Local Chef Dana Downs was contacted by the Food Network early this year regarding being on a program. That program was Guy Fieri Grocery Games. Downs traveled to Santa Rosa, California in February for a 17-hour filming of Grocery Games. Downs stated that she had no idea of the ingredients available or the challenge. Chef Downs says this was both exciting and terrifying all at the same time.
Downs goes on to stress that it is a real supermarket (with no customers) and all of the products and food are real. While it’s nice, Chef Downs states this is NO Dorothy Lane Market. Downs mentions that the food from the program is donated to the local food banks of Santa Rosa.
After the filming of Grocery Games, Chef Downs was contacted again and asked if she had any kind of grudge against another chef. Quickly she recalled situations with Matt Klum, who worked for Downs at her restaurant in Kettering. Downs gave her story to the Food Network and both she and Klum were asked to settle the grudge on TV as part of Super Chef Grudge Match, produced by Guy Fieri and hosted by Darnell Ferguson a three-time contestant on Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions. Ferguson has ties to both Louisville, KY, and Columbus, OH where he grew up.
Super Chef Grudge Match was filmed at Warner Brothers and took about 13 hours. The match airs on the Food Network at 9pm tonight (December 26, 2023) but will re-air 12 times. Chef Downs episode of Grocery Games will air on January 3, 2024, at 9pm on the Food Network.
Downs stated that working with Guy Fieri was impressive. He is down to earth and truly one of the sweetest humans she has met. He is a mentor and friend and helps all along the way.
Chef Downs is honored to have been contacted and cast in two shows. Downs states this is a huge honor for Dayton Ohio and speaks to the extensive food scene in Dayton and the quality of the chefs. The Food Network states that over 20,000 applicants reach out annually for involvement in their productions. Chef Downs did not apply. She was contacted by the Food Network. Chef Downs is unaware of how they found out about her but is truly honored and says this was one of the best experiences of her life.
Locally you can find Chef Downs at Roost Modern Italian in Dayton’s historic Oregon District. Matt Klum is now a District Sales Representative at Premier ProduceOne.
