☞ SEE: Harlem Chefs on New Bravo Show

New York celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito premiered a new show on the Bravo network last night called Rocco's Dinner Party in which competing chefs try to come up with the best dinner party design and service for his notable guests. The concept became even more interesting when local uptowner J.J. Johnson appears on the first episode and the dinner party theme is a 1920's Prohibition speakeasy setting.  The Harlem chef decides to go with a Harlem speakeasy concept but then one of DiSpririto's guests ends up being from Harlem himself.  Video after the jump.

What is interesting about these shows now is that the celebrity hosts are no longer neutral but kind of aggressive and pushy in their criticism. Chef Johnson is a little late getting the second course of wild mushrooms out, so the surprise Harlem guest is brought back to the kitchen to embarrass the contestant to get things going quicker.  This dramatic tactic seems to be another way for the show to grab viewer attention but the best element of this episode is the very positive light on Harlem's culinary scene and history.  Bravo usually has repeats before the new episode every weeks so check it out next Wednesday.