Plot Synopsis

Chef Richard Blais uses hidden-camera experiments and man-on-the-street taste tests to reveal surprising facts about the inner workings of the brain, changing the way people think about food. In each 30-minute episode of HUNGRY GAMES, Richard and guest food experts investigate the psychology and science behind decisions about -- and cravings for -- one type of food: ice cream, pizza, burgers, diner food, bar food, or barbecue. In the "Ice Cream Games" episode, Richard performs an Ice Cream Truck Jingle experiment, testing the effect of music on the amount of business. Then, he creates an addictive new flavor with ice cream guru Sam Mason, and learns how expectations play into cravings with a bizarre new variety of ice cream. Subsequent episodes include: "Pizza Games," where Richard reveals the surprising role of smell when it comes to tasting favorite pizza toppings; "Burger Games," as Richard works with a team of burger chef veterans including Justin Warner, Pat LaFrieda Jr. and Kat Odell to make the ultimate burger; "Diner Games," which reveals a secret language that cooks use to keep track of tons of orders from memory alone; "Bar Food Games," during which Richard puts the myths about spicy food fixes to the test by cooking up spicy wings with Chef Dale Talde; and "Barbecue Games," as Richard sets up an experiment to see just how much that smoky smell can get people hungry. Food Network aired a sneak-peek episode of this series on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 10pm ET/PT, one day before the program's official series premiere on Monday, October 20 at 8pm ET/PT.
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Food Network first aired the Season 1 finale of HUNGRY GAMES on Monday, November 17, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT. In the season ender, "Barbecue Games," Richard Blais aims to smoke out the secrets of why we crave barbecue, setting up an experiment to see just how much that smoky smell can get us hungry, the psychological reason why mom's home-cooked food tastes the best and what it takes to create the perfect barbecue sauce that hits each of your fives primary tastes, making your brain crave more.