If you’re a fan of Food Network Canada and President’s Choice (and really, who isn’t?) chances are that you caught Recipe to Riches last season… or have seen one of the winning concoctions at your local grocery store.
(Side note: Robert Luft’s Slow and Low Pulled Pork has a permanent spot in my freezer.)
As the show was a runaway hit, they’re back – the New Season premieres October 17th at 9:00pm EST on Food Network Canada! This time around, they’ve got 21 fresh new faces (and unique recipes) to put to the test of a lifetime.
So what’s the deal with the show? Here’s the Coles Notes version: 21 finalists were chosen among thousands of hopefuls to compete in seven different food categories ranging from Savoury Snacks to Entrées to Cookies and Squares. Each category winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize and earn the prestige of having their recipe developed into a President’s Choice product – made available in select Loblaw banner stores across the country just days after their episode airs.
Then, after all category winners have been determined, viewers will have the opportunity to vote online for the best of the best and, during the exciting finale, witness who will take home the $250,000 grand prize.
Now normally I don’t get this excited over a cooking contest, but this time around, I have a special connection to the show: my cousin is a finalist in the Cakes, Puddings and Pies category!
Cherilynn will be submitting her delicious Classic Battenburg Cake. Battenberg cake is a light sponge cake that is covered in marzipan and, when cut in cross section, displays a distinctive two-by-two check pattern alternately coloured pink and yellow. It was originally invented in 1884 by the chefs of the British Royal household to celebrate the marriage of Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine and Prince Louis of Battenberg.
(And now I’m really, really hungry.)
You can catch Cherilynn’s episode tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 17th) at 9:00pm EST on Food Network Canada. We’ll be cheering for you Cheri!