Rocco's Dinner Party
Each episode has Rocco DiSpirito judging four aspiring chefs to see if they have what it takes to impress at a private dinner party attended by his discriminating guests. The chefs are asked to create their favorite dish, then a themed appetizer and then a complete menu for the dinner party. After each task, one chef will be eliminated.
- 2011-2011
- 1 season
- Bravo Cable
- Game Show, Reality
Each episode has Rocco DiSpirito judging four aspiring chefs to see if they have what it takes to impress at a private dinner party attended by his discriminating guests. The chefs are asked to create their favorite dish, then a themed appetizer and then a complete menu for the dinner party. After each task, one chef will be eliminated.
Season 1 Episode Guide
10 Episodes 2011
Episode 1
Speakeasy
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, Jersey Shore executive chef Geoffrey Johnson, Harlem based Executive Sous Chef Joseph 'J.J.' Johnson and caterer/aspiring lifestyle guru Britt Kurent compete to throw Rocco and his friends a speakeasy inspired dinner party. The chefs create the decor and menu for a sleek prohibition-era supper club and hope to impress chef and restaurateur, Marcus Samuelsson (Top Chef Masters) with their culinary creations.
Episode 2
The Mystery Guest
Wed, Jun 22, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, Chef & NY restaurant owner King Phojanakang, high school culinary teacher Joel Gargano and Private Chef Michelle Karam compete to create the perfect dinner party for Rocco's mystery guest! Armed with a dossier of details on their guest of honor, and with $20,000 at stake, the chefs must customize menus and decor around the secret guest's particular passions; a star in the culinary community with a taste for travel, a love of spices and a preference for the unfussy.
Episode 3
Mangia! Mangia!
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 44 mins
The stakes couldn't be higher on Rocco's Dinner Party as identical Italian twin brothers Fabrizio and Nicola Carro, and New Jersey caterer Ninamarie Bojekian compete to impress an assembly of Italian elite, including Italian food icon Silvano Marchetto. The chefs face the challenge of turning friends into family with a traditional Italian family style dinner for a $20,000 prize.
Episode 4
Ultimate Summer Party
Wed, Jul 6, 2011 44 mins
All dinner parties should be about creating the most delicious dishes for Rocco and his guests, and tonight is no exception-except that Executive Chef Ryan Poli, Private Chef Jennifer De Palma, and Cityhouse chef Fabio Capparelli, need to make it healthy. To take home the $20,000 prize, Rocco's chefs must create their version of recipes from Rocco's guilt free bestseller, Now Eat This! Diet, while making it just as tasty as higher calorie fare.
Episode 5
Town and Country
Wed, Jul 13, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, Connecticut housewife & cooking school owner Nicole Strait, Australian airline chef Corey Roberts and NY based 'Ambassador of Vegan Cooking,' Ayinde Howell, compete to capture the sophisticated tastes and glamour of 'Town' and the rustic farm to table simplicity of 'Country.' The chefs must transform Rocco's dining rooms and create a phenomenal menu in their bid to win $20,000.
Episode 6
French Cuisine
Wed, Jul 20, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party (2011), Brooklyn chef Vanessa Cantave, high end caterer to the stars, Daniel Vater, and biscotti baker and mother of five, Natalie Stone, compete to throw Rocco and his friends a French Bistro inspired dinner party. The chefs must put their spin on classic Julia Child dishes and decorate one of three dining rooms in their bid to win $20,000.
Episode 7
Bangers 'n' Cash
Wed, Jul 27, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, veteran Executive Chef Kevin Gaudreau, modernist Chef de Partie Janet Kim (from Gordon Ramsey's The London), and young upstart Executive Chef Chris Calcagno throw a gastropub themed dinner party where their menu and décor capture this hot culinary trend. Rocco's chefs must elevate British pub comfort food into fine cuisine without the stuffy air of fine dining and, convince British television host Cat Deeley that she's not far from home.
Episode 8
Runway Ready
Wed, Aug 3, 2011 44 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, Brooklyn caterer Sharon Robustelli, executive private chef Frank Otte, and jock turned sous chef Bill Haley compete to create a line of dishes inspired by both handmade, high end fashion and mass produced, ready to wear clothing. Rocco asks the chefs to become trend-setters and by the end of the night reviews will be in on who should take home the $20,000 prize. Fashion designer Nicole Miller shows up to surprise the chefs with an additional challenge.
Episode 9
Perfect Pairings
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 44 mins
Achieving the perfect intimate and romantic dinner party is never easy. On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, NY caterer Vicki Ferentinos, Minneapolis food truck chef Chris Thompson, and cooking hobbyist (with a Wall Street day job!) Yuki Tsutsui vie for $20,000 as Rocco honors The Daily Show's real life couple Jason Jones and Samantha Bee with a 10th anniversary celebration. The food and decor have to work together to inspire an atmosphere of festive romance while honoring the spirit of this comedic couple.
Episode 10
Liza with a 'B!'
Wed, Aug 17, 2011 66 mins
On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, healthy caterer Frank Picchione, opera singer Lucia Palmieri and restaurant owner/chef Antonio Bettencourt vie to throw the best bash ever for Liza Minnelli's 65th Birthday. There's $20,000 at stake; as well as some serious bragging rights- as the chefs compete to throw a fete worthy of the incomparable Liza with a Z!