Will Work For Food – The Food Network’s Best Decision Ever, But They Practically Deny The Show Exists

Food Network’s reality competition Next Food Network Star (or whatever it’s called) has proven to be the single most useless reality competition show in history. The first season kicked things off fairly well for such a show, and the second season got us something of a star for the network in Guy Fieri… except that he doesn’t cook in his shows. The third season got us a guy who faked his life story, which added some intrigue, but made us wonder how idiotic you can be and have your own network. It also brought the most boring show that has ever been on television.

Last season came down to three contestants, and Food Network wasn’t letting the audience vote this time around. Things came down to the very camera-friendly Adam Gertler, but the judges didn’t think he really had the food knowledge to have his own show; the outrageously unfriendly in every way… well, whatever her name was; and the guy who prefers to be known as Big DaddyBig Daddy reviews, who could really make some ribs in his backyard.

So, Big Daddy’s House is now on Food Network, and Big Daddy ducks being the most boring show ever only by virtue of the previous winner having had six episodes of her own.

The people who judge Next Food Network Star are probably pretty good at determining who is a good chef. Given their job descriptions and titles, they are probably pretty good at taking people who are already fairly famous, giving them shows, and letting that work itself out. But, I think it would actually be impossible for them to be any worse at choosing among contestants on the show.

Was Adam Gertler the best chef on the show? Who cares? Probably not. He was interesting though, and his theoretical pilot episode would have really been a cool show.

Well, Food Network has semi-corrected this error, because Gertler now has his own show called Will Work for Food. Like Food Network’s last useful winner, he isn’t cooking. He’s hosting a show in which he gets down and dirty with a wide variety of food-related jobs. In the pilot he goes out on the boat with lobster fisherman in Maine (Hi Maine!), and tries his hand at a day in the life of beekeepers.

It’s actually a pretty cool show. Here’s a quick rundown of upcoming episodes from Food Network’s site.

Giant Clam Farmer and Flair Bartender
February 02, 8:30pm/7:30c
1830s Chef and Wine Angel
February 09, 8:30pm/7:30c
BBQ Pitmaster and Competitive Eater
February 16, 8:30pm/7:30c
Benihana Chef and Albalone Farmer

Now, here’s the strange thing. Food Network seems to be hoping this show will fail. It’s like the show is only on because someone lost a bet. The show doesn’t really have its own page at Food Network’s site, and I’ve never seen an ad run for the thing. Worse still, you can’t see a clip of the show on their site, or anywhere else as far as I can find. There are some images thankfully, but it is a truly odd combination of having a show, and at the same time hoping no one notices.

I rather hope someone notices, because the show is interesting, and AdamAdam reviews has a pretty good on-camera quality. It’s a good idea for a show, and hopefully it will lead to something else.