Rachael Ray to Host 2nd SXSW Party, Indie Kids Cry Once Again

She said it'd probably be a one-time thing, but Rachael Ray's done changed her mind and planned another party at the SXSW music festival in Austin.


Last year's Rach party featured the Raveonettes, Holy F--- and the Cringe, the band fronted by her husband, Jon Cusimano. This year, her "expanded party" could feature 10 to 12 bands could be booked. MTV claims that "a couple of fairly huge names" — the Hold Steady and the Airborne Toxic Event — have already committed to play.

******************

I was actually going to go to SXSW this year, but have to be back in IL during the same week. Sucks. I've wanted to check out Austin for a long time. Hear it's lost of fun. Someday, I suppose.

Sandra Lee Celebrates Magazine Launch

Last night in New York, Sandra Lee held a launch party for her upcoming magazine Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade... and all I gotta say is: where was my invite, Auntie Lee?



I suppose Sandra wants to wait and let our first meeting be extra special, without all the paparazzi attention, you know. Perhaps at this year's Food Network South Beach Food & Wine Fest? She's got a special "cocktail time" event that I'm hoping to attend. I'll bring the swizzle sticks!

I'm sidetracking.
Back to the party.

Per the PR rep: Highlights from the magazine including desserts, cocktails and crafts were featured throughout an exclusive rooftop party overlooking New York City . The magazine, published by Hoffman Media (publisher of Cooking with Paula Deen), will be available on newsstands February 2009 and will focus on ingenious culinary and lifestyle solutions for those who want to stretch their time and resources while enriching their home life.

Are the words can't hardly wait clear enough?

Try to Entertain the Idea That (Some of) You Might be Wrong About Food Network

One of Food Network Addict's liveliest commenters, Alec Smart, left a comment today addressing Bob Tuschman, Food Network's SVP of Programming & Production, which read, in part:

"FN is not MTV you asswipe. Not every 15-25 yr old wants to watch a food/culinary channel, so stop thinking you can bring them in and emulate other TV stations numbers within the age segment.You are flushing your TV station down the crapper dude with some of the dumbass moves and appointments you make."

While Alec (or is it Mr. Smart?) might be right that not "every 15-25" year old will watch Food Network--even if it produces a food version of The Hills--it is true that the channel has consistently lowered its median age for several years now. The closer you get to that prime 18-35 range that advertisers seek, the better (in the eyes of the shareholders).

Also, Alec and many other FN-bashers may be surprised & upset to hear that Food Network just scored its highest-rated week ever.

The VP of Public Relations at Food Network tells me that the network posted a .5 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic--its highest-ever rating--for the week of January 19, 2009. In addition, Food Network secured its highest-rated January ever among adults 25-54 with a .5 rating, up 9% versus 2008.

*********************************

A lot of people come to this site to complain about the lack of so-called "real chefs" on Food Network. I don't mean to discount that argument, as I totally understand people's desire to watch that kind of programming. I'm not sure if reading news like this will make them change their mind at all, but I do hope they'll realize that Food Network executives are, in fact, doing their job... and doing it well enough to score record ratings. Bobby Tusch included.

Aida's Sidekick Noah Starr Featured

I feel like the overall vibe on Ask Aida needs to be cranked up about 60%, which is strange for me to say because I generally don't like zany, over-the-top Food Network shows. And even though Aida's sidekick Noah Starr does say some pretty wacky things, I'm not entirely blown away by his performance... if you can call it that.

Still, his alma mater Boston University, produly features Starr in a recent article highlighting his accomplishments.



When Starr learned the Food Network was looking for a sidekick for its new cooking show, he did a screen test and landed the job. “It was the culmination of two things,” he says. “I really like comedy and performing, and I really like food and cooking.”

Ask Aida, which premiered in August 2008, is the Food Network’s latest attempt to appeal to a new generation of viewers. “The show is for a younger crowd,” Starr says. “The idea is that it’s just two people hanging out in the kitchen — one who’s a gorgeous woman who can cook, and one who just happens to be a geeky guy who knows how to use computers.”

Uh huh.

Big Daddy Aaron McCargo Sadly Takes Fashion Tips from Guy Fieri

Sigh.

Big Daddy Aaron McCargo Jr. appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly this morning to talk about Game Day Grub. While his tortilla encrusted chicken tenders looked pretty good (and Regis' pronunciation of "tore-till-uh" elicited a few chuckles), Aaron's choice of a white button-up shirt with a super sweet embroidery of some sort makes me fear our biggest of daddies has been taking fashion tips from the other big man on Food Network, Guy Fee-Eddie.

Take a look:


Check out the video HERE.

I think there's still room for some fashion originality on the network. I mean, what's next, Giada popping her collar, a la Ina G.?

Submit Your Valentine's Day Cake Videos on YouTube

Duff and Mary Alice wanna see your best Valentine's Day cake creations. Check it out:


Submit your videos by February 10th at midnight EST.

*******************

I suddenly had a Real World: London flashback (hello 14 years ago!) to the episode where Neil received a pig's heart embedded with nails as his Valentine's Day present from his girlfriend. It was supposed to be deep and arty, but I think Neil was just grossed out. Not entirely relevant, but if you have a similar video, upload it!

"Put THIS on your biscuit" -- Paula Deen

Poor Aida. You gotta watch out when it comes to butter!

Chance to be on Grill It! with Bobby Flay

Attn: West Coasters (or anyone who can get to L.A. in March)

You could be on Bobby Flay's Grill It (Season 2)! Here's how...

Casting Call: Food Network is looking for big personality men and
women to grill alongside Bobby Flay in Season 2 of Grill It! If you
love to experiment with burgers, seafood, ribs, fish, pork or poultry,
and have the skills to prove it, we want to hear from you! The show is
non-competitive and features grillers from across the country creating
unique recipes on the grill!

Interested applicants (who look between 21 and 45) should be outgoing,
fun and be able to reproduce your unique recipe on camera—maybe it's a
new take on pork or seafood or perhaps a recipe passed down from your
grandmother? Whatever the dish, it needs to be original and not found
in a cookbook!

How to apply:
-Fill out the application below and email it along with a
current photo to grillitwithbobbyflay@gmail.com
- Make us a 3-minute video (DVD or MiniDV) that showcases your
personality (anything over 3-minutes will not be considered)
- On the casting tape, cook us your favorite dish, tell us about your
ingredients, how you created the recipe, and why it's special.
- Tell us a little about you and what makes you interesting.
- Tell us why you think it would be great to GRILL IT! with Bobby Flay

Upload your 3-minute video the Food Network "Be On TV" site,
then mail your original DVD or MiniDV along with your written
recipe to:
Rock Shrimp
Att: Grill It!
110 Leroy Street
7th Floor
New York, NY 10014

Questions? Email us at grillitwithbobbyflay@gmail.com

All entries need to be submitted by March 2nd, 2009. You must be
available for one day of filming in Los Angeles, CA. March 16-22.

*********************

This would be a great opportunity for some of the West Coast folks, who wouldn't be able to make the trip to Bobby's hood of NYC, to be on the show. Good luck.

Who Wears It Best: Aretha's Hat

Aretha Franklin's inauguration hat is quickly becoming so last season, so I have to be quick and get this up before the week is up and Obama's into his first vacation.

So who wears Aretha's hat best? I tried to give a good sample of choices, even giving the Neelys a very special double-wide hat -- because those lovebirds can't let giant bows keep them apart!

Also, I'm fond of Bob Tuschman's little pillbox mini version.







Cute, huh?

Giada De Laurentiis Cooks With SJP and Letterman

I'm not sure how long ago this segment aired, but it was just put up on YouTube. It's kind of funny watching two size 0 celebrities cook up some veal for Dave. Well, Sarah Jessica Parker doesn't really "cook" per se... more like look at the food with confusion and bewilderment, almost like she knows what food is, but can't recall what one would do with it. (Describe this whole "eating" thing again, I imagine her asking.)


I love how surprised she is by Giada adding cream. "WOW! That's nice to see real fat!"

SJP is skilled with the lemon, though. Someone's been putting that in her water to make a healthy meal, I think! ;-) Get Tracy Gold on the line; we need an intervention.

Emeril Lagasse To Guest Judge Top Chef Finale

Emeril Lagasse isn't letting his nearly complete absence on Food Network get him down. He's got a new show on the Planet Green cable network, got $50 million in spending money from Martha Stewart, and still has episodes of his classic Food Network show Emeril Live airing on sister network Fine Living.

And now he's going to Bravo!



Lagasse will be the guest judge on the final episodes of Top Chef: New York, set to air on Feb. 18 and 25. Bravo says a "shocking twist" will narrow the four down to three on the 18th, with the winner being revealed on the 25th.

Also, the supersized finale was filmed in Emeril's hood of New Orleans.
"In Louisiana, we have an amazing selection of local ingredients: andouille sausage, frog legs, turtle, catfish and rabbit. I was interested in seeing if the chefs would venture out and really try to explore our local flavors and culture. The challenge for some was finding a balance between the bold spices we love and their own personal style. All I can say is that you'll definitely want to go back for seconds for some of their final dishes!"

************

I've been a bad Top Chef viewer this season (yes, I do watch other networks), so I'll have to catch up before the 18th. I'm sure Bravo will have about 7 mini-marathons before then to help me.

(Shock) Gertler Gets a Good Grade From Me!

Let's be honest: I was ready to hate Will Work For Food, Adam Gertler's new Food Network show, before it even started. I'm not proud of that fact; I'm just being honest. I'm a mean, biased, untrained reviewer of food television. Plus, Adam just reminds of some of the obnoxious males I met in my high school/college days and never want to see again.

That being said, I really liked the first episode.

The beekeeping segment was especially good, in no small part because Adam actually got stung on camera (which is what we all really want to see during one of these beekeeping segments).


Food Network has put several of its stars into beekeeping gear and thrown them to the wolves, or bees, rather. Yet everyone always gets off without a single sting! You know that little smoke can and suit can't really protect you entirely, so I was glad to see some honest, bee-stinging action... and it didn't look fake. We even got some valuable beekeeper advice when he told Adam to not try to squeeze it out, but scratch it a few times and then wash the area off.

Also, hearing the longtime beekeeper say he's been "stung on his private parts" before was both hilarious (mostly for its honesty) and intriguing at the same time (was he wearing shorts and going commando or did his private parts somehow get out of his beesuit?).

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remember Sunny telling us in the "honey" episode of the not-going-to-be-renewed How'd That Get On My Plate? that honey comes from a bee "puking up" the nectar it sucks out of flowers. I like the directness of that! No super-scientific explanation or glossed over terms. Nope, just the realization that honey is basically bee puke.

Adam is still kind of obnoxious, but you know what -- I'm not that bothered by it when the content is good. It was great to finally see one of these "food explanation" shows look like something you'd actually see on cable and not your local access documentary channel.

Good job, Adam and crew. I think you found your niche. I just hope you can keep it up in other episodes.

Food Network Stars Helped FBI Agent Sound "Italian"

All the haters telling Giada to quit with the spagheeetee and proshootoh better think about stopping. Turns out retired FBI Agent Jack Garcia, while working undercover with the mafia,
turned to Giada De Laurentiis and Mario Batali (among others) to get his Italian pronunciations just right, according to the NY Post.

Giada gets the most grief for the pronunciations, which we know she's been teaching her baby Jade since she was in utero:



Ha! I'm not surprised, but I feel like if I was undercover I'd try a few more advanced language programs than Food Network.

***********************

Okay, so the big thing I got to do today was attend the Oprah Winfrey Show taping at the Kennedy Center. No Food Network stars in the house, although I did see Top Chef's Spike Mendelsohn (soon to have a show on Food Network's new website) on GMA this morning. That's. about. it. Where's Sandra Lee when you need her?

Ellie Krieger's Webspace Gets a Refresher

Food Network star Ellie Krieger is known for her healthy meals, so it should come as no surprise she likes to keep her website in good shape, as well. (How those New Year's resolutions coming, everyone?)

EllieKrieger.com has a clean new look with a pretty blue background.



I've written before about Food Network stars' websites... and the importance of keeping up a blog if you decide to start one and that it's not a good idea to just have a plate with your name written on it as your homepage screen.

And speaking of blogs...
It looks like Ellie has one now! The last entry was January 12, 2009. All right, Ellie -- it's been a week! Time for an update.

****************************

Things are getting nuts here in D.C., as you can expect. I'm doing something non Food Network related today, but very exciting nonetheless. I should hopefully have an update for you all later. Have a great Martin Luther King Day!

Bobby Flay's Company Sued

Oh Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. Surely you couldn't be cheating workers out of their hard-earned tips, could you?

Well, that's what a new lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court claims.


Bobby's company Bold Food LLC -- which owns Bar Americain, Mesa Grill NYC in Manhattan, and Bobby's other spots across the country -- is named as the defendant.

The lawsuit claims Flay's company violated wage and hour laws by engaging in improper tip-pooling practices. It also says the company failed to pay proper overtime pay and failed to reimburse employees for some expenses.

Better get down there Bobby and straighten things out!

Don't Forget: Season Six of Ace of Cakes Tonight!

Tonight!
10pm EST!
Season Six!
Ace of Cakes!


Mary Alice promises us Tiki Parties, Kissmobiles, Hank Hill, Charlie Brown and Duff the Firefighter!

Can't wait!

Lisa Garza's Got Back!

Next Food Network Star Person on Television contestant Lisa Garza just posted this pic of herself on Facebook in a slinky, very low-cut in the back dress by Abi Ferrin. I love it, Miss G!



My oh my... I hope they bring Lisa back for something on season 5. I don't really care what it is. Guest judge? A fashion challenge? Maybe she can show them all how to adhere grip to the spikes on their stilettos so no one else has a similar fall?

We can't get rid of Garza!

Still Confused About What "Semi-Homemade" Means? Sandra Defines It For You!

I love this "definition" of Semi-homemade that greets you on Aunt Sandy's website for her upcoming magazine.


"Wherein" used twice! And who knew "beauty" and "fashion" were now included in the semi-homemade lineup? Perhaps the magazine will unlock those secrets.

Yes, the magazine.


I love the obvious jab at Rachael Ray that Sandra's been pulling for a few years now -- putting lines like "20-MINUTE MEALS" or "3.5 MINUTE MEALS" or "60-SECOND MEALS" on her cookbook covers, as if they'll somehow appear more desirable than the time-intensive 30-minute meals offered by Ms. Ray. Cute trick, Auntie S!

That being said, I cannot wait to get my hands on the first issue. How many of the "76 fast recipes" are devoted to cocktails, you think?

Ted Allen's 'Chopped' Premieres Tonight

Ted Allen, host of Food Network's Food Detectives, takes up hosting duties on the network's new cooking competition Chopped, which premieres tonight at 10pm EST.


I coulda chatted with Teddy yesterday, but the interview conference call completely slipped my mind. Dang! Luckily, you can still read my first interview with Ted here. Also, the folks at The Deadbolt remembered the call and chatted with Ted. Here are some highlights:

On how Chopped is different than Top Chef and other cooking competition shows:
[T]here are a lot of bloggers out there with extrasensory perception, evidently, because I should point out the show has never been broadcast yet. I was alluding to this before, there are a shockingly large number of cooking contest shows out there now, and it isn’t even just on cable. Obviously Hell’s Kitchen is on Fox, which is sort of a network, not counting the news part. And there’s a new one coming out, I think it’s in D.C. with Marco Pierre White, who is the great three star Michelin chef who trained Mario Vitelli, who has an ego the size of, you know, Texas. Bad example. I should’ve said something European.

Our show is different from all of those shows. Well, first of all, I think all of those shows have their own character and I think Chopped very definitely has its own vibe. It’s mainly different in that all of our episodes are self contained. So we have four chefs in each episode, one person wins, takes $10,000 and goes home. It’s also different in a sense that it’s strictly a cooking contest, there’s really no reality component to it. So they don’t live together and we don’t take away their phone. They’re just there for one day to cook three courses and leave, if they’re lucky. Some only get to cook one course and then they have to leave.

But I guess I should acknowledge that Magical Elf, who are the people who have made Runway and Top Chef, and several other shows, that they definitely are influential on all kinds of television, because they’re so good at what they do. I don’t know, but I’ll let you guys judge for yourselves. When you watch Chopped, I think you’ll see it’s got its own thing going on.

On the rules of the show:
The rules are pretty simple. You can do whatever you want, but for each course there is a basket of mystery ingredients. That can range anywhere from three to five things and you have to use all of them in your dish. You can use a little bit, you can use a lot. It’s not like on Iron Chef where you have to make one of them the focal point. But I have to say it’s really difficult to cook with when you have to use all five things or all three things. They might not necessarily seem to go together in an obvious way. We’re not going to give you like Soba noodles, salmon, ginger, and soy sauce. It’s never going to be that simple, and then you only have thirty minutes to think of the dish, execute the dish and place the dish. It’s actually really hard.

*********

I will be watching tonight, but I'm not sure if Chopped will have the same kind of addictive quality that Next Food Network Star does. Obviously, without a focus on the chefs' personalities, living situations, arguments, etc. we're not going into the "characters" all that much. Hopefully the drama of the cooking will be enough. We shall seeeeeeeee.

Share Our Strength - Operation No Kid Hungry

And now, a message from Food Network's charity of choice, Share Our Strength:


Share Our Strength has launched a brand new campaign to raise funds to help end childhood hunger. "Operation No Kid Hungry" responds to President-elect Obama's call to action to end childhood hunger by 2015.

Share Our Strength has partnered with AT&T to offer two great ways that you can support and participate in "Operation No Kid Hungry":

1. Donate by text
Simply text "SHARE" to 20222 on your mobile device to donate $5. AT&T will match all text donations up to $100,000. Help us meet this challenge grant! Find out more.

2. Hold a food drive
Beginning January 19th, a national day of community service, help feed those in need by holding your own community food drive. Visit strength.org to find a food bank and a list of the most needed nutritious foods.

********************

I'm contemplating going to the inauguration ceremony next Tuesday. Maybe I could get everyone in the crowd to text SHARE to 20222?

Viva Daisy - Episode 1

New Food Network host Daisy Martinez premiered the first episode of her Rachael Ray-produced show Viva Daisy this past weekend... and like a lot of first episodes, I was not blown away. That could change, though.

But how did Daisy do for you?




It was just so-so. Nothing like Anne Burrell's first epsiode which was just so unlike anything we'd seen in such a long time.

Daisy clearly knows a lot about food and has what I'd call a "Rachael lite" TV personality. For some (maybe many), "Rachael lite" may be a welcome change... but there's truly a fine line between True Rachael hyper and lifeless.

So Daisy: you got five more Eps to dazzle me! What did you think?

Bobby Flay Gets SIRIUS Radio Show

When you watch celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Food Network or CBS or whatever, I bet you think to yourself, damn — he really knows how to dress to impress!

Even if you don't think that, you'll have the chance to find out anyway on Bobby Flay's new live radio call-in show on SIRIUS Satellite radio.


Bobby Flay Radio
Thursdays 10 am - 12 pm

Replayed Saturday & Sunday 3 pm - 5pm ET
Bobby Flay, renowned chef, restaurateur, award-winning cookbook author and television personality, will host Bobby Flay Radio, an exclusive five-week series of live call-in shows on which he will explore the essentials of good living for men of all ages and backgrounds. On the program — Flay’s first time hosting a radio show — he will offer expert advice and ideas for guys on everything from food to sports to dating to style and beyond, take calls from around the country, and welcome special guests. He’ll draw from his many passions both in and out of the kitchen, and dispense tips on everything from football picks to navigating fine dining, from cooking the perfect burger to planning a flawless first date, how to dress to impress for a big interview and much more.

**************

I don't have Sirius and don't plan on getting it, so you satellite radio listeners out there need to tell me how this show is. I guess listening to Bobby Flay Radio might be interesting enough... it just doesn't strike me as anything people will go gaga over, though.

Coming to Food Network Addict: HD Screengrabs

My oh my, I am a happy blogger. Why, you ask? Because I finally stepped into the 21st century and got a TiVo HD.

Just look at the clarity to this classic Rachael facial expression:


You can't get that in regular def. I am certainly excited.

It was quite a process getting screengrabs before. I could record shows on my other computer since it had a cable card (not sure what the real term is), but it was getting old and slowing down the computer with the huge file sizes.

Also, that computer is in a room that doesn't have a cable jack, so anytime I wanted to record something I'd have this jury rigged long cable-down-the-hallway situation that started getting annoying. Plus, the quality was just really poor and I stopped wanting to use the pics that would result. When Redlasso came around I was in love and used that service a lot, but unfortunately that didn't last long. I'm still mourning its loss.

Anyhow, things are looking up around here. These Food Network stars better be touching up their makeup, 'cuz I'll be posting you in HD from now on!

More South Beach Wine & Food Fest Tix On Sale Monday!

Here's your last chance to purchase tickets to many of the sold-out events at this year's Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

Starting at midnight on Monday, January 12, tickets will go back on sale for events like the Burger Bash with Rachael Ray, Bubble Q with Tom Colicchio, Harrah’s Casino Night with Paula Deen, the Mouton Rothschild Dinner with Daniel Boulud and the Whole Foods Grand Tasting Tents (which always sell out instantly!).

Go to sobewineandfoodfest.com for more info and to buy online.

Luckily, my girl Sandra Lee is FINALLY slated to be there, and her "Cocktail Time With Sandra Lee" event is NOT sold out!!!


If that's not great news for a Friday, I don't know what is. I swear: this will be the year I get my cocktail with Aunt Sandy! If I have to wait until she's toally sloshed and draped over the hotel bar at 3 a.m., I will wait.

Like I've said over and over again, SoBe is one of the BEST food festivals out there. Tickets may sound a little pricey, but it's really worth it—even if you just get one event. And, what's better than being in South Beach in February?

Another Rachael Ray Product We Do NOT Need

I thought the Rachael Ray-brand garbage bowls at Kohl's were bad, but this is even worse...

Artist Alex Gardega is painting a nude, 6-foot portrait of the "charming and sexy" Rachael Ray, using paprika mixed with EVOO as his "paint," reports Page Six.


I like Rachael and all, but I'll be just fine if I never see a nude paprika version of her in my lifetime. The FHM photoshoot a few years back was enough.

Artist Alex should stick to more child-friendly artworks, like this one Jason Mecier did using various kinds of pasta. Very nice!


AND, why is it going to be a 6-foot-tall nude painting? I guess if everyone's gonna see you naked, the least the artist can do is make you a little taller.

Which other Food Network stars would we like to see nude portraits of? Bobby Deen? Ellie Krieger? Somehow I bet Paula's already got one of herself up in that Georgia home of hers. ;-)

Rachael Ray Waxes Eloquent Over Protege Daisy Martinez

And when I say "waxes eloquent" I mean wax. Did Rachael Ray, who herself already has a wax figure on display at Madam Tussaud's, get her new protege Daisy Martinez a wax dummy, too?

Take a look:



Her skin doesn't look real to me. Plus, Rachael's doing the classic arm over the shoulder/don't I look like I'm friends with Bill Clinton/Whoopi Goldberg/Britney Spears/etc. pose everyone does at the wax museum.

Now look at Rach's:


As you know, Food Network Addict was the first to speculate about Rachael's upcoming venture with Daisy Martinez, formerly of PBS. Fittingly, Rachael's got nothing but love for Daisy:

"She can't tell you about a recipe without telling you why you would want to make," Ray said in a telephone interview with the AP. "Which is so much more important to me than learning a technique."

Chef Jeff on TODAY

I can't believe it. A controlled, informative cooking demo on the Today show? If he can manage that, I think Chef Jeff Henderson needs a cooking show of his own, you know?



(Thanks to several commenters who posted this!)

When Will 'Check Please' Appear on Food Net's Spring Lineup?

I'd watch! Those "dangerous" corn cakes and the peach cobbler look good.



Think Obama will have time to host a TV show on Chicago restaurants while in office?

Happy Birthday, Nigella Lawson!

Just wanna give a quick birthday shoutout to the UK's queen of cookery, Nigella Lawson. The domestic goddess turns a youthful 49 years old today.


Happy Birthday, Nigie! Go sneak something outta your refrigerator tonight—you deserve it!

Big Daddy Strikes Again

Well, season 2 of Aaron McCargo Jr's show Big Daddy's House premiered this past Sunday on Food Network. Despite a formidable advertising campaign including the reairing of season 1 and a barrage of commercials with fast-moving "house rules" urging us to "put the love" into what we make, the premiere ep showed little to no improvement over the first season.

There was one shining star, though...




The production value still looks atrocious— shaky cameras and more obnoxious music abound. I know we're in a recession and all, gotta cut back, yadda yadda... but come on.

Aaron himself was a little more in control and at ease. Again, to me, much of the problems stem from Gordo's influence. With a different producer, and a proper TV studio, Aaron might work out just fine.

What did you think?

Amuse-Bouche: Bobby Flay's Voice Not Sexy?

• Say "aubergine!" -- Nigella Lawson and Sean Connery have the sexiest celebrity voices, according to a UK poll.
• Ultimate Recipe Showdown's first winner gets on the menu at Friday's.
• Sunny Anderson sits down with judge Katherine Alford for a viewing party.
• You can now submit nominations for Well Fed's annual Food Blog Awards.
• Whoa! Did you know SandraLee.com has a scary doll on the homepage. Not Miss Semi-Homemade's, I'm guessing.

*****

I'm glad Sunny's back with these little "viewing party" videos, but unfortunately the show itself, Ultimate Recipe Showdown, is still just not good. I'm pissed that Marc Summers is gone (even though that was mostly due to Double Dare nostalgia) and still find the various rounds and scoring very confusing. Did you watch?

TODAY Show Goes Inside Iron Chef

Nothing much in this that we haven't seen before, but still nice to watch. Plus, I know several people who think that culinary purchasing manager guy is h-o-t. So there's that, too.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Goat testicles, anyone?

Tyler Florence Blasts Back at Andrew Zimmern Over "Momma's Boys" Appearance

What an exciting chef fight to kick off 2009!

Some of you may have caught Tyler Florence's appearance on this past week's episode of Momma's Boys. In it, Tyler helped the contestants cook some of the "Mommas'" favorite recipes and picked a winner.

WELL, after Andrew Zimmern (host of the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods) posted a scathing blog post about the Ryan Seacrest-produced series -- calling Tyler the "least talented TV chef" among other things -- Tyler hit back, unapologetically, via his Facebook profile, with a post of his own:


Hi Guys, good morning and Happy New Year. Normally I have pretty thick skin when it comes to blogs and what people think. It is a free country after all, But this guy Andrew Zimmern, the guy who eats dried camel cock for a living, has decided to dis my life's work because I did, my personal friend, Ryan Seacrest, a favor and helped him out with his first big television production, "Momma's Boy's" It was a big hit for NBC and something I had a fun time doing. It's bubble gum reality, who cares. It was funny. I guess it hard to have a since of humor when you're on your 10th take of eating Yak testicles, smiling to the camera, wondering where your life went wrong......... mmmmm, Delicious!

Go get'em guys.

Let's put an end to Chef on Chef violence in '09. It's a nasty way to start out the year, plus, I'm sure the next time Ben Silverman has a project, his name will be on the top of the list. ( Who ? )

*****

Something tells me Tyler enjoys what he refers to as "chef on chef violence" just a little bit, as he doesn't mind bad-mouthing Zimmern right back ("dried camel cock"). Not saying Zimmern doesn't deserve it, though.

Getting attacked for what he does isn't new to Tyler, though. He commented on the Anthony Bourdain antics back when I spoke with him in February, saying "that salacious, chef attack thing that Gordon Ramsay and Tony Bourdain do all the time is a shtick" and that "people are tired of hearing it."

So what do you think? Did Tyler's appearance on Momma's Boys deserve the criticism?