The Chopping Block (2009)
The Chopping Block is an American reality television series, based on the Australian reality television series of the same name. The series aired on the NBC network and followed participants in an attempt to open a restaurant. It is hosted by British celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. The first episode premiered on March 11, 2009 to low ratings. Two more episodes aired, each with worse ratings than the last. On March 26, 2009, NBC canceled the series, choosing to run repeats of Law & Order: Criminal Intent in the timeslot. The series completing "airing" on NBC.com and Hulu, releasing one a week. On April 24, 2009, NBC announced the series would return to television in Friday, June 19, despite airing on the internet already. After the fourth episode aired on the 19th, it was pre-empted on June 26 by television coverage surrounding the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson the day before. The show returned Friday, July 3. It then proceeded to air until Friday, July 24, the day the final episode aired on NBC. On April 27, 2009, British TV began showing the series on ITV2, immediately following the finale of Hell's Kitchen, also hosted by Marco Pierre White, on ITV1 of which 6 of the episodes being aired, although episode 7 was not shown on Monday at 8 o clock as would be expected, and there has been no explanation as to what has happened to the series in the UK or why the episode was not shown.
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Episode 1 - Opening Night
Release Date: 2009-03-11Celebrated chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White (UK's "Hell's Kitchen") serves up a new original cooking competition series "The Chopping Block," in which the British Michelin star chef offers neophyte hopeful chefs/restaurateurs working in eight couples a chance to compete in America's greatest restaurant challenge.
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Episode 2 - Episode 102
Release Date: 2009-02-18 -
Episode 3 - Into the Wild
Release Date: 2009-03-25First the two teams have to prepare dishes inspired by nature using herbs from the Central Park. Then they have to run a dinner service without any reservations.
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Episode 4 - Big White Challenge
Release Date: 2009-06-19 -
Episode 5 - Season 1, Episode 5
Release Date: 2009-07-03The two teams, each consisting of two couples now, have first to prepare one entrée and one pasta dish in thirty minutes. Then they have to cook for Italians including Soprano's Vinnie Pastore and Federico Castelluccio.
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Episode 6 - Season 1, Episode 6
Release Date: 2009-07-10In this episode Chef Marco challenges the two teams to serve breakfast and lunch.
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Episode 7 - Season 1, Episode 7
Release Date: 2009-07-17Only three days remain for the remaining two teams to remodel the restaurants for a grand opening. Also, the teams visit an art gallery for inspiration before catering for an upscale event for socialites.
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Episode 8 - Finale
Release Date: 2009-07-24The finale has arrived and the remaining two couples remodel their area, make menu plans and prepare top-notch service for opening night, which will be attended by Piers Morgan, various celebrities and food critics.