Move over Andrew Zimmern. There's another star in the neighborhood.

Scott Pampuch, executive chef at the Minnesota Valley Country Club in Bloomington and formerly of Corner Table in Minneapolis, is host of a three-part TV series on Ovation that will be broadcast next week, Monday through Wednesday, at 7 p.m.

"In Search of Food" visits Boulder, Colo., on the Monday episode, where Scott meets up with activist lunch lady, Ann Cooper (right), who has been a vocal supporter of improving school lunch. She challenges Scott to prepare lunch for 1,000 kids on a budget of $1.15 per child. Can he do it?On the Tuesday show, Scott heads to Virginia and meets with Joel Salatin (below), the farmer at Polyface Farms, who offers a different kind of test for Scott: to show a busy family how to make a day's worth of healthy meals from local produce.

In the final episode on Wednesday, Scott goes to San Diego and faces another kitchen dare: to make a raw vegan meal at the avocado farm of musician Jason Mraz (below).Scott had appeared as a guest in an episode of last year's "In Search of Food," with then-host Barton Seaver."When the show was renewed, they asked me if I was interested in putting my hat in the ring, and the next thing I knew, they said they would be sending me a contract," said Scott."Quite honestly, after the initial shock, I called Andrew Zimmern and said 'I think I need some help'. He was a great help in navigating this, a bit of a mentor."In addition to the site visits for the three shows, Scott headed to New York, where the production company is based, to do some voiceover work. "Standing in the recording studio for a good six to eight hours and watching myself was all very strange. It was fun and an amazing opportunity," Scott said. "I've seen the final product and I love it." The shows cover the big topics in the food world, from childhood obesity, schools, busy families, local foods, vegetarians and vegans. "It's a good way to have a conversation," Scott said.

He's planning a viewing party, open to the public, for the final broadcast on Wednesday. The event will be held at Saga Hill Cooking & Events, 2400 N. 2nd Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. (the show airs from 7 to 7:30 p.m.). Though the event is free, Scott asks for attendees to register at Eventbrite. However, donations (cash or check) can be made at the event to Laughing Loon Farm.For more information, email him at scott.pampuch@gmail.com or see http://scottpampuch.com/.