Reality TV producers are cooking up a new mix of shows this summer, some with more spice than others.

The pace is fast and tempers often get hot in “Hell’s Kitchen,” run by head chef Gordon Ramsay. The host has been deemed the Simon Cowell of the kitchen, only worse. Like Cowell’s “American Idol,” “Hell’s Kitchen” is a spinoff of the British version of the show.

A pro-soccer player turned culinary virtuoso, Ramsay heads the staff of contestants who are competing to open L.A.’s newest hot-spot restaurant.

The chef’s competitive soccer edge has followed him into the kitchen, and he doesn’t accept anything less than perfection.

Contestants range from a waitress to master backyard barbecuer to a bartender. But no matter what their previous culinary experience, each strives to be molded into a sous chef.

In order to keep from having too many cooks in the kitchen and come up with the best staff he can, Ramsay must eliminate one contestant each episode.

The show airs at 9 p.m. on Mondays on Fox.

If you tune in and enjoy the show, check out the Web site at www.fox.com/

hellskitchen, where you’ll find some of Ramsay’s recipes, the dish of the week, and contestant biographies.

For viewers who like their reality with a little less drama, check out “Cooking Under Fire” on PBS.

In the traditional documentary-style that PBS is so well known for, 12 contestants travel cross-country to pursue their culinary dreams.

After being judged by a variety of world renowned chefs on their culinary creations, the last cook in the kitchen will land a chef job at one of restaurateur Todd English’s New York City restaurants.

Not only does this one expose the outward stresses of life in the kitchen, but viewers will learn about the mental, physical and emotional challenges one must face to become the cream of the crop.

The show is on a break during the PBS pledge period, but will be back with a new episode at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22.

Aimee Dolloff can be reached at adolloff@bangordailynews.net.