Ina Garten's Finger-Lickin' Beach BBQ

Things got a little freaky on today's Beach BBQ episode of Barefoot Contessa. Doesn't everyone get blindfolded before going to a beach cookout?








Haha! Just don't be spinning Ina or Michael around and giving them a bat.

And even though Ina made certain to remind us she's anything but upper class by grilling clams and grass-fed beef burgers with caramelized onions and putting them on English muffins (No ketchup? No cheese?), I still love her.

Go out and grill this weekend, just leave the blindfolds behind.

Food Network Addict Mailbag: How I Can Email Bobby Deen?

Introducing a regular feature here at FNA: The Food Network Addict Mailbag! I'll be posting real emails I've received over the years, leaving out any personally identifiable information. Some are sweet. Some are funny. And some are just plain weird. Enjoy!


Subject: Bobby Deen

Hi
Bobby I'm not sure if I'm on the right email site to talk to you or not! I
just saw you on the food net work awards show and I thought you we're even
more adoreable than ever! I think you are such a cutie pie. My name is
Lisa and I am a dental hygienist in Minneapolis. I love animals
among many things and they are my fur children. I am 35 years old and do
not have any children besides my furry kids and a hairless cat!!!! I am
getting divorced, which isn't a great selling point, but I guess life
doesn't always happen the way we want it to. I have always thought your
mom Paula seemed so sweet and down to earth you just want to hug her and I
can tell you guys have a lot of love in your family! I would really like to
talk to you or send you a picture of myself to know you a little better. My
cell phone number is (XXX) 470-3590 if you would ever like to connect.. I
have never emailed someone like this before so it feels somewhat weird, but
I didn't know how else to say "Hi Bobby". Maybe we'll talk sometimp,s.
p.s. I loved your shirt at the awards show it was so unique and fun!!
Where did you get it??

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Subject: How i can email Bobby Deen?

LOL, he is a cutie for sure and his muscles, yi yi yi. Can you please tell me how i can email him ?

Thanks,

Sandy

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Subject: Hi from Portland, Oregan

Hi Bobby,
Let's try this again. My name is Lucy, I was the girl you met at the restaurant last Saturday. I wanted to talk to you more but it was super busy. I came back to see you but the line was even longer. I would like to chat, and of course if you ever visit portland again...let's have dinner. Hope all is well.

Lucy Chisolm


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At least Sandy, despite her "yi yi yi's," could tell I was not Bobby Deen before emailing me. Lucy actually attached a picture of herself with Bobby that she had taken at The Lady & Sons--bonus points for that!

Party at Ina Garten's House

I'm not sure how exclusive the "Membership Cocktail Party" on June 6 is, but the event (a benefit for the East Hampton Historical Society) is being held at Ina Garten's home and there's a phone number to call and reserve.

I'm thinking the dues to join must be something like $3,500/month (or 100 lbs. of fresh saffron threads, whichever is worth more) plus one on-call florist, per person.

Paula Deen Impersonated by Melanie Hutsell on 'Paula's Best Dishes'

Yesterday while waiting for my flight out of Chicago, I was so excited to see that SNL's Melanie Hutsell started following me on Twitter. I grew up watching Saturday Night Live and wanted desperately to be on the show (I could have done so much better than Macaulay Culkin when he hosted!).

I kind of missed out on the early days of Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, et al (I caught up on them later) so my early days were during the Chris Farley, David Spade, Adam Sandler, Melanie Hutsell era.

Anyhow, check out this awesome video of Melanie doing her Paula impression. The part at 4:07 where she shows us her "Chocolate Covered Stick of Butter Popsicle" recipe is the best.



Yay Melanie!

Ellie Krieger's Got a Mustache... of Milk

I could stand having a bit more Ellie Krieger on Food Network. Right now, about 98% of the programming is dedicated to grease-eating Guy Ferrari and butter basting Paula Deen. Am I wrong to think America (and Food Network) might need a bit more balance?

Luckily, Ellie's still popping up here and there in appearances and endorsements. She's even become on of the newest milk mustache celebrities!


While I'd tend to think of "liquid sunshine" as some kind of Sandra Lee cocktail consisting of Sunny D and turpentine, Ellie's heart (and upper lip) appears to be in the right place.

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I had a great, long weekend back home in Illinois. Hope everyone (who's reading in the U.S.) had a lovely Memorial Day!

VIDEO: Duff Goldman, Anthony Bourdain, Alice Waters @ Food for Thought

Last week, Duff Goldman, Anthony Bourdain, & Alice Waters took part in the Food for Thought forum in Connecticut.

Some interesting points Alice and Anthony bring up. Even Duff shows off some of his foodie knowledge. Check it out:

Giada Says There's No Feud With Rachael, to which I say "Did Anyone Think There Was?"

Giada De Laurentiis is on the June cover of Redbook magazine, and while the cover's tagline is about her sharing some easy entertaining secrets, the story that's floating around the net (p.s. "Internets" is done) is all about Giada "dishing on Rachael Ray Feud."

Once you read the stories, Giada basically reveals there is no feud. So am I missing something? Did anyone ever think they were feuding?


"Do we hang out all the time? No. Are we best friends? No," says De Laurentiis. "But if you're not best friends, people assume you hate each other."

Do people think that Food Network is like a high school, with all the stars roaming the hallways every day, gossiping, catching up, and swapping stories? Giada has always been based in Los Angeles and Rachael's always been in New York. They tape their shows on opposite coasts. Why would they be best friends?

Giada also opens up about her revealing outfits:
"I think it's okay to cook and be sexy. Why not? I do get a lot of emails from women, saying to me, 'You don't have to show cleavage to get the male audience.' I don't [need to], [but] that's just how my body type is, and I'm very comfortable with what I have."

Paula Deen Talks About "Wee-Weeing" in a Beard

Paula Deen was on the Today show this morning, cooking it up with Matt Lauer in the kitchen. She mixed some rice and ham and some other stuff up into something and got about halfway through a skillet coffee cake demo, but it was her declaration that she doesn't like goat cheese because "there was a goat in [her] life" that "wee-weed in his beard and would stink so bad."

Uh huhhhhhh.

Sunny Anderson Debuts New Hairdo on Rachael Ray

Sunny Anderson will probably kill me for writing about the new hair she had on Rachael Ray today (she'd prefer we were talking about her food), but I know a lot of people noticed it. You'd be surprised how many people write me to inquire about her hair.

Anyhow, I really enjoy the new short 'do she was sporting. It's got a very Star Jones-quality, which wouldn't normally be a compliment... but in this case it is.


Do you like it? I hope it will appease the "Why is her hair in her face? Why does it look this color? Blah Blah..." people.

Sunny appeared on Rach's talk show--along with Bobby Flay, Rocco DiSpirito, & Adam Perry Lang--to discuss summer entertaining. I was a bad blogger and forgot to TiVo it (did get "Glee" last night, though) so I'll have to try and catch a repeat.

Hope you're enjoying your Wednesday, wherever you are.

Pat & Gina Neely Take on L.A.

Did anyone go down to the Costco in Inglewood tonight and see Pat & Gina Neely? The Memphis duo have been on a book tour and chronicling their adventures on Twitter, which included a welcome earthquake from the city of Los Angeles. I guess L.A. just gets all rumbled up when all of Gina's sugar is present!

"Why So Blue, Bob?" -- Susie Fogelson Calls Tuschman Out On His Monochromatic Wardrobe

Even though I'm sad that Susie Fogelson won't be back vlogging this year after each episode of The Next Food Network Star, I'm excited to see she filmed an episode of The FN Dish recently that covered her process of picking out all the outfits she needed for the show's run.

And while it was interesting to see all that goes into deciding Susie's wardrobe, it was her revelation that she avoids blue because Bob Tuschman has worn a blue shirt in every episode that really got me thinking. Is that for real?!


Let's look back:




Okay, she's right. That's a lot of blue, Bob! Unlike Food Network's constantly changing Saturday morning lineup, when it comes to clothes, it appears that Bob prefers to pick a format and stick with it.

But maybe season 5 can be dubbed beyond blue for Bob. Here are a few suggestions to jazz up Bobby T's wardrobe:

Add an attention-getting scarf.


True, it almost cost Rachael Ray the Dunkin Donuts campaign... and lots of complaints filed in. But, like they say, there's no such thing as bad press.

Do what works for Simon Cowell. Stick with a tight black tee.


Oh, and if you have time to get those Robert Irvine arms, all the better.

Just two ideas, Bob! I'm sure Susie would appreciate it. Give her the chance to be blue, too! ;-)

Food Network Nominated for 10 Daytime Emmys, Rachael Ray Gets Noms for Talkshow & Food Network Show

The 2009 Daytime Emmy nominations were announced today, and in what I think is a first for the awards show, Rachael Ray is nominated for both Outstanding Talk Show Host and Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host in the same year.

The celebricook's daytime talk show, Rachael Ray, is also nominated again for Outstanding Talk Show (Entertainment). She won the Outstanding Talk Show category last year. Congrats Rach!

Also nominated for Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary host is Ina Garten. This might be your year, Ina!


(My longstanding offer to be Ina's date to the Emmys still stands. You know Jeffrey has some speaking engagements/book writings/tent pitching he'll need to be doing that night, anyhow.)

Bobby Flay, PBS's Ming Tsai, and Style Network's Peter Ishkhans are the other nominees in the category.

Giada at Home & Guy's Big Bite were the Food Network nominees in the Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle/Culinary Program, Giada's show, Grill It! with Bobby Flay & Barefoot Contessa also received nods for Outstanding Culinary Program.

And even though she lost last year, Sandra Lee is nominated again...










Yes, Aunt Sandy got nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling category again this year, plus in a new category: Outstanding Achievement in Makeup!

We're rooting for you, Aunt Sandy! You rock that hair and makeup! ;-)

Congrats to the nominees!

Robert Irvine Back for Another Season of Dinner: Impossible

It was announced this morning that professional resume embellisher Robert Irvine has begun production on a new season of Dinner: Impossible. The popular Food Network show originally premiered with Irvine, then swapped out Irvine for Michael Symon, and then swapped Irvine back in after ratings weren't so hot for the Iron Chef... or so I believe.


While it's never been my favorite show, Dinner: Impossible does have a big following, obviously. People apparently love Robert. It did always feel like it was Robert's show, even when Michael tried to come in and save the day.

It looks like Robert is pretty much back to his old self on the show. This funny video that Eat Me Daily has up kind of makes me want to watch the show again... but they I hear those awkward "I gotta figure this out!" voiceovers by Robert and I think otherwise.

Are you happy about the new DI eps?

Duff Goldman, Alice Waters & Anthony Bourdain Appear Tomorrow in Connecticut

Duff Goldman, Alice Waters, & Anthony Bourdain will be appearing at tomorrow's Food for Thought forum at The Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets to the live event have sold out, but there's a live simulcast available.

Bourdain's sure to make some colorful remarks about the both of them. He told DCist: "Alice Waters annoys the living shit out of me. We're all in the middle of a recession, like we're all going to start buying expensive organic food and running to the green market."

Hopefully some of you New Englanders can check it out and report back. Hopefully Uncle Anthony will play nice.

"I never came out of the closet, I came out of the armoire." -- Next Food Network Star Contestant Michael Proietti

I've been checking out a few Next Food Network Star videos on the YouTube page to try to get to know the contestants a bit, and was amused by what contestant Michael Proietti had to say about coming out when he was 14:



The show has had a sprinkling of gay contestants before. Season one winners Dan & Steve were publicly out, but I don't think they ever said that in so many words on Food Network. Did they?

With season two runnerup Reggie Southerland, well... we just assumed.

Paul McCullough from season 3 announces he recently got married to his longtime partner Jeremy in his "Where are they Now?" video. Congrats, but I don't remember Paul being that upfront during the show.

From my vantage point, we haven't had anyone just say it from the beginning: "I'm gay, and I want to be the next Food Network star." Is the world of food TV just as hesitant to say it as Hollywood still appears to be? Are producers still hesitant? Hell, even the biggest reality show in America, American Idol, can't get its obvious front-runner, Adam Lambert, to just say it.

And so for just saying it, Michael Proietti, I commend you. I hope that armoire comment makes it into the first episode and that it wasn't just a Web-only tidbit that'll hit the cutting room floor.

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I know people are going to say "why should it matter if he's gay or not." Like what the author of the EW article I reference above writes, it shouldn't matter. But unlike, say, Aaron McCargo Jr., who spoke openly about the wife and kids he was missing and how he was competing for them, some gay contestants feel they can't disclose similar info, either for personal or strategic reasons—worries that straight contestants rarely face.

So........ I'll be interested to see how far Michael gets on the show. Bob Tuschman writes in his blog that Michael wasn't even in the top 10 originally. Another contestant dropped out, and Michael was put back in to be on the show.

Giving us his first impression of each contestant, Bob indicates Michael's negatives were "bitchy" and "too over the top", adding: "I wonder if his 'I’m so outrageous' act will get old, and if he’ll be able to find depth underneath it to avoid becoming a cliché?"

So that means the non-bitchy, not too over the top Guy Fieri has avoided becoming a cliche? Hmm.....

Rachael Ray and John Cusimano Need Some Red Carpet Inspiration

Rachael Ray brought out a new, supple face and and an old, same-thing-we-always-see-them-do pose to the red carpet at last week's 35th Anniversary Of The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance event at Chelsea Piers in New York.





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Food Network Addict Review: Sandra Lee's 'Money Saving Meals'

Pop Quiz: Which of the following does Sandra Lee say or advocate for in the first episode of her new show Money Saving Meals, which premieres this Sunday at 12pm/11c on Food Network.

A: "I think we can all afford to make it from scratch."
B: "Definitely buy in-season."
C: "Chop your own onions instead of buying pre-chopped."

The answer is: ALL OF THEM! Crazy, right?

Now before you go get your tablescape into a tizzy, let's be clear: Sandra Lee's new show isn't all about green markets and seasonal vegetables. She's not Alice Waters with a pushup bra. That would be crazy. But I do think Sandra must have seen a small beam of culinary light recently, as the "semi-homemade" style of cooking is not the #1 priority in Money Saving Meals. Now, Aunt Sandy's goal is to save us time and money.

Don't worry, though -- the Queen of Qocktails hasn't lost all of her campy charm. She does use the Vidalia Chop Wizard to chop her onion, saying it's something "no one has ever seen before." That's at least chuckle-worthy.

While Semi-Homemade was known for its intricate decorations, kitchen decor and tablescapes that often matched everything from Sandra's outfit to the napkin rings, MSM has stripped that all away. Sandra's now in an almost all-white, suburban looking kitchen with nary a napkin ring or handwritten place card in sight. While Semi-Homemade was sometimes mocked for those colorful details, I'm kind of misty about not seeing them anymore. Sandra Lee=tablescapes! I realize she's got her magazine now, where she's over-indulging the decorating side of Aunt Sandy, but still. Give us a little bit!

As for Sandra's ability to show viewers how to save money, there does appear to be a fair amount of research (down to the penny!) when it comes to choosing ingredients and offering suggestions. And like a few other hosts (Robin Miller still out there), Sandra will use the same ingredients from one dish to make a different recipe. There are also some web-only recipes at foodnetwork.com/round2recipes.

But the problem is a lot of Sandra's money-saving secrets aren't really secrets at all. Like her suggestion to use store brand refrigerated biscuits instead of a fancy name brand can of Pillsbury. "Oh, so by using items that cost less I will in turn save money. Now I understand!"

And then there are Sandra's recipes that show you how to make something at home that you'd normally pick up or get delivered. In the first episode it's donuts. Pizza is featured in a future episode, with Aunt Sandy promising us big savings over delivery!

For me, donuts and pizza are indulgences. They're the things I buy on a somewhat regular basis, knowing they're not all that great for me, but whatever. I still want them and I know they'll taste good. It's not like it's the cost of donuts that stops me from making them at home; I just don't want to make them at home. I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone who gave up his Dunkin Donuts habit, only to suddenly start indulging in donuts once more thanks to Sandra's suggestion that he fry rings of refrigerated biscuit dough in his home kitchen.

In general, I think Sandra would be better off just showing people how to make recipes they already normally make at home for less money. (And I don't care what you say. Using a can of pizza dough and spreading a few things on it does NOT taste the same as delivered pizza.)

Mockery aside, it's refreshing to see Sandra liberated from her 70/30 "philosophy" that lately started feeling like a hindrance. While Aunt Sandy might have used frozen asparagus tips for a Semi-Homemade recipe, she actually urges us to use fresh in-season asparagus, pointing out that it's not only cheaper but will also taste better. "Taste" was one of those things that didn't always make the cut in her 70/30 recipes.

So is Money Saving Meals a whole new Sandra Lee? Not really. Things are still "super simple," the recipes are still kind of 50s housewife bakesale, and even though there's no on-screen graphic for it, "cocktail time" lives on (she makes a sparkling cider mimosa in the first episode). That's something to toast to.

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Money Saving Meals' theme song is Chic's Good Times or is one of those sound-alike songs that's just different enough to avoid paying royalties. Either way, there's that disco element to the show, plus songs that sound like cowboy music and bad, 80s soap opera elevator music going on in Money Saving Meals. For the minority out there that pays attention to the music on Food Network, this show's a doozie.

Ace of Cakes Gets LOST Tomorrow Night on Food Network

I'm looking forward to this episode, for sure. Airs tomorrow night at 9pm ET.



My only question is why didn't the AoC crew ask the charming, young blogger who lives a mere 40 minutes away from Baltimore to accompany them on this visit to Hawaii?

Also, be sure to check out the new website for Charm City Cakes. Mary Alice sent me a note a few days ago about it, and I think it's got a great, refreshed look. One of the best new features is the 360-degree Virtual Tour of the bakery, something I'm sure the staffers will be offering as a substitution to the mega-fans who come right up to the bakery, bang on the door, and try to peek into the windows, only to be let down when they see the "Visits By Appointment Only" sign.

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It's Friday, Friday, Friday! The sun has finally peeked its bright little head out of the clouds for once around here, and I'm looking forward to a hopefully nice weekend. Have a grand one.

Paula Deen, Apparently Now an Expert Medical Adviser, Tells Us to Reject the Myths and "Enjoy a Porkchop Tonight"

So even though Paula Deen has repeatedly refused to comment on the longstanding union issues with pork-peddlers Smithfield, claiming she isn't an expert in union negotiations, she's somehow done become an expert in something else that's causing major trouble for the company she receives a big ole' check from: H1N1, better known as swine flu.



"You can eat all the pork you want. You are not going to catch the flu from eating pork," says Paula.

While this is all fine and dandy (and true -- you can't get the flu from eating pork), it strikes me as odd that Paula would come out now to defend the company when, to use her reasoning, she's not an "expert" in these "kind of issues."

Sales on pork products must be really bad, though. Otherwise I doubt Paula would include this statement in the Smithfield press release:

"'Honey if you want that pork chop, eat it'," Deen said. "In fact, you come down to (my restaurant) the Lady and Sons, and I'll even cook it for ya. And sit down and have one with ya!"

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Yeahhhhhhh... if anyone sees Paula Deen cooking porkchops herself in that restaurant, you let me know.

Giada De Laurentiis Shows off Baby Jade on TODAY

I feel like Giada De Laurentiis has kind of been laying low for a while. Sure, she does her show Giada at Home on Food Network and she contributes to the Today show pretty regularly, but it still seems like being on TV and promoting herself hasn't been her #1 priority lately.

But I get it know, after watching this video of Giada's appearance on Today this morning. Her little daughter Jade must be taking up all her time.


Love that she's finally sportin' some hair. She's so cute in this video.

Also good: the part at 3:19 where the camera zooms right into Giada's cleavage. Caught yah, cameramen!

Bid on Duff's Doodle for Charity

Ace of Cakes star Duff Goldman is part of National Doodle Day, which takes place tomorrow, May 7. Not aware it was national doodle day? Well, from May 7th to 17th, celebrity doodles (including Duff's) will be available for auction on eBay. The funds they raise will benefit NF, Inc., an organization dedicated to providing support to individuals and families affected by neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that affects one in every 2,500 births.

NF is more common than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy and Huntington’s Disease combined. Funds raised from the Doodle Day auction will go to support education, advocacy, coalitions, and research for treatments and a cure.

So go check out the doodles tomorrow! Duff would thank you.

You Gotta Do Better than Bleached Hair and a Badly Dyed Goatee, Guy Fieri Impostor

Apparently Guy Fieri's "signature look" is easily duplicated, as a Guy Fieri impostor got interviewed for a full four minutes at the Kansas City Royals game this week.



For someone who values "originality" when it comes to ballpark food, this idiot apparently has no shame when it comes to being a ripoff famewhore. Ugh! The interview is so awkward to watch.

And what is it with people not being able to tell who Guy Fieri is? First we had reports that Tyler Florence was in the audience at SNL when it was actually Guy, and now this?


Perhaps G. Feddy should change his look up and keep these wannabees on their toes. I'm thinking buzzed hair, laser tattoo removal, an embargo on jewelery and wristbands, and a public declaration to take a few years off. Is that so much to ask?

Next Food Network Star Season 5 Website Launches

I'm very exited to announce that FoodNetworkAddict.com was granted the first Next Food Network Star - Season 5 interview this past Friday and, I'm told, scored the first ever interview Bob Tuschman and Susie Fogelson have done together for the series. Awesome!

I'll have the full interview posted over the next few weeks leading up to the premiere, but for now I have some good news and some bad news.

Which would you like first?

Okay, the good news. The official site for season 5 of The Next Food Network Star just launched. Judging from the video that auto-plays (ugh) when you get to the page, we already have this season's cryin' Kelsey Nixon!


Not sure what her name is, but we got lots of time to figure that out.

Also back this year is Bob Tuschman's judge blog, Bob's Blog, which has its first post up about the premiere episode. While I'd like to think Bob might start officially blogging semi-regularly again, I wouldn't hold your breath. Bob's a bizzy boy, I guess.

And now the bad news.

Susie Fogelson will not be doing video blog recaps after each episode this season. Boooooooo! I'm told it was a scheduling issue, to which I say, "Let me help you clear your schedule, Susie." ;-)

I just really enjoyed seeing Susie's side of things. Hopefully she'll make some sort of appearance on Bob's blog down the line.

Until then, I ate and drank way too much while in New York (found myself down in the East Village and had to check out Momofuku Milk Bar) and must get to the gym now...

...but the couch is so nice. Sigh.

Going to lace up my running shoes.

Prone to Sunburns, Bobby Flay Shoulda Worn a Big Hat to the Kentucky Derby Too

Without the helpful shield of a wide-brimmed hat, Bobby Flay looked a little lobster-esque at last year's Kentucky Derby. Those silly gender-specific fashion rules typically prevent males from wearing any type of headgear to the races.

So this year, Bobby Flay slapped on the sunscreen and once again served as the official host and spokesperson of the Kentucky Derby Party, which took place yesterday at the legendary Churchill Downs racetrack in Louisville, Ky.

And Guy Fieri felt the urge to strike this pose on the red carpet:


Thanks, Guy.

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