Stars Come Out for NYC 'Julie & Julia' Premiere

Giada De Laurentiis looked kind of lonely out there at the L.A. premiere of 'Julie & Julia.' She would have had better company at the New York City premiere last night. Take a look:


Ever-present Katie Lee Joel showed up because she has to be at things like this (probably pitched a few more shows to Food Network while in attendance) and 5 Ingredient Fix host Claire Robinson did her best Rachael Ray impression.

Oh wait... Rachael really was there!


Looks like Rach is trying to one-up Sandra Lee's sideboob pic from Out magazine! (Actually this is starting to be a common look for Ms. Ray).

And then, the couples I'm sure are on a double date tonight: Anthony Bourdain and his wife & Sandra Lee with boyfriend Andrew Cuomo.


You know Aunt Sandy couldn't let Bourdain just walk by without a word from her! In a blog post he entitled "A Drive By Shooting," Bourdain describes his encounter with the mistress of tablescapes:

"Now, I've said some unkind things over the years about Sandra. Far too many and far too terrible things to ever apologize for. Plus, I pretty much meant every word. Once you've seen Sandra making Kwanzaa Cake on YouTube, there's no backing down . My head is reeling with the thought that one phone call from Cuomo and my last twenty years of tax returns are getting audited . I'm paralyzed, wondering what the statute of limitations is on various things I may or may not have done twenty years ago."

Ha! It's always interesting to hear about what happens when people like this run into each other. I'm waiting for the day that Guy Fieri confronts me... not exactly shivering in my boots, though.

Have a good weekend!

[Photos]

Petit Paris Post: Poilane

When I was in Paris last week, I knew I'd have to make time to visit the world famous Poilâne bakery, the Ina Garten recommended boulangerie featured in her Barefoot in Paris special and cookbook.


Getting there was kind of an ordeal. After the RER train broke down one stop away from the airport on the day we arrived, I thought my experiences with travel disruptions would be over. Not so.

Overall, the metro in Paris is great. It runs everywhere I needed to go, so I decided to take metro to Poilane. So, I got out my little ticket, entered the station, and got on a waiting train. Well, there was a disruption almost immediately after getting on. Not knowing French, I simply followed the others out of the metro car after the announcement in French was made several stops before my intended station. No one seemed that upset. I waited with the other morning commuters until another train came and got one. Two stations were passed and another French announcement came on over the loudspeaker. This time, people seemed to be getting perturbed.

Once again, we had to exit at this station, only this time there were metro employees yelling at us to get out of the station. I asked someone I heard speaking English what was going on and he didn't seem to know, either. Oh well... I'll just walk, I thought.

I had a copy of Clotilde Dusoulier's (Chocolate and Zuchinni) wonderful book Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris with me and found what sounded like a great crepe stand to check out before hitting Poilane. Well, sadly, after checking multiple maps and wandering small streets, the spot was no longer there (now up on Clotilde's updates page). Perhaps someone was trying to make sure I arrived at Poilane on an empty stomach, I thought.

Giving up, I popped in to the cafe next door and grabbed a coffee at the counter, just like the dapper businessmen who came in for a few seconds to read the paper and drink a quick coffee. It was a cool environment.

Moving on, I was only a few blocks away from the charming bakery known as Poilane. I peeked inside and finally spot those signature loaves with the trademark P stamped on the front.


I told the friendly salesperson I'd like one pain au chocolat & one small loaf of bread, paid the clerk, sampled one of their famous "punition" butter cookies, and made my way out to find some place to dive into the goodies (I was hungry since there had been no crepes earlier).

I had read that eating in public, other than at street cafes, was considered uncouth in Paris, so I tried to avoid smearing chocolate all over my face and avoided eye contact with all passerbys.

It was so good--buttery, flakey, and just enough chocolate. I ate it so fast that I actually walked back to the bakery and got two more, plus two croissants for good measure.

There's definitely a reason Poilane is considered by some to the best bread in Paris. You have to check it out if you make it there. I miss it already.

Sandra Lee in OUT Magazine

Watch out, Ina! Sandra's going after the gays!

Sandra Lee is featured in an awesome Out magazine spread this month... and she's loookin' kind of glam. Why do we get frumpy sweaters and tight mom tees on your shows?!


Besides the obvious connections (her love of dressing up as Cher & Barbra, color-coordinated cocktails, etc.), Sandra also talks about her reaction to her youngest brother Johnny coming out. "Of course you are! Everybody knows that!" said Sandra after he told her.

Even random gay men become friends, like Jeffrey Fegenheimer, who sat in with her during the interview:
"We met at a party," says Fegenheimer. "I looked at her breasts, and I said, ‘They’re fabulous!’ and she said, ‘Aren’t they?’ and I asked, ‘Can I touch them?’" Lee finishes the sentence, "And I let him and then we went and danced."

And even though there was no boob touching on my part, I found Sandra genuinely warm and funny when I finally met her this past February in South Beach.

I think the article is great, but it's coming out, pun intended, way late. The whole thing is about her show Semi-Homemade, which we all know is no longer being taped. It airs all the time, of course, but... come on Out. Get with the Money-Saving Meals programs. Guess that's not as fabulous.

[Source]

Giada & Todd Hit Up the Julie & Julia Premiere in L.A.

No silly, kissy-face shots for these two!


When Giada De Laurentiis & husband Todd Thompson hit the red carpet they keep their distance, as demonstrated at last night's L.A. premiere of Julie & Julia.

Unlike, say, showing up at the premiere of some Hollywood dud like Mad Money, it makes sense that Giada strutted her purple self down the red carpet at this premiere.

Why didn't Giada dress that cute little, curly-headed child of hers up as Julia Child and bring her along?!

[Photos]

5 Reasons Why Melissa D'Arabian Is Going to Win The Next Food Network Star

After watching last night's episode of The Next Food Network Star it become clear to me who is going to win this season's competition. I liked Debbie from the beginning, but never really thought she had a chance of winning.

Here are my 5 reasons why Melissa D'Arabian will be the next Food Network star:

1. Melissa Has the Best Story Arc


Producers love to tell a story and carefully construct what we see (and don't see) of each contestant. Remember how all of Melissa's flubs and screwups were heavily featured in the early episodes? We were lead to believe she consistently needed help from the other contestants just to finish in time, couldn't keep up with the professional chefs, etc.

Now, in the second-to-last episode, Melissa is seen as triumphant and adored by the judges and guests. Her cooking skills even garnered the approval of top chefs John Besh and Francois Payard, among others.

Jeffrey, on the other hand, has stayed pretty much consistent (which is what we hear from TUSCHELSON over and over) since episode 1. He's good but not great. He's not good on camera, and while he might bring in a new audience, I think Food Network is more worried about keeping another audience it already has. Which leads me to #2...

2. Melissa Could Reclaim the Audience Amy Finley Supposedly Had


Bob Tuschman told me in our May 2008 interview that Amy Finley's show The Gourmet Next Door "was actually a huge hit--she was one of the highest-rated in daytime for the six weeks she was on." As you know, Amy's story is that she left voluntarily after those 6 shows. While Melissa doesn't act all "here's some French food based on French recipes I learned while living in France," her cooking style does seem very similar to Amy's and I think her show would have a similar look and feel as Gourmet.

3. Rachael Ray Isn't Getting Any Less Rich


I feel like the more money Rachael continues to make with her daytime talkshow, magazine, and other deals, the less likely it'll be that she returns to Food Network--at least in the same cooking show host capacity we've grown to know her.

Rachael's two-year deal with Food Network is quickly coming to a close and I haven't heard anything about any new deals yet. While I'm sure some execs would like to try a show with Jeffrey Saad and get a new audience, it's much safer to go with something tested and known.

Several personalities have popped up over the years since Rachael's debut, but I don't think anyone has had the same kind of likability and star-power that Rachael has. The truth is, they might not ever find someone else who resonates the way she did... but that doesn't stop them from trying. Melissa, unlike Rachael & Sandra Lee, really is a mother and has the potential to appeal to that mom market they know are watching.

4. Melissa Tells a LOT of Stories

If 50% of a successful Food Network host is cooking ability, the other 50% might be the ability to tell millions of stories about yourself & your family. If you're cooking hotdogs, you better be able to instantly talk about the time your Grandpa once took you to a ballgame when you were 6.5 years old and you were wearing a brand-new ball cap and that you ordered 2 hotdogs and ate both of them and remember the smell in the air and how it's what you always think about whenever you make hotdogs... even if it's not true. ;-)

Melissa seems to have a better knack about this. Whether or not this makes her food any better is debatable.

5. It Just Makes Sense. You Never Thought She Was Going to Win.

I always think I'm being tricked when watching reality TV show competitions. From the beginning, Jeffrey seemed qualified, was described as a "Greek god," and just seemed like he was going to go far. Melissa on the other hand did not seem like she'd make it past the 2nd episode. I think that's part of the trick--never thinking they'll make it from week to week and then, suddenly, they win.

After all, I NEVER thought Aaron was going to win.

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

What do you think? Is Melissa going to be on TV a week from Sunday?

Next Food Network Star - Episode 8

Okay, I'm all caught up with The Next Food Network Star and I have to say, after some thought, I'm happy with the final two. I think the people who deserve it are still there.


What did you think?

Back from Paris & London

Bonjour and hello to everyone. I'm finally back!


Did you miss me?

I had a great time on my trip to Paris & London and, admittedly, didn't miss Food Network very much in the process. It sounds like episode 7 of The Next Food Network Star was pretty exciting, though. I'll have to check that out today before episode 8 airs tonight.

I'll have lots of posts about the trip and other things coming up soon! Have a good Sunday.

Chance to Meet Alton Brown, Attend 'Good Eats' Anniversary Taping

The Alton heads are gonna go wild for this one!




Food Network wants to hear from you! Enter today for a chance to meet Alton Brown and be part of the Good Eats 10th Anniversary Special shooting Saturday, August 29.

To enter, upload a photo or 1 minute video that expresses how much of a Good Eats fan you truly are! Do you look like Alton? Show us a picture! Want to do a tribute to Good Eats? Show us what you've got! The idea is to be creative.

Food Network will be choosing six lucky winners to join Alton in Atlanta for the anniversary taping.

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

I have seen Alton's fans in person before and know the kind of dedication they feel toward Mr. B, so this prize pack sounds pretty awesome--especially considering Alton is, from what I'm told, a very private person and not usually in to doing a lot of public events. Good for A!

... but just to make sure it's not a completely altruistic venture, tickets will also be available through Ticketmaster, with a price range of $10-75!

I wonder who his opening act will be?

(PS- I arrived safely in London this morning after spending four (mostly) lovely days in Paris. I got to check out some of your restaurant suggestions and made sure to hit up the biggies: Poilaine, Laduree, & L'As Du Fallafel. Will try to post more pics soon. Hope everyone is having a good week!)

One Year Ago - Aaron McCargo Had an Eating Disorder?

I was looking back through my archive recently. Did you know one year ago Aaron McCargo Jr. was still competing for the prize of The Next Food Network Star? If you remember, the finalists had to introduce their buffets in Las Vegas with a "special" introduction. For whatever reason, Aaron started his off very, very strangely with an admission he had an eating disorder.


"I have an eating disorder, I’ve been walking around with forks. I heard you can help me. You won’t help me? Who are you people?" said Aaron the judges and crowded room.

Ummm... okay. Your Next Food Network Star, America!

Let's hope Tuschelson+Flay give us one just as good this year!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 7

I am almost 100% certain that I didn't watch tonight's episode of The Next Food Network Star, since I just got done enjoying my second full day in Paris. I was hopefully eating an omelet at the Ina Garten-recommended Cafe de Flore when it aired.

Nevertheless, the episode aired and SOMEbody got kicked off!


I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Jeffrey got the boot! I think an all-girl final showdown might be in the cards.

Was I right?

Taking Off to Paris & London - Be Back Soon!

I have been going crazy trying to finish all my last-minute packing, getting addresses and maps ready for the restaurants I want to go to (thanks for all your great suggestions), and making sure I haven't forgotten anything before I take off for a week to go to Paris and London.



I realize that a week is not nearly enough time to see even a bit of all there is to see in both of these amazing cities, but since it's my first time visiting them I hope to get a good general overview and remember the places I'd like to spend more time at in the future.

I have a few posts already lined up, and I hope to have a few guests posting some things next week. I'll post pics and update as much as I can. Until then, have a great weekend and week everyone!

What Would Brian Boitano Make? Hits Perez Hilton

You know you've made it... ummm... somewhere when you make it onto PerezHilton.com.

So I guess Brian Boitano, star of the new series What Would Brian Boitano Make? (premiering August 23 at 1pm ET) should be happy. Perez's choice to just scribble "unabashed stereotype" could have been a LOT worse.


There's nothing stereotypical about a former figure skater, living in San Francisco, drinking some juice, while sitting on his flower-patterned chair, Perez!

How soon 'til Ina makes a trip out west to visit Bry?!

Video: Next Food Network Star Ep. 6 Wrap Up

I stopped summarizing the episodes of The Next Food Network Star a while ago, since I'm pretty sure the people who are interested actually watched... so why do the extra work?

But I don't object to watching (or posting) a video of some young ladies and their comments on last Sunday's ep:



You think getting critiqued by Bob & Susie is tough?! Try a pair of 13 year old girls!

Bobby & Jamie Deen Now on Twitter

In a blog post title "I am slowly being eaten by electronic progress...", Jamie Deen reveals that he and his (still single?) bro Bobby are now on Twitter! Although poor Jamie can't even spell his Twitter username correctly:


We are “DeenBros.” I think.....if y’all care to hunt it down and have problems finding us, drop a line here and Lisa or Phil can help you out.

Does this make me a twit?

The Deen brothers' Twitter name is actually: TheDeenBros

So far, they only have a few tweets up--and they've already gotten the hang of posting insignificant drivel (like many celebs on Twitter): Our playoff softball game was just postponed..... Stupid rain

As a reminder, you can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/FoodNetAddict and you'll never encounter insignificant drivel... well maybe a few meaningless mind meanderings, but never drivel. ;-)

Alex Guarnaschelli's Tempted by Cupcakes

Alex Guarnaschelli posted a Facebook status update this morning (although they really aren't status updates anymore, are they?) about her plan to shed a few pounds, despite the evil temptations of birthday sweets:


Alexandra Guarnaschelli I really am trying to lose some weight. Not anything serious. Just a few pounds. I am trying to be lighthearted. I have a small package of anemic looking melba toast and some slightly smushed triangles of Laughing Cow Cheese as my breakfast. I am chewing, staring at a huge, goopy chocoalte cupcake leftover from my daughter's birthday party. Life can be cruel. 27 minutes ago

Awww... that's tough, Alex. Enjoy the cheese and toasts, though! Having dined twice at Butter, the NYC restaurant where Alex is head chef, I'm sure the temptation to indulge is ever-present (they have some rich, rich food there!).

Good luck, Alex G!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 6

The remaining 5 contestants all headed down to Miami for episode 6 of The Next Food Network Star to serve a large hotel party.


Before they even made it out of JFK, the final 5 were met by Ted Allen and a Jet Blue chef who challenged them to create a dish the terminal's fine dining restaurants. It was fun to see Ted back in the guest-judge role...although I fear he probably ate a lot better on Top Chef.

Did you think the person who went home deserved it?

'5 Ingredient Fix' Claire Robinson's Sign Language

Claire Robinson is the host of Food Network's 5 Ingredient Fix, the show that sounds impressive at first (Wow, 5 ingredients in an entire meal?) but actually just features recipes that each contain 5 ingredients or fewer... and some ingredients don't even count as ingredients.

ANYhow, they've been promoting Claire's new season non-stop on these weekend morning blocks, with promos featuring Claire doing quite a lot of signing. Claire gives us 5 ingredients per recipe and no fewer than 5 different hand motions per sentence!










I wasn't that big a fan of Claire's first round of episodes. We'll see what happens in season 2. Excited?

Happy Friday from Aunt Sandy!

I've been getting ready for a big trip I'm taking to Paris and London one week from today, so sorry for the slight absence I've had on the blog. Anyone have any great food/restaurant recommendations for me? I'd greatly appreciate 'em! I'll post pics from all of the spots I visit.

Gina Neely Gets Down with Fendi

Some little spice fairy down in Memphis must have made Uncle Gordon very happy, because she (Gina Neely) was sportin' a little Fendi gold cuff on this past weekend's season premiere episode of Down Home with the Neelys.

Somebody must have been bringing the sugar!


I admit that I actually don't watch the show, or Gina's wrists, closely enough to know whether or not she's worn this particular piece of jewelery before. Still, I loved how she paired up the expensive Italian dud with a nice can of generic cola. Expensive next to Dollar General. It's cute. Somebody's been getting advice from Rachel Zoe!

Did you watch the new ep?

I Still Miss Lisa Garza

This season's cast of The Next Food Network Star has got some interesting characters (did anyone hear that Debbie is Korean?) but no one really compares (in the wacky department, that is) to last year's Lisa Garza. God, I miss her.

Case in point, today Lisa posted a wordless, black & white video on her Facebook page called Lisa Garza Unplugged: Morning Me. The two-minute video consists of scenes showing Lisa waking up in the morning, washing her face, and generally doing things people do when they wake up... and that's it.


Also, such exciting things as Lisa spreading butter on toast:


Lisa showering:


Lisa buttoning her jeans:


And Lisa heading out for the day:



Soooo for all of you who were wondering what Lisa is up to, rest assured that she's still waking up, eating toast, showering, and driving. Thanks for the update, Lis!

Next Food Network Star - Episode 5

As I tweeted earlier, I was very surprised to see Rachael Ray show up at Food Network kitchens tonight and help judge the mini-challenge, instead of just letting the remaining finalists do a demo on her daytime talkshow. Yay Rachael! (And in another positive note, I think her voice is sounding much better.)


I think we can all agree that the person who should have been sent home was sent home tonight. Thank you, Tuschelson!

Oh, and Bobby... your opinion counts, too.

Next Food Network Stars on Rachael Ray

I don't TiVo Rachael Ray's daytime talk show, so I completely missed the show this past Thursday where the final 6 contestants on The Next Food Network Star appeared. Thanks for the zero cross-promotion, guys!


Unlike past appearances on RayRay's show (this one happened much earlier in the contest), the contestants had to cook in pairs. That could be disastrous, as the judges love to call out anyone who appears to not be cooking/talking/engaging enough during this challenge. (Remember Lisa Garza's freak out about "being censored" last year?)

Soooo, watch the videos online and then see how the producers edit their demos to suit their story. ;-)

Also, I hope everyone (in the U.S., that is) has a great and restful Independence Day. Thanks for reading!

Food2 Open House at Spike's Good Stuff Eatery

I had a great time on Tuesday over at the Food2 open house, held at Spike Mendelsohn's Good Stuff Eatery. I'd been meaning to check it out ever since my blogging friend Jordan Baker wrote her begrudgingly positive review of the place.

So burgers, shakes, & Kelsey Nixon are promised? I'm in.


I ran into Kelsey the last time I was in New York and got to chat with her for a minute, but it was great actually spending some time talking about what's going on with her at Food2, her life, and what she thinks of this season of The Next Food Network Star.

Kelsey let me know they'll be shooting new webisodes of her show with Spike for Food2 very soon, this time in the close-to-DC Silver Spring, Md. (perhaps to accommodate Spike's need to be close to his restaurant?).

She's also living in New York now with her husband, doing spokesperson gigs for Pyrex and Smuckers, and still generally trying to "define her brand," a phrase she said with kind of a knowing eye-roll, realizing the inherent silliness in the statement--to think of yourself as a brand and not an actual person.

Let me tell you this, though: after talking with Kelsey twice now, I can assure you that she's definitely not the overly perky, hyper person brand you saw on last season of The Next Food Network Star. She's friendly and warm, but doesn't seem to take anything too seriously. She's not breaking down and crying over the slightest thing (like she may have appeared to do on the show).

What else we talked about:
The Next Food Network Star - Season 5
Kelsey was surprised by how many people were throwing others "under the bus," saying that with her cast they all made a conscious decision to not do any of that stuff in front of the camera. "All of our reputations were on the line," said Kelsey.

Kelsey also likes Melissa D'Arabian (but doesn't think she'll win), and was glad to see her assert herself in last week's episode, proving "she deserves to be there."

What's next for Kelsey?
Her contract with Food Network expires at the end of July, so she'll be open to a lot more offers. Food Network has a first right of refusal contract with all contestants for one year after the final episode airs. So when those offers from competitors start coming in right after the show, Food Network has the ability to prevent you from doing any of them... which can obviously lead to a loss of income, which isn't helped by the fact that none of the contestants on The Next Food Network Star receive any type of payment at all.

Sooooooo I really am hoping lots of good things come to Kelsey Nixon now (the soon-to-be contract-free Kelsey). I may have written some harsh things about "her" in the past, but even when I've done that I knew it was just the "brand" producers were giving us. Kelsey Nixon is not just the person we saw last year on TV.

Luckily, Kelsey's ready to start anew. Look for her on Food2... and I'm sure lots of other places, soon.