TLC & Discovery Family to Premiere UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD, Today

Celebrity chefs are the rock stars of the food world, but it's easy to forget that even the most successful chefs had to start somewhere. On Thursday, November 17, TLC & Discovery Family Channel explore the lives of three celebrity chefs and their individual missions to help others and give back to the community in the one-hour special UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD, based on the best-selling cookbook by Hilary Gumbel, with all royalties donated to The U.S. Fund for UNICEF (The United Nations Children's Fund). The special will premiere at 7/6c on TLC followed by an encore presentation at 9/8c on Discovery Family Channel.

In UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD, produced by Discovery Studios, chefs Sandra Lee, Ming Tsai and Donatella Arpaia allow viewers unprecedented access into their private worlds as they visit the people and causes that inspire their passion for giving. Highlighting the initiatives and innovations that the chefs spearhead in their personal time, including their volunteer work with UNICEF, Family Reach, City Harvest and God's Love We Deliver, the special documents those whose lives are being touched firsthand while also exploring the many ways the chefs are being changed in the process. UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD explores each chef's roots through never-before-seen photos and home videos in an effort to understand how their modest upbringings led to lifelong missions to give back in very big ways. The common ingredient that influences these masters of the culinary universe is their deep connection to their roots and a strong desire to use their fame and success to help those in need.

"UniChef: Uniting Through Food is more than a television special or book," said executive producer and author Hilary Gumbel. "It's about how we unite with our favorite chefs to give thanks, help others and create a recipe with the core ingredients of compassion and love."

In support of the world premiere of UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD, Discovery Family will launch SHARE YOUR THANKS on Monday, October 24, a campaign that captures the spirit of giving thanks all month long by asking viewers to acknowledge the people in their lives that have gone the extra mile. From October 24 - November 24, fans are encouraged to submit custom "Thank You" videos, photos and/or messages via social media using #ShareYourThanks #Contest for a chance to see your posts on Discovery Family's website and digital outlets. Plus, all approved submissions are entered to win an all-access paid family reunion to a destination of the winner's choice in the continental U.S. complete with airfare, lodging and $1,000 in cash.

"At Discovery Family, nothing is more important than family and acknowledging the people in your lives who constantly go out of their way to make a positive impact," said Angela Recio Sondon, Vice President of Discovery Family Channel. "Hilary Gumbel, her book and the entire cast of UniChef: Uniting Through Food instill those values and recognize that generosity and goodwill should always be celebrated. We're honored to be partnering with such great talent."

UNICHEF: UNITING THROUGH FOOD is produced for TLC and Discovery Family Channel by Discovery Studios. Hilary Gumbel is the executive producer and Lynn Kessler is the co-executive producer for Discovery Studios. Michela Giorelli and Javier Chuecos are the executive producers for Discovery Family Channel. To learn more, visithttp://www.discoveryfamilychannel.com, on Facebook at Facebook.com/DiscFamily and on Twitter @DiscoveryFamily.

About TLC

Offering remarkably relatable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations, and life's milestone moments. In 2016 to-date, TLC is the #10 ad-supported cable network in delivery among W25-54.

TLC is a global brand available in more than 91 million homes in the US and 325 million households in 220 countries and territories. Viewers can enjoy their favorite shows anytime, anywhere through TLCgo - the network's TVE offering featuring live and on demand access to complete seasons. A destination online, TLC.com offers in-depth fan sites and exclusive original video content. Fans can also interact with TLC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's #1 pay-TV programmer reaching 3 billion cumulative viewers in 220 countries and territories.

About Discovery Family Channel The leading television destination for families in the United States, Discovery Family is available in more than 65 million U.S. homes and is a joint venture of Discovery Communications and Hasbro. Discovery Family is programmed with an inspirational mix of original series, family-friendly movies, and programming from Discovery's non-fiction library and Hasbro Studios' popular animation franchises, including MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, LITTLEST PET SHOP and the Emmy-winning TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS. In April 2016, Discovery Family was named Brand of the Year in the Kids' TV category and ranked highest in "Trust" and "Love" in the Kids' TV category in the 28th annual Harris Poll EquiTrend® Study. For 2016-to-date, Discovery Family ranks as the #1 most co-viewed kid's network among Kids 2-11 watching with an Adult 18-49 across Prime.

About Discovery Studios

Established in 2007, Discovery Studios is the full-service production house within Discovery Communications that creates, develops and produces high-quality, innovative and inspiring original series, specials and short-form content across multiple genres -from Science and natural history to reality and lifestyle. Discovery Studios is currently in production on new seasons of three-time Emmy Nominated ALASKA: THE LAST FRONTIER (in its fifth season) airing on Discovery Channel; TLC's Little People Big World; Animal Planet's Treehouse Masters; Animal Planet's annual smash hit Puppy Bowl; Discovery En Espanol's Texas Trocas; and programs for Discovery Channel's annual TV event, Shark Week. With offices in Los Angeles and Silver Spring, Discovery Studios is one of the largest producers of non-fiction series and specials across Discovery Communications' domestic and international networks and companies worldwide, averaging over 150 hours of captivating programming each year.

Image courtesy of TLC.