Series celebrating best in breads, pastries & bakery bites
Premieres with double episodes Beginning Monday, Sept. 3
When carb-loving comedian Tom Papa isn't doing stand-up, he is probably eating, thinking about or making bread (his specialty is sourdough). He takes his passion for baked goods to the next level in the new Food Network series "Baked."
In his mission to find the country's best breads and pastries, Papa hits cities from coast to coast to shine a light on how local bakeries make life a little sweeter. He kicks the series off in New York City, where he devours glazed dougnuts covered in everything bagel topping, takes a master class in old-world baking and discovers the bready, eggy, cheesy dish khachapuri. Papa then heads to Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New Orleans, New Jersey and Cleveland in subsequent episodes.
"Baked" premieres Monday, Sept. 3, with back-to-back episodes at 10 and 10:30 p.m. (all times ET/PT).
"I love this show. It's really a celebration of all the good things that life has to offer: friends, family and food," Papa said. "What else is there? Life is too short to deny ourselves these simple pleasures, and this show is going to make you very hungry."
" 'Baked' is the perfect combo of carbs and comedy, and our audience will crack up with Tom and his guests, including his comedian pal Jim Gaffigan," said Courtney White, general manager and executive vice president, programming, Food Network and HGTV. "Tom is known for being totally hilarious, but his love for making homemade bread using his own sourdough starter and visiting local bakeries on his stand-up tours is serious."
In the 10 p.m. premiere episode, Papa heads to New York City and meets up with his friend Gaffigan at The Doughnut Project for the ultimate New York mash-up: a glazed doughnut covered in everything bagel topping. He then visits Gian Piero Bakery to make classic Italian American rainbow cookies, and at Oda House he falls in love with khachapuri, a boatload of bread brimming with cheese, eggs and tons of butter. Finally, Bien Cuit's chef Zachary Golper gives Papa a master class in baking old-world bread and croissants.
Immediately following at 10:30 p.m., he visits Detroit and hits Kuzzo's, where a former NFL player serves up decadent red velvet waffles with spicy fried chicken, and corner bakery Sister Pie for its roasted banana chess pie. Papa then heads to Dearborn for a lesson in Middle Eastern food, including fresh-baked pita filled with roasted lamb and fine-spun pastry with melted sweet cheese. At Chene Modern Bakery, he learns to make paczki, a Polish take on a rich, filled doughnut.
With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country, finding success in film, television, radio and podcasts, as well as on the live stage. He is the head writer and a regular performer on the nationally syndicated radio show "Live From Here," the newest incarnation of the legendary radio show "A Prairie Home Companion," and hosts the weekly podcast and Sirius XM show "Come to Papa." His first book, "Your Dad Stole My Rake: And Other Family Dilemmas," was released in June.
Viewers can find out where to taste Papa's favorite bites at
FoodNetwork.com/Baked, plus watch video highlights of some of the most Instagram-worthy dishes. Share food beauty shots using the hashtag #Baked on social media.
