Friday night, Northern Michigan’s food scene stars in two (yep, not one by two!) back-to-back television shows. Here’s the lineup:
8 p.m., Hell’s Kitchen on Fox: Traverse City Chef Kim Ryan is one of 18 contestants on the new season of Hell’s Kitchen. Currently a chef at the Warehouse District’s hip, new Alliance, Kim has also worked at other area hoppin’ eat and drink spots including The Cooks’ House, Black Star Farms and The Filling Stations. As a contestant, Kim will endure the legendary fury and antics of host-Chef Gordon Ramsay—including a stint at an Army boot camp.
Alas, if Kim wins, we lose: Kim’s prize will be a position at the prestigious Yardbird Southern Table & Bar in Las Vegas.
10 p.m., Burgers, Brew & ‘Que on Food Network: If the scenery looks familiar, it is. Host Chef Symon heads to our very own Fishtown in Leland to meet celebrity chef (and Leelanau County seasonal resident!) Mario Batali over Carlson’s legendary smoked fish and those mouthwatering Village Cheese Shanty sammies (pretzel bread anyone?).