The Things People Might Not Know About The Food Network

When it comes to cooking networks, the Food Network might be one of the most beloved of them all. From a host of shows that teach us just about everything we could need to know about the kitchen to lovable faces who have been a part of our lives for years, the network has come a long way since it first launched in 1993.

Just because it’s been a part of our lives for so long doesn’t mean we know everything there is to know about the Food Network. In fact, the things people might not know about the Food Network could put the network into an entirely new perspective.

The original Food Network set was tough to stomach

Networks often have to start from the bottom and work their way up, but things might have been tougher for the Food Network than many people realize. For one, it initially didn’t have an oven. Even when they did have enough money to fork out for an oven for the set, apparently, it was such low quality that the glass would constantly shatter. Being in such a small space meant the offices were constantly filled with smells of cooking, and there was no plumbing, meaning stagehands had to empty buckets placed under the sink instead. It’s even said that Mario Batali would have to stomp his foot on the floor to stimulate the noise of an oven door closing when he took his cooked food out of the pretend oven.

An adult video was once played instead of Too Hot Tamales

January 30, 1997, was a tough time for the Food Network - and one they will never live down. That’s because the late hours of the night were meant to be filled with an episode of ‘Too Hot Tamales,’ but somehow, the network ended up airing an adult video. For a full minute, the tape continued to show on screens across the nation before someone stepped in and pulled the film. Of course, the FBI was less than impressed with adult videos being shown on cable, so they immediately grilled everyone involved. In the end, it’s said no one confessed, and the network walked away with a slap on the wrist.

A shadow kitchen cooks alongside the TV chefs

Have you ever found yourself wondering what would happen if a chef burned their food on air? That’s where a shadow kitchen comes in. Rather than risk having to reshoot something, a bunch of chefs use a shadow kitchen near to the real chef to cook along with what’s being prepared on-air. This way, if something goes wrong and they need a quick replacement, they can use some clever camera angles to get everything back on track.

Iron Chef wasn’t originally a Food Network show

When you think of ‘Iron Chef,’ you probably think of the beloved Food Network show that has kept us entertained since 2005. The twist? It wasn’t actually a part of the network from the beginning. The franchise had grand plans to make it in the US, but the Food Network wasn’t interested in bringing it to life when offers were made in 2001. Instead, the show went to UPN, where William Shatner - sparkly purple jacket and all - was the host, but it was canceled after just two episodes. A lack of food knowledge and too many theatrics were just two things to blame, but it wasn’t enough to put the Food Network off giving things another go. Eventually, the network came around to ‘Iron Chef,’ and the rest is history.

The things people might not know about the Food Network go to show just how far the network has come over the years. Sure, there have been some ups and downs, but who knew how different things could have been?