The Food Network is busy this fall launching new programs, including one of the hottest "Iron Chef" seasons to date. What consumers are watching will directly impact specialty food and kitchenware sales during the holiday season. You might even consider planning your own special program. So, here's a sneak peek into what's coming in October:

"Alex's Day Off" (working title)
Alex Guarnaschelli, professional chef, working mom and passionate home cook, invites you along for a unique culinary journey. Playful, poetic and downright funny, she'll make you think about food and cooking in a whole new way. For Guarnaschelli, cooking is sensual, personal and pleasurable, and she wants to share it with you. Her recipes are down-to-earth, sophisticated and a bit sassy -- just like her.
Launches: Sunday, Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
Time Slots: Sundays at 9:30 a.m.

"The Next Iron Chef" Season 2
(Premieres on Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 22 at 9 p.m.)
Kitchen Stadium once again opens its doors to find a new culinary warrior in the sizzling prime-time series "The Next Iron Chef." Hosted by Alton Brown ("Good Eats," "Iron Chef America"), the reality competition premieres on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and will challenge 10 top chefs from around the country in a series of demanding situations, testing their culinary skills and mental toughness. This season, the series -- with the help of sponsor American Airlines -- will take the contestants from Los Angeles to Japan to New York to compete in the food fight of their professional lives. They will be challenged to create dishes that represent a variety of world cultures and cuisines. Whether working with exotic ingredients like jellyfish, creating their own version of international "fast food" or experiencing umami with sponsor Kikkoman, the chefs must demonstrate their speed, artistry, innovation and leadership in each dish. With the help of the judges -- Donatella Arpaia (acclaimed restaurateur and food expert, owner of Anthos, Mia Dona and Kefi), Jeffrey Steingarten (food critic, Vogue, New York) and Anya Fernald (sustainable food consultant, San Francisco) -- the contestants will be narrowed down until two remain to battle it out in Kitchen Stadium and earn the right to be called Iron Chef. The winner will join the ranks of Mario Batali, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and Michael Symon, and be launched into instant fame as a member of the chairman's team on "Iron Chef America."

"Good Eats" 10th Anniversary Special
(Saturday, Oct. 10 at 10 p.m.)
Celebrate with Alton Brown and Food Network the 10th anniversary of the hit series "Good Eats." With the specials "Good Eats: Eat This Rock" and "Behind the Eats" at 8 p.m.-10 p.m. leading up to the 10 p.m. anniversary event special.

Tailgate Party Weekend Cooking Block
(Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Plan your next blowout football party or big game tailgate menu with the help of Food Network's top talents. With premiere episodes from "30 Minute Meals," "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," "Down Home with the Neelys," "Paula's Best Dishes," "Cooking for Real," "Giada at Home" and "Ask Aida."

"Tailgate Warriors With Guy Fieri"
(Saturday, Oct. 17 at 9 p.m.)
Tune in for Guy Fieri's new football food special, "Tailgate Warriors with Guy Fieri," Oct. 17 at 9 p.m. as part of a football party theme night also featuring "Unwrapped: Tailgating Goodies" at 10 p.m.

Food Network's Sweets And Treats Weekend
(Oct. 24 and Oct. 25)
First, Food Network's weekend cooking blocks serve up sweets and Halloween treats from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26, featuring premiere episodes from "5 Ingredient Fix," "30 Minute Meals," "Barefoot Contessa," "Big Daddy's House," "Cooking For Real," "Down Home with the Neelys," "Guy's Big Bite," "Paula's Best Dishes," "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," "Sandra's Money-Saving Meals" and "Alex's Day Off." Next, Food Network at night will feature a premiere special, "Extreme Sweets" at 9 p.m., followed by two Halloween-themed episodes from "Ace of Cakes," 10 p.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25 will feature a premiere "Challenge: Horror Cakes" at 8 p.m. and an "Iron Chef America" premiere, "Cat Cora Battle" at 9 p.m.

"Challenge: Edible Cities 2" (F)
They say Rome wasn't built in a day. But at "Challenge," two teams of pastry chefs have just eight hours to create an entire city out of chocolate, sugar and cereal treats. That means the skyline, the buildings and the life within the city. The team that best captures the spirit of their chosen city will earn $10,000 and a gold medal.
Premiere Air Date: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.
Repeats: Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 11 at 5 p.m.

"Good Eats: Eat This Rock" (F)
Host Alton Brown takes an hour-long and loving look at the only rock we
eat: salt. Learn what it is, where it comes from, how it makes everything taste better, and how to apply it in some unusually delicious ways.
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.
Repeats: Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m./3 a.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m.

"Challenge: Sugar Adventures" (F)
Four top pastry chefs face off to create amazing sugar showpieces inspired by four classic adventure novels. The competitor that best captures in sugar the heart-stopping moments of these riveting stories wins $10,000 and a gold medal.
Premiere Air Date: Sunday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.
Repeats: Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.

"Unwrapped: Football Parties" (F) (1/2 hour)
In this episode of "Unwrapped," Marc Summers explores tailgating temptations. First, stop by Quizno's and check out how they serve up subs and learn how Dixie creates cups. Couldn't get tickets to the game? Head over to ESPN Zone to see what they serve up on a typical game day and much, much more!
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.

"Unwrapped: Fan Fare" (F) (1/2 hour)
Join the crowd as host Marc Summers tackles fan fare at ballparks and arenas. First up, we'll find the prize inside Cracker Jack. Then, we'll race to Klement's Sausage in Wisconsin and find out what makes their bratwurst No. 1 with fans. Superpretzels are putting a new twist on rooting for the home team and what's better for dipping than Gehl's ooey-gooey nacho cheese sauce! Wash it all down with Minute Maid soft frozen lemonade -- a summertime hit -- and have you ever heard of Churros? Get ready to score big with this tasty stadium dessert.
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 8:30 p.m./3:30 a.m.

"Unwrapped: Tailgating Goodies" (F) (1/2 hour)
Host Marc Summers is tailgating for this episode! First, we find out what Texas tailgaters throw on their grill at game time. Then, we're off to see the folks at Sara Lee, who say their buns are extra soft and smooth! Next, Samuel Adams makes a great companion to a tailgate party: beer! Then, we're off to visit with former footballer Mark Schlereth and to taste his Stinkin' Good Green Chili. Next, we find out why Doritos chips have those nice rounded corners. Finally, nobody knows mustard like Plochman's! We go to their factory to get the story.
Premiere Air Date: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 p.m./1 a.m.
Encore Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 p.m./2:30 a.m.

"Challenge: Outrageous Pumpkins" (F)
Four of the country's best amateur pumpkin carvers square off to put a new face on a Halloween classic. There are three rounds of competition: the traditional jack-o'-lantern, 3-D pumpkin carving, and a freestyle round where anything goes. The winner takes home $10,000 and a gold medal.
Encore Repeat Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.
Encore Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.

"Halloween Sweets Unwrapped" (F)
Don't be scared, because today on "Unwrapped," host Marc Summers is going door to door searching for frighteningly fun Halloween sweets. First, learn how to jump-start your jack-o'-lantern with carving kits from Pumpkin Masters. Then, we'll get the scoop on lots of spooky treats … like M&M's. Follow along at the Mars factory to see how they make the candies with the colorful shell. Plus, we're going grape, in our search to see what's inside that classic hard candy called Grapeheads. Also, we'll discover the secret to turning Junior Mints inside out and learn a few lessons about the stack of sweets called Smarties. And ever wonder what makes Dove chocolate so decadent? We'll find out, and we'll check out what it takes to make the world's largest popcorn ball. You're gonna want to see the inside story on Snickers candy bars and don't miss the candy teeth that would scare any dentist. Next, we're doin' the mash … the Cherry Mash, which is a Midwestern favorite. Finally, we'll get a creepy crawly look inside the Gummi Worm factory, and then we're heading to the science lab to investigate what gives Pop Rocks their mysterious crackle.
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m./3 a.m.

"Ace of Cakes … Ghoul's, Ghosts And Chocolate" (F)
CCC has some killer cakes on the books this week with a haunted chapel w/zombie bride & groom. And it's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown cake, and a 6-foot long replica of a Hershey Bar for Milton Hershey School's 100th birthday.
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10 p.m./1 a.m.
Repeats: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.

"A Semi-Homemade Halloween With Sandra Lee" (F)
Throwing a happening haunted Halloween celebration doesn't have to be a harrowing experience. With all the tricks and treats that Sandra has up her sleeve, you'll be done before you can say, "Hocus pocus!" Listen to this Halloween Hit list: Mini Pumpkin Pudding Petit Fours, Caramelized Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Cheese Cake bites, Orange & Black Pizza, Gummy Wormy Cupcakes, a Black Magic Martini and a casket cake that's to die for! It's a sensationally spooky Semi-Homemade Halloween that will have all your guests screaming with delight!
Encore Repeat Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 at 8 a.m.

"Secret Life Of … Halloween" (F)
Halloween! When candy is appetizer, entrée and dessert, Jim O'Connor discovers the trick behind making Halloween's most famous treat -- those tasty, three-colored kernels of candy corn. But behind the mask, Halloween also has a grown-up menu … a medieval cake that was the very first Halloween treat, and the tempting delights of Mexico's feast for Day of the Dead. And, believe it or not, there's a way to dress up a very healthy meal and make it scary enough for Halloween.
Encore Repeat Date: Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.
Repeats: Friday, Oct. 30 at 11 p.m./2 a.m.

"Challenge: Haunted Gingerbread House" (F)
There goes the neighborhood! Santa Claus and his reindeer are out, and ghosts and goblins are in as a Christmas classic gets a Halloween makeover. The art of gingerbread building takes a giant leap forward as four pastry chefs build not only haunted houses, but a spooky slime-filled cave and a Spanish galleon manned by skeleton sailors. Who knew something so sweet could be so ... scary!
Encore Repeat Date: Saturday, Oct. 31 at 9 p.m./12 a.m.