Daisy Martinez Gets Renewed for 6 More Episodes, Rachael Ray Co. Gets More Money

Food Network today announced that production will begin this month on a second "season" of Viva Daisy!, starring Daisy Martinez. Even though I wasn't blown away, I guess Daisy did dazzle enough to get resigned.


And now, the immortal words of Bob Tuschman:
"Daisy has a loyal and passionate following among food lovers. Her vibrant personality and easy approach to Latin dishes have made her a hit with our viewers, and we are excited to produce more episodes," said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network.

In case you forgot, Viva Daisy! is the first non-Rachael television venture for Watch Entertainment Inc., "the parent company for all Rachael Ray-related businesses including television production, licensing, merchandising and digital development."

Be on the lookout for more Rachael proteges on Food Network, handpicked by Ms. Ray herself. Yum-O.

Viva Daisy - Episode 1

New Food Network host Daisy Martinez premiered the first episode of her Rachael Ray-produced show Viva Daisy this past weekend... and like a lot of first episodes, I was not blown away. That could change, though.

But how did Daisy do for you?




It was just so-so. Nothing like Anne Burrell's first epsiode which was just so unlike anything we'd seen in such a long time.

Daisy clearly knows a lot about food and has what I'd call a "Rachael lite" TV personality. For some (maybe many), "Rachael lite" may be a welcome change... but there's truly a fine line between True Rachael hyper and lifeless.

So Daisy: you got five more Eps to dazzle me! What did you think?

Rachael Ray Waxes Eloquent Over Protege Daisy Martinez

And when I say "waxes eloquent" I mean wax. Did Rachael Ray, who herself already has a wax figure on display at Madam Tussaud's, get her new protege Daisy Martinez a wax dummy, too?

Take a look:



Her skin doesn't look real to me. Plus, Rachael's doing the classic arm over the shoulder/don't I look like I'm friends with Bill Clinton/Whoopi Goldberg/Britney Spears/etc. pose everyone does at the wax museum.

Now look at Rach's:


As you know, Food Network Addict was the first to speculate about Rachael's upcoming venture with Daisy Martinez, formerly of PBS. Fittingly, Rachael's got nothing but love for Daisy:

"She can't tell you about a recipe without telling you why you would want to make," Ray said in a telephone interview with the AP. "Which is so much more important to me than learning a technique."

I Was Right! Daisy Martinez Coming to Food Network

Food Network Addict was the first to speculate about Daisy Martinez's possible arrival on Food Network, and guess what-- it's happening!

And in even better (or worse, depending on how you look at it) news, Rachael Ray will be producing the new series, Viva Daisy!, premiering Jan. 10 at 9:30am ET.


Watch Entertainment, Rach's production company whose president and co-founder is none-other than her husband John Cusimano, will be producing the series.

"I called [Food Network President] Brooke Johnson and we had a nice meeting with Bob Tuschman and some of the peeps over there, and we brought Daisy with us and she just lit up the room. What I love about Daisy is her accessibility factor; if you don't have a Latin-American heritage, it can be very foreign to an American audience. I think she makes it fun and easy,” Rachael told Broadcasting & Cable.

************

So are you excited for Daisy's arrival? Think Ingrid Hoffman needs some Latin cooking company?

[Photo Source]