Yes, it does air in the UK, Oysterman. Sadly. It isn't the simple contest it used to be with a lively audience. I think Ainsley Harriott bought the rights to the programme and it has been changed significantly - mostly around the way the stage is laid out. Much more frenetic pacing by Ainsley and the audience has been diminshed both in position and role in the show.

It's not what it used to be...

Thanks Foodie, I wonder why we're not seeing it here? Maybe soon...

I wouldn't worry about that Oyster, it's not really worth watching.

What is the top cooking show down-under right at the moment? Is there any Australian food productions we should be seeing here in the mother country??

The show is ill-conceived, sadly. while it is fabulous to hear Jeni's sultry voice the show has little merit. Like Market Kitchen, it is being killed by poorly selected presenters.

Unfortunate, but true.

I find the cooking element of Food Poker quite interesting, but not the bit where they waste time fiddling around with cards.

Much better I would have thought to have included Jeni Barnett front of house, and found a quicker method of selecting who will cook what.

Get Jeni on a roulette wheel maybe, and let the chefs place bets and select the cooks that way, but make it short and sweet (no pun there Jeni), and make the cooking the main feature without wasting good cooking time on silly themes.

In other words, too many cards spoil the broth!

I really do wonder why we only hear Jeni’s voice – has size discrimination gone that far on TV, or is there another reason? Maybe the producers thought Jeni’s personality would shine too bright – if that is the case, it’s a pity they couldn’t provide a show that could support such a glow.

I think if someone had the initiative to sign up Jeni, and say Ed Baines, they would have most of the makings of a great show in the palm of their hand, and wouldn’t need to mess around with gimmicky themes.

While I can't really say I like the programme, you're right about the "food element" gastrosurf. I too wonder why they would pick "all bright" over JB for this show? Very poor choice. But just one more in a series of stuff-ups with British cooking programmes lately.

Isn't Ed Baines great? A great foil for Jeni as he's calm, deliberate and reserved [unlike our Jeni!!]

When you mentioned putting Jeni on the roulette wheel I momentarily thought of that other (vertical) gambling wheel you see on old Westerns with Jeni tied to it revolving around Oh well, must be time for bed! Or a glass of red...

As you guess by the time of my post I did NOT watch Market Kitchen tonight!

I rather enjoy Food Poker actually, although I do agree a lot of time is wasted with the gimmicky part of the show. Hopefully they can cut it down. I've always liked food programmes that involve some sort of competition, it makes it more entertaining IMHO.

I would have liked to see Jeni as the presenter as she is very professional and over the years her knowledge of food has really grown.

Can anyone tell me when this Food Poker is on. I am searching the UKTVFood agenda and cannot see it shown anywhere!?

i think the chefs on food poker come out with good ideas.and i like the presenter. The pudding are lovely.

I'm glad you feel the same way sweet11, I think it's surprising how well they do, really.

The puddings are very lovely indeed.

Food Poker was just not for me, like Kitchen Criminals. Food became secondary somehow on these shows. Although listening to Jeni's dulcet tones was very nostalgic!

Perhaps someday the programming execs will get their heads screwed on right and fix this whole mess.

And maybe someday we can see Great Food Live once more! That one programme simply MADE eveything that *was* UKTVFood!

I really enjoyed the Kitchen Criminals series, although it could never be repeated because the reverse-surprises were an essential part of it working. It could never be repeated as veryoneone now knows the "twists".

While I could have skipped the disgusting dishes at the beginning, I was really encouraged at how some people could very quickly be brought up to speed on the hob.

Very uplifting!

Mais the personnes are so bad cooks!!! Is this of interest to TV viewers here??

That being was the concept total for programme as was this.

Checking back on old posts is just so easy. Mi Amiga/o. Oops! Sorry not Spanish, is it French, could be Belgian or more than likely Bolton.