Review: $24 in 24 with Jeff Mauro
When Rachael Ray’s $40 Dollars a Day went off the air it wasn’t because they had exhausted the vehicle. It was because RaRay had launched her day time talk show and magazine. She simply didn’t have the time to do the show anymore. I, like many, have lamented the loss of what was one of the most educational food/travel shows ever done.
Well, Captain Hoagie himself Jeff Mauro has brought the concept back only this time the budget has been trimmed to just $24. Clearly a reflection of the horrible economic conditions of the past three years. But still the premise is largely the same. On $24 in 24 the Sandwich King has to find three squares in one day with only $24 to spend.
Here’s the Network’s official description:
Jeff Mauro is taking his passion for food to the streets, searching for the best budget-friendly eats across America. With just $24 he’ll hunt down breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes in only 24 hours.
The show lacked Rachael’s eternal cuteness but otherwise was pretty much the same. In place of Ray’s perkiness was Jeff’s unique charm and comedic flare. The pilot episode was shot in his hometown of Chicago which meant Jeff’s research was actually done by him.
I’m sure there will be people who naysay the show simply because it is a reboot of $40 but they are likely just looking for something to whine about. The reality is that the original show was far from played out, the host just ran out of time. I for one am glad this format has returned and that my buddy Jeff is at the helm of it.
Here’s a taste:
Jeff Mauro’s New Series $24 in 24 Premiers
NEW YORK – August 20, 2012 – Sandwich King Jeff Mauro joins the Food Network primetime lineup this fall with the new seven-episode, half-hour series $24 in 24, where Jeff discovers the best cheap, local eats in cities across America. Each week, he hits a new locale with a budget of just $24 to find the tastiest breakfast, lunch and dinner in town. From unexpected mom and pop shops to globally inspired spots, Jeff’s coast-to-coast journey proves great food doesn’t have to break the bank. $24 in 24 premieres Monday, September 24th at 10:30pm ET/PT, while Jeff’s hit daytime series Sandwich King returned for a third season on Saturday, September 9th at 11am ET/PT.“Sandwich King” Jeff Mauro Returns with New Season
Official Food Network Press Release:
‘FOOD NETWORK STAR’ WINNER JEFF MAURO RETURNS WITH A NEW SEASON OF ‘SANDWICH KING’
Season Premiere Sunday, February 19th at 11am ET/PT on Food Network
NEW YORK – February 7, 2012 – Jeff Mauro, season-seven 
winner of Food Network Star and hoagie aficionado, returns to Food Network daytime for a second season of Sandwich King premiering Sunday, February 19th at 11am ET/PT. Mauro takes Food Network viewers on a mouthwatering journey as he visits his favorite hometown restaurants in Chicago, including the Palace Grill, Sugar Fixé Pâtisserie and Chicago’s French Market, in search of his favorite sandwiches. Whether it is a Deep-Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, a Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich, or a Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan Hero, Jeff heads back to the kitchen to add his own spin on these sandwiches and more, proving you can make any sandwich into a meal, and any meal into a sandwich.
Episodes include:
Premiering Sunday, February 19th at 11am – SEASON PREMIERE!
“Double-Dose of Cozy”
Jeff doubles up on the coziness by creating dishes that exemplify comfort food, as he heads to the Palace Grill to get the scoop on a couple of classics from his friend, George. Gooey Grilled Cheese is on the menu, and Jeff takes some of that inspiration home and does it one better with his Grilled Cheese Two Ways. Next up, the Sandwich King pairs Meatloaf with Crispy Onions on a Potato Roll, while finishing with a warm bowl of Roasted Tomato Soup.
Premiering Sunday, February 26th at 11am
“Italiano”
As an Italian-American from Chicago, Jeff’s heart pumps red sauce. Good thing Italians are also known for their spectacular sandwiches. Jeff’s friend Paula from Danny’s Café makes his all-time favorite Italian-style sandwich, the Fried Meatball Hero. The Sandwich King soaks in some inspiration before heading home to have a whack at this special sandwich himself. When he’s done with that, it’s on to another slice of Italy, with a Cheesy Eggplant Parmesan Hero, before rounding things off with a simple Chopped Salad.
Premiering Sunday, March 4th at 11am
“Deli Delights”
During Jeff’s formative years as a Sandwich Prince, he worked at a deli working the meat slicer, with his constant companions of corned beef, pastrami and lots of fresh rye bread. As the Sandwich King, Jeff visits Fumare Meats in Chicago’s French Market where he gets a tasty tour of some of Fumare’s favorites, before putting together his special take on that tart and cheesy creation, the Pastrami Reuben. You can’t be truly deli without Coleslaw, so Jeff shreds up a fresh batch before slicing and stacking roast beef into a sandwich that reaches new heights of savory deliciousness.
Premiering Sunday, March 11th at 11am
“Sweet and Yummy Dessert Sandwiches”
Sandwiches can be a lot of things – but dessert? The Sandwich King heads to innovative pastry shop Sugar Fixé Pâtisserie to prove it. With some pointers from chef and owner Cindy Summers, Jeff gets inspired to whip up a sandwich that would make Elvis proud – a crunchy, sweet, and creamy Deep-Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Next, he reinvents the ice cream sandwich by pairing ice cream with homemade chocolate turtles. Wash it down with a decadent Chocolate Cake Shake, and you’ll be ready for a nap.
Premiering Sunday, March 18th at 11am
“Bring Home the Baking”
There’s one thing all sandwiches have in common: bread. Whether white or wheat, roll or hero – good bread is essential for a good sandwich. The Sandwich King pays a visit to his Aunt Rita and Uncle Joel, who happen to run a deli & bakery, to get some ideas for dressing up the outside of the sandwich. After a little time at the kneading board, Jeff heads back home to get yeasty with it, baking a Homemade Focaccia for a Mediterranean-inspired Grilled Chicken Sandwich and some Pretzel Bread to elevate a humble hot dog. A show so delicious, you’ll want to eat it fresh out of the oven.
Premiering Sunday, March 25th at 11am
“Breakfast for Dinner”
Most of us think of sandwiches as lunch, but when you’re having breakfast for dinner anything goes! Chicago’s Deluxe Diner lives up to its name, and makes one of Jeff’s favorite breakfast sandwiches, a Monte Cristo on French Toast; the Sandwich King then heads home to work the griddle and break out his own version. Later, Jeff takes the day-for-night inspiration even further and makes a sandwich as delicious as it is audacious, a Fried Chicken and Waffle Sandwich. Finish with a side of Bacon Braised Collard Greens and you won’t care what time it is.
Update on Aarti’s and Jeff’s Shows
After scanning a few web sites and Facebook statuses I decided to reach out to Food Network itself about the status of the last two Food Network Star winners Aarti Sequeira and Jeff Mauro. I chatted with Krista one of the network’s PR agents. Here’s what I asked and her response.
Is Sandwich King still in production and if so when will new episodes air?
Information regarding Sandwich King is not yet available, though you may contact us around the middle of December and we hope to have an update available.
That sounds grim right? The ratings were extremely good. I wonder if there are other factors at work. Jeff hasn’t updated his web site since late August but in that post he said:
Shooting a cooking show is the most mentally taxing performance art I’ve ever attempting. The juggling of mental and physical requirements left me exhausted at the end of the day. One flub and you have to do another take. As the days went on, I did get more comfortable, so hopefully, by next season (if they give one) I’ll be even better.
Til’ then, it’s back to recipe development, sandwich research (eating), and maybe a little vacation with the family.
So will there be a second season? I have to admit that after speaking with Food Network it sure didn’t look like it. Jeff’s dormant web site and that last post didn’t help. So I did a little digging, talked to some other cast members from season seven and they sent me to a post by Jeff on his Facebook page just this past Saturday:
Things are really starting to move along with Sandwich King Season 2. It will be similar, but more of what worked and less of what didn’t. Regardless, it will feature amazing sandwiches and fantastic locations. I’ll keep you posted when we start shooting in December. Look for it airing sometime in January. I think I smell an Emmy..local Emmy.
Is Aarti Party still in production and if so when will new episodes air?
New episodes are not scheduled for Aarti Party as those just finished airing in September. Her show is airing on our sister network, The Cooking Channel, though an episode will air on our network on November 26th and December 3rd at 8:00am ET/PT.
Aarti remains busy and has maintained her web site as she has done for years. It’s where she got her start. Though Krista’s answer seemed a little vague I think the picture we get is that new episodes of Aarti Party are all but done. Old episodes will rerun on Cooking Channel. Aarti did announce the other day that she has a super secret new show that just started production; more on that project HERE but be forewarned, it isn’t much more.
But now we are back to an issue that has plagued Food Network Star since it’s inception – it’s inability to produce sustainable hit shows. With this revelation that means that, at the moment anyway, only three of the seven winning shows are still in production – Sandwich King, Guy’s Big Bite and Ten Dollar Dinners.
In terms of the volume of shows Big Daddy’s House had the longest run of any show except Big Bite; it was recently canceled. I cannot understand what goes on at Chelsea Market sometimes. Big Daddy’s House had poor ratings because, quite frankly, it was not a great show yet it got 60+ episodes while Aarti Party had solid ratings but only got 30. I think I have a better shot at figuring out the complexities of the female mind than I do the complexities of food television but admittedly the prospects don’t look good for either.
There you have it. Now talk amongst yourselves. That’s what the comments section is for.
