Host Richard Blais Offers Some Food for Thought on the New Series Hungry Games

When it comes to food, many of us might not think past the fact that if you’re hungry, you eat. It’s natural. It’s survival. But there’s more to it: Why do you suddenly crave a certain food over another? And what is it about eating that’s so pleasurable — that happy byproduct of sustenance? In the new series Hungry Games, chef and food geek Richard Blais delves into the science of food, beyond everything you thought you knew. There’s more to that pizza craving than you thought!

Watch the premiere on Monday, Oct. 20 at 8|7c (with a sneak peek on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 10|9c) and join Richard Blais for a Twitter Q&A on Monday, Oct. 20, at 1pm EST. Tweet with the hashtag #HungryGames

We recently caught up with Richard to chat about the show’s concept.

FN Dish: How would you sum up the concept of the show? What do you think viewers will take away from it?

Richard Blais: It’s a show full of “wouldn’t you knows.” It’s on-the-street experiments and taste tests and a real family-friendly dose of fun education. I learn so much shooting each episode, and the viewers will get a kick out of playing along at home. It will be a show where families bet on who’s doing the dishes by playing along!

Has hosting the show changed the way you think about food or how you eat it?

RB: Definitely. There is so much more that goes into eating than we think. The brain calculates so much more than just taste, and Hungry Games will have you thinking about the food you taste, choose and crave like never before.

What was the most-interesting thing you learned from doing the show, whether about yourself or just in general?

RB: I learned that food is “experiential.” I’ve always thought that, but by running so many experiments throughout the season, now it’s a scientific fact. Our brains are hardwired to make certain choices under circumstances, and the simplest things, like why we order fries with a burger, are fascinating to me now.

Do you think people find food more interesting when there’s a science-y or experimental factor involved?

RB: I think as long as the science has to do with better flavor, yes. Food is and will always be about pleasure and enjoyment, and if science, technology or psychology can make food tastier, we should all be for it! And, yes, if there are blowtorches around, people like that too.

Stay tuned for fun food trivia, interactive quizzes, photos from the show and more, plus connect on Twitter with the hashtag #HungryGames.

from FN Dish – Food Network Blog http://blog.foodnetwork.com/fn-dish/2014/10/richard-blais-on-hungry-games/

Posted in FN Dish – Food Network Blog