It looks like Food Network Canada is betting that comfort food, the culinary trend that refuses to die, has yet more staying power left. Tomorrow the network will launch You Gotta Eat Here!, a new show that will see host John Catucci heading to diners and greasy spoons across Canada to sample the food, talk to the owners and learn some tricks in the kitchen. The premise sounds like a Canadian take on the tremendously popular Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (we’re hoping, though, that Catucci will steer way clear of some of Guy Fieri’s frat-boy phraseology).
Catucci, an actor, singer and comedian, is a Toronto native, so it’s no surprise that he visits two local spots in the first season. Oddly enough, both segments will apparently feature modified bennies: Hadley’s will serve up its signature deep-fried “poached” eggs with homemade hollandaise, and Uncle Betty’s Diner at Yonge and Eglinton will show off a benny served on fresh doughnuts. While it doesn’t exactly cover the breadth of comfort options in the city (we’d have liked to see some shawarma or a little fried chicken, say), we’re sure the bennies will provide great food porn at least.
You Gotta Eat Here! premieres January 6 at 9 p.m. on Food Network Canada.
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