“Chopped’s” Ted Allen Steps Out of the Studio and Onto the Town to Find the Ultimate Places to Dine in New Cooking Channel Special “Where Chefs Eat”

Ted Allen knows about food. The Emmy and James Beard Award-winning personality is also a New York Times best-selling author and has long connected with viewers on Food Network’s fan-favorite culinary competition Chopped. Now fans have a chance to follow this food lover extraordinaire out of the studio and onto the town as he embarks on a mission to find the places where chefs, the ultimate foodies, break bread and satisfy their appetites.

In Where Chefs Eat, premiering Wednesday, December 29 @ 9PM ET/6PM PT on Cooking Channel, Ted travels to Philadelphia and with the help of acclaimed chef Mike Solomonov, prepares to eat his way through the city, stopping at chefs’ favorite places and hidden gems along the way, tasting everything from vibrant blue dumplings that are as beautiful as they are delicious, an overflowing off-the-menu feast eaten directly by hand, out of-this-world sushi served up by a master at an exclusive, hidden sushi bar for those ‘in the know,’ and a sweet frozen treat that is transformative in more ways than one. From stop to stop, they will meet the proprietors of each establishment, learn the history of the chefs and their dishes, and get a unique insider’s view of the Philly food scene.

At Kalaya Thai Kitchen they meet Chef Nok Suntaranon who went from home cook and occasional caterer to acclaimed chef and restaurant owner in under two years. Her carefully layered flavors, meticulous selection of fresh ingredients, and exquisite presentation of dishes such as her signature blue flower-shaped Shaw Muang dumplings make her restaurant a must-eat spot. At Perla, they meet the Philippines-born Chef Lou Boquila who wanted to share his late mother’s cooking with the world when he opened his restaurant named after her. His Filipino tasting menu was a hit, but the real gem of this establishment is the meal that’s not on the menu, a whole table dining experience called the Kamayan Feast. No plates or utensils, just a giant spread meant to be eaten with your hands and shared with friends and family.

For a palate cleanser and sweet treat, they head to Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice. Chef-Owner Siddiq Moore wanted to improve his local community while bringing some refreshing, healthy treats to the area and soon realized his unique take on water ice was the vehicle that would achieve both goals. Now serving the most award-winning water ice, Siddiq’s biggest pride is how he’s been able to transform his neighborhood through his activism and efforts.

Finally, Ted and Chef Mike head to meet Chef Jesse Ito, son of Japanese sushi pioneer Masaharu Ito, at Royal Izakaya, a hidden gem that is a playful and lively ode to Tokyo’s own “Izakaya” scene. With cleverly elevated Japanese bar small bites in the front, and an elegant reservation-only sushi bar hidden in the back, this is a one-of-a-kind Philly experience.

From fresh fruit frozen delights to a feast big enough to feed an army, Ted Allen and Chef Mike Solomonov explore Philadelphia’s best-kept food secrets and discover what makes it one of the best places to eat in America as they visit the places Where Chefs Eat.

Fans can join the conversation on social using #WhereChefsEat.

Where Chefs Eat is produced by BEST Productions.