Looking for a foodie-focused weekend?  Look no further than the Big Apple, and The Gourmet Institute to be held October 23rd – 25th, 2009.  Organized by Gourmet Magazine (which publishes some serious food porn), the institute offers a diverse assortment of culinary demonstrations, discussions and tastings.  Sessions are designed for all levels of culinary expertise, from master chef to curious newbies.  What a great way to spend a crisp fall weekend in New York City, than enjoying some great food experiences.
Leading the sessions will be renowned culinary masters, some of the biggest names in the business.  Here’s a sample:  …read more

I love this article from Smart Money titled 10 Things Celebrity Chefs Won’t Tell You.
As much as I love watching shows on Food Network or even PBS, I’m always skeptical of the chefs’ (or cooks’) claims that it’s always all about the food or how they never intended to end up on TV (Giada, I’m lookin’ at you).

The article, which goes into much more detail for each point, suggests ten things these chefs won’t tell you:
1. “I’m a celebrity first and a chef second.”
2. “There’s absolutely no reason to buy my cookbook.”
3. “Just because I have a cooking show doesn’t …read more

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Adding to their already huge (and admittedly, somewhat obnoxious) food challenge shows, Food Network is adding a Top Chef-esque competition of their own this month.
“Passion and expertise rule the kitchen on the fast-paced new series, Chopped.
“Hosted by Ted Allen (Food Detectives), the series challenges four up-and-coming chefs to turn a selection of everyday ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. After each course, a contestant gets “chopped” until the last man or woman left standing claims victory.
“Each week, a rotating panel of culinary elite judges including Alex Guarnaschelli, Aaron Sanchez, and Geoffrey Zakarian will decide …read more

So, Bobby Flay will now join Emeril, Rocco, Wolfgang, Martha, Rachael and the rest of his culinary buddies and launch a line of cookware/kitchenware in the Spring of 2008.
The Food Network recently teamed up with Kohl’s in launching a Food Network Kitchen line, but Flay is the first celebrity chef to coordinate his line with the department store and The Food Network.  Rachael Ray sells her wares at Kohl’s but is not there exclusively. To date most of these chefs have launched without the assistance of just one department store or the network.  Martha Stewart, I believe, has been the …read more

 I can’t believe it…there are only six days separating us from turkey mishaps, canned yams, boxed stuffing and chewy pie crusts…YIKES!!
I honestly thought that I had one more week before I had to start worrying about when, what and how for Thanksgiving.  Has anyone else been as neglectful?  I mean….I actually still have my calendar on October!
That said, fortunately I have a pretty good idea of what I am making.  Some are repeats from last year.  If I loved it last year then I want to enjoy it again in 2007.  Some dishes I don’t mind mixing it up, But …read more

Cat Cora, along with a long list of other celebrity chefs, will be mixing it up at  The 2006 Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo’s floor show entitled “Hot Spot Culinary Extravaganza” Saturday, August 26th through Monday, August 28th at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Other celebrity chefs who will be part of the floor show include: Guy Fieri, Tony Abou-Ganim, Gregg Wangard, and Tommy Tang.
You can get a complete schedule for the show, information about attending, and details of other shows in the works at this company press release: The ‘Hot Spot Culinary Extravaganza’ to Debut at the 2006 Western Foodservice …read more

Why anyone would rank reality television shows, which is almost as boring as watching some of them (aka Big Brother), I’m not sure, but someone did and The Next Food Network Star ranked 29 out of a list of 101. Not too shabby.
From Long Island Press, “Reality 101″ article:
29. The Next Food Network Star (Food Network) For food-show junkies, this was the best, as the celebrity chefs from the Food Network provided challenges for aspiring chefs vying for their own Food Network show. And Guy Fieri, the best man, won.

The saying goes that sometimes you can get too much of a good thing. Is this also true with our beloved Rachael Ray?
Personally, I am a HUGE fan of RR, but with her multiple cooking/dining/entertaining shows, magazine, books, and up coming talk show in the works, I’ve heard some buzz that maybe this is just too much.
Post your 2 cents (or 25 cents) in the comments and let me know what you think on the issue of Rachael Ray:
Over exposed?
Just right?
Not enough of her? 

Bobby Flay has opened yet another restaurant.  This time he is in Atlantic City.  The Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa now is host to Bobby Flay’s fifth restaurant, Bobby Flay Steak. 
Bobby Flay joins Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina at the Borgata offering upscale cuisine to the masses.  Of course, I do not know how much of the masses can enjoy a $44 Philly Cheese Steak, Bobby Flay’s take on the famous sandwich.
This of course is not a traditional steak house.  Bobby Flay Steak serves up a few variations of traditional steaks as well as chicken and fish.  You can also …read more

  I received an email asking me if I had heard that Sara Moulton was leaving the Food Network.  Rumors are that they are dumping Sara because they want to focus on the entertainment value of shows rather then educating their viewers (I don’t understand why they can’t do both).  I checked out her website…nothing. When I tried to check on the TV listings for the Food Network in the Fall…no listings for any show and no mention of “out with the old”.
After some browsing throughout the good ole’ world-wide-web, I found an article on Slashfood.com back from December of 2005.  Even though …read more