Around The World In 80 Plates
Around the World in 80 Plates takes culinary competition to the next level as 12 chefs travel across the globe testing their skills and determination. In each episode, the contestants will travel to a different international city where they will learn the local customs, cultures, and cuisines as they participate in a gauntlet of culinary challenges. Ultimately, they will face-off in a kitchen takeover where they will not only recreate, but reinvent the menus for world-renowned restaurants and their demanding owners.
Curtis Stone is a master chef, best selling author, TV personality, and entrepreneur.
When it comes to cooking, his philosophy is to cook as Mother Nature intended: buy locally produced seasonal & organic ingredients, keep recipes simple, and allow the food to speak for itself.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Stone left Victoria University in 1994 at the age of 18 to follow his passion for food. His strong will and love for quality cuisine led to a job cooking at The Savoy Hotel.
Once a qualified chef, Stone began traveling throughout Europe with his best mate. Three months into his travels, Stone arrived in London broke and in need of a job. Determined to fulfill his dream of working in the world’s best restaurants, he walked into legendary Chef Marco Pierre White’s kitchen and offered to work for free in exchange for the opportunity to work alongside the three-star Michelin genius. After proving his worth, Stone was brought on staff and remained at The Grill Room at Café Royal for two years.
From Marco’s Grill Room, Stone advanced to Sous Chef at the Mirabelle where he contributed to the restaurant’s highly revered Mirabelle Cookbook. Stone remained at the Mirabelle for two years, during which time it was awarded a prestigious Michelin Star. Stone was then handed the reigns to Marco Pierre’s flagship restaurant, Quo Vadis, where he received critical acclaim and remained until 2003 when he made the leap to television. His first show "Surfing The Menu" ran for three seasons in 26 countries.
In 2006 Stone made his debut in the United States via his own hit series "Take Home Chef" for the Discovery Network’s TLC. The series has been a huge international success being viewed in over 70 countries around the world. More recently, Curtis signed an exclusive deal with America’s major network NBC. As the networks resident chef, Stone can be seen on NBC’s hit series "The Biggest Loser" teaching contestants how to make good nutritional choices and prepare healthy meals. He is also a regular contributor on America’s number one morning program "The Today Show." Twice monthly Stone provides viewers with tips and delicious recipes to try at home. In addition, Stone can also be seen as a judge on NBC’s "America’s Next Great Restaurant."
Stone was the first chef to have an eponymous product line sold at the prestigious retailer Williams-Sonoma in the USA. His line of sleek and eco-friendly kitchen solutions is currently sold globally. The functional and stunning products have been praised in a variety of publications including The New York Times and O: The Oprah Magazine. The complete range of Kitchen Solutions is available on his website.
It's no surprise Cat Cora became a world renowned chef. Her culinary aspirations began at an early age, and by 15, she had developed a business plan for her own restaurant. In 2005, she made television history on Food Network's Iron Chef America as the first and only female Iron Chef, and in November 2006 Bon Appétit Magazine bestowed her with their Teacher of the Year Award, an award she calls, "the greatest recognition she could achieve as a chef." That month, she was also honored with another great culinary distinction when she was named executive chef of the magazine.