Emeril Lagasse Is 'Menu Master' of TNT's On the Menu

Here's more intel on TNT's first foray into reality food television, On the Menu: A press release announces that chef Emeril Lagasse will be joining host Ty Pennington as "Menu Master," "the seasoned chef and industry insider resource to help guide, encourage and mentor the contestants through the competition."

The Mark Burnett-produced show bills itself as "the first cooking competition show ever to give viewers at home the chance to taste the dishes they see on screen." The amateur cooks will create "signature items" for restaurants. The winner's dish — decided on by a panel of judges — will go on a real restaurant's menu the next day. Restaurants involved will range from restaurant chains to stadium concessions to "other American food business[es]." On the Menu will premiere this Fall. Below, the press release:

TY PENNINGTON TO HOST TNT'S NEW SERIES "ON THE MENU," WITH LEGENDARY CHEF EMERIL LAGASSE AS MENU MASTER

Fall 2014 Premiere Set for TV's First Cooking Competition to Let Viewers Taste Each Week's Winning Dish

Ty Pennington (Trading Spaces, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition) is heading to the kitchen to host TNT's new series On the Menu, with legendary Chef Emeril Lagasse (Emeril Live, Top Chef, Emeril's Florida) signing on as Menu Master. On the Menu is television's first cooking show ever to give viewers the chance to taste the winning dish after every episode, as well as give everyday cooks the chance to have their dish appear in dining institutions across the country. The series is being produced by One Three Media, with Mark Burnett (The Bible, The Voice, Survivor) serving as executive producer.

Slated to premiere in fall 2014, TNT's On the Menu is the first cooking competition show ever to give viewers at home the chance to taste the dishes they see on screen. In each episode, a group of passionate home cooks will be challenged to create a the next signature dish for that week's selected restaurant chain, stadium concession stand, or other American food business. These amateur cooks will work in conjunction with professional chefs to create their dishes, from concept to execution. A panel of judges will then determine which dish not only tastes the best, but also fits with the restaurant's current menu offerings. The winning dish will immediately go on the business' menu, giving viewers at home the chance to go try the dish the very next day.

As host of On the Menu, Pennington will lead contestants through a series of challenges that will put their brand knowledge and creative skills to the test. He will also be their confidant and sounding board.

Lagasse will be the show's Menu Master, serving as the seasoned chef and industry insider resource to help guide, encourage and mentor the contestants through the competition. Using his vast knowledge of cooking, branding and sales, Lagasse will help the contestants refine the culinary creations they hope will pass the test and be served as a dish on the menu.

"Ty Pennington has everything we could want in a host: immense creativity, an engaging personality, a motivational spirit and lots of down-home charm," said David Eilenberg, senior vice president of unscripted development for TNT and TBS. "Emeril Lagasse is one of the most popular and loved chefs of our time thanks both to his high-octane cooking style and his infectious enthusiasm. We're extremely excited to be working with Ty and Emeril on TNT's On the Menu."

"We love being first with new formats for our audience, and I think this one is a real winner," said executive producer Mark Burnett. "Two TV veterans, Emeril and Ty, who have amazing energy, are coming together for a show that is all about serving up a brand new experience for the viewer. This is going to be fun to watch: Emeril and Ty in a kitchen with real people creating a dish that's going to be on an actual menu."

· Ty Pennington to Host TNT's New Series "On The Menu," with Legendary Chef Emeril Lagasse as Menu Master [TNT]
· All Emeril Lagasse Coverage on Eater [-E-]
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