• by Fern Siegel , May 28, 2010

Rocco DiSpirito was introduced to TV audiences in NBC's "The Restaurant." Now the acclaimed chef is teaming with Bravo to create a weekly cooking competition.

In "Rocco's Dinner Party," DiSpirito, who earned his upscale restaurant creds at Manhattan's Union Pacific in 1997, earning the "Most Exciting Young Chef" title from Gourmet, will be grilling some promising chefs.

The premise of the show, still in development, is to give new chefs a chance to throw a dinner party for members of the culinary elite. It works by process of elimination.

Each episode will ask four chefs to create their favorite dish for DiSpirito, who cuts one contestant after sampling. Then he will announce the week's dinner party theme, and the three remaining chefs will create an appetizer and a proposed menu. One more chef is nixed after this effort. The remaining two will concoct a menu served to DiSpirito's discerning guests.

Notional, an IAC company, is teaming with Bravo on this project, which lists DiSpirito as producer. Cori Abraham, vice president, development, Bravo, says the "Dinner Party" pushes the network's goal of "providing additional forums for creative industries like the culinary arts."

DiSpirito has written six cookbooks and received the James Beard Award for "Flavor." His most recent book, "Now Eat This: 150 of America's Fave Comfort Foods All Under 350 Calories," hit the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Best Seller list.

"This partnership with Bravo brings to bear all I love about the craft and artistry of cooking in a setting where I am most comfortable -- the dinner table," stated DiSpirito. "My favorite moments are when I am entertaining for friends and loved ones."

Bravo has been part of NBCU since December 2002.