Top Chef lifer Richard Blais' new Food Network show Hungry Games is set to premiere October 20 at 8 p.m ET. The show will explore the "psychology and science behind our food decisions" through "a series of fun hidden camera experiments and man-on-the-street taste tests." According the press release (below), the show will answer deep life questions across six half-hour episodes like why you get brain freeze after eating ice cream to quickly, and hopefully, why Blais thinks its a good idea to shill for cat food.
The release also eagerly promises that viewers will get to witness Blais trying "salmon-flavored ice cream" for some reason, and that the show will feature "mind-blowing discoveries" that will change the way "you think about what you eat!" What's actually mind-blowing about this show is that Blais has time to shoot it in between cooking for cats, serving as a judge on the upcoming Boston season of Top Chef, and opening his second San Diego restaurant this year. See the release:
Food Network Explores How the Mind Thinks About Food on New Series 'Hungry Games'Ever wonder why ice cream is so deliciously addictive, or why it makes our brain freeze when we eat it too quickly? Or why a menu item can sound so irresistibly good that you just have to order it? Chef Richard Blais reveals how you taste, choose, and crave favorite foods on new series Hungry Games, premiering Monday, October 20th at 8:00pm ET/PT on Food Network. In each of the six half-hour episodes, fun hidden camera experiments and man-on-the-street taste tests will reveal surprising facts about the inner-workings of the brain that will change the way you think about food.
"The interactive games and taste tests on Hungry Games are fun and challenging, and viewers will be surprised by the revelations about why we choose and experience food the way we do," said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network.
Throughout the season, Richard Blais investigates the psychology and science behind our food decisions and cravings. In one episode, he learns about the role that expectations play when tasting new foods, by experimenting with an untraditional salmon-flavored ice cream taste test. Richard also explores the surprising power of language to stimulate cravings for a slice of cheesy pizza. He discovers the secret x-factor of juicy burgers, and the irresistible appeal of greasy, salty bar foods. Plus, he gets to the bottom of why comfort food really is so comforting. In another episode, Richard exposes the hidden psychological connection between rooting for a winning sports team and the amount of food we consume during the game. He also discovers the reason why mom's homemade side dishes always taste the best. These mind-blowing discoveries will change the way you think about what you eat!
· New Series 'Hungry Games' [Scripps]
· All Richard Blais Coverage on Eater [-E-]