Food Network’s new sibling

The Cooking Channel debuts on May 31 and will feature new, original shows and programs being introduced to a U.S. audience from overseas markets.

The lineup was announced yesterday, according to The Wrap website. Premieres include Unique Eats, which finds America’s most revolutionary restaurants; Drink Up! hosted by a mixologist; Foodcrafters, which looks for handmade food secrets across the country; and Foodography, which examines the past, present, and future of classic and trendy foods. And much more.

The programming targets "a hipper crowd interested in the grassroots of food and culture," according to The New York Times. The new channel replaces the Fine Living Network, the newspaper said.

Besides newcomers to the Scripps Networks channel, there also will be familiar names like Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, and Bobby Flay on the shows. There’s also a spinoff of Food Network’s Iron Chef called Cook Like an Iron Chef.

Let the food-show competition begin.

Photo: Emeril Lagasse will host Emeril’s Fresh Food Start on the Cooking Channel.