Top 8 Food Network TV Shows

If you're not familiar with Food Network, it's an entire network dedicated to food. Makes sense doesn't it? You don't have to be a gourmet chef to enjoy this channel, but unfortunately you do have to have cable... or at least internet access. You are able to view some things online. Go to www.foodnetwork.com if you want more information about their shows or to find that next recipe or need help with a certain technique.

Here are the eight shows I'd recommend you watch if you're new to the Food Network to get your feet wet in what the network is all about:

30 Minute Meals - Sundays 11:30a, Saturdays 10am, Weekdays 1pm, 6pm & 6:30pm (All Times Eastern)

30 Minute Meals is hosted by Rachael Ray who is a best-selling author and TV celebrity. The premise of this show is that all the meals she'll make shouldn't take you any longer than 30 minutes to fix. I think this show would be best for families and those who lead busy lives but don't want to eat out all the time. There are also books you can purchase from this show as well as recipes online.

$40 a Day - Wednesdays at 4:30am/3:30c*

From every corner of the world, the premise of this show is to only spend $40 a day. Rachael Ray, the host of this show, has been to a number of cities... and most of time she's successful at getting away with only spending $40 a day. You know how it is most times when you're traveling, you're forced to eat out because most hotel rooms don't come with full kitchens. Let her show you how to eat on a budget. What I will mention is that this $40 is for a single person, so you'll have to adjust that budget if you have children on your vacation.

Emeril Live - Weekdays at 2pm/1c

Emeril LaGasse is one of the most entertaining cooks that I've seen on television. The Emeril Live band will have you bobbing your head as he cooks meals made for audiences young and old. He's usually good about doing a variety of foods on his shows so you're sure to find something you'll like. If not, go through the archives and find video of previous shows, or find recipes online that he's created to find something you'll like. He's real good with Cajun dishes, in my opinion.

Iron Chef America - Sundays at 9pm/8c

Hosted by Alton Brown, this show is based on the Japanese cult sensation Iron Chef America. How the show works is that there are two teams, or two individuals, and they're given a "secret ingredient." All of the items each participant must prepare have to use that ingredient somehow. They're given a certain amount of time, so they're under pressure. Once the time has ended there are judges waiting to give a verdict of how well the food is... or isn't. The food is voted on and whichever participant comes away with the most votes wins the challenge.

Paula's Home Cooking - Mon-Fri 12pm/11c & 6pm/5c, Sun 7am/6c

Paula Deen, host of Paula's Home Cooking, brings her small-town upbringing into the kitchen on this show. She's very down to earth, and the Southern nature just shines in her cooking and in her personality. Her kitchen resembles that of a Southern home kitchen and the food always looks delicious, like it has love in it. Tune in to this show for some good down-home meals.

Sugar Rush - Thursdays at 4:30am/3:30c*

This show is hosted by Warren Brown who is a former lawyer and now owner of a bakery in Washington, D.C. called CakeLove. The premise of this show is to show you the tips and tricks behind some of your favorite desserts. It also showcases some of the most artistic treats you could imagine. If your sweet tooth is not ready, you shouldn't watch this one.

The Secret Life Of - Mondays at 4am/3c*

George Duran and Jim Connor take you behind the scenes of some of your favorite foods. In my opinion, it is National Geographic meets the Food Network. You'll learn the history of what you eat, why people do things a certain way, and why we eat things a certain way.

Throwdown with Bobby Flay - Wednesdays at 9pm/8c

If you like competition, you'll love this show. Chef Bobby Flay challenges the best of the best in any area possible... BBQ, pizza, burgers, burritos, whatever it is. You'd better be ready to throwdown when he comes to your town, he's coming to show you up!

The * indicates that these shows come on rather early in the morning, or late at night. So if you have the capability, you may want to consider taping them and watching them later while you're awake.