Father Leo Patalinghug believes that the key to a healthy family are healthy meals eaten together, and he's sending that message out through his web show, "Grace Before Meals." With 10,000 hits a day, Father Leo is able to share his wisdom and his family friendly recipes in order to feed his flock: body, mind and soul. With dishes like Fusion Steak Fajitas, Father Leo is winning over his audience with every bite. But, will a little divine intervention help this Father when the Grill Master Bobby Flay heads into town on this episode of Throwdown?
New Orleans native Brad Turner is a singing, soulful, Army sensation with 19 years as a chef/sergeant in the U.S. Army to prove his culinary chops. He earned the nickname The Grill Sergeant, and rose up the ranks to become the Executive Chef at the Army Executive Dining Facility at The Pentagon. His BBQ Chicken and Potato Salad dish has satisfied soldiers, sergeants, and top execs alike, and is soon to make its debut in a Bobby Flay Throwdown! Bobby will have to put a new spin on his BBQ Sauce and hope his chicken is dressed to impress if he's going to take on the fierce competition of the Grill Sergeant. Not to mention the 150 hungry soldiers who will be in the audience. Stand at attention because this Throwdown may just be worthy of a 21 gun salute!
Lynn Archer has become the queen of Rockland, Maine with her famous "King of Clubs" lobster club sandwich. This neighborhood hit has spawned fans from the local park bench to Park Avenue, and now folks from around the country flock to Lynn's restaurant, The Brass Compass Cafe, to sample not only her lobster club, but other New England favorites. Lynn is used to being the Maine attraction, but what will happen when Bobby Flay rolls up on her live demo in Buoy Park to challenge her to a Lobster Club Sandwich Throwdown? Lynn will be surrounded by friends and family and her traditional favorite will be tough to beat, but Bobby is no fish out of water when it comes to cooking lobster. Stay tuned 'cause this Throwdown is bound to make a big splash!
It is sink or swim in this very special Feast of Seven Fishes Holiday Throwdown! Feast of Seven Fishes is an Italian holiday tradition where families gather and share a delicious multi-course meal of fish. Although, this year 'tis the season for the tables to be turned, when the Pellegrino family of Rao's Restaurant, in New York City, challenge chef Bobby Flay to a holiday Throwdown! Bobby must to turn up the heat and fire up his team in order to compete against a notorious family with 100 years of Italian tradition on its side. Three mouth-watering fish dishes is the menu du jour. As an excited audience gathers to cheer and bask in the festive charm, our chefs get down to business hoping to toast to the holiday with a victory. It is a countdown to show time at Rao's Restaurant in Las Vegas!
Michele Albano of Michele's pies in Norwalk, Conn., is taking the traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie to new heights with her newest creation, the decadent Maple Pumpkin with Pecan Streusel Pie. Michele has won many awards for her delicious pies, but she has never had to compete against an Iron Chef. Whose pie will squash the competition?
John Addis, owner and chef of Fish Tales, is a self-proclaimed fish fanatic. He thinks his Manhattan Fish Chowder has earned him a spot on a Food Network special called "Hooked on Chowder." What he does not know is Iron Chef Flay will be showing up to serve him with a Throwdown challenge. Stay tuned to see who sinks or swims on this tasty chowder battle.
Belgium native Thomas DeGeest is known as "the waffles guy" to most New Yorkers. This IBM consultant turned waffle connoisseur traded in his briefcase for a waffle iron, and has been selling Belgian waffles like hot cakes ever since. He operates his biz from his now famous canary yellow Wafels and Dinges truck, which he's been driving around New York streets for the past two years. On Mondays he parks by Columbia University's campus, to feed the throngs of hungry college students. But on this particular Monday, Thomas doesn't see what's coming when celebrity chef Bobby Flay sneaks up on the truck and crashes the student scene. Stay tuned for a heated Belgian Waffles Throwdown that you can smell cooking from a mile away!
Shawna Lidsky and Katherine Hayward started the Vermont Brownie Company on New Year's Day 2008 after deciding they wanted to start their own business. Shawna and Katherine believe Food Network is bringing back the show "Recipe for Success" and they have been selected to feature their signature Dark Chocolate Chevre Brownie. Little do they know that as they prepare to do a demo for their loyal supporters, Bobby Flay will be showing up with his own brownie recipe. Stay tuned to see whose chocolate brownie melts the competition!
Victor and Miguel Escobedo own the successful Papalote Mexican Grill in San Francisco California. The brothers think they are part of a special called "Brotherly Grub" about brothers who cook together. Miguel may moonlight as a DJ and Victor as a stand-up comic, but their Triple Threat Burrito is no joke. What the brothers do not know is Iron Chef Flay is wrapping up his own spin on this iconic dish. Stay tuned to see who gets the last laugh on this epic burrito battle of tasty proportions!
Misty Young's Squeeze In eatery is the talk of the town in Truckee, Calif. This popular breakfast spot has people crossing state lines for a taste of one of Misty's world-class omelets. Misty's four-egg omelets with quirky names like "The Racy Tracy," are packed with farm fresh ingredients and made to order. And the loyal customers who frequent the joint are just as diehard as the chef who owns it! When Misty decides to throw a Love-In party at her newly opened Squeeze In, in neighboring Reno, Nev., she's in for a wild ride when Chef Flay crashes and is fired up to go head to head in a classic, all-American Omelet Throwdown!
Omar Giner, the chef and owner of La Isla Restaurant has been bringing a taste of Cuba to Hoboken, N.J., since 1996. Omar, a professionally trained chef with a lifetime's experience of Cuban home cooking, has a loyal Sunday brunch following who cannot get enough of his Caribbean inspired Stuffed French Toast. Omar thinks he is part of a special called "Brunch: Over The Top" featuring some of the best brunch spots across the United States. What he does not know is Chef Flay is getting ready to cross the Hudson with his own extraordinary version French Toast and he is ready to stuff the competition!
Cuban born chef Nick Vazquez came to America in the 1960's. And luckily for the New Jersey food-loving locals, he never abandoned his Cuban roots. His popular restaurant Azucar serves up delicious Cuban classics like ropa vieja and vaca fritta. But, it is his Cubano Grande sandwich that has customers doing the Rumba. Nick is all set to host a Cuban affair at his restaurant in honor of his famous sandwich, but when Chef Bobby Flay sneaks up on the scene, it is anybody's guess who will claim victory in this cross-cultural Cuban Sandwich Throwdown!