Marcels Quantum Kitchen

A cooking show on Syfy? Sure, it may seem a bit of a weird fit but wrestling already hasa home here, so why not? 'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen' (Tue., 10PM ET on Syfy) even promises to spotlight Marcel Vigneron, the 'Top Chef' runner-up's techniques with cool gadgets in the kitchen.

Well, it does that but for the most part it's like every other cooking-based show. In fact, all the fancy gadgets in the world won't help if you miss fundamentals like making sure you verify the oven is empty before you turn it on. That's Cooking 101, folks.

Even worse, Vigneron told his chef to check the oven when he turned it on. So not only did he miss a basic, he failed to listen, even though he said, "Okay."

When I published my interview with molecular gastronomy chef Marcel Vigneron yesterday, almost immediately, someone posted a comment asking "What is a cooking show doing on Syfy?"

Good question. SyFy has suffered from channel drift lately, and since its infamously inside-the-box name change has gone away from pure science fiction programming. And, while it's hard to classify 'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen,' it's most assuredly not a cooking show. Marcel and his crew are not trying, for instance, to instruct you in the fine art of making a 30-inch long noodle made of wine or how to make a tree trunk out of beef tenderloin, braised short ribs and some meat glue.

If you take the show for what it is -- a reality show about a very unusual chef and his crew -- and bring with it a "how did they do that?" attitude, you will likely find 'Quantum Kitchen' entertaining. That is, if you're not put off by the super-spendy clients that hire Marcel to make his culinary magic, or by Marcel himself.

Marcel Vigneron is a busy guy these days. When I spoke to him last week, the controversial 'Top Chef' contestant was in the middle of his promotional push for his new Syfy series 'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen,' and he was in a limo from his New York hotel to another appearance. But even in his rush, he can appreciate some irony.

"It's kinda funny. I'm driving by two tanks of liquid nitrogen in the middle of midtown [Manhattan] right now," he interrupted one of his answers to tell me, "and they're actually billowing out smoke." The extraordinarily cold liquid is one of Vigneron's favorite cooking tools, as he specializes in a cuisine commonly known as molecular gastronomy, a method where chefs like Vigneron use science to transform foods into other forms. The goal is to give diners a unique sensory experience, where their taste buds belie what they're seeing with their eyes.

'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen', which premieres Tuesday at 10PM ET, shows Vigneron and his catering team creating customized menus for high-end parties, and all the challenges and conflicts that happen as the event draws closer.

Vigneron spoke to me about the show, who his influences have been, and why he can't handicap who's left on 'Top Chef All Stars.'

Marcel Vigneron might've packed his knives and left 'Top Chef All Stars' a few weeks ago, but the 30-year-old won't be gone from our TV screens for long.

On 'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen,' which premieres next Tuesday, March 22, at 10PM on Syfy (yes, Syfy), the polarizing chef will use his signature technique of molecular gastronomy -- the fusion of science and cooking -- to create dishes for clients of his new catering and event company.

Yes, we're pretty sure there will be foam involved.

In honor of the new series, TV Squad and Syfy are giving one lucky reader a brand new iPad along with a gift card to purchase top food-related apps. Yes, an iPad. Find out how to win after the jump!

Not just a cooking show, Syfy devoted. A cooking show hosted by that 'Top Chef' season 2 dude who was not among the all-time favorite cheftestants: Marcel Vigneron.

Spiky-haired 'Top Chef' runner-up Vigneron will host 'Marcel's Quantum Kitchen,' a series that will revolve around his penchant for using the science of cooking. From the press release announcing the show: "molecular gastronomist" Vigneron, as the head of a new catering and event company, will use his foodie skills and his know-how for planning over-the-top soirees, "which range from a fairytale graduation party and a Goth-rock fashion show to a birthday dinner held on a platform suspended in mid-air."