Kids are the Critics on Cook'd Premiering on YTV, Tuesday, May 20, 7 p.m. ET/PT

Celebrity chefs, Jason Cox, David Lee and Donna Dooher whip up gourmet dishes for the panel of kid critics in first episode

TORONTO, April 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The tables are turned in Cook'd, a new YTV series, in which cooks prepare dishes for a panel of the pickiest critics in the culinary world—kids. Premiering on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. ET/PT, each episode features a trio of cooks who race against time to whip up culinary delights to win over a panel of kid judges. After tasting fare ranging from escargot to tofu to brussels sprouts, the aspiring foodies decide unanimously which cook wins the coveted Silver Spoon and which two cooks will get Cook'd—that is, dunked in a giant soup pot. Disclaimer: no cooks were actually cooked during production. For a sneak peek of the series, click here.

"Kids are the ultimate 'foodies,' and there is no critic alive that can match them for stubborn certainty in what they like and don't like," said Ivan Schneeberg Temple Street Co-President. "We're excited to be working alongside YTV to bring this fun, culinary adventure to life," adds Temple Street Co-President David Fortier. "Cook'd is a competition food show like no other, and we know viewers will be surprised and entertained by the insights of our judges and their palates."

Actor and comedian Dave Keystone guides these enthusiastic young food aficionados as they judge a new kid-centric cuisine theme each week, prepared by cooking competitors from different backgrounds and with a wide range of culinary know-how. In the Cook'd kitchen they sautée, season and simmer to see if they have what it takes to wow the judges.

"We're excited to launch a series that gives kids the power to taste and ultimately choose the foods they like best," said Jamie Piekarz, Director of Content, Corus Kids. "Families will love the humour of the kids' reactions and the anticipation of seeing which chefs take the plunge."

The series kicks off with a trio of five-star celebrity chefs from Toronto's top dining establishments, including Chef Jason Cox of Opus, Chef David Lee of Note Bene and Carbon Bar, and Chef Donna Dooher of Mildred's Temple Kitchen. A sample of the gourmet dishes include Chicken Pot Pie Muffins, prepared by Chef Donna, squid ink fettuccine with oyster mushrooms by Chef Jason and wedge salad with Caesar dressing, maple bacon and escargot prepared by Chef David. Upon tasting the gourmet meals created especially for them by the renowned chefs, the kid critics decide which meal is actually five star calibre and which ones fall flat, resulting in the losing chefs getting ceremoniously dunked.

After each episode, a PSA featuring one of the series' kid judges encourages viewers at home to support local food banks as well as Corus Feeds Kids, a national initiative focused on nourishing children's bodies and minds by providing nourishment. To learn more about Corus Feeds Kids, click here.

About YTV
Celebrating 25 years in television, YTV is a leading cross platform entertainment brand for kids and families. The channel offers quality entertainment with hilarious animated and live-action comedy series, popular Nickelodeon series, blockbuster movies, top-rated original Canadian programming, music, celebrities and the channel's after-school block, The Zone. Through its multiple platforms and exclusive digital and interactive content, YTV is the voice of Canadian youth culture. YTV is owned by Corus Entertainment Inc.

About Temple Street
Established in 2006, Temple Street Productions Inc. (Temple Street) is a leading producer of television, film and digital media content based in Toronto, Canada. The company produces a wide range of scripted and unscripted productions from prime-time television dramas and comedies, to kids and youth programs, to feature films and factual & reality series. Past and present projects include Orphan Black (BBC America, Space), The Next Step (Family Channel), Being Erica (CBC, SOAPnet), Wingin'It (Family Channel), Recipe to Riches (Food Network, Global), Over the Rainbow (CBC) and Canada's Next Top Model (CTV). Temple Street is also active in producing digital content in support of its television properties. Co-Presidents David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg are also Executive Producers for the Company's projects. As of January 2010, John Young (formerly of OMERS Private Equity) was appointed Managing Director, responsible for managing the company's day–to-day business operations. He also sits on the Company's Board of Directors, which includes Schneeberg, Fortier, and Matt Forde (EVP Co-productions, TV Sales and Digital Distribution North America at BBC Worldwide). The company is represented in Los Angeles by CAA. Temple Street's reputation as one of Canada's leading production houses is borne out of the quality and diversity of the programming it produces. From Emmy award winning cable features, to boundary-pushing dramatic and comedy series, to gripping reality and lifestyle shows, Temple Street's past and current slates highlight their commitment to producing world class, commercial projects in all genres and for all types of media.

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SOURCE: YTV Canada Inc.

Kate Calder | Corus Entertainment Inc., [email protected] | 416.479.6319; Ingrid Hamilton | GAT PR on behalf of Temple Street, [email protected] 416-731-3034