted on a Tuesday night at the same time as The Voice. It was withdrawn. Revamped, retitled something else, attempted for a Thursday noon time slot and continued to face difficulties securing air-time.

While I wish the show had been broadcast, I feel disheartened for everything that went into its creation, only to end up on the ‘cutting floor’ as it were.

Television Enters Our Lives and Inspires With Narratives That Spark Dreams

I am not finished with television; rather, I’m now eager to engage in visual storytelling

elements, not merely contending in one event after another.

It is my enthusiasm to focus the camera on all you culinary enthusiasts out there, share your culinary narratives so we can all enjoy that moment in the limelight for ‘kitchen tales’ that have resonated most with each of us.

I’ve devised a concept for a television program in which, so far, no one has explored this vast domain of culinary aficionados and visual narrators. It is my goal to co-produce it and host it while presenting the stories and cherished culinary creations of other food bloggers.

Indeed, I have crafted a sample preview of how I imagine this program and would greatly appreciate your thoughts. Moreover… if you are perusing this and share my passion for film production and wish to collaborate, I would be thrilled to hear from you!

Thank you for engaging with our narrative xoxo