From a media release:

IT’S ‘FRY OR BE FRIED’ IN FOOD NETWORK CANADA’S DONUT SHOWDOWN

• Donut Pros Face Off for $10,000 Prize in Each Episode
• New Canadian Original Series Premieres April 2, 2013 at 10pm ET/PT

Food Network Canada brings viewers eye-popping, out-of-this-world donuts like they’ve never seen before in a competitively entertaining brand new Canadian original series. The battle is on in Donut Showdown as professional donut makers from across North America take the iconic fried dough delicacy to new heights, dishing out their wackiest creations in hopes of devouring the competition and taking home a whopping $10,000 grand prize at the end of every episode. Donut Showdown premieres Tuesday, April 2 at 10pm ET/PT exclusively on Food Network Canada.

Hosted by international food television sensation Danny Boome (The Chew, Recipe Rehab), Donut Showdown brings an expert panel of judges to the diner kitchen to decide which fried treats will make the cut and which ones will cause the judges’ eyes to ‘glaze’ over. David Rocco (David Rocco’s Amalfi Getaway) leads the charge as head judge, joined by fellow esteemed judges culinary expert Maggie McKeown (Recipe to Riches) and popular Toronto restaurateur Zane Caplansky (Caplansky’s Delicatessen).

In each episode of Donut Showdown, the battle begins with three colourful competitors tasked with creating a batch of donuts using three bizarre and unusual secret ingredients. The judges will get a taste of each offering, critiquing each donut on taste, presentation and creativity. The competitor with the weakest donut will be sent home, and the remaining two competitors must go head-to-head in a final battle to make a large batch of donuts based on a theme chosen by the judges. At the end of each episode just one competitor will taste victory, leaving with a sweet $10,000 prize.

Donut Showdown features 42 fiercely competitive donut pros from across North America, with 12 hailing from across Canada including:

· Barb Aiello, Grandad’s Coffee & Donuts in Dundas, ON
· Kristen Boates, Rodney’s By Bay/John & Sons Oyster House in Toronto, ON
· Rachelle Cadwell, Dough By Rachelle in Toronto, ON
· Michelle Edgar, Sweet Escape Patisserie in Toronto, ON
· Amanda Hamer, Barque Smokehouse in Toronto, ON
· Isabelle Loiacono, J’Adore Cakes Co. in Woodbridge, ON
· Rajesh “Rags” Narine, Cartem’s Donuterie in Vancouver, BC
· Rachel Pellet, Emma’s Country Kitchen in Toronto, ON
· Grant Rummel, Chez Boris in Montreal, QC
· Trista Sheen, Crush Wine Bar in Toronto, ON
· Grayson Sherman, Jelly Modern in Calgary, AB
· Josie Weitzenbauer, Leche Desserts Inc. in Montreal, QC

From a media release:

Production Commences on Season 4 of HISTORY®’s CANADIAN PICKERS

• The Pickers travel outside of Canada for the first time on the show in search of the perfect find
• People interested in applying to be on the show can email canadianpickers@cineflix.com

One person’s junk is one Picker’s treasure! Cineflix’s hit series CANADIAN PICKERS is back on the road as production begins on its fourth season. Hosts Scott Cozens and Sheldon Smithens are dusting off their cowboy hats and are back touring the country in search of vintage collectibles and antiques, buying and selling pieces of Canadian history. Cineflix is producing 13 one-hour episodes in association with HISTORY.

This season, the Pickers are set to travel from coast to coast, making stops in Vancouver Island, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Whistler and more Canadian treasure troves. And marking a CANADIAN PICKERS first, the Pickers head across the pond, taking their passion for finding great antiques and collectibles to the UK, this Summer. The Pickers are looking for collecting aficionados with interesting stories, and even more interesting junk! Individuals who are interested on being on the show can apply by emailing canadianpickers@cineflix.com.

The Pickers are also hosting a live auction on March 17 for Season 4. Scott and Sheldon are auctioning off pieces from their personal collections, which they have been accumulating for the past 40 years. The auction, which is being held at Hall’s in Calgary, is open to the public. Bids can be made in person, by phone, absentee bidding, and real time internet bidding. For more details visit www.hallsauction.com.

CANADIAN PICKERS is a Cineflix (Canpick 4) Inc. production, in association with Shaw Media and Astral Media. Executive Producers are Simon Lloyd and Mark Poertner.

For more information on CANADIAN PICKERS visit www.canadianpickers.com.

The Nature of Things, CBC – “Fruit Hunters (Part 1)”
A journey through the exotic, endlessly fascinating world of fruit – a story of nature, commerce and obsession.

Doc Zone, CBC – “The Boomer Revolution”
They turned on, tuned in and dropped out. Now Baby Boomers are revolutionizing what it means to get old.

The Liquidator, OLN – Season 2 Finale “Man Toys”
In the Season 2 finale, Jeff makes a huge gamble when he attempts to sell a slew of used go-karts. He promises the former owner a cash return, but discovers the second-hand wheels are a tough sell.

Undercover Boss Canada, W Network – “Lush”
Canada’s own cosmetic deli and ethical beauty retailer, LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, sends Brandi Halls, Director of Brand Communications, to their frontline to work in disguise in their factories and retail locations.