Guess what, fact fans? NBC has a new cookery reality show in the, uh, oven. "The Chopping Block" has been described as a sort of "Hell's Kitchen" meets "Top Chef", and the star will be Marco Pierre White. (In fact, the show comes from Granada America, which co-produces "Hell's Kitchen"...)

"The Chopping Block" (don't know about you, but I'm getting a massive kick out of that pun) will feature potential chefs competing in actual couples in a bid to win their own restaurant. The eight couples will be split into two teams, with each team assigned side-by-side restaurant spaces in Manhattan. They'll face a series of tasks (not all massively cookery-sounding, it must be said) like designing the space and generating buzz for their establishments.

A panel of judges will evaluate the contenders' efforts and professional food critics will review the restaurants and render a verdict the next morning. Every week, one couple from the worst-performing eatery will be sent home.

NBC reality chief Craig Plestis claims Marco Pierre White is key to viewing success here, because - and spot the faint praise if you can - the chef gives the show "credibility times 25."

"He's the original rock-and-roll chef," says Plestis. "Food is his life, the core of his being. He won't accept second best from these contestants. And he made Gordon Ramsay cry, so he's going to make some of our people cry, too, I'm sure." Let's hope!

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