Denver chef Justin Brunson to host meat-centric Food Network pilot

Denverites are probably already familiar with chef Justin Brunson’s love of meat; his restaurant, Old Major, is pretty much a shrine to swine.

Now, Brunson is bringing his meaty obsession to a broader audience. Over the summer, the chef shot a pilot for the TV show “SEARious Meat,” which is set to debut on the Cooking Channel and Food Network next week.

“It’s so much different than anything I’ve ever done before,” Brunson said. “We want to teach people about food and meat and sustainability and where it all comes from.”

The Food Network had been trying to get Brunson on various shows for a while, but he waited for the perfect fit. He told them he’d like to do his own show and he’d like to do it on meat.

They obviously liked the concept. We’ll get to see it for ourselves when “SEARious Meat” airs on the Cooking Channel Oct. 18 and the Food Network on Oct. 20.

Here’s how the Food Network’s describes the show: “Renowned carnivore and chef, Justin Brunson, ditches his restaurants for the road and a mouthwatering mission. Join him city-by-city as he steps into the protein-rich kitchens of some SEARious meat savants, to taste and celebrate their savory creations.”

Brunson said that he only filmed one episode, shot entirely in Denver. While he would neither confirm nor deny which meaty restaurants make guest appearances, but based on some social media posts, it looks like he visited Rolling Smoke BBQ and Meadowlark Kitchen.

“Now it’s all about ratings and seeing if people like me on TV or think I’m an idiot,” Brunson said of future episodes. “If it goes, it goes, and if not it was really fun. I got to show off some very talented friends of mine.”

SEARious Meats: Cooking Channel Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. and Food Network Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m.

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