Celebs - - Page 8

by BS

Anthony Bourdain and Tom Colicchio Talk Top Chef All-Stars

After six seasons, many of you have started to ask if Top Chef has lost its mojo. Well it looks like the folks at Bravo have heard you and they are really pulling out all the stops for season eight, which starts Wednesday, December 1. Not only will it be an all-star season of the best chefs who didn’t quite take home the title in past seasons, but none other than Mr. Anthony Bourdain will be sitting at judges’ table every episode for the first time this year. We caught up with Tony and head judge Tom Colicchio to find out how this season will be different.

The all-star cast is a pretty impressive lineup. Did you get everyone you wanted? Anyone say no?
Colicchio: We’re not involved in casting, but I think they got a very good lineup together. Bryan Voltaggio would have been great, but I’m sure he’s busy with his restaurant.
Bourdain: There are a lot of surprises — people who are surprisingly strong, and people who you thought would be strong but fell early. Just as a Top Chef fanboy, I really enjoyed it.

Bloggers are betting on Richard Blais as the odds-on favorite. Fair bet?
Colicchio: Sure, Richard got to the finale last time and he probably should have won, but Stephanie stood up and took it. Although on the downside, he’s been doing burgers for the last couple years. He will have to get back into the fine dining game.

Why move the show back to New York again?
Bourdain: Uh — it’s New York. It’s our town. There was a real attempt to get New York right this time. There are a lot of unique challenges that really capture the City. I think New Yorkers will be very happy.

Sandra Lee Wins!

Endless Simmer is projecting that Sandra Lee — aka Andrew Cuomo’s gf — is the new First Lady-elect of the great state of New York. Watch out, Albany! Hope you’re ready for some Kwanzaa Cake.

by Russell Warnick

Kitchen Darlings

“It has been claimed.” Those are the words the National Enquirer utters as it talks trash on our three favorite ladies of television. According to the rag, Paula wants to “crush” Rachael and Martha, Rachael is pissed that Martha has taken over Hallmark, and Martha thinks Paula is a “hillbilly.”

A quick note to the National Enquirer—stay out of the kitchen, shut the hell up and leave our ladies alone.

in Celebs 2 comments

by gansie

All About Mark Bittman

It’s all about Mark Bittman this week. First we rave about his iPhone app and now some lucky DC reader (and friend) will get to hear him talk food, talk recipes, talk sustainability, talk minimalism, talk Jew. Maybe.

Bittman will be shilling for his book The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living. DC’s Sixth & I Historic Synagogue is offering TWO FREE TICKETS to the chat on October 5th at 7pm.

Email info (at) endlesssimmer (dot) com with “All About Bittman” to enter. Emails must be in the box by Monday at 3pm EST.

More: Event Details

in Celebs 1 comments

by Borracho

An ES Video Interview with Iron Chef Michael Symon

Maybe it was the flamboyantly dressed and incredibly intense Asian gentleman simply called “The Chairman.” Maybe it was the exotic ingredients like river eel and udon. Maybe it was the hastily dubbed frenetic pace of kitchen stadium. Whatever the reason, Iron Chef was the first show that truly sparked my interest in cooking and the limitless options cooks have when they use their imagination. To be fair, I was in college when I came upon the Iron Chef series, when my diet consisted of things like Easy Mac, the cafeteria salad bar and PBR, so it was all outside my small comfort zone. But still, it was amazing.

This was the time when the Food Network was beginning to gain a foothold and many of the programs were as much about technique as the recipes. Shows like Iron Chef, A Cook’s Tour, Good Eats, Food 911, etc.. really sparked a whole generation to step into the kitchen. Unfortunately since then, much of food television has moved towards personality and recipe driven programming. Even Top Chef seems to be shifting this way.

Today, my favorite food related show airs on the Travel Channel, but I still catch some others and I’ve really enjoyed the 2 seasons of The Next Iron Chef. Through that competition and Michael Ruhlman’s book The Soul of a Chef, I have come to appreciate the way Chef Michael Symon approaches food. While this appreciation is nowhere near TVFF’s foodie man crush on Season 2 Next Iron Chef winner Jose Garces, I still jumped at the opportunity to speak with Chef Symon about his new shows, Philly cheesesteaks, and his thoughts on tofu bacon. Click play above to watch my video interview with Michael Symon.

The Next Iron Chef premieres 10/3 on the Food Network. Michael’s new Food Network show, Food Feuds premieres 10/14. His current show, Cook Like an Iron Chef, airs Thursdays on the Cooking Channel. Phew.

in Bacon / Celebs / TV 0 comments

by Russell Warnick

Celebrity Chef Apps

If Jersey Shore’s “The Situation” can have an iPhone app, then so can the celebrity chefs of the world. In fact, “The Situation” is pretty late to the iPhone app party. There are hundreds if not thousands of food and recipe related apps out there, almost making cookbooks a thing of the past. But don’t throw out those cook books just yet, we take a look at some of the features our beloved celebrity chefs have in their apps.

Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything – $4.99

With over 2,000 recipes this is certainly one of the more comprehensive collections from any of the apps. “Bittman’s Picks” provides some of his more notable dishes with must try recipes. The recipes contain built in cook timers: hit the link and a nifty countdown will appear, perfect for those of us who can’t cook an egg. Another great feature is his suggestions for alternative dishes, search for Chicken Pot Pie and there is also a recipe for a mashed potato crust. However, for such a streamlined app the one thing it is sorely missing are pictures, perhaps on the next update. Thanks Mark.

Tyler Florence Fast – $4.99

If like me, when cooking, you tend to curse out the author of the cookbook, then this is the app for you. Tyler has included an “Ask the Chef” feature. Just click on the button and you’ll be directed to your email– to chat with Tyler himself. But do we really think he reads those things. The app updates seasonally, adding to the 500 plus signature recipes already featured. Another interesting feature is linking the kitchen timer to your iTunes. Listen to your favorite Lady Gaga as you wait for that prime rib to cook.

Gail Simmons Talks Just Desserts

As we bid farewell to season 7 of Top Chef this week, we welcome the latest franchise in the TC series, Top Chef: Just Desserts. We got to chat with host and judge Gail Simmons on what to expect from the show.

How did Top Chef prepare you for hosting your own show, Top Chef: Just Desserts?
I have to say my job as host is completely different on Just Desserts especially because — and I’m the first to admit it — my role on TC until now has been pretty easy. I’m not saying it hasn’t been exciting and challenging and interesting. But my job really until now has just been to sort of show up, eat, talk about it and leave. On Just Desserts, the hours are double the time, so now I’m in every single day shooting. And then also, being the host really forces you to make a different role because you are the person who needs to deliver the business, you’re the one who makes the plot go forward.

Can you tell us about the new judges?
Hubert Keller — is it not enough that he’s a total dreamboat? Not only did he start in the pastry kitchen but he actually grew up in a bakery. His family is from Alsace and his father was a baker, so he grew up above a bakery and watching bakers his whole life. It’s sort of bred in him, in his blood. Johnny Iuzzini is head judge, and I think without a doubt one of the greatest most talented young pastry chefs in this country right now. Johnny is a sort of wonder kid, he really is so talented and has such an amazing understanding of the processes of pastry, sugar, chocolate and butter. And he happens to be super attractive and stylish. And then there is Dannielle Kyrillos, who brings a totally fresh perspective through being the editor-at-large for DailyCandy. Dannille brings a brightness, a knowledge as a real diner, as a real person who’s passionate about pastry, who loves it.