Is the Food Network coming to Asheville?

I can’t pretend I’m not excited about this: My desk phone rang this afternoon, and on the other end was a producer for a television show called “The Opener.” There is some interest, she says, in filming an episode of the show in Asheville.

After a viewing the trailer (posted below), it seems to me that the food-centric reality show is modeled somewhat in the format of Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares — with a bit less shouting of curses (for good or for ill — “bollocks” is the least of Ramsay’s inspired vitriol).

Here’s the premise: David Adjey, Iron Chef and star of Restaurant Makeover visits newbie restaurateurs and helps whip them into shape. The process and results, says producer Heidi Burbela, will be aired on the Food Network. The show will be featured on Food Network Canada first — there are no firm dates for the Food Network US, but the producers of the show hope to get it on the air. Here’s to hoping they are successful.

From an e-mail received from the producers of the show:

In each episode of … (the) series, Restaurant Consultant David Adjey does whatever it takes to help aspiring restaurateurs get their restaurants open and running successfully for the long haul. We are looking for restaurants that plan to be open within the next couple months. The owners should be compelling characters who would benefit from the advice of an industry expert.

The ideal candidate has the following qualities:

First-time restaurant owner that will be opening within one to six months.
The restaurant cannot be a chain or a franchise.
The restaurant must be full-service.
The restaurant must serve alcohol.
The restaurant must have at least 30 seats.
The owner must want and need the help of a restaurant consultant.
The owner is a great character and has other people helping him.
The owner must be willing to divulge his restaurant budget on camera.
The owner must be open to having us shoot in the restaurant for approximately 10 days.

So if this works out for us, we’ll have even more attention for our food scene.

What do you think Asheville? Have an idea for the perfect candidate? Show your interest by commenting below or sending an e-mail to food@mountainx.com. Let’s figure out how to get the Food Network interested in our town.

Next project: How to get celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain to come to Asheville.