THE TELEVISION SHOW YOU WILL NEVER SEE

The television show you’ll never get to see was absolutely fantastic, featuring Valerie Bertinelli, Michael Voltaggio, Antonia Lofaso, and Tori Spelling, yet it remains unseen!

Playful Yet Unpredictable Television

There’s nothing quite as entertaining and unpredictable as television! The time, money, and talent required to create even a single episode of a show is something we, the viewers, often can’t fully grasp.

While thrilling, not every show that gets filmed actually airs, due to various factors: limited airtime on the network, concurrent competition that affects ratings, and other circumstances.

About the Television Show

This tale revolves around a Food Network competition that my two children and I participated in. Though lengthy, it’s definitely worth sharing.

In November 2018, I received a call inviting me to join a new show, Family Food Showdown, hosted by Valerie Bertinelli. I needed to recruit two family members to join me.

My son, Omar, a professional chef and executive chef for one of the East Coast’s most traditional and impeccably managed event catering firms, turned me down flat. He said, “Absolutely not, Mom! Cooking is a serious profession I do, and I can’t just mess around in front of 35 cameras. Nope, not happening.”

All my adult kids are great cooks, so my oldest, Tomio, eagerly joined, as did my youngest, Leah. My other son, Gabe, would have leaped at the opportunity, but with his young family and a career he’s building, he couldn’t make the trip.

Since you won’t ever see this wild and heartwarming episode, I’ll share the story with you instead.

Family Food Showdown

Two families face off in their initial challenge round, competing against each other. Our task was to create a favorite chicken dish from their well-stocked kitchen.

We succeeded with a twist on a Brazilian classic, naming it ‘Bobo de Frango,’ a stew typically made with yucca, coconut milk, spicy herbs, and shrimp—also known as Bobo de Camarao.

We replaced yucca with creamy potatoes in the spicy coconut base, opting for chicken instead of shrimp. The judges loved it!

The judges? Michael Voltaggio, Tori Spelling, and Antonia Lofaso (who had also been a judge on the GGG show where I competed two months before filming this show).

Round Two

In Round 2, we had to eliminate one family member. They could stand off to the side giving orders and instructions but couldn’t touch anything. Leah decided to step back.

Since we triumphed in round one, we had the privilege of choosing first what to cook in the next round.

Back in our kitchens, all the essentials were stripped away, leaving only a few basics, ground beef, with a bag of rice, or shrimp accompanied by a box of pasta.

We had the option to keep one and give away the other. I was concerned about whether the rice would cook in time, so I decided to part with the beef and rice.

Leah then began shouting from the sidelines, “Mom, nooooo! They’re a Filipino restaurant family. They’ll ace a rice dish!” Unfortunately, by then, it was too late, and indeed, they won round 2.

Round Three

Round 3 was set to be “Winner Takes All”! Now what? The opposing team could choose which family member would be eliminated from our kitchen, and we’d reciprocate.

They chose to eliminate me, and we decided to get rid of their head chef. It was Tomio against the chef’s wife! The challenge? Apples. Everything made had to incorporate apples.

Oh my goodness! Thankfully the swearing was edited out. Leah and I were in a frenzy on the sidelines, unable to assist Tomio, while he calmly and methodically faced the challenging task: SFEEHAS (mini Arabic pizzas or meat pies).

He topped them with chorizo and apples, finished with goat cheese and a drizzle of honey, and even went above and beyond, crafting an apple, arugula, and walnut salad to accompany it!

We Won – And You Will Never See It!

WE WON!! Tomio secured the victory for our family. When he presented his dish to the judges and expressed his love for our family’s heritage and the cuisine he grew up with, I couldn’t help but tear up…

I’m not typically one to cry, especially not during sad films or on national television. Leah leaned in and whispered, “Ma, your makeup!” but it was too late. Valerie had already asked why I was crying.

Oh dear, this was turning awkward. I explained that as a single mother of four, Tomio frequently took on the role of caring for his siblings and supporting me as much as he could.

“Today, once again in your kitchen, he took it upon himself to win this for His family.” Oh my, the judges’ expressions said it all.

Production B-Roll

Among all the shows I’ve filmed with Food Network, this was the first one where a camera crew came to my home. They even flew both of my children (Leah and Tomio) in to shoot B-Roll for the show’s editing. We had a tremendous time with the host and camera team.

We were asked to prepare something for the camera. It was my first time making a Lamb Tajine on camera, which later had to be featured on my blog because it truly is the best Tajine!

Tomio, Leah, and I had an amazing time in the kitchen, joking around with the crew, and afterward, we all sat down to enjoy our meal. I sent them off with gifts since they had more filming commitments to fulfill.

They mentioned that ‘Ours’ was the best stop yet, especially since it took place in our home without the usual smell of fried food from a restaurant kitchen!

You Will Never See It Because It Never Aired On Television

Regrettably, you’ll never get to watch this show because Food Network was unable to secure a consistent airtime. It was initially scheduled on Monday nights up against American Idol, then tried again on Tuesday nights at the same time as The Voice. It was ultimately pulled, revamped, and renamed, aiming for a Thursday noon slot but still struggled to find a proper time.

While I wish the show had aired, I feel a sense of sadness for all the effort that went into creating it, only to end up on the editing room floor.

Television Comes Into Our Homes and Inspires With Stories That Ignite Dreams

I’m not finished with television yet; now, I’m eager to become involved in visual storytelling, beyond simply competing in show after show.

I’m passionate about showcasing all you food enthusiasts out there, sharing your food stories, so we can each have that moment in the spotlight for the ‘kitchen stories’ that are most meaningful to us.

I’ve crafted a television show concept that taps into this vast arena of food lovers and visual storytellers. I aspire to co-produce it and serve as the host, showcasing the unique stories and cherished dishes of fellow food bloggers.

Yes, I’ve created a sample trailer to illustrate my vision for this show and would greatly appreciate your feedback. And… if you’re reading this and share my love for film production, I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for taking the time to read our story xoxo