Investors Daniel Green, Sonia Kapadia, Dan Glickberg and Willie Degel in “Food Fortunes”

Do you know what show I love? "Shark Tank" on ABC. Hopeful entrepreneurs pitching their innovative ideas and products in front of a group of investors, then reaping their just rewards if they've got what it takes? That's the American dream right there on full display.

It's not an uncommon site for culinary entrepreneurs to feed the sharks their tasty morsels, and with so many great food ideas out there, it really was only a matter of time before a similar show popped up with a focus on food.

Make no mistake, this is no criticism, nor is "Food Fortunes" a ripoff of "Shark Tank." The new Food Network show premiered a few weeks ago and has been airing on Mondays, and it's definitely its own distinct beast.

Culinary entrepreneurs looking for investment dollars are brought before both a panel of food industry titans and a live audience. Why the audience? Well, so that they can test out the product, of course! It's instant feedback from consumers, the kind of instant data that the investors love to have on hand.

From an American take on Indian food to a robotic personal chef, the pitches range from comfort foods to uncomfortable head scratchers. The investors, though, have a history of success, and they're pretty good at knowing where to park their own food fortunes.

So who are these investors? The panel rotates from episode to episode, but it includes Robert Earl (Planet Hollywood's founder and CEO and host of "Robert Earl's Be My Guest"), Willie Degal ("Restaurant Stakeout"), Scott Gerber (CEO of the Gerber Group) and Dan Glickberg (the founder of Dan Glickberg Food).

And that's not all. Some of the other investors include international culinary expert Daniel Green; the founder of online service Taste Savant, Sonia Kapadia; and Pat LaFrieda, star of "Meat Men."

Of course, not every hopeful is going to walk away with a big investment, but for those with the best ideas, a real food fortune awaits. If you haven't already, check out "Food Fortunes," airing Monday nights on the Food Network.