Once again, Food Network has chosen to feature Memphis Area residents on the popular food related channel. Many of our local restaurant’s specialties have been featured, with showcases the rich, and flavorful culture of this fair city. “Down Home with the Neelys,” which stars Neely’s Bar-B-Que owners and Memphis residents Pat and Gina Neely, is now in its seventh season, with an eighth scheduled to begin filming in April.

Soon, two more Memphis chefs will be showing their culinary prowess on the network. They are Kelly English of Restaurant Iris and Viking Cooking School instructor Gail Churinetz.

Churinetz, a Germantown resident, will appear on “Ultimate Recipe Showdown” with Guy Fieri. The show airs on March 14 at 8 p.m. with Churinetz and her Crawfish Andouille Sausage Pizza battling against contestants from New York, Florida and Missouri.

English will be on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” which is co-hosted by native Memphian Claire Robinson, at 9 p.m. Friday. He says that being seen on the Food Network “is something everyone wants to do.”

I think this is great! What better residents than Memphis’ own to showcase on Food Network? I can’t tell you of how many great restaurants I’ve found in town! I find it so refreshing because I get SO tired of the same chain restaurants day in and day out.

What about you? What’s your favorite restaurant in the area?