Series Premieres Saturday, July 8 at 11am ET/PT on A&E
New York, NY – July 5, 2023 – Premiering Saturday, July 8 at 11am ET/PT, from 495 Productions (producers of “Jersey Shore”) comes a new series “Best in Chow” which follows host comedian Matt Richards as he travels to the biggest state fairs and street scenes across the country to find America’s wildest foods and most creative cooks to judge the best of the best. The 21-episode series is executive produced by 495 Productions SallyAnn Salsano, Dave Hamilton and Ebony McClain along with Teri Kennedy and Brad Holcman serving as executive producers for A&E Network. “Best in Chow” is the ultimate and most outrageous cross-country food fight.
Richards, who is known for his wit and humor from shows like “That Damn Michael Che” and “Flatbush Misdemeanors,” will travel across the country to places including the Wisconsin State Fair, State Fair of Texas, San Francisco’s Mission District, Little Tokyo in Los Angeles and more. In each location, he’ll taste six dishes over three rounds of competition, looking for over-the-top inventiveness, eye-popping visuals and that special quality that makes his taste buds tingle. He’ll then choose the best of the best and declare that dish “Best in Chow.”
In each half-hour episode, your eyes will pop out of your head and your deepest cravings will kick in as Richards tastes the wildest dishes across the country like Sushi Pizza, the Deep Fried Country Cookout, the Peanut Butter Avalanche and the Crack n’ Cheese Stuffed Turkey Leg. Get ready for your belly to grumble!
“It’s like going to the fair while sitting on your sofa and salivating over the newest and gooiest food creations from all over the country! It’s fun to see who takes the crown every week and then decide where you and the fam go next.” Said SallyAnn Salsano Founder & CEO 495 Productions.
Trailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELHpUV8j04s
Handles to Tag:
IG: @AETV, @homemadenation @Mattwasfunny @495productions @statefairoftx
Twitter:@AETV @homemadenation and @495prods @statefairoftx
Facebook: @AETV @HomeMadeNation @statefairoftx
Hashtags: #BestInChow #AETV and #HomeMadeNation #BigTex
About 495 Productions:
SallyAnn Salsano is the Founder, CEO, Executive Producer and creative force behind the Daytime and Primetime Emmy nominated 495 Productions team. Boasting the highest-rated shows for both MTV and CMT with “Jersey Shore” and “Party Down South,” along with the record-breaking “Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” on VH1, 495 Productions has cemented their place in pop-culture history. Some additional shows on 495 Productions versatile roster include: “Best in Chow” (A&E), “Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer” (FOX), “Peace of Mind with Taraji” (Facebook Watch), “Double Shot at Love with Pauly D and Vinny” (MTV),“The Real” daytime talk show (syndicated), “Blue Collar Millionaires” (CNBC),“Nashville Star” (NBC),“Taboo USA” (National Geographic Channel), “Design Star” (HGTV), “A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila” (MTV), “Tool Academy” (VH1), and many others
About A&E Network
A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, original programming that captivates viewers and brings them to the heart of the stories that matter. Through its distinctive brand of award-winning non-fiction and documentary programming, A&E always makes entertainment an art. For more press information and photography, please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.
Website: aetv.com | Twitter: @aetv | Facebook: aetv | Instagram: @aetv | TikTok: @aetv
About Matt Richards: Abracadamn!!
Matt Richards is a trained actor, comedian and writer that has performed on several thousands of shows all across the country and currently hosts the popular game show app HQ Trivia. Matt has appeared in “Flatbush Misdemeanors” (Showtime), “That Damn Michael Che” (HBOMax), “2 Broke Girls” (CBS), “School of Rock” (Nickelodeon), as well as “KC Undercover” and “Bizaardvark” (Disney). Matt was selected as a NEW FACE Character 2018 for the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal and was a standout in the 2017 CBS diversity Showcase. Matt wrote and performed his original sketches for Complex’s new web-series, Group Therapy sponsored by Old Spice and has appeared as himself on “The Funny Dance Show” (E!), “World Star TV” (MTV) and “The Steve Harvey Show.”
Full Episode Schedule:
JULY 8, 2023
The Wisconsin State Fair
SAVORY: Dill Pickle Taco vs. Milltown Brats
SWEET: Apple Pit Nachos vs. Cookie dough Sundae
WILDCARD: Hawaiian Tots vs. Shepherd’s Pie Grilled Cheese
Houston
CHICKEN BATTLE: Hot Chicken Fryder vs. Seafood Lovers Stuffed Wing
GRIDDLE GAMES: Spaghetti Grilled Cheese vs. Smoked Brisket Monte Cristo
WILDCARD: Sushi Pizza vs. The Lumpia Burger
JULY 15, 2023
Portland
SAVORY: Nacho ‘Roni vs. Deep Fried Sushi Burrito
SWEET: Reese’s Puffle Waffle vs. Deep Fried Ice Cream with Churros
WILDCARD: PB&J Fries vs. Sushi Donut
State Fair of Texas (New Foods for 2022)
SAVORY: Deep Fried Country Cookout vs. Deep Fried Lasagna
SWEET: The Ultimate Brookie Monster vs. The Doh-Muff
WILDCARD: Deep Fried Charcuterie Board vs. The Stuffed Chamoy Pickle
JULY 22, 2023
San Francisco Mission District
SAVORY: Whole Barnyard Burrito vs. Fritterburger
SWEET: Monster Toast vs. Milkbomb Sandwich
WILDCARD: Volcano Noodles vs. Deep Fried Musubi
New Mexico State Fair
SAVORY: Green Chile Chicken and Waffle Burger vs. Deep Fried Green Chile Philly Cheesesteak
SWEET: Peanut Butter Avalanche vs. Navajo Dessert FryBread
WILDCARD: Wonderstick Ice Cream vs. Chile Cheese Bacon Wrapped Corndog
JULY 29, 2023
626 Night Market (Los Angeles)
SAVORY: Wagyu Ramen Burger vs. Chick’n Skin Nachos
SWEET: Korean Street Waffle vs. Beach Cup
WILDCARD: Gizmo Korean Corn Dog vs. Pelagic Paradise Roll
Ohio State Fair
SAVORY: The Hearty Hash Bomb vs. Double Decker Loaded Loin Sandwich
SWEET: Deep Fried Monster Twinkie vs. Deep Fried Bucket
WILDCARD: Crack n’ Cheese Stuffed Turkey Leg vs. The Roast Beef Sundae
AUGUST 5, 2023
Nebraska State Fair
SAVORY: Crack Quesadilla vs. Cow Hog Dog
SWEET: Pineapple Whip Nachos vs. Cookie Dough Explosion
WILDCARD: Cornbread Surprise vs. Outlaw Fries
Little Italy (San Diego)
SAVORY: Lobster Chowder Fries vs. Short Rib Pizza
SWEET: Big Poppa Tart Donut vs. White Chocolate Bread Pudding
BRUNCH: Barnyard Bloody Mary vs. Fried Chicken and Waffle
AUGUST 12, 2023
Grand Central Market (Los Angeles)
SPICY SAMMIE: The Hot Honey Sammie vs. The Leberkese Sandwich
SWEET: Halo Halo vs. Fat Elvis Sandwich
WILDCARD: Pizza Fries vs. La Patrona Burger
New Orleans
BRUNCH: Ultimate Bloody Mary vs. King Cake French Toast
PO’ BOY: Killer Sausage Po’ Boy vs. BBQ Oyster Po’ Boy
WILDCARD: Blackened Gator Nachos vs. Jambalaya Pizza
AUGUST 19, 2023
Washington State Fair
SAVORY: Kalua Pork Loco Moco vs. the Matt Dog
STICK: Bacon Wrapped Meatballs vs. the Half & Half Elote
WILDCARD: Donut Smashburger vs. Pickle Pizza
Deep Ellum, Dallas
EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS: El Jefe Taco vs. Queso Birria Taco Slice
SWEET: S’Mores Tower vs. Picole’s Waffle Pop
WILDCARD: F-Philly Cheesesteak vs. The Gobbler
AUGUST 26, 2023
Pike Place, Seattle
SAVORY: The Crab Roll vs. The Crab Melt
SWEET: Salted Caramel Apple Streudel vs. Wenatchee Apple Sundae
WILDCARD: Loaded Smoked Potato vs. Stroganoff Bread Boat.
California State Fair & Food Festival
SAVORY: Mango Habanero Loaded Fries vs. Captain Crunch Fried Chicken Sandwich
SWEET: Maple Bacon Bomb vs. S’mores Stuffed Cheesecake
WILDCARD: The Hulk vs. Fried Chicken Waffle Cone
SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 (LABOR DAY WEEKEND)
*******NO NEW EPISODES THIS WEEKEND
SEPTEMBER 9, 2023
Smorgasburg, Los Angeles
SAVORY: Lobsterdamus Nachos vs. Pomegranate Glazed Pork Belly Tacos
SWEET: S’Mores Beignets vs. Churro Cheesecake Taco
WILDCARD: Garlic Butter Shrimp Boat vs. Pizza Dumplings
Buffalo
SAVORY: The Stinger vs. Buffalo Mac n’ Cheese
SWEET: Cinnamon Peach Cobbler vs. Ice Cream Taco Flight
WILDCARD: The Melted Hen vs. The Whole Farm
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles
SAVORY: Takoyaki Octopus Balls vs. Okonomyaki
SWEET: Animal Crepes vs. Cereal Killer Pie
WILDCARD: Chasu Hash vs. Doquito
SAVORY: Crispy Crazy Corn vs. Deep Fried I-35
SWEET: Deep Fried PB&J vs. Toffee Coffee Crunch Cake
WILDCARD: Deep Fried Halloween vs. The Armadillo
SEPTEMBER 23, 2023
Denver
CLASSICS: 983 Big Cheesy vs. Jersey Elk Dog
BREAKFAST: The Hotbox vs. the Mile High Tower
SWEET: Cheesecake Egg Rolls vs. Sopapilla Cheesecake