Adam Richman to host new series 'Food Fighters'

LOS ANGELES, July 22 (UPI) —

Adam Richman’s new series Food Fighters premieres Tuesday on NBC.

The 40-year-old television personality plays host on the culinary competition program. The show sees professional chefs attempt to create improved versions of amateur cooks’ signature dishes and secret family recipes.

The premiere comes just weeks after Richman’s controversial comments on Instagram. The host faced backlash in June when he posted a picture to highlight his 70-pound weight loss and included the hashtag "#thinspiration." The term is often used in pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia communities, and Richman responded to objections with comments like, "Grab a razor blade and draw a bath. I doubt anyone will miss you."

Richman’s series Man Finds Food was scheduled to debut July 2 on the Travel Channel, but the network chose to delay the premiere due to a "scheduling change" after the Instagram controversy. Richman apologized for his remarks shortly after the backlash, and apologized again Tuesday on Today.

"I lashed out in just a really inappropriate, really crude way," he admitted. "I’m incredibly sorry about my actions… So many people worked so hard on Food Fighters, and these home cooks cooked their hearts out, that I would hate, just hate, for my lapse of judgement to overshadow some really great work."

Food Fighters premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.