Mark Tarbell to take over Channel 8’s ‘Check, Please! Arizona’

When Channel 8’s popular ‘‘Check, Please! Arizona’’ returns in January, the TV show will have a new host – Mark Tarbell.

The longtime Valley chef and restaurateur (pictured above), best-known for his eponymous Tarbell’s at 32nd Street and Camelback, will replace Robert McGrath (shown below on set).

Since launching with McGrath in 2011, ‘‘Check, Please!’’ has been the PBS station’s No. 1-rated local program. 

KAET gave no explanation for the change but said no format changes were planned.

In each 30-minute episode, three viewers visit three local restaurants and discuss their experiences.

McGrath, a James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Southwest during his heyday at The Roaring Fork, moderated the roundtable discussion.

Tarbell brings a wealth of media experience to the role. He has appeared on numerous TV shows â€“ including ‘‘Iron Chef America’’ – and has written several magazine and newspaper columns.

He is a two-time inductee into the Arizona Hall of Culinary Fame in both the chef and media categories.

The show returns for its seventh season Jan. 5.