Chicago private chef Jeff Mauro is the latest “Food Network Star” after winning the final challenge on the competition series Sunday. As part of the competition, Mauro filmed a pilot for a new cooking show called “Sandwich King.” It will begin airing at 10:30 a.m. Sundays on Aug. 21 on Food Network.
“Jeff has the perfect mixture of strong culinary chops, a breakout personality, and boundless food passion—a true triple threat we value in our stars,” Food Network’s Bob Tuschman said in a release. “Jeff’s humor, warmth and smart ideas to make sandwiches into satisfying meals make him a perfect addition to join the Food Network family.”
The full Food Network press release is below.
In other cooking show news, an amateur chef from Chicago, Suzy Singh, is a Top 4 finalist in Fox’s “Masterchef” competition. You can catch her in the final challenge at 8 p.m. Aug. 15, then the two-hour season finale and big reveal airs at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 on Fox.
FROM FOOD NETWORK
“Sandwich King” Jeff Mauro was announced the winner of Food Network Star’s season seven during Sunday night’s finale. After eleven episodes over the past ten weeks, including numerous challenges testing not only culinary skill but also seeking star quality, Mauro impressed judges with his unique blend of culinary chops and comedic personality. His new daytime series, Sandwich King, will premiere on Sunday, August 21 at 11:30am ET/PT. In addition to the new show, the first ever Food Network Star compilation book will be on sale starting August 16. FOOD NETWORK STAR: The Official Insider’s Guide to America’s Hottest Food Show (William Morrow Cookbooks, 2011) will offer viewers an all-access, behind-the scenes pass to the drama-filled series, with exclusive content from the show’s finalists, its break-out stars and other Food Network personalities. Jeff Mauro and other season seven finalists Mary Beth Albright, Susie Jimenez, Whitney Chen, and Vic “Vegas” Moea will also be participating in book signings in select cities, including New York; Washington, D.C.; Denver; Philadelphia and Chicago (for more information please visit: http://www.harpercollins.com)
“Jeff has the perfect mixture of strong culinary chops, a breakout personality, and boundless food passion—a true triple threat we value in our stars,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, Food Network. “Jeff’s humor, warmth and smart ideas to make sandwiches into satisfying meals make him a perfect addition to join the Food Network family.”
On his new daytime show, Mauro broadens his inspired sandwich resume as he takes Food Network viewers on a delicious odyssey, preparing dishes inspired from some of his favorite local restaurants around his hometown of Chicago, such as the Peoria Packing Butcher Shop and the Isaacson & Stein Fish Market. Whether he is satisfying his cravings for a Chicken Steakhouse Sandwich served on a crusty buttered French bread, a Chicken Vesuvio Sandwich on a French roll with peas, mushrooms and more, or a pressed panini taken to the next level – a Mortadella and Fig Focaccianini; Jeff adds his own twist to each dish – delicious proof that a sandwich is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Mauro, a private chef at the Chicago corporate headquarters for a large mortgage company, graduated from California’s Hollywood Kitchen Academy and has worked in the food industry since high school in various roles including line cook, caterer and chef instructor. After pursuing a career as an entertainer and comedian in Los Angeles, Jeff returned to Chicago to spend time doing what he loves: cooking. His down-to-earth personality coupled with his comic relief make a great combination in the kitchen.
