Covert Kitchens: Graham Elliot's New Show on Spike TV

Add reality show host to Graham Elliot's growing television resume. Spike TV has announced their 2013 lineup of unscripted shows in development, including a new reality series called Covert Kitchens hosted by the Chicago chef and MasterChef judge.

The series will bring viewers behind-the-scenes of restaurant pop-ups. From the press release:

"Graham Elliot, award-winning chef, restaurateur and acclaimed judge on hit series 'MasterChef,' gives viewers an exclusive invitation into the underground restaurant world in 'Covert Kitchens.' Now a fixture all across America, these one-night-only culinary events are put on by some of the world's top chefs in alleyways, train cars, and even tattoo parlors. It all has to come together in one day—the food, the setting and the service. Can they pull it off?"

The show sounds like a mashup of the Food Network's Dinner: Impossible and Top Chef's restaurant wars, but with trendy "underground" "pop-up" restaurants the kids seem to like these days. And there are more food/restaurant/bar shows in development, too:

Spike TV is also developing a show featuring Bar Rescue's Jon Taffer. Titled Hungry Investors, the show will put "'diamonds in the rough' – neighboring establishments that are failing miserably" in competition with each other. The restaurant that show the most promise will win "a significant cash investment," and ongoing resentment from their neighbors.

The final food show on the slate will be called Frankenfood. Los Angeles chef Eric Greenspan will be hosting, which will require him to "go across the country to create culinary history by finding Americans with the most incredible and unique food creations." This isn't just a travel show, however. The Americans Greenspan finds will compete with each other for the chance "to get their mouthwatering, unexpected food combinations onto the menu of a restaurant, win a cash prize, and possibly create the next big food craze." Possibly.

· Spike TV Announces Non-Scripted Slate [Spike TV]
· All Food TV Coverage on Eater [-E-]
[Photo: Graham Elliot]