Gimme Gimme More

Now that Emeril Live won't be on in primetime anymore, the network's got a few extra hours to fill each night. Even though I'm kind of on va-cay here in the Midwest, I thought I'd post about all the new shows coming up.


I'm very excited for my blogging friend Sunny Anderson who, in addition to getting a second season of Cooking for Real, will be premiering a new show in July, How'd That Get On My Plate?

"Each episode follows the fascinating journey of a single ingredient (such as eggs, garlic, honey or apples) as it moves from its raw state into the finished, iconic product. Watch Sunny as she travels the country from the farm, through the factory and to the market and showcases the technology and innovation it takes to get our favorite foods to the plate. Whether milking a cow, making a martini out of potato vodka, harvesting honey or driving a corn-harvesting combine, Sunny dives into the behind-the-scenes action and finds out how food gets on our plates!"

Sunny describes it as a cross between History Channel's Modern Marvels and Food Network's Unwrapped, so I'm excited for this show, as I've been known to sit through episode after episode of Unwrapped, endlessly watching some huge machine shoot a million Twinkies out a minute.

In other new news:

* Food Network has ordered up 13 more episodes of Simply Delicioso, hosted by Colombia-born Ingrid Hoffmann. Chica! Chica!

* Adios, Jamie and Bobby! Hello--the Neelys! Pat and Gina Neely are hitting the road for Road Tasted with the Neelys.

"This next iteration of the popular show follows the fun-loving couple to cities including San Diego, Baltimore, Portland, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Kansas City where they’ll highlight specialty stores and family-run businesses that make one-of-a-kind edibles. Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to launch a successful family business and a passion for all things food, they'll even show viewers how to get all the fabulous food finds delivered right to their doors."

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So Sunny and the Neelys both have secondary, non cooking-based shows premiering this Summer. Where's Ingrid's new show? There are a lot of countries in Central and South America she could be visiting!

Chicago, Here I Come

I'm going nutso trying to finish some things up before my flight to Chicago this afternoon, but I don't want to leave you with a semi-horrible pre-review of Mary Nolan's show, Chic & Easy.

Sooooo... on a happier note, here's a video of someone (not me) eating at the pizza place I'll be at later tonight. Yummmmm.


Have a good, long, weekend!

P.S.- My interview with Bob Tuschman that I announced last week is still coming. I spent four hours last night trying to do something with it to make it a little more exciting than just a text-only interview... but I ended up not liking it (and know you wouldn't, either). Soooo... sit tight. It will definitely be up soon.

Mary Nolan's Chic & Easy Neither Chic Nor Terribly Easy (To Stomach)

If I was Simon Cowell and sitting in front of Mary Nolan while she taped her first episode of her new Food Network show Chic & Easy, I would have had to say:

"Well, you didn't do yourself any favors there...sore-ey!"


(I guess the laptop in the corner there is the "chic" part?)

Either that, or, "Mary, that was a disaster."

I hate to shatter the hopes of a sweet Iowan (we Midwesterners gotta stick together!), but the first show was just bad.

She was nervous, couldn't stand still, spoke uncomfortably, dropped a spatula and didn't pick it up, and just seemed overly amateur. This shouldn't come as a surprise, though, since she's just that--an amateur! And that can work in certain situations, don't get me wrong.

I guess I was under the assumption that if the execs. somehow saw enough in Mary Nolan to have her bypass The Next Food Network Star and skip right to the cooking show part, then this first episode would totally blow me away. I was thinking she'd be like the Mozart of the Food Network. Instead, she was more like the Milli Vanilli.

And I'm not denying the fact that hosting a cooking show is hard--it is. But it's the job of the people in charge to find people who can do it well, make it look easy, and all that gooey stuff of wonderment and puppies that goes into finding a good host.

I won't even go into the food now. I know some people were turned off by her talking about meeting and feeding the chickens at a farm before she ate them, but if you've truly "got it," you can talk about anything while cooking an old shoe... and people will still watch. (I think Rachael Ray has actually done this before.)

So get it together, Mary! I like rooting for people. It helps me pretend that I'm a nice person. I'll give you one more week and if I see no improvement...


...I'd pack your suitcase.

Just Stand on the Sidelines and Applaud

Even though Ina and Jeffrey Garten already have their own pied-à-terre in Paris, they still make a point to stay with their longtime friend and famous restaurant critic Patricia Wells (she's appeared on Barefoot Contessa) and her husband, journalist Walter Wells, who have lived in Paris since 1980 and also have a "country home" in Provence.


CBSNews.com has a great interview with the Wellses covering their transition from New York to France, their new book, and what advice Walter gave Ina's hubby, Jeffrey.

"His wife Ina Garten, who’s now very well-known, was about to do a book, and then do a TV show. And Jeffrey and Ina are old friends, and he said to me, 'Now, just give me some advice on this. How should I deal with the fact that, you know, my wife is about to become very famous?' And I just said, 'Jeffrey, just stand on the sidelines and applaud.'"

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Awwwwwww.... I think that's a very apt description of what Jeffrey does in each show he appears. Always dutifully picking up the lettuces, praising his wife's hard work, never complaining, arriving with gifts, etc, etc. WHERE'S MY JEFFREY?!?!

Dave Lieberman's Cravings

I love Dave Lieberman news!

Starting June 1, select W Hotels in North America will begin offering Cravings by Dave Lieberman--a tantalizing and tasty new menu featuring Dave Lieberman’s deliciously delightful, globally-inspired foods with a tWist.



(Isn't that cute that the press release writes "tWist" with a capital "W"??? I bet that would get old writing every word that way.)

Inspired by the fresh flavors of W’s upcoming global destinations, W Hotels’ Cravings by Dave Lieberman menu debuts at the W brand’s signature bars, Living Rooms and on the W Hotels in-room dining menu. W Hotels will unveil Lieberman’s menu with three exclusive W Happenings events, beginning at W San Diego on May 20, W Chicago-City Center on May 23 and W New York-The Tuscany on May 28, 2008.

(I'm going to be in Chicago on May 23!!!)

"We’re getting raves for our craves with Dave’s new Cravings menu for W,” said Ross Klein, President of Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group. "Whether hanging out poolside, in our lively Living Rooms, or enjoying some in-room downtime, W guests and local loyalists will love Dave’s playful new menu for W.”

Inspired by his love affair with global cuisine, Lieberman created exclusive offerings reflective of W’s upcoming global destinations, from Atlanta to Austin, Milan to Marrakech, Santiago to Spain and everywhere in between. The result is true global gastronomy of sizzling and satisfying treats featuring dishes such as Truffled Taleggio Grilled Cheese (inspired by the upcoming W Milan) and Chicken Kebabs (inspired by the upcoming W Marrakech). "I’m excited to debut the new Cravings menu which was inspired by the W brand’s upcoming global destinations,” said Chef Dave Lieberman. "All of the menu items feature foods that we find ourselves craving mixed with unexpected flavors and ingredients to give them my own personal twist.”

Cravings by Dave Lieberman will be available at select W Hotels in North America from June 2008 through April 2009 with new menu items added by Dave each season.

Menu:

- Spicy Tuna with Black Forbidden Rice Warm Balsamic Asparagus
- Pea Shoot and Baby Arugula Salad with Shaved Pecorino Sweet and Creamy Popcorn Shrimp
- Chicken Dumpling Soup Pork and Scallion Potstickers with Ponzu and Sweet Mustard Sauces - BBQ Brisket Eggrolls Rosemary Garlic Skirt Steak with Baked Egg and Arugula Salad
- Chicken Kebabs with Harissa Ketchup and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
- Meatball "Hero" with Red Pepper Tomato Sauce and Provolone
- Spring Pasta with Sausage, Asparagus and Grape Tomatoes
- Outside-In Wagu Sirloin Burger with Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Sauteed Mushrooms, Applewood Bacon and Special Sauce
- Truffled Taleggio Grilled Cheese sandwich with Balsamic Caramelized Onions, Fried Rosemary, Spicy Mustard, Cornichons and Radishes
- Smokey Yukon Gold Fries

Duff Goldman on Rachael Ray

Ace of Cakes' Duff Goldman appeared on Rachael Ray's talkshow last Friday. Clay Aiken was the other guest. A match made in heaven? I think YES!


Here's the clips that I personally clipped for you!

Duff on Rachael, Part I


Duff on Rachael Ray, Part II


Duff on Rachael Ray, Part III


Also, Mary Alice lets us know via the Charm City Cakes Blog that Geof will be appearing tomorrow (Wed., May 21) at 11 a.m. at Military Island in Times Square (Intersection of Broadway and 7th, between 43rd and 44th). He's bringing a giant cake in the shape of a Milkbone Dog Biscuits box to honor the 100th birthday of the doggie treat.

You New Yorkers better go... and send me pics!

Emeril Leaving FN Primetime

Hold onto your apron strings... the Emeril fans are about to go crazy again.

Emeril Lagasse is leaving the Food Network's prime-time schedule for the Fine Living Network, a move the chef hopes will mean a second course of "Emeril Live!"



The AP reports: The Food Network will air reruns of Emeril Live! in the afternoon. But corporate sister the Fine Living Network will pick up the show at 7 p.m. starting on July 7.

The show will air seven nights a week in that time slot. In its first week, five original episodes will be shown and, for about two months, a new episode will be shown each Monday while the rest are reruns.

Fine Living is carried in about 50 million homes, fewer than half the nation's 110 million homes with television. The Food Network is in more than 90 million.

"As you know in television, things have to evolve and this is a little evolution for me," Lagasse said.

Lagasse held out hope that if the reruns do well on Fine Living and on the Food Network during the daytime, corporate owners the Scripps Networks would decide to order a new run of "Emeril Live!" episodes.

"Who knows what's going to happen?" he said.

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And isn't it convenient that Emeril will now be paired on the same network as Martha Stewart, the woman he sold his soul to allowed purchase the rights to his cookbooks, tv shows, and kitchen products for $50 million.

If the switch turns out well, Fine Living could turn into the "Food Network Classic" station. Get those Two Fat Ladies up!

Why Honesty Matters... Even in Reality TV

Each time a Food Network scandal involving dishonesty or embellishment surfaces, I get a ton of comments from people representing all sides of the argument. Some firmly agree with whatever decision is made, while others argue it's the network's fault for not "fully investigating" the situation. And still others believe lying is an acceptable and forgivable offense that shouldn't determine whether or not a person deserves to be on TV.

For me, though, if you want to be a TV star or compete in a reality TV competition, please just TELL THE TRUTH--about every single detail of your life!!!


Because if you don't want something to become public knowledge, it will. If there are aspects of your life you'd prefer everyone from the grocery store checkout kid to your Great Aunt Patti not know, then TV and stardom are not for you.

Ever since MTV broke ground with the first season of The Real World, people have had an unstoppable desire to share their lives via TV and now the Internet. Become a public person, and that focus on your "personal" life becomes all the more intense.

And I realize that this is rather absurd I'm even writing about this (don't people already know this stuff?), but I guess I'm starting to see that the thought and small promise of fame allows people to go to some pretty crazy lengths.

And, yes, I realize that saying you fought in Afghanistan or got Knighted by the Queen of England when you really did not are MUCH bigger lies than saying you're in your "late thirties" when you're pushing 45. I get it. But to me, the principle of being honest vs. embellishing, misrepresenting, lying (call it what you will) still applies. I do not want to see someone on TV who's been lying to me... about anything!

Also, I'm smart enough to know that saying someone is 39 instead of 43 won't do a hell of a lot to appeal to a younger audience, as TMZ ponders. I'm thinking about the bigger picture here.

[Allow me to preface the following, again, with the disclaimer that I do not personally believe at this time that Jeffrey Vaden intentionally wrote the age of 39 on his application to The Next Food Network Star. I have no proof that anything mischievous was or was not intended on his or others' part(s), but I am skeptical about the wording of FN's statement that he "mistakenly wrote" the wrong age.]

So that's why it's so puzzling to me that anyone would even think about misrepresenting something like their own age on The Next Food Network Star application, ESPECIALLY after the JAG situation from last season.

If it were me who was applying, I would be checking and double-checking every single item on that frickin' application! If I truly wanted to win, that's what I'd do. I would hate to think that some stupid mistake cost me the prize.

And if I'm not mistaken, you do have to sign an affirmation that everything you put down on that app. is true and correct, so it wouldn't hurt to do a quick read through.

Soooooooo... that's what I think. Frankly, I was just surprised I caught a slip-up that I assumed was a simple production error. Now, I'm not so sure.

New Ina Garten Equals Happy Food Network Addict

Food Network's "In the Kitchen" daypart is getting a touch-up, if you hadn't noticed already. And I could not be more excited about what appears to be a new Ina Garten show!!!




"The existing shows are all being tweaked," writes Broadcasting & Cable. "Rachael Ray got a new set on 30 Minute Meals, Sandra Lee is now cooking with home viewers on her Semi-Homemade, Paula Deen will cook more with her sons and other family members instead of alone on Paula's Best Dishes..."

And in the best news ever, "Ina Garten will help viewers throw cocktail parties, rather than just cook for her own friends and family, on Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics."

Just who are these viewers who get to have Ina's help?!? There's no info on the "Be on Food Network" page, sadly. (You can get info on being one of Sandra's on-air "semi-homemakers" though, provided you live in the New York tri-state area.)

I can't wait!

Statement from Food Network Re: Jeffrey Vaden

I posted yesterday about The Next Food Network Star season 4 contestant Jeffrey Vaden's age discrepancy. I wasn't alleging anything specific, just noticing the inaccuracy. Well, when it comes to Food Network's #1 show, they're apparently not taking any chances.

A Food Network spokesperson just issued the following statement:

"It was recently brought to our attention that an inaccuracy regarding Jeffrey Vaden's age, a contestant on season four of The Next Food Network Star, was included in promotional online video and press screeners of the premiere episode. The contestant mistakenly wrote his age as 39 on his initial application, but also provided his correct year of birth and later verified it with the network. The correct age of 43 was used in all network materials but due to a production mistake, the incorrect age was included in the show and the online video. We are correcting the mistake immediately."

Unfortunately, I feel a statement like this will only add to the speculation. (Which could perhaps be the point???)

Who "mistakenly writes" their own age incorrectly, but still manages to put the correct year of birth? That seems strange.

TMZ actually picked the initial post up, so hello to all the new visitors. To answer one TMZ commenter's question of: "Who the hell would notice or care about this?" Well, that person is ME! =)

Phrases That Need To Be Phased Out

I've written before about increasing dislike of food puns and food plays-on-words, used endlessly in both food-focused and mainstream media.

You know... everything is as easy as pie or a piece of cake!


I've tried to wean myself off of them, but everday's a struggle ladies and gents. =)

Well, I've been writing this blog for a few years and, as you can imagine, read quite a few other blogs and news articles daily to keep up to date.

Aside from food puns, I've found a few more phrases that need to stop:

1) Saying you "love me some ____________." Example: I love me some Wendy's!

Really? Do you "love you some" Wendy's? Well, so do I, but I don't feel the need to add "me some" to the sentence. It was cute for a while, but please stop.


2) Attempting to show emphasis by putting a period in-between each word. Example: BEST. SHOW. EVER.

Not needed, and now that my grandparents are doing this it's basically lost all impact.


3) Attempting to show emphasis by putting the word "period" after you make a statement. Example: Ina Garten will never not use good vanilla, PERIOD!

I'm all confused as to what punctuation mark you want at the end of that sentence. If you had done that in the 80s, your Apple II would have exploded.

That's it for now. Perhaps this will become a regular series as I discover more. Feel free to leave your ideas on phrases that need to be phased out in the comments.

A Next Food Network Star Age Jump... or Maybe Drop

Jeffrey Vaden, a contestant on season 4 of The Next Food Network Star, is in for quite a shock.

Since the January 2008 taping, he's apparently aged 4 years!


In the first episode (and in the promo videos that appear online), Jeffrey is listed as 39 years old, yet his personal profile puts it at 43.

Yikes! I guess it could be easier to get over that whole "I'm turning 40" thing to just skip ahead a few and avoid it altogether, right?

On the other hand, maybe Jeffrey just told people he was 39 for the last few years, even though he is indeed 43 years old, according to a press rep for the show who contacted Food Network Addict after I inquired. (Dang, I was hoping I could use that line "a call to the Food Network was not immediately returned" like real reporters use!)

Or maybe this was someone's bad attempt to peg Jeffrey as someone still in his thirties, thus fitting the sad but true TV ideal of younger is better. Could be the case, but I'm thinking not. To me, Jeffrey looks like he could be in his twenties.

I'm guessing it's just a simple mistake, as a background check should catch something as basic as a person's real age. Still, isn't this what editors are for? I could see a change from 38 to 39 going unnoticed, but going from 43 to 39???

Who Bobs It Better, v4?

(Left: Lisa Garza, contestant on season 4 of The Next Food Network Star; Right: Bob Tuschman, judge on The Next Food Network Star and Food Network's Senior Vice President, Programming & Production)

Haha... so which Bob is better? Actually, don't answer that yet.

I'm posting this now because next week I'll be posting an interview I recently did with Bob Tuschman regarding this year's season of The Next Food Network Star.

"[I'm] more excited than I've ever been before. The level of finalists we have this year is going to blow everybody away," Bob tells Food Network Addict.

So check back next week for that and lots of other TNFNS stuff in the two weeks leading up to the June 1 premiere, including my own review and preview of the first episode before it airs.

FREE Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee Tomorrow!!!

In happy times news, tomorrow is Dunkin Donuts' FREE ICED COFFEE DAY!


Tomorrow, from 10am-10pm you can walk into any participating Dunkin Donuts and get a free 16 oz. iced coffee, available in a variety of fun flavors. (I may try toasted almond, but will call it "ahmund" to be like Ina G.)

Click here to find a store near you.

"Dunkin’ Donuts has been at the forefront in developing an innovative process for brewing iced coffee, which has set the standard for the industry. The unique process, called double brewing, uses twice the amount of coffee when making the beverage to achieve consistent flavor and freshness that are never compromised at the expense of serving it cold. For more information please visit www.MyIcedCoffee.com."

For a primer on proper free iced coffee day etiquette, check out Jordan Baker. She's so right.

Case in Point

The first few Ask Aida submission videos are up and, as I suspected, the "cooking challenges" aren't exactly what I'd call creative and/or entertaining. They seem a little bit more... self-promoting than truly inquisitive-ing. Sorry, just my opinion.


In the few videos I watched, the people either mentioned their URL (or flashed it across the screen in huge letters like these guys in the pic above) or let it be known that they were on YouTUBE, answering the question "Why Should We Pick You?" with: "Because I'll keep posting questions until you pick me?"

Ahhh, dedication!

One Night's a Big Night

Rachael Ray and President Bill Clinton's one-night-only pop up restaurant in New York City, Cafe Una Notte, was a big success--raising more than $200,000 for Rach's charitable organization Yum-O.

Rachael's Food Network colleagues Bobby Flay and Mario Batali were on hand to show their support.




The event was catered by five teenage aspiring chefs, along with the help of Iron Chef Michael Symon. Each teen got a $10,000 scholarship.


My oh my... Rachael's becoming quite Oprahesque, isn't she?!

[Images]

Giada De Laurentiis' New Show

I have a name, people!

As you know, Giada De Laurentiis' Everyday Italian is no more. In Food Network terms, that means "no longer shooting new episodes but will continue to run in perpetuity."

Giada's new show will be called GIADA AT HOME.


"Giada adds her signature taste and elegance to everything from a beach party with friends to a romantic dinner for two. In ways that are stylish yet affordable, she creates scrumptious meals, exquisite table settings and inventive menus to help viewers find their own every cooking style."

Yes, Giada at Home. Sounds awfully similar to Jamie Oliver's show, but who cares about such things? Now, when Rachael gets a show called Rachael at Home, there's gonna be some hurt feelings. But until then we get Giada... at her home.

More Backstage Antics at Paula's Party

Best Week Ever (a favorite tv show AND blog of mine) has posted this awesome video from their visit to a Paula's Party taping last month in New York City.

Paula and Clay and Duff, oh my!


Also, at a recent cooking demo in Atlanta, Paula officially announced the launch of her syndicated talk show that I told you about back in April.


Paula gets a little misty over the announcement. Either she's extremely nervous about the prospect (many daytime talkshows fail within the first or second season), or she's extremely excited about the kind of cash cow a daytime talkshow can become.

I'm still a little nervous about this show, though. Will Paula tape her daily, syndicated talkshow in Savannah, Georgia, ignoring the fact that the majority of such shows are done in either LA or New York? (Or Chicago, in Oprah's case.) Or will she uproot her family with a semi-permanent residence in NYC? Even Atlanta would be a more opportune city for pulling in the kind of audiences a daily show needs.

Whatever happens, let me know if you need a writer for that show, Paula! I got a million butter jokes.

[I first saw this video of Paula on mattislostintv.com]

Chic & Easy with Mary Nolan Coming this Sunday

A new show, Chic & Easy with Mary Nolan, is premiering this Sunday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. e/p.

The FN Dish's Adam Roberts just posted this fun video of him meeting Mary and even getting a few softball lessons.



I gotta give Adam credit for his straightforwardness regarding his fear of sports. When I was in high school I'd purposely choose such (in)active sports as bowling or croquet to participate in, thus avoiding the possibility of "balls flying at my face," which I can only respond to with the classic Clueless comeback, "Well, there goes your social life" Adam! =)

And speaking of movies I love, I saw Carrie on tv again this weekend and every time I read the name Mary Nolan I think of the movie character Chris being asked by the gym teacher who she's taking to prom. ("Billy Nolan" "Who? Speak up!" "Billy Nolan!")

Mary Nolan handily bypassed The Next Food Network Star after her audition tape prompted meetings with FN peeps, which led to her own show. Score! With upcoming episodes titled: "Posh Picnic," "Think Globally, Eat Locally," and "It's Ladies Night, Oh What a Night" it appears we'll be getting some new ideas (and recipes) from Ms. Nolan.

Just don't do as Chris and Billy Nolan do in Carrie though, Mary.

Who Bobs It Better, v3?

(Left: Lisa Garza, contestant on season 4 of The Next Food Network Star; Right: Jacob, the Food Network Addict, with Lisa Garza's hair superimposed onto his head)