Carrabba's Italian Grill Featured On TLC's Next Great Baker

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- America can watch Carrabba's Italian Grill founder Damian Mandola as guest judge alongside Buddy Valastro on TLC's Next Great Baker on Monday, January 14^th at 9/8c. The contestants enjoy a hand-prepared meal at the Secaucus, New Jersey Carrabba's for inspiration to prepare a cake reminding them of a Sunday Italian supper as part of the show's Elimination Challenge. Buddy and Damian judge the inspired cakes to choose a winner and also eliminate a baker from the competition.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130102/FL35087 )

"Family traditions and recipes from four generations inspire what Carrabba's is today," said Damian Mandola, Founder of Carrabba's Italian Grill. "Hosting Buddy and the contestants of Next Great Baker allowed us to showcase our Italian hospitality. They created amazing cakes inspired by delicious handmade Italian food made with the freshest ingredients."

Buddy and the contestants enjoyed Carrabba's signature dishes like Chicken Bryan and Penne Franco. Customers may experience these dishes every day in their nearby Carrabba's and now for a special price on Amore Mondays. Items like these will be featured in a price fixe menu available on Monday only. This menu offers an even more affordable way to savor the best of Carrabba's starting at just $12.

Dolce means "sweet" in Italian and it means dessert at Carrabba's. Just like in Italy, Carrabba's uses the freshest ingredients and authentic Italian techniques for their desserts.  Carrabba's signature Dessert Rosa is named after Damian's sister Rose, who created this delicious layered dessert, made with fresh strawberries and bananas, moist cake and custard.

For more information about Carrabba's Italian Grill, visit www.carrabbas.com, facebook.com/carrabbas or follow us on Twitter @carrabbas. For more information about NEXT GREAT BAKER, visit tlc.com/nextgreatbaker or follow TLC on Twitter @TLC.

Carrabba's Italian Grill® was founded by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in Houston, Texas in 1986, and features hand-prepared family recipes made from the finest ingredients and prepared to order in an exhibition kitchen.  Best known for its wood-burning grill, Carrabba's is inspired by the many tastes of Italy.  Signature dishes like Chicken Bryan, Pollo Rosa Maria and, of course, Marsala are enhanced by the taste of the grill.  Other house specialties include Signature Pastas, with sauces made from scratch every day and traditional dishes such as Calamari, Margherita Pizza and Chicken Parmesan. Today, there are 234 Carrabba's Italian Grill locations around the country, run by passionate local proprietors focused on delighting guests with fresh, made-to-order Italian cuisine and the ultimate dining experience.

NEXT GREAT BAKER follows as Buddy "CAKE BOSS" Valastro searches for the next rising star in the world of cakes, cookies, and all things sweet. The hit competition series is currently in its third season and finds a "bakers dozen" of aspiring pastry chefs as they mix it up in an effort to win $100,000, a feature in Redbook Magazine, and a chance to work side-by-side with Buddy and his team at Carlo's Bakery. The series airs Mondays at 9/8c, only on TLC.

SOURCE Carrabba's Italian Grill