What’s it like to work a photo shoot on location for the Food Network?  Here’s a taste.

It’s mid-morning and no longer raining, now that the canopy over our work tables is finally in place, and I am across the street–half on the sidewalk, half in the gutter–from all of the action. Sports Illustrated is on the action side, shooting their annual Football Gridiron Tailgate special.  Bobby Flay is grilling in front of a Brooklyn brownstone with two of the New York Giants, and many hungry “neighborhood extras” are about to consume a lot of food in just an hour and a half.  I am part of the Food Network kitchen production crew, providing and styling the food for this photo shoot.Bobby’s having a great time.  Beside himself, cooking with the Super Bowl champions! The food looks great…that is, when I can see it.  When the stoplight on the street turns red, taxis and FedEx trucks idle and block my view.  That’s okay; I don’t need to see to know what is going on. If something’s wrong, I’m sure I will hear it first.  I focus on cooking more food on uneven tables with portable burners that the wind keeps blowing out.

People roll down the windows of their cars and ask what is being filmed.  Some love Bobby Flay and the Food Network, and want to chat, holding up traffic.  Others are Giants fans, and some are disappointed, their myopic illusions of an all-star Law and Order with Brad and Angelina dashed.

Vince Camillo, Food Stylist, FN Kitchens

Wondering what this blog will be about? First and foremost: all your questions about the network will be answered. Programming. Stars. Behind the scenes. I’ll try to pack in as many as I can. So start sending me your questions now. Give me your best.

This is the place to hear it all first: what I’m screening, what’s taping in our studios, what’s going to be on our air, and all the buzz from the kitchens, sets and hallways.

Just so you don’t waste your questions, here are the Top Five I get asked most frequently:

Who is your favorite star? Hey parents, who is your favorite kid? You love ‘em all. But for different reasons. Even when they’re difficult. Even when their grades are low. Even when they crayon on the walls. But mostly because you see the unique talents of each one. And they’re your family. Same with me.

Who’s your least favorite star? See above.

Why don’t you weigh 500 pounds? Well, you’d think our offices would be overflowing with leftovers from the Iron Chefs, Rachael and Tyler. No such luck. While all the food cooked on shows is 100% real, it’s also 100% off limits to staff. After an episode tapes, food often needs to be held under hot lights and photographed for beauty shots. My lunch most days? A tuna or peanut butter sandwich while screening shows. So much for glamour.

What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever gotten? We’ve seen it all. Drag cooking shows. Puppet cooking shows. Silent cooking shows. But my favorite was Gladiator Cooking, complete with a dude whipping up recipes in full Spartacus regalia. So random.

Did you ever put on a show so bad you thought you’d be fired? Well, it is tv, so there’s still time. But the show that had me most nervous turned out to be a game changer and huge hit for us: 30 Minutes Meals. Rachael was the first non-professional, non-culinarily trained chef on our air. It was a huge risk, and I got hideously angry email from some longtime viewers. But I loved Rachael’s down to earth approach, her “can do” message, and her clever recipes. You know the rest.

Now it’s your turn.  Fire your questions to me.  I’ll be back shortly with all the news from where I sit.

Bob

Guy gives Bruce an exclusive tour on Guy’s Big Bite and shares some set secrets.

Bruce takes Food Network’s southern stars to his favorite New York City doughnut shop.

Ingrid Hoffmann of Simply Delicioso struts her culinary skills at Taste of Tennis, a benefit for Food Bank of New York City.

1. To Enter: The FN Dish Give-Away Contest (the “Contest”) begins at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time [“ET”]) on July 16, 2009, and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 22, 2009 (the “Contest Period”). Participants may enter the Contest online by visiting the FN Dish Comments section on the Food Network website (the “Website”) at www.foodnetwork.com/fndish, and completing the online entry form (limit one (1) online entry, per valid email address, per eligible person per day). “The FN Dish,” prompts viewers to enter the Contest online in “The FN Dish Comments” section by writing an original and creative caption for the image provided by FN Dish on the Website. (There is a 200 character limitation including spaces and punctuation). Each entry must include the following: the entrant’s full name, age, address, e-mail, phone number (including area code), release forms, application, and a comment (the “Comment Entry” and collectively, “Comment Entries”). Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 22, 2009. Television Food Network G.P. (“Food Network” or “Sponsor”), will verify receipt of entries. All entries submitted become the sole property of Sponsor and will not be returned.

2. Eligibility: To enter the Contest you must be a lawful permanent resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and be 21 years of age or older. Entrants who have won a prize in any Food Network or Scripps Networks, LLC promotion in the ninety (90) days prior to the commencement of the Contest are ineligible. Contest is void in Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, possessions, and commonwealths, and where restricted or prohibited by law. The Contest, and any website pages and advertisements relating thereto, is intended for viewing only within the United States. You are not authorized to participate in the Contest if you are not located within the United States. When you enter at the Website, you may be asked to consent to receive promotional e-mails and reminders for upcoming Food Network promotions and information about Food Network. Consenting to receive such e-mails is optional and does not have to be agreed to in order to be eligible to enter the Contest, and does not increase your chances of winning the Contest. In the event you do consent to receive these e-mails, the use of such e-mails shall be subject to the privacy policy of Scripps Networks, LLC, which is available on the Website. The Contest is not open to employees, or members of their households and/or immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings, children and each of their respective spouses) of Scripps Networks, LLC, Food Network, participating affiliates, participating retailers, and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and their advertising and promotion agencies (collectively, the “Contest Entities”). The Contest is governed by U.S. law and is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. Winning/Notification: One (1) winner (the “Contest Winner”) will be selected based on the criteria described below on or about July 24, 2009, from among all eligible entries received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 22, 2009. Sponsor’s decisions with respect to the Contest Winner and other matters pertaining to the Contest shall be final. If Contest Entities are unable to contact a potential prize winner, an alternate winner shall be selected for that prize. All entries will be received and reviewed by Sponsor. The Sponsor will be rating each Comment Entry based on the relevance to the themes of the promotion along with the creativity and originality of the submissions. The winning entries will be determined at the sole discretion of Sponsor. The most compelling Comment Entry shall be deemed a Contest Winner. Potential winner will be notified by email on a date in late July 2009, to be determined by Sponsor.

4. One (1) Prize: One (1) winner from the Comments Section shall win a trip to the 2009 Food Network Southern Food & Wine Festival in Nashville, TN for the winner and one (1) guest on or about July 31, 2009 (actual date to be determined by Sponsor) consisting of the following: (i) two (2) days/one (1) night at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville (one (1) double occupancy room, room rate and tax only) (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $320.12); (ii) two (2) tickets to a cooking seminar of the winner’s choice with either: (a) Bobby and Jamie Deen; (b) The Neelys (hosts of Down Home with the Neelys); or (c) other such talent to be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion (collectively, the “FN Talent”) (ARV: $128.18); and (iii) two (2) tickets to the 2009 Festival Exhibit Hall at the Food Network Southern Food & Wine Festival, featuring food and wine vendors, food sampling, cooking competitions, a kids’ area, and wine tastings (ARV: $51.70). Total ARV of the prize package: $500.00.

Total ARV of all prizes in the Contest: $500.00.

All costs, taxes, fees, and expenses associated with any element of any prize not specifically addressed above are the sole responsibility of the Contest Winner. All federal, state, and local taxes on the prize are the prize winner’s responsibility. The prize winner will be issued a 1099 tax form for the cash value of the prize. The specifics of all aforementioned elements of the prize in the Contest shall be solely determined by Contest Entities.

5. Prize Conditions: The travel companion of the Contest Winner must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age or older, unless accompanied by his/her parent or legal guardian. The winner and winner’s travel companion must each must sign a Liability and Publicity Release (“Affidavit/Release”) to be signed and returned within seven (7) days of notification date. All documents must be returned by the date and/or time indicated within such documents. If potential winner and/or travel companion fails to return such documents within the allotted time, or if an entrant is found to be ineligible, or if he/she does not comply with the Official Rules, then the potential winner will be disqualified and an alternate winner will be selected. Except where prohibited by law, a potential winner’s entry and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use said potential winner’s name, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice, and city and state address on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without further compensation. Any prize cannot be transferred, substituted, or redeemed for cash except at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize, or portions thereof, with a prize of equal or greater value. If Sponsor is unable to furnish FN Talent in connection with the prize, no substitution or compensation will be given in lieu thereof; however, remainder of prize package will be awarded. The prize will be awarded.

6. Contest Conditions: Sponsor reserves the right to modify and/or edit the winning Comment Entries for content. Sponsor will own all rights to the winning Comment Entries. Entries/Comment Entries become the property of Contest Entities, and cannot be returned, and may be deemed a “promotional tool” of Contest Entities under US copyright law. By entering the Contest, entrant waives any and all rights he or she may have to their Comment Entry. To the extent entrant has any rights in the Comment Entry, entrant assigns all such rights to Contest Entities by entering the Contest. Entrant further agrees that Contest Entities shall be the exclusive owner of the Comment Entry, including all copyrights and trademarks, and Contest Entities or their assigned agent(s), will have the right to reproduce, publish, adapt, modify and/or revise the Comment Entry, in its sole discretion, in any manner or form throughout the world, in perpetuity. Entries void if forged or if obtained/submitted outside authorized channels. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules. Winner and entrants also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in this Contest.

This Contest is subject to all applicable Federal and Municipal laws and all State and local regulations. This offer is void where prohibited and/or restricted by law.

7. Limitations of Liability: The Contest Entities their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, parent corporations, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents, and any and all Internet servers and access provider(s) are not responsible for: any incorrect or inaccurate entry information; human error; technical malfunctions; failures, omission, interruption, deletion, or defect of any telephone network, computer online systems, computer equipment, server providers, or software, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Contest; inability to access the Website; theft, tampering, destruction, or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries; transactions that are processed late or incorrectly or are incomplete or lost due to computer or electronic malfunction or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site; printing or human or other errors; and any entries which are late, lost, incomplete, misdirected, stolen, mutilated, illegible or postage due, or any combination thereof. Proof of mailing, in person submission, or online submission is not considered proof of delivery or receipt. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or any other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor representatives. If for any reason this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupt in any way or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, fulfillment or proper conduct of the promotion, then Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select a winner by randomly drawing from those entries received up to the cancellation/suspension date. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

8. Winner’s List: Beginning on or about July 27, 2009, you may obtain the name of the Contest Winner by going to FoodNetwork.com. Results of the drawing will be removed from FoodNetwork.com on or about August 24, 2009.

9. Sponsor: Television Food Network, G.P., 1180 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.

1. To Enter: The FN Dish Give-Away Contest (the “Contest”) begins at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time [“ET”]) on June 29, 2009, and ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 5, 2009 (the “Contest Period”). Participants may enter the Contest online by visiting the FN Dish Comments section on the Food Network website (the “Website”) at www.foodnetwork.com, and completing the online entry form (limit one (1) online entry, per valid email address, per eligible person per day). “The FN Dish,” prompts viewers to enter the Contest online in “The FN Dish Comments” section by creating an original limerick about Bobby Flay and/or burgers, defined in these official rules as a five (5) line poem following the rhyming pattern “AABBA.” (There is a 500 character limitation including spaces and punctuation). Each entry must include the following: the entrant’s full name, age, address, e-mail, phone number (including area code), release forms, application, and a comment (the “Comment Entry” and collectively, “Comment Entries”). Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 5, 2009. Television Food Network G.P. (“Food Network” or “Sponsor”), will verify receipt of entries. All entries submitted become the sole property of Sponsor and will not be returned.

2. Eligibility: To enter the Contest you must be a lawful permanent resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia and be 18 years of age or older. Entrants who have won a prize in any Food Network or Scripps Networks, LLC promotion in the 90 days prior to the commencement of the Contest are ineligible. Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, possessions and commonwealths, and where restricted or prohibited by law. The Contest, and any website pages and advertisements relating thereto, is intended for viewing only within the United States. You are not authorized to participate in the Contest if you are not located within the United States. When you enter at the Website, you may be asked to consent to receive promotional e-mails and reminders for upcoming Food Network promotions and information about Food Network. Consenting to receive such e-mails is optional and does not have to be agreed to in order to be eligible to enter the Contest, and does not increase your chances of winning the Contest. In the event you do consent to receive these e-mails, the use of such e-mails shall be subject to the privacy policy of Scripps Networks, LLC, which is available on the Website. The Contest is not open to employees, or members of their households and/or immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings, children and each of their respective spouses) of Scripps Networks, LLC, Food Network, participating affiliates, participating retailers, and their respective parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and their advertising and promotion agencies (collectively, the “Contest Entities”). The Contest is governed by U.S. law and is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. Winning/Notification: Three (3) winners (the “Contest Winners”) will be selected based on the criteria described below on or about July 13, 2009, from among all eligible entries received by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on July 5, 2009. Sponsor’s decisions with respect to the Contest Winners and other matters pertaining to the Contest shall be final. If Contest Entities are unable to contact a potential prize winner, if the potential prize winner fails to complete and return all forms by the specified date, or if potential prize winner fails to comply with any of the requirements, or if any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable, an alternate winner shall be selected for that prize. All entries will be received and reviewed by Sponsor. The Sponsor will be rating each Comment Entry based on the relevance to the themes of the promotion along with the creativity and originality of the submissions. The winning entries will be determined at the sole discretion of Sponsor. The most compelling Comment Entry shall be deemed a Contest Winner. Potential winner will be notified by email on a date in mid July or end of July, to be determined by Sponsor. In the event a prize notification letter or a prize is returned as undeliverable, such prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner selected from among all remaining eligible entries received.

4. Three (3) Prizes: Three (3) winners from the Comments Section shall each win one (1) autographed copy of the book by Bobby Flay entitled, “Bobby Flay’s Burgers, Fries & Shakes.” (Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $25.95). Total ARV of each prize package: $25.95.

Total ARV of all prizes in the Contest: $77.85.

All costs, taxes, fees, and expenses associated with any element of any prize not specifically addressed above are the sole responsibility of the respective prize winner. All federal, state, and local taxes on prizes are the respective prize winner’s responsibility. Each prize winner will be issued a 1099 tax form for the cash value of their respective prize. The specifics of all aforementioned elements of each prize in the Contest shall be solely determined by Contest Entities.

5. Prize Conditions: Potential winners will be required to execute an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and a Publicity Release (“Affidavit/Release”), to be signed and returned within seven (7) days of notification date. If a potential winner is found to be ineligible, or if a winner fails to complete and return all requested forms by the specified date, or if a winner fails to comply with any of the requirements, his/her prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner shall be selected. If prizes or prize notifications are returned as undeliverable, this will result in disqualification and an alternate winner will be selected. Except where prohibited by law, a potential winner’s entry and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for the Contest Entities to use said potential winner’s name, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice, and city and state address on a worldwide basis, and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without further compensation. Any prize cannot be transferred, substituted, or redeemed for cash except at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize, or portions thereof, with a prize of equal or greater value. The prizes will be awarded.

6. Contest Conditions: Sponsor reserves the right to modify and/or edit the winning Comment Entries for content. Sponsor will own all rights to the winning Comment Entries. Entries/Comment Entries become the property of Contest Entities, and cannot be returned, and may be deemed a “promotional tool” of Contest Entities under US copyright law. By entering the Contest, entrant waives any and all rights he or she may have to their Comment Entry. To the extent entrant has any rights in the Comment Entry, entrant assigns all such rights to Contest Entities by entering the Contest. Entrant further agrees that Contest Entities shall be the exclusive owner of the Comment Entry, including all copyrights and trademarks, and Contest Entities or their assigned agent(s), will have the right to reproduce, publish, adapt, modify and/or revise the Comment Entry, in its sole discretion, in any manner or form throughout the world, in perpetuity. Entries void if forged or if obtained/submitted outside authorized channels. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which shall be final and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules. Winners and entrants also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Contest Entities and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in any Contest-related activity or participation in this Contest.

This Contest is subject to all applicable Federal and Municipal laws and all State and local regulations. This offer is void where prohibited and/or restricted by law.

7. Limitations of Liability: The Contest Entities their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, parent corporations, and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents, and any and all Internet servers and access provider(s) are not responsible for: any incorrect or inaccurate entry information; human error; technical malfunctions; failures, omission, interruption, deletion, or defect of any telephone network, computer online systems, computer equipment, server providers, or software, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Contest; inability to access the Website; theft, tampering, destruction, or unauthorized access to, or alteration of entries; transactions that are processed late or incorrectly or are incomplete or lost due to computer or electronic malfunction or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site; printing or human or other errors; and any entries which are late, lost, incomplete, misdirected, stolen, mutilated, illegible or postage due, or any combination thereof. Proof of mailing, in person submission, or online submission is not considered proof of delivery or receipt. Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Contest or winning a prize if, in its sole discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, hacking, deception, or any other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants or Sponsor representatives. If for any reason this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud or any other causes beyond the reasonable control of Sponsor which corrupt in any way or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, fulfillment or proper conduct of the promotion, then Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest and select a winner by randomly drawing from those entries received up to the cancellation/suspension date. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES (INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES) FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

8. Winners’ List: Beginning on or about July 17, 2009, you may obtain the names of the Contest Winner by going to FoodNetwork.com. Results of the drawing will be removed from FoodNetwork.com on or about August 17, 2009.

9.Sponsor: Television Food Network, G.P., 1180 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036.