Cook Like an Iron Chef

When the Cooking Channel launched a couple of months ago, we were rather critical of lineup, but since then, a handful of shows have not only proven to be the best on the network, but might be our favorite new food programs, period.

Here's three Cooking Channel shows that you should take the time to check out:

1. 'Unique Eats.'
Kind of like 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' 'Unique Eats' is a terrific show about food from a foodie's point of view. In this case, specific places in a particular area are chosen for the unique fare they serve, and then the experts tell viewers why it's so special. The focus on interesting shops, bakeries, restaurants and eateries is excellent, but what makes the show so compelling is that the people going on and on about these locales are recognizable foodies from other networks and channels.

Michael Symon won 'The Next Iron Chef' a few years back to become a reality TV winner-turned-'Iron Chef America.' Now he's getting back to basics, teaching home cooks how to impress palates like he and fellow Iron Chefs Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto can.

On 'Cook Like An Iron Chef' (Thursdays, 10PM ET on Cooking Channel), Symon is getting down and dirty, dishing kitchen secrets and tricks of the trade for mastering a "secret" ingredient.

We talked to Symon about his new show, his devotion to all things pork and his honest thoughts on fellow Cleveland native and pal LeBron James leaving their fair city.