Longtime Food Network favorite Sandra Lee is leaving her semi-homemade masterpieces behind and hitting the road for a pair of new series, Sandra’s Restaurant Remakes and Sandra’s Taverns, Lounges & Clubs.
On Sandra’s Restaurant Remakes, which premieres Sunday, Oct. 14 at 10am ET on Food Network, Lee visits famous restaurants and food spots across the nation in search of the secrets to their most famous dishes, then takes recreates them in simpler fashion for harried home cooks.
In the premiere episode, “On Top of the World Tastes,” Lee makes a chicken variation of a memorable duck dish she had at ultra-chic Alizé on the top floor of Las Vegas’ Palms Casino. Next comes a batch of Butterscotch Ice Cream Trifles inspired by the Chocolate Chip Cookie Trifle at New York City’s sugar Sweet sunshine bakery. For Cocktail Time, she creates an icy dessert libation called “We Miss You Elvis” Cocktail.
And speaking of Cocktail Time, Sandra Lee’s Taverns, Lounges, & Clubs is an extension of everyone’s favorite do-it-yourself segment of Lee’s long-running Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee. To indulge her inner mixologist, Lee traverses to elegant cocktail lounges and neighborhood bars — and every kind of watering hole in between — to sample their signature cocktails and munchies, and teach viewers how to make them, too. The series premieres Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 10:30pm ET/7:30pm CT on Cooking Channel.
On the first episode, “More Than Meets the Eye,” Lee heads to Chicago’s Epic, a three-floor restaurant drinking and dining establishment with stellar views of the Chicago skyline from its rooftop lounge to learn the secrets of The Naked Lady. Then it’s off to New York City’s Bathtub Gin, a 20s-inspired speakeasy, where she learns to make a fruity but potent cocktail called The Schultz and a Lavender Collins (pictured). Finally, Lee heads for Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, where she makes the whiskey-laced Peach Fuzz at Rock & Reilly’s Irish Pub.
“Sandra is a proven expert at connecting with her audience through the lens of her home kitchen and has become one of America’s most beloved culinary experts,” said Michael Smith, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Cooking Channel. “We are thrilled to launch her first-ever primetime food and drink exploration series, allowing Sandra’s versatility and personality to shine as she heads outside the kitchen to connect with people and make unique discoveries out in the field.”
Images: Food Network
