There is no way that the craft services table for ABC’s new entry into the daytime tv wars serves decaf. Not from the amount of energy I saw on Monday’s premier episode! It was a fast paced show that was a times a little bit on the hyper side, but with good flow, with enough tasty little tidbits to satisfy foodies, but want to make them want to come back for more. And as they promised, a show all about food, family and fun.

The chemistry between the cast was exceptional for a first episode. Clinton Kelly is more ringleader than host, but does a great job of keeping things from going off track for the most part.. It’s a very talented group, with Chef Michael Symon, opening the show with a neat little spin on pork and beans, and another segment later in the show they called "Small Bites" that he used to showcase some of his favorite kitchen gadgets. Dr. Oz’s daughter Daphne appropriately enough showed us "Things My Dad Taught Me." Perfect time for the good doctor himself to pop onset complete with flowers for Daphne, who whipped up a smoothie I’m going online to get the recipe for myself. But when Carla Hall brought out the Betty Crocker recipe box her mom had for the past 30 years, I had found my southern soulmate! I treasure my recipe box from my mom just as dearly. Clinton Kelly settled down long enough to do a neat little bit on taking a regular meal and taking down to an appetizer level. But the show did slow down when they went to Iron Chef Mario Batali, who wasn’t even on the set for their premier show. He was at a charity golf tournament at the National Golf Club in New Jersey, and somehow had a pizza oven with him to do a Margarita Pizza that quite honestly looked a little burned.

I took a look online at some of the other critic’s takes on The Chew, and they were a bit mixed. A few did agree that not have Batali onset looked awkward and slowed the pace, and the cast did tend to get a little hyper at times and talk over each other (see decaf suggestion). It was a lot to pour into a one hour show, and we’ll see how it evolves over time. But I think it’s a good show for daytime. At the end of my long day, not so much. I’ll set the DVR and watch first thing in the morning when I need to channel their energy before my morning walk! The combination of Michael Symon, Mario Batali, Carla Hall, Daphne Oz and Clinton Kelly seems to work, and should the invitation be issued, I’d love to sit in the audience and feel the love myself.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN:

I come from a family that puts food first. Many of my memories include family, holidays, and gatherings. Now, I host many of them, so it's pretty cool - Michael Symon