Rocco's Dinner Party is an American reality

Reality television

Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...

 competition show that airs on the cable television

Cable television

Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...

 network Bravo. Each week, three chefs are challenged to craft the perfect dinner party for celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito

Rocco DiSpirito

Rocco DiSpirito is an Italian American chef based in New York City.-Life and career:DiSpirito was born in Queens, New York City, New York. He graduated in 1986 from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and in 1990 from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in business...

 and his guests. The contestants are judged on their cooking, service, and décor. The winner of each episode wins $20,000 (USD).

Show format

In each episode, three chefs are chosen to compete against each other to create a dinner party for host Rocco DiSpirito

Rocco DiSpirito

Rocco DiSpirito is an Italian American chef based in New York City.-Life and career:DiSpirito was born in Queens, New York City, New York. He graduated in 1986 from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and in 1990 from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in business...

and his celebrity guests. The competition consists of two rounds. During the first round, the chefs have one shot at impressing Rocco by creating their signature dish. He selects two chefs to advance to the final round, wherein they must plan and execute the perfect dinner party. Each episode has a theme around which the contestants must base their cuisine and dining experience; this theme guides each contestant to develop his own menu and create a unique party concept. At the end of party, Rocco declares the winner and the winning chef takes home the prize of $20,000.

Episode 1: Speakeasy

On the premiere episode of Rocco’s Dinner Party, Executive Chef of Copper Fish on Broadway Geoffrey Johnson, Harlem-based Executive Sous Chef Joseph “J.J.” Johnson and caterer Britt Kurent compete to throw a speakeasy-inspired dinner party. The chefs must create a prohibition-era supper club complete with reminiscent food and décor to impress special guest, chef, and restaurateur Marcus Samuelsson. Other guests include actor and interior designer Bryan Batt (Mad Men), actress Christine Ebersole, television host Kelly Choi, actor Michael Kenneth Williams (Boardwalk Empire, The Wire), and media critic Bill McCuddy.

• WINNER: J.J.
  • RUNNER-UP: Geoffrey
    • ELIMINATED: Britt
• First Aired: June 15, 2011

Episode 2: The Mystery Guest

Chef and New York restaurant owner King Phojanakang, high school culinary teacher Joel Gargano, and private chef Michelle Karam compete to create the perfect dinner party for Rocco’s mystery guest. Armed with a dossier of details on their guest of honor, and with $20,000 at stake, the chefs must design their meal around the secret guest’s particular passions –- a star in the culinary community with a taste for travel, a love of spices and a preference for the unfussy. Guests include comedian D.L. Hughley, style and beauty expert Mary Alice Stephenson, Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, fashion designer Gilles Mendel, and Glamour magazine Editor-In-Chief Cindi Leive.

• WINNER: Joel
  • RUNNER-UP: King
    • ELIMINATED: Michelle
• First Aired: June 22, 2011

Episode 3: Mangia! Mangia!

The stakes are high as identical Italian twin brothers Fabrizio and Nicola Carro, along with New Jersey caterer Ninamarie Bojekian compete to impress an assembly of Italian elite, including Italian food icon Silvano Marchetto. The chefs face the challenge of turning friends into family with a traditional Italian family style dinner. Guests include The Real Housewives of New Jersey’s Caroline and Albert Manzo, television host Sara Gore, comedian Tammy Pescatelli, and singer Joey Fatone.

• WINNER: Fabrizio
  • RUNNER-UP: Ninamarie
    • ELIMINATED: Nicola
• First Aired: June 29, 2011

Episode 4: Summer in the City

Executive Chef Ryan Poli, Private Chef Jennifer De Palma, and cityhouse’s Executive Chef Fabio Capparelli set out to create the most delicious dinner party, with a healthy spin. To take home the $20,000, Rocco's chefs must cook their version of recipes from Rocco's guilt-free bestseller, Now Eat This! Diet, yet with all the flavor of the typical higher calorie fare. Guests include editor in chief of Fitness magazine Betty Wong, Olympic trainer and author Joe Downdell, Oscar-nominated actor Chazz Palmintieri, comedian Jeffrey Ross, event producer Jung Lee and Sports Illustrated model Damaris Lewis.

• WINNER: Jennifer
  • RUNNER-UP: Ryan
    • ELIMINATED: Fabio
• First Aired: July 6, 2011

Episode 5: Town and Country

Connecticut housewife and cooking school owner Nicole Strait, Australian airline chef Corey Roberts, and New York-based vegan chef Ayinde Howell compete to capture the sophisticated taste and glamour of “Town” coupled with the rustic farm to table simplicity of “Country.” The chefs must transform Rocco’s dining rooms and create a phenomenal menu worthy of the $20,000 prize. Guests include acclaimed chef of Picholine and Artisinal Terrance Brennan, actor Christian Campbell (Big Love), New York City Ballet principal ballerina Tiler Peck, actress Melissa Joan Hart, singer Deborah Cox, and food(ography) host Mo Rocca.

• WINNER: Corey
  • RUNNER-UP: Nicole
    • ELIMINATED: Ayinde
• First Aired: July 13, 2011

Episode 6: French Cuisine

Chef Daniel Vater, caterer Vanessa Cantave, and biscotti baker Natalie Stone have to whip up a French-themed dinner party using recipes from Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking as inspiration.

• WINNER: Vanessa
  • RUNNER-UP: Natalie
    • ELIMINATED: Daniel
• First Aired: July 20, 2011

Episode 7: Bangers 'N Cash

Veteran Executive Chef Kevin Gaudreau, modernist Chef de Partie Janet Kim (from Gordon Ramsey’s The London), and upstart Executive Chef Chris Calcagno throw a gastropub-themed dinner party. In attempts to capture this hot culinary trend, Rocco’s chefs must elevate British pub food without the stuffy air of fine dining. Even more challenging will be to convince British television host Cat Deeley that she’s not far from home. Guests include actress Raven Symone, actor Christopher McDonald, founder and creative director of Desiron, Frank Carfaro, New York Times food writer Amanda Hesser. and restaurateur Ken Oringer.

• WINNER: Kevin
  • RUNNER-UP: Janet
    • ELIMINATED: Chris
• First Aired: July 27, 2011

Episode 8: Runway Ready

Brooklyn caterer Sharon Robustelli, executive private chef Frank Otte, and jock-turned-sous-chef Bill Haley compete to create a line of dishes inspired by both handmade, high-end fashion, and mass produced, ready-to-wear clothing. Rocco challenges the chefs to become trendsetters, while fashion designer Nicole Miller shows up to surprise the chefs with an additional twist. Guests include Hairspray star Nikki Blonsky, American Public Media's Dinner Party Download co-hosts Rico Gagliano and Brendan Newnam, Project Runway finalist Kara Janx, TV Host and Early Show contributor Katrina Szish.

• WINNER: Frank
  • RUNNER-UP: Sharon
    • ELIMINATED: Bill
• First Aired: August 3, 2011

Episode 9: Perfect Pairings

Achieving the perfect intimate and romantic dinner party is never easy. On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, NY caterer Vicki Ferentinos, Minneapolis food truck chef Chris Thompson, and cooking hobbyist (with a Wall Street day job!) Yuki Tsutsui vie for $20,000 as Rocco honors The Daily Show's real life couple Jason Jones and Samantha Bee with a 10th anniversary celebration. The food and decor have to work together to inspire an atmosphere of festive romance while honoring the spirit of this comedic couple.

• WINNER: Vicki
  • RUNNER-UP: Chris
    • ELIMINATED: Yuki
• First Aired: August 10, 2011

Episode 10: Liza with a 'B!

On this episode of Rocco's Dinner Party, healthy caterer Frank Picchione, opera singer Lucia Palmieri and restaurant owner/chef Antonio Bettencourt vie to throw the best bash ever for Liza Minnelli's 65th Birthday. There's $20,000 at stake; as well as some serious bragging rights- as the chefs compete to throw a fete worthy of the incomparable Liza with a Z!

• WINNER: Frank
  • RUNNER-UP: Lucia
    • ELIMINATED: Antonio
• First Aired: August 17, 2011