The Chopping Block
Encyclopedia
The Chopping Block is an Australia
n reality television
series which began airing on the Nine Network
on 6 February 2008. Produced by Granada Productions
, it was hosted by chef Matt Moran
. Catriona Rowntree
co-hosted the show with Moran in its first season. It ran for two series of 8 episodes each.
and Sydney
restaurants were reviewed by a secret critic (ABC Radio National Broadcaster and food critic Alan Saunders) and given A$
5,000. With assistance from restaurateur Matt Moran, they were given 72 hours to use that money to overhaul their menu, service and décor in an effort to win both his and the critics' approval.
Overall, ratings for the second series were generally higher than the first, and both series averaged 959,517 viewers across the year.
and Granada America have picked up the rights to produce the series in the United States
. The U.S. version is hosted by Marco Pierre White
, and features a number of changes to the format, such as multiple contestants, an ongoing objective instead of self-contained episodes, and an emphasis on competition.
The first episode premiered on 11 March 2009, but was canceled due to low ratings after three episodes. After a 3-month hiatus, 'Chopping Block' returned to complete its season.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
series which began airing on the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
on 6 February 2008. Produced by Granada Productions
Granada Productions
Granada Productions was a British commercial television production and distribution company. The company took its name from the successful ITV franchise, Granada Television....
, it was hosted by chef Matt Moran
Matt Moran
Matthew Moran,commonly known as Matt Moran, is an Australian chef also known for being a guest on various TV cooking shows.- Early childhood and education :...
. Catriona Rowntree
Catriona Rowntree
Catriona Rowntree is a presenter for Australian Nine Network's Getaway program.Rowntree studied journalism at Macleay College in Sydney, after working as a researcher with Business Review Weekly, 2GB and Prime Television...
co-hosted the show with Moran in its first season. It ran for two series of 8 episodes each.
Format
Each week two MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
and Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
restaurants were reviewed by a secret critic (ABC Radio National Broadcaster and food critic Alan Saunders) and given A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
5,000. With assistance from restaurateur Matt Moran, they were given 72 hours to use that money to overhaul their menu, service and décor in an effort to win both his and the critics' approval.
Episodes
| |
Café Parlo vs Café 43 | 6 February 2008 | 718,000 |
| |
Bella Vita vs Mamma Teresa's | 13 February 2008 | 1,040,000 |
| |
Dimitris vs Morris' | ||
| |
Grace vs Wild Oscars | ||
| |
Cafe Burgundy vs Cafe Matto | ||
| |
La Bella Vista vs Sophocles | ||
| |
The Olive Drum vs Unwine | ||
| |
Michelinos vs Zingarella | ||
| |
Angelina’s vs Tandoori Junction (winner) | 14 October 2008 | 825,000 |
| |
Emad's (winner) vs Gloria's Cafe | ||
| |
Anacapri vs La De Da's (winner) | ||
| |
Piazza Navona vs South Yarra China House (winner) | ||
| |
Courthouse Restaurant (winner) vs Hotel Eden | ||
| |
Mambo Italiano vs Spargo Espresso (winner) | ||
| |
Baja Cantina (winner) vs Modena 88 | ||
| |
Morri's Place (winner) vs Pizza Piazza | ||
Ratings
The first episode of The Chopping Block had a disappointing debut, with only 718,000 viewers nationally, a low figure for its 7:30 - 8:30 timeslot. An uncut repeat of the first episode was aired the following night at 10:30pm, managing a reasonable 546,000 viewers for its timeslot. The second episode fared much better, managing 1,040,000 viewers nationally - nearly 300,000 more viewers than the first episode.Overall, ratings for the second series were generally higher than the first, and both series averaged 959,517 viewers across the year.
U.S. version
NBCNBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and Granada America have picked up the rights to produce the series in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The U.S. version is hosted by Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White
Marco Pierre White is a British celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality. He is noted for his contributions to contemporary international cuisine, and his exceptional culinary skills....
, and features a number of changes to the format, such as multiple contestants, an ongoing objective instead of self-contained episodes, and an emphasis on competition.
The first episode premiered on 11 March 2009, but was canceled due to low ratings after three episodes. After a 3-month hiatus, 'Chopping Block' returned to complete its season.