Pressure Cook
If you think cooking can be an adventure, then this series is for you. Each week, chef and restaurateur Ralph Pagano is abandoned in an exotic locale and forced to earn money solely using off-the-cuff cooking skills and forced to work his way home in any kitchens that will have him. The pressure is on for this Iron Chef and Hell's Kitchen veteran, as he must overcome such obstacles as language barriers, cultural differences and dress codes in order to make his way home.
Genre: Special Interest
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Episode 10
Brazil
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
There is a saying--How far can you walk into the Amazon Jungle? The answer is Manaus?past that and you're walking out. In this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph Pagano will be sent to his most exotic and remote place yet--The Amazon Basin. Once there, Ralph will venture into the largest rainforest in the world, explore local villages, hunt for Piranhas, chop down banana plants, and will try to avoid his punishment: an Amazonian Indian favorite--Taparu, a maggot which lives in the seed of a Babassu fruit.
Episode 9
South Africa
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Welcome to the other side of the world, Ralph. In this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph will be dropped off in the Chinese peninsula of Macau where the term East Meets West truly began. Macau, the first European trading post in Asia, has now it has positioned itself as the "Vegas of the East." Will a strange fusion cuisine, cultural differences, and language barrier keep Ralph from hitting the jackpot? If not we have a nice bowl of Bird's Nest Soup to cheer him up.
Episode 7
Northern Ireland
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Ralph explores the moors and castles of Northern Ireland and learns what culinary life is like on the Green Isle. Here he rubs elbows with Irish Royalty, farms alongside traditional mussel farmers, and learns that you can include Bushmills Irish whiskey in just about any dish! Ralph tries to avoid one traditional Irish breakfast dish though, black pudding. Yes, a sausage made with blood.
Episode 6
Italy
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
In this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph will be dropped in Italy, a dream destination for anyone who has ever donned a chef's hat. While Ralph feels very comfortable here at first, this quickly fades away as the challenges mount. He is confronted with a very expensive plane fare, very few English speaking people, and lots of potential bosses missing in action because of vacations. Ralph's really got to think on his feet to avoid eating a big plate of Cervello Al Burro AKA lambs brains in butter.
Episode 5
Czech Republic
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
In this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph visits Czech Republic, the land of beer. Here he will face his biggest challenge to date as he attempts to earn a cook's living in a country not necessarily known for its cuisine. The Czech Republic gives Ralph a look at unspoiled "old" Europe. The streets are still cobblestone, the people are jolly and the architecture, complete with pristine 500 year-old churches and castles, is enticing enough to almost make Ralph forget what awaits him if he fails: two packages Olomouc, the world's nastiest smelling cheese.
Episode 4
Belize
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
In this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph Pagano will be sent to an idyllic, laid-back island paradise. There he will explore the barrier reef and white sand beaches, fish and cook with the locals in town and even crash a wedding. But while everyone else is on vacation, Ralph has to stay hard at work to avoid eating a gibnut: a rodent that Belizians see as a delicacy, but to Ralph - looks more like a barking rat!
Episode 3
Iceland
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
Ralph Pagano is sent to Iceland - one of Europe's hottest travel destinations with a very chilly name. Nowhere on Earth are the forces of nature more evident than here, and Ralph gets the full experience. Ralph swings over cliffs to collect eggs, parties with fisherman and goes from cooking for local hot spot Vox to cooking in a really hot spot: the middle of a volcano..
Episode 2
Wyoming
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
In this episode of Pressure Cook Ralph finds himself still in the USA, but way out of his element. From playing bee keeper to butcher to a surprisingly adept pancake flipper, Ralph is on his toes. He discovers that the Old West is still alive and well as he drives cattle, competes in a chuck wagon cook off, and tries to avoid eating a real cowboy favorite: Prairie Oysters (AKA bull's testicles.)
Episode 1
Mexico
aired: Tue, Feb 12, 2008
For this episode of Pressure Cook, Ralph will be dropped off in a country whose culinary achievements rival its reputation as a resort getaway. Luckily on the Pacific coast of Mexico, one can get a taste of both. Whether put to work chopping agave, selling fresh pies on the beach, or learning to prepare gourmet worm tacos, Ralph finds himself without a moment's siesta in the blazing Puerto Vallarta sun.
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