Series from 2011
Join celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito at the table.
On the premiere episode of "Rocco’s Dinner Party," Executive Chef of Copper Fish on Broadway Geoffrey Johnson, Harlem based Executive Sous Chef Joseph "J.J." Johnson and caterer Britt Kurent compete to throw a speakeasy inspired dinner party. The chefs must create a prohibition-era supper club complete with reminiscent food and décor to impress special guest, chef and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson.
Chef and New York restaurant owner King Phojanakang, high school culinary teacher Joel Gargano and private chef Michelle Karam compete to create the perfect dinner party for Rocco's mystery guest. Armed with a dossier of details on their guest of honor, and with $20,000 at stake, the chefs must design their meal around the secret guest's particular passions -- a star in the culinary community with a taste for travel, a love of spices and a preference for the unfussy. Guests include comedian DL Hughley, style and beauty expert Mary Alice Stephenson, Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, fashion designer Gilles Mendel, and Glamour magazine Editor-In-Chief Cindi Leive.
The stakes are high as identical Italian twin brothers Fabrizio and Nicola Carro, along with New Jersey caterer Ninamarie Bojekian compete to impress an assembly of Italian elite, including Italian food icon Silvano Marchetto.
Executive Chef Ryan Poli, Private Chef Jennifer De Palma, and Executive Chef Fabio Capparelli set out to create the most delicious dinner party, with a healthy spin. To take home the $20,000, Rocco's chefs must cook their version of recipes from Rocco's guilt free bestseller, Now Eat This! Diet, yet with all the flavor of the typical higher calorie fare. Guests include Editor in chief of Fitness magazine Betty Wong, Olympic trainer and author Joe Downdell, Oscar nominated actor Chazz Palmintieri, comedian Jeffrey Ross, event producer Jung Lee and Sports Illustrated model Damaris Lewis.
Connecticut housewife and cooking school owner Nicole Strait, Australian airline chef Corey Roberts and New York based vegan chef Ayinde Howell compete to capture the sophisticated taste and glamour of "Town" coupled with the rustic farm to table simplicity of "Country." The chefs must transform Rocco's dining rooms and create a phenomenal menu worthy of the $20,000 prize. Guests include acclaimed chef of Picholine and Artisinal Terrance Brennan, actor Christian Campbell (Big Love), New York City Ballet principal ballerina Tiler Peck, actress Melissa Joan Hart, singer Deborah Cox and food(ography) host Mo Rocca.
Brooklyn chef Vanessa Cantave, high-end caterer to the stars Daniel Vater and biscotti baker and mother of five Natalie Stone compete to throw Rocco and his celebrity friends a French Bistro inspired soiree. The chefs are asked to put their spin on classic Julia Child dishes and decorate one of three dining rooms in their bid to win $20,000. Guests include Julie Powell, author of Julie & Julia, comedian Michael Ian Black, actress S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order,) event producer Marcy Blum, acclaimed French chef Alain Sailhac, and French model Leah DeWavrin.
