For immediate release
Chicago, IL - October 2, 2018
CHICAGO – October 2, 2018 – WTTW’s Emmy-winning local restaurant review series CHECK, PLEASE! premieres its 18th season with a familiar face in the hosting chair! Alpana Singh, noted local restaurateur and master sommelier, joins the table on Friday, October 26 at 8:00 pm on WTTW11 and wttw.com/checkplease.
The season will kick off with three Chicagoans – science teacher Michael Bruesch, jewelry designer Don Strzepek, and executive assistant Rebecca Flores – who will compare notes on their experiences at Go 4 Food in Chinatown, Dos Ricco’s in Lincoln Square, and Tied House in Lakeview.
“I’m thrilled to return to one of the most unique and authentic shows in the restaurant and food world,” said Alpana. “Our reviewers don’t hold back this season, and it has been a blast to hear their stories and trade tips on everything that’s happening around the Chicago dining scene.”
“Chicago has some of the best restaurants in the world, and many of them are tucked into neighborhoods where only the locals know how good they are,” said CHECK, PLEASE! Executive Producer David Manilow. “This season is packed with great places and personalities, and we can’t wait until the premiere on October 26.”
CHECK, PLEASE! fans will find new content on the show’s companion social and digital channels – including extra videos with Alpana Singh and David Manilow, who will chat each week about what went on behind the scenes, food and dining trends, and more. Alpana will also contribute weekly website stories about Chicago’s culinary landscape, the changing relationship of people to food, and food and wine tips.
Visitors to wttw.com/checkplease will find video and a review summary of more than 650 eateries reviewed over the course of the series, with new ones added weekly; recipes; links to WTTW’s food-related web series; blogs and much more – an essential resource for dedicated foodies and occasional restaurant goers alike.
CHECK, PLEASE! is produced by Nina Cornell and Maggie Ness, and directed by Marc Shaykin. Associate Directors: Nick Georgouses, Jack Ginay, and Hope Halliburton. Associate Producer: Jasmine White. Post-Production Supervisor: Mark Anderson. Editors: Barbara E. Allen, Tim Jackson, and Wayne Kumingo. Director of Photography: Tom Siegel. Field Lighting: Danny Rozkuszka. Executive Producers: David Manilow and Dan Soles.
About Alpana Singh
Restaurateur (Terra & Vine) and sought-after public speaker Alpana Singh played a significant role in bringing the James Beard Foundation Awards to Chicago, and has been an enthusiastic ambassador for the local restaurant scene. She received the Sommelier of the Year Wine Star award from Wine Enthusiast, was named one of Food & Wine’s Sommeliers of the Year. Alpana served as host of CHECK, PLEASE! from 2003-2013.
About CHECK, PLEASE!
WTTW’s Emmy-winning restaurant review series Check, Please! and its continually rotating trio of “regular people” restaurant reviewers have exposed Chicagoans to local eateries across a wide span of neighborhoods, cuisines, ethnicities, and price points – encouraging viewers to experience all that the Chicago area’s vibrant and diverse dining scene has to offer – on-air, on social, and online. Series host Alpana Singh creates a warm atmosphere and facilitates a lively discussion with the guests.
About WTTW
WTTW is the PBS member station in Chicago, committed to creating and presenting unique media content across distinct television and digital channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, WTTW Create/WTTW World, WTTW PBS Kids 24/7, wttw.com and the PBS/WTTW video app. Recognized for award-winning journalism and local productions such as Chicago Tonight, Chicago River Tour, Check, Please!, the digital-first series Urban Nature and Chefs Off the Clock and the national productions 10 That Changed America, Soundstage, and Nature Cat, WTTW presents the very best in public affairs, arts and culture, nature and science, history and documentary, and children’s public media content. Connect with WTTW on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
