For a network that began just 17 years ago, the Food Network has become a cable television fixture and a pop culture sensation. Its cooks and chefs and foodies of Food Network have become celebrities.

Since its debut on Nov. 23, 1993, Food Network has expanded like mad. It launched food products that fill our supermarket shelves. There's media exposure via a website and monthly magazine ... and that doesn't include Rachael Ray's talk show and Guy Fieri's game show and Alton Brown's grape juice commercials. And it launched a secondary outlet in The Cooking Channel.

But the key to all the success is the Food Network itself.