Rocco likely cooking soonRocco’s heating up his kitchen‘THE Restaurant” may be open for business again this winter.

The NBC reality show, which aired this past summer and followed the exploits of celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito, is close to returning to the air earlier than anticipated.

Although NBC has yet to sign a new deal with DiSpirito, Advertising Age reports that the show will be back sometime in mid-season.

NBC officials declined to comment, but sources close to the show said DiSpirito and the network are close to signing a deal that will bring the show back.