The Best Thing I Ever Ate
The Best Thing I Ever Ate is a television series that originally aired on Food Network on June 22, 2009.
The program originally aired as a one-time special in late 2008. It consists of chefs picking out their favorite dishes in specific categories.
Opening Introduction
Chefs/hosts
- Ted Allen - host of Chopped
- Sunny Anderson - host of Cooking For Real
- Mario Batali - Iron Chef, chef/owner of Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, and host of Molto Mario and Ciao America
- John Besh - competitor on The Next Iron Chef, chef and owner of August Restaurant
- Brian Boitano - Olympic figure skater and host of What Would Brian Boitano Make?
- Alton Brown - host of Good Eats, "Cutthroat Kitchen" and Iron Chef America, and author of Good Eats 2: The Middle Years
- Frank Bruni - former restaurant critic New York Times, author Born Round
- Anne Burrell - sous chef on Iron Chef America, host of Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, and co-host of Worst Cooks in America
- Michael Chiarello - entrepreneur/restaurateur, and host of Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello
- Scott Conant - host of 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, and chef/owner of Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. Enoteca
- Cat Cora - Iron Chef Iron Chef America
- Melissa d'Arabian - The Next Food Network Star winner, and host of Ten Dollar Dinners
- Mark Dacascos - martial-artist/actor, and chairman of Iron Chef America
- Paula Deen - Host Paula's Home Cooking, Paula's Best Dishes, and Paula's Party
- Giada De Laurentiis - host of Everyday Italian and Giada at Home, TV judge on The Next Food Network Star
- Rocco DiSpirito - chef/author of Now Eat This! Diet, winner of James Beard Award
- Guy Fieri - host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Guy's Big Bite, and chef/owner of Johnny Garlic's and Tex Wasabi's
- Bobby Flay - Iron Chef, host of The Next Food Network Star and Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, chef/owner of Mesa Grills in New York City, Las Vegas and Bahamas
- Tyler Florence - host of The Great Food Truck Race and Tyler's Ultimate
- Ina Garten - host of Barefoot Contessa
- Gabriella Gershenson - TV judge on 24 Hour Restaurant Battle, senior editor Saveur Magazine
- Adam Gertler - host Kid in a Candy Store
- Duff Goldman - pastry chef/owner Charm City Cakes, and host of Ace of Cakes and Sugar High
- Alex Guarnaschelli - chef/host on Alex's Day Off, Iron Chef on "Iron Chef America", and TV judge on Chopped, executive chef of Butter Restaurant
- Robert Irvine - host , and , co-host Worst Cooks in America
- Dick Cummings - host Crave, senior editor Riviera Magazine
- Judy Joo - TV judge The Next Iron Chef, Iron Chef UK, executive chef Playboy Club
- Ellie Krieger - host Healthy Appetite
- Emeril Lagasse - host on Essence of Emeril and Emeril Live
- Nigella Lawson - host on Nigella's Kitchen
- Sandra Lee - host on Semi-Homemade Cooking and Sandra's Money Saving Meals
- Simon Majumdar - TV judge The Next Iron Chef, and "Iron Chef America" author Eat My Globe
- Pat Neely and Gina Neely - Hosts Down Home with the Neelys
- Candace Nelson - TV judge Cupcake Wars, founder Sprinkles Cupcakes
- Jamie Oliver - Host Naked Chef and Jamie at Home
- Michael Psilakis - TV judge on Ultimate Recipe Showdown, chef/owner Kefi
- Wolfgang Puck - chef and owner ofSpago
- Rachael Ray - host of 30 Minute Meals and $40 a Day
- Claire Robinson - host of 5 Ingredient Fix
- Aarón Sánchez - co-host on Chefs vs. City, TV judge Chopped, executive chef/owner Centrico
- Curtis Stone - celebrity chef, and author of Relaxed Cooking With Curtis Stone
- Marc Summers - host on Unwrapped and host/judge on Ultimate Recipe Showdown
- Michael Symon - Iron Chef, chef/owner Lola Lolita
- Anne Thornton - chef/host Dessert First with Anne Thornton
- Ming Tsai - host "Simply Ming", chef/owner Blue Ginger, Blue Dragon
- Marcela Valladolid - host Mexican Made Easy
- Andrew Zimmern - host Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern'' on Travel Channel
Season 1
| Episode | Show Number | Topic | Item | Chef/Host | Restaurant | Location |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Burnt Ends on Bun | Duff Goldman | Gates Bar-B-Q | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Beef Marrow and Oxtail Marmalade | Anne Burrell | Blue Ribbon | New York City |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Banana Cream Pie | Adam Gertler | Bandera | Los Angeles, California |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Eggs Benedict | Sunny Anderson | Upstairs On the Square | Cambridge, MA |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Ebelskivers | Aarón Sánchez | Shopsin's | New York, NY |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Toasted Ricotta Gnocchi | Danny Boome | Jane Bistro | New York, NY |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Canolli | Alex Guarnaschelli | Caffe Dante | New York, NY |
| Pilot | EV0100 | Pilot | Guinea Hen | Ted Allen | Restaurant Guy Savoy, Caesars Palace | Las Vegas, NV |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | French Fries | Bobby Flay | Balthazar | New York City |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Deep Fried Hot Dog | Alex Guarnaschelli | Rawley's Drive In | Fairfield, Connecticut |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Fried Shrimp Heads | Duff Goldman | Joss Sushi | Annapolis, MD |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Made To Order Donuts | Giada De Laurentiis | Lola | Seattle, WA |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Tempura Bacon | Ted Allen | The Red Cat | New York, NY |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Spicy Pork Rinds | Michael Symon | Publican | Chicago, IL |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Fried Brussel Sprouts | Aarón Sánchez | Lolita | Cleveland, OH |
| 1 | EV0101 | Totally Fried | Mofongo | Guy Fieri | Benny's Seafood | South Miami, FL |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Beef Brisket | Ted Allen | North Main BBQ | Euless, TX |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Chicken | Adam Gertler | Dinosaur Bar B Que | Syracuse, NY |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Shrimp | Alex Guarnaschelli | Pascal's Manale | New Orleans, LA |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich | Tyler Florence | Charlie Vergo's Rendezvous | Memphis, TN |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Pork Ribs | Delilah Winder | Ronnie's Ribs, Wings and Other Things | Richmond, VA |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Beef Ribs | Michael Symon | Daisy May's | New York, NY |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | Baked BBQ Pork Buns | Chris Cosentino | Yank Sing | San Francisco, CA |
| 2 | EV0102 | Bar-B-Que | BBQ Combo Plate and BBQ Beef Ribs | Duff Goldman and Bobby Flay | The Salt Lick | Driftwood, TX |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Bacon Burger | Guy Fieri | Hodad's | San Diego, CA |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Office Burger | Adam Gertler | Father's Office | Los Angeles, CA |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | House Smoked Bacon Flatbread | Aida Mollenkamp | Nopa | San Francisco, CA |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Salumi Cone | Tyler Florence | Boccalone Salumeria | San Francisco |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Bacon Apple Maple Donuts | Chris Consentino | Dynamo Donut and Coffee | San Francisco |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | BLT | Ted Allen | Choice Market | Brooklyn, New York |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Angry Mussels | Delilah Wilder | JCT Kitchen | Atlanta, GA |
| 3 | EV0103 | With Bacon | Bacon Chocolate Crunch Bar | Duff Goldman | Animal | Los Angeles |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | CMP | Duff Goldman | Woodberry Kitchen | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Sam's Sundae | Aida Mollenkamp | Bi-Rite Creamery | San Francisco |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Toasted Marshmallow Shake | Michael Symon | Stand | New York, NY |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Chocolate Bar Dessert | Cat Cora | Tru | Chicago, IL |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Golden Delicious Apple Tart | Alex Guarnaschelli | Al Forno | Providence, RI |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | S'Mores | Sandra Lee | Luna Park | Los Angeles, CA |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Pecan Pie | John T. Edge | Brigtsen's Restaurant | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| 4 | EV0104 | Sugar Rush | Chocolate Hazelnut Purse | Giada De Laurentiis | Riva Restaurant | Santa Monica, California |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Arugula and Parmesan Pizza | Ted Allen | Graziella's | Brooklyn, New York |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Sausage Patty Style Pizza | Duff Goldman | Gino's East | Chicago |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Yukon Gold Potato Pizza | Alex Guarnaschelli | Five Points | New York, NY |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Breakfast Pizza | Adam Gertler | Little Dom's | Los Angeles |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Rosa Pizza | John T. Edge | Pizzeria Bianco | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Chocolate Pizza | Aarón Sánchez | Max Brenner | New York City |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Margherita Pizza | Marc Summers | Osteria | Philadelphia, PA |
| 5 | EV0105 | Pizza | Roasted Chanterelles Truffle Cheese Pizza | Tyler Florence | Serious Pie | Seattle, WA |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Stone Crabs | Bobby Flay | Joe's Stone Crab | Miami, FL |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Creamy Rice | Aarón Sánchez | Zarela | New York, NY |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | New York Strip Steak | Cat Cora | Lucky's | Montecito, CA |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Fried Buffalo Wings | Aaron McCargo Jr. | The Jug Handle Inn | Cinnaminson, NJ |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Linguini With Clams And Mussels In Saffron Broth | Danny Boome | Tree Bistro | New York, NY |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Kumamoto Oysters | Tyler Florence | Hog Island Oyster Co. | San Francisco, CA |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Triple Coconut Cream Pie | Delilah Wilder | Ritz Seafood | Voorhees, NJ |
| 6 | EV0106 | Obsessions | Lemon-Scallion Dungeness Crab Cakes | Giada DeLaurentiis | Dahlia Lounge | Seattle |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast | Bobby Flay | Café 222 | San Diego, California |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Cinnamon Rolls | Ted Allen | Ann Sather | Chicago |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes | Aida Mollenkamp | BLD | Los Angeles, CA |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Wicked Spicy Hot Chocolate | Giada De Laurentiis | Jacques Torres | New York City |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | The Chop and Chick | Guy Fieri | Matt's Big Breakfast | Phoenix, Arizona |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Pasta Mama | Susan Feniger | Hugo's | Los Angeles |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Corned Beef Hash | Michael Symon | Big Al's Diner | Cleveland, OH |
| 7 | EV0107 | Wake Up Call | Huevos Montelenos | Duff Goldman | Golden West Café | Baltimore, MD |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Polish Boy | Michael Symon | Seti's Truck | Cleveland, Ohio |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Classic Bánh Mì and Pork Chop Bánh Mì | Anne Burrell and Aarón Sánchez | Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches | New York City |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Steakburger | Marc Summers | Steak 'n Shake | Various locations |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | #19-Pastrami Sandwich | Adam Gertler | Langer's Deli | Los Angeles |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Bacon and Marmalade Sandwich | Chris Cosentino | Prune | New York City |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Cheese Steak | Aaron McCargo Jr. | Carmen's Deli | Bellmawr, New Jersey |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Cheese Steak | Aaron McCargo Jr. | Yellow Submarine | Maple Shade Township, New Jersey |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | Godmother Sandwich | Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken | Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery | Santa Monica, California |
| 8 | EV0108 | Between Bread | 52Chaps Submarine | Guy Fieri and Duff Goldman | Chap's Pit Beef | Baltimore, Maryland |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Fried Chicken | Guy Fieri | Uncle Lou's | Memphis, TN |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Panzarotti | Aaron McCargo Jr. | Panzarotti Pizza King | Camden, NJ |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Sliders | Michael Psilakis | White Manna | Hackensack, NJ |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Dip Sum Donuts | Marc Summers | Buddakan | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Deviled Eggs and Devils on Horseback | Danny Boome | The Spotted Pig | New York City |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Tacos | Aarón Sánchez | Chico's Tacos | El Paso, Texas |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Chocolate Coconut Cupcake | Alex Guarnaschelli | Joan's on Third | Los Angeles, CA |
| 9 | EV0109 | With My Hands | Pupusa | Mary Sue Milliken | Sarita's Pupuseria | Los Angeles, CA |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | An's Famous Garlic Noodles | Duff Goldman | Crustacean | Beverly Hills, CA |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Salmon Rillettes | Tyler Florence | Bouchon | Yountville, CA |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Spicy Broccoli | Cat Cora | Olives, W Hotel | New York, NY |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Carne Asada a la Oaxaqueña | Alex Guarnaschelli | Frontera Grill | Chicago, IL |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Orecchiette | Michael Pslakis | I Trulli | New York City |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Roasted Cauliflower and Wild Mushroom Soup | Aaron McCargo Jr. | Bolete | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Warm Sea Urchin with Dungeness Crab | Aida Mollenkamp | Anchor & Hope | San Francisco |
| 10 | EV0110 | Filled With Envy | Shanghai Lobster | Sandra Lee | Chinois on Main | Santa Monica, CA |
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Switch to The Cooking Channel and Season 7
The original broadcast of The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Seasons 1–6, were on The Food Network from 2009 to 2011. In 2018, the show switched to The Cooking Channel. Season 7 did not have any new restaurants. Rather, episodes were based on cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City with the previous restaurants from those cities in each episode.Starting with Season 8, episodes would consist of new restaurants and food items.