Martha Stewart in the kitchen with new baking show

[February 01, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The oven is on, Martha Stewart is in the kitchen, and class is in session.

Stewart is adding a new show dedicated to teaching the basics of baking to the growing list of programs her company produces for the Hallmark Channel, the cable network to which she moved her daily show, "The Martha Stewart Show," in the fall.

Stewart's initial ratings after the move were disappointing, but she says they have improved and she believes viewers looking to learn -- rather than simply be entertained -- will appreciate the 13-episode "Martha Bakes" series.

The format of the series -- Stewart in the kitchen walking viewers step-by-step through recipes -- is at odds with much of the most popular food television today, which favors competitions and other reality-based programs.

"I don't think that I was put here on earth to sing and dance while I'm cooking," she says. "I'm a good teacher and I think that this show shows that and really accentuates how important a good recipe is and how exacting a science baking is."

The series will cover 13 basic recipes, such as puff pastry, cheesecake and yellow cake, as well as ways to transform them into other recipes.

Other Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia series on the channel include "Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn" and "Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer." Stewart also will produce a new series for the channel starring Emeril Lagasse.

[Associated Press; By J.M. HIRSCH]

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