Food Network to air Las Vegas-themed shows

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 9:33 a.m.

The Food Network (Cox cable channel 42) begins a week of Las Vegas-themed programming, airing several of its culinary shows that were taped here earlier this month.

Five installments of the wildly popular "Emeril Live" show, hosted by celebrity chef and local restaurateur Emeril Lagasse, were taped before a live audience at the Venetian. The shows will air at 5 p.m. today through Friday (repeating each night at 8 p.m.)

Also today "Calling All Cooks" (7:30 and 10:30 p.m.) follows a former showgirl celebrating Mardi Gras in Las Vegas. On Tuesday (at 7 and 10 p.m.) "It's a Surprise!" will host a casino birthday party.

On Wednesday "Cooking Live" host Sara Moulton demonstrates how to host a casino party at home (4 p.m.), followed by Al Roker, who takes a look at dining options on the Strip (6 and 9 p.m.) and a "Viva Las Vegas" version of "Bill Boggs Corner Table," featuring interviews with Penn & Teller, the Smothers Brothers, David Cassidy and Tommy Tune (7 and 10 p.m.).

"The Best Of ..." will explore dining at local casinos, including the Venetian, Caesars Palace and Bellagio (6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday). On Friday (at 6 and 9 p.m.) "Gordon Elliott's Door Knock Dinners" joins a wedding celebration at Rosemary's restaurant on West Sahara Avenue.

The Las Vegas programming wraps up Saturday (6 and 9 p.m.) with "Viva Lagasse," a special that was taped at the Food Network Live! event held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Sept. 16, featuring Lagasse and other chefs from the network.