TLC Orders 'Craving Comforts' With Host Art Smith

Fresh of his "champions round" run on Bravo's 'Top Chef: Masters,' chef Art Smith is headed to TLC for his own cooking series, under the working title 'Craving Comforts.' So far, eight half-hour episodes have been ordered, with production already underway.

Luckily for Smith, 'Comforts' won't be anywhere near the stress-inducing levels of 'Top Chef: Masters.' Instead, Smith will showcase his teddy bear personality as he travels across the country to uncover stories behind America's favorite comfort foods (think 'Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives' meets 'Paula's Home Cooking').

Smith seems like a logical choice for his own show, and will likely provide a comforting alternative to the more extreme and abrasive celebrity chefs currently on television (hello, Gordon Ramsay!). His resume also makes him the perfect fit for TLC, given that he's worked for Oprah for years and is a two-time James Beard Award winner.Fresh of his "champions round" run on Bravo's 'Top Chef: Masters,' chef Art Smith is headed to TLC for his own cooking series, under the working title 'Craving Comforts.' So far, eight half-hour episodes have been ordered, with production already underway.

Luckily for Smith, 'Comforts' won't be anywhere near the stress-inducing levels of 'Top Chef: Masters.' Instead, Smith will showcase his teddy bear personality as he travels across the country to uncover stories behind America's favorite comfort foods (think 'Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives' meets 'Paula's Home Cooking').

Smith seems like a logical choice for his own show, and will likely provide a comforting alternative to the more extreme and abrasive celebrity chefs currently on television (hello, Gordon Ramsay!). His resume also makes him the perfect fit for TLC, given that he's worked for Oprah for years and is a two-time James Beard Award winner.

Slated to air in late-2010, 'Craving Comforts' is one of several new food-related shows on TLC's menu. Others include 'Cake Boss,' now in its second season, and 'BBQ Pitmasters,' which is set to debut on Dec. 3.

What other foods would we love to see Smith uncover? He can't go wrong with mac-and-cheese, hearty soups, something involving pork ribs and baked beans and large, fluffy pancakes. Not that we're hungry or anything.