Padma Lakshmi -

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Cheflebrity Smörgåsbord: “I’m Your Number One Fan, Food Network”

The latest and greatest news about celebrity chefs, served up buffet style.

– Ego or smart marketing? Super Chef takes a swipe at the new “I Love Food Network” fan site, which was created by Food Network itself.

– Always thinking ahead…auditions for the next Top Chef are coming soon. Also on its way, a show called Chef Academy, which promises to be nowhere as entertaining as Tool Academy.

After the jump: foodie concert groupies, Padma’s lazy Sunday and world domination featuring Alton Brown and Rachael Ray.

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by BS

Feed Us Back: Comments of the Week

– Me thinks foraging for edible flowers is the next locavore food trend. Jakesg:

I was camping out at a friend’s farm near La Center, Washington (State) earlier this summer and when we all awoke he had prepared a breakfast of squash flowers. They were breaded and stuffed with an amazing omelet. Uneffinreal.

erica:

i don’t know about marigolds, but i freaking love nasturtiums.

– Are rice cookers cheating? ES readers say no way. Summer:

Using a rice cooker can’t possibly be considered cheating! Rice cookers are standard equipment in Asian kitchens, so in my opinion, it’s not cheating any more than it would be cheating to use an electric stove to boil water for pasta. I dearly love my rice cooker, and use it several times a week.

– And of course every ESer has their own theory about who got Padma Knocked up:

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by BS

Breaking Gossip: Padma Expecting Mini-Padma

Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah. Stop the presses. Or whatever the online equivalent is. Keep the presses going, I guess.

Grub Street points us towards the “Moms and Babies” section of US Weekly’s website (yes, it’s an entire section), where the latest item is about close friend of ES PADMA LAKSHMI. Yes, it’s what you’re thinking:

Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi is pregnant, her rep confirms.

So much to discuss! What does this mean for her sitcom deal? When will the Top Chef-testants have a “cook for pregnant Padma challenge?” Where is she registered?!?

Oh right, the gossip part. US goes on to call Padma’s pregnancy “nothing short of a medical miracle” due to her endometriosis (unclear exactly how much of an exaggeration that statement is). But furthermore:

The baby’s father has not been revealed. Online reports have speculated Manu Nathan is the dad, but her rep denies that, telling Us he’s Lakshmi’s cousin.

Weird! I had no idea Padma was dating her cousin. Or that she was back together with Rushdie! Or that the baby is Bourdain‘s!

Feel free to continue unsubstantiated rumor-mongering in the comments.

(Photo: Us)

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by BS

Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 6

One of our Vegas chef-testants ran out of magic this week. We find out why, after the jump.

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Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 5

Top Chef left Vegas for the desert this week, but the heat by the campfire was too much for one chef-testant. We find out why, after the jump.

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Cheflebrity Smörgåsbord: I Want My HDTV

(Artist’s rendering of what Food Network looks like on my new television.)

Dear Comcast,

I know a lot of people give you a hard time, bit I don’t think you’re so bad. My service is pretty reliable, any problems I’ve had have been addressed quickly and accurately, and it’s cool living in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, where I get both New York and Philly stations (I’m impossible to get off the couch on football Sundays). And I was really excited when I bought a new HD television so that I could start watching those HD signals that you run.

However, while my wife is thrilled to be able to watch Toddlers and Tiaras in stunning high definition, I’ve found the lack of Food Network in HD to be quite disappointing. You see, when they first announced that Food Network would be broadcasting in HD, I dreamed of the day when I would upgrade my unit, experience succulent dishes in amazing clarity and come one step closer to Emeril’s mythic “smell-o-vision.” And yet here I am with my snazzy new set and no HD signal with which to decipher the hidden messages in Guy Fieri’s tattoos.

Look, I know it takes a while to roll this stuff out, but anything you can do to fast-track HD Aida Mollenkamp would be greatly appreciated.

XOXOXO,

TVFF

Remember, the smörg always comes to you in the highest possible resolution.

– Padma insists that the odds aren’t stacked against women on Top Chef, but I do find the unusual requirement that all female cheftestants be both barefoot and pregnant to be a bit unfair.

– Here’s an article that includes the words “Jamie Oliver” and “testicles.” Bon appetit!

After the jump…a double dose of awesome news from Paula Deen and Duff Goldman wants to entertain your daughter.

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by BS

Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 4

Things are getting seriously hot in Le Vegas this week. After the jump, our interview with the latest chef-testant asked to pack their knives and leave.

in TV 7 comments