Dave Lieberman's Young & Hung--!!!

Don't have much time to blog these days and I've missed about 3 weeks worth of The Next Food Network Star, but I still got time for my boy Dave Lieberman...



Love it!

(via FailBlog)

Food Network Addict Year in Review 2009 -- Part 2

And now! The exciting conclusion to my 2009 Year in Review. Check out Part 1 below.

IN JULY...

I met up with former Next Food Network Star contestant Kelsey Nixon and Top Chef's Spike Mendolsohn at his DC burger joint Good Stuff Eatery:


It was great getting a chance to meetand talk with Kelsey and I do wish her the best.

... we saw that sign language that comes along with 5 Ingredient Fix, I visited Paris and London (didn't see Ina Garten OR Nigella Lawson)...



...I gave you my 5 reasons why I thought Melissa d'Arabian was going to win The Next Food Network Star, and we checked out Sandra Lee's spread in Out magazine.



IN AUGUST...

Melissa d'Arabian was crowned the winner of The Next Food Network Star, we saw how her set might have been recycled from season three winner Amy Finley's one-season show...



... runnerup Jeffrey Saad got a "mini-series" webisode deal on Foodnetwork.com called "The Spice Smuggler" and we haven't heard anything since, we saw how funny pictures of Pat Neely can get snapped at book signings...



... Noah Starr disappeared on Ask Aida, Ina Garten, Rachael Ray, and Bobby Flay won Daytime Emmys, and we saw—yet again—what money has done for Rachel Ray:



IN SEPTEMBER...

We got our first inkling that Anthony Bourdain's worst nightmare might come true (it did) when it was rumored that Scripps Network Interactive (the parent company of Food Network) might buy a controlling stake in the Travel Channel, we saw Nigella Lawson doing her best Dita Von Teese impression...



... we found out that Paula Deen's line of cast iron pans for QVC might crack or shatter during cooking--woops!, and we learned that it was never really Alton Brown's goal to be on TV.

IN OCTOBER...

We saw the first pics of Mary Alice's amazing weight loss...



... it was announced that FLN was changing to The Cooking Channel, I hit up the NYC Wine and Food Festival...


... we got our first glimpse of the JUST RENEWED new show by Alex Guarnaschelli, and we got some baking tips from Charm City Cakes' Adam Goldstein.

IN NOVEMBER...

Aunt Sandy hit up Wendy Williams...



... Emeril Lagasse hinted at bringing back Emeril Live to some network other than Food Network, Martha Stewart acted like a jealous jezebel when Rachael Ray appeared on her talkshow, I posted a guest review of Food Network's first game for Nintendo Wii, the episode of Barefoot Contessa that I was a guest on reaired, and Paula Deen got hit in the face with a ham.



IN DECEMBER...

I found out where Dave Lieberman had been hiding...


... just-about-to-debut-a-new-show Anne Burrell got sued for discrimination, Dr. Phil made a move on Cat Cora, and George Duran got a job!

*******

Overall, it's been a very fun year--a much busier one than other previous blogging years for me, I'd say. When I started this blog I was in a very different place in my life: recently out of college, working for a job I didn't love, needing a writing outlet that interested me, and just learning how to cook for myself for the first time.

Now, honestly, I find myself watching HGTV more than Food Network. Ha! I guess that's the progression of life. First you learn to cook, then you look for a house to cook in.

I still love my Food Network peeps and don't plan on giving it up, though. I hope everyone has a happy, safe, food-filled, drink-filled New Year's Eve. See yah in 2010!

Dave Lieberman Resurfaces... Kinda

So a mere two weeks after I publicly pondered the whereabouts of onetime Food Network host Dave Lieberman, he resurfaces... kinda.

He's now a spokesperson for Del Monte! (Actually, a period would have probably been a better punctuation mark to use at the end of that sentence, since there really isn't much to exclaim. I take what I can get when it comes to Dave news, though. Sorry grammarians.)



In the grand tradition of referring to former Food Network hosts as "Food Network host____" for all eternity, Del Monte announced that "Food Network TV host and author" Dave Lieberman would serve as a spokesperson for its ongoing "Value Without Sacrifice" campaign.

"Along with Del Monte, Dave will continue to empower consumers with helpful tips and delicious meal solutions to help them make the most of their grocery budgets - without sacrificing great taste, nutrition, variety or the quality of their fruits and vegetables. Del Monte products have always stood for quality, nutrition and value, and are thus uniquely positioned to meet consumers' needs regardless of the economic environment."

Del Monte should have done everyone a favor and included in this release a note about how hard it might be to find Dave's show on Food Network.

Something like: "Catch Food Network TV host Dave Lieberman's show Good Deal with Dave Lieberman after the Magic Bullet infomercial around 5 a.m. Happy Hunting!"

Where the F Has Dave Lieberman Been?

Longtime Food Network Addict readers know fondly about my affinity for Food Network's onetime golden boy Dave Lieberman.

I reviewed and commented on his show Good Deal and his webisode series Eat This and Dave Does, often (check out one of my favorite posts on Dave here) and even got the chance to chat with him for a few moments at the South Beach Wine & Food Fest back in 2007.

Thennnnn...he kind of disappeared. His show stopped taping new episodes (my TiVo sometimes records the random Good Deal repeats, perhaps to honor ole' Dave) and his website/blog went dormant--actually it never really got started to begin with. (He has since relaunched his website and blog, although it hasn't been updated since June.

Now, he doesn't seem to be cooking all that much--least in front of a camera. He is, however, doing a video for Rockport shoes... and that's good enough for me to post!




He still looks good, but let's take a look at him in his more youthful days:



Keep on keeping on, Dave!

Who Wears Short Shorts, Part II

I really don't have anything today, so I thought I'd look back and see what I posted TWO YEARS ago on Dec. 5, 2006. Sexily enough, it was a Dave Lieberman (RIP... on Food Network, that is) post. Looks like I didn't have much to say back then, either. Must be something about Dec. 5. Have a good weekend everyone!

*********************
So who wears short shorts?


Evidently Dave does. I don't really have anything to say today. It's finally cold here in D.C. and I'm not too happy about it. Hopefully, these pictures of Dave on the beach will warm us all up:-)

Shane Can't Host His Own Show

... unless he ditches that Nickelodeon "All That" acting style. I'm sorry, but I just don't think he acts all that natural when he's on camera.


I just get a "I'm doing a cold read at a Cheerios commercial audition" kind of vibe from him.

Anyhow, I've really enjoyed reading all of your comments on episode 5. Lots of you out there seem to have pretty positive opinions of Shane:

"Seriously, Shane is about the only one I can watch without being in pain"

"He's doing good work, there really is no young-young FN star right now, and he could fit a niche."

"Last night gave me more hope for Shane, and honestly, I'd rather watch him than Lisa or Kelsey anyday."

"Shane, obviously is the only one of them that has some talent in both fields and probably will end up winning."

"I am now pulling for Shane more than ever. He's the only one I'd be inclined to watch unless they give one of the others ALOT of presentation/cooking coaching."

Perhaps I'm just bitter because if Shane were to win, the comparisons to Dave Lieberman would start popping up... the youth, gourmet made easy on a budget, etc.—and Dave Lieberman he is not.

ALTHOUGH, come to think of it, Dave was pretty awful on camera in his early episodes. Luckily, he just had to do something cute, like... umm... lie on some shopping carts and he'd redeem himself. =)

So I'm torn.

Dave Lieberman Attacked by Cougars

This is hard to watch.



Not having Kathie Lee on television for eight years wasn't long enough.

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

Food Network Addict Exclusive: Dave Lieberman Succeeds Emeril with Dave Live!

Food Network Addict has learned exclusively that Dave Lieberman, popular cookbook author and host of Food Network's Good Deal with Dave Lieberman, has been chosen as Emeril Lagasse's successor to the wildly popular Emeril Live in a new show titled Dave Live!


Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President of Programming & Production tells me: "Emeril Live was one of the most succesful shows in Food Network's history. After Emeril stepped down, we searched long and hard for a new host who exhibited Emeril's expert knowledge and charm, while still providing something fresh and new. We're very excited to announce that Dave Lieberman will be the new host in the retitled show Dave Live!"



The show will have a special one-hour premiere tonight, April 1, at 8pm E/P.

Unlike Emeril Live which was pre-taped, Dave Live! will be broadcast live in front of a studio audience from Food Network studios in New York on a completely redesigned set.

"We think viewers will enjoy Dave's fresh take on the show, and will appreciate his ability to cook gourmet meals on any budget," says Tuschman.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE (UPDATE: For real-- click on this link)

Dave Does Today

I'm woebegone over the loss of Dave Lieberman at Food Network, but it's these little video tidbits that keep the hope alive. Here, Dave shows Giada De Laurentiis (and 2 other greedy ladies) how to pick eggs and make an omelet.


Back off girls! Why they gotta throw all of them in there?

You'd think after all the shows he's done he'd be better about the "uhhs" and the nervous sounding voice. Don't get me wrong... I know it's tough to do these segments. Plus, Today typically has a much bigger audience than Food Network's. Dave's got lots of eyeballs on him!

Giada wasn't much better-- "Dave Lieberman is here with ha help us?" What?

They've apparently given up even referring to him as "Food Network's Dave Lieberman," which is odd because I still read articles about "Food Network's Sara Moulton" and she hasn't filmed a new show in years!

Breathe, Dave, breathe!

Danny Boome to the Rescue?

Below is my imaginary conversation with a recent Food Network press release.

Me: Hey, FN... what's going on?

FN: Beginning this March, Food Network’s new darling, Danny Boome, is “on call” responding to the pleas of viewers hoping to overcome personal culinary obstacles with his new series, Rescue Chef.

Me: Wow... way to jump right into it. Cut to the chase, and all.

FN: Premiering Saturday, March 1st at 12pm ET/PT, the half-hour show infuses Food Network’s successful “In the Kitchen” daytime line-up with Boome’s outgoing personality and irresistible appeal.

Me: Wait a second-- outgoing personality and irresistable appeal? Are you sure you're not talking about Tyler Florence. That Food 911 show sounds very similar.

FN: “Danny is a charismatic young chef who will charm viewers with his passion for cooking instruction and his energetic style in the kitchen,” said Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network. “Rescue Chef speaks to our viewers’ real-life cooking struggles, and Danny averts their kitchen crises with humor and flair.”

Me: Whoa... when did Bob get on the line? And that's kinda weird how you refer to yourself in the third-person, but I'll let it slide. Now you said "Danny," you sure you're not talking about Dave-y? Dave Lieberman perhaps?



FN: From The Big Apple to The Lone Star State, Boome will “rescue” viewers across America from culinary meltdown. Whether Danny’s helping a schoolteacher recreate her wedding’s short ribs recipe for an anniversary dinner or perfecting culinary delights like Grandma’s Mexican enchiladas, crispy southern fried chicken, and authentic Thai food – each episode will guarantee supper success. Danny also encourages recipe risk-tasking with inventive ingredients to give stale meals a fresh twist.

Me: Supper success? Do you mean "super" or is that just another one of those fancy food puns I love?

FN: British-born Danny Boome has traveled throughout North America and Europe exploring his culinary curiosity, hosted several Canadian and English television cooking shows, and served as a chef for high-profile European figures including Paris’ Sultan of Oman. An advocate for educating children, parents, and teachers, Danny runs a successful cooking school and has appeared regularly on several UKTV programs. From semi-professional hockey to au pair, this “Rescue Chef” has explored many trades but always had a passion for cooking.

Me: Ahhhh... British-born. So that's it. Accents = sexy. Perhaps that's what Tyler and Dave were lacking. Send them off to Australia for a few years and then get them on TV.

Men who cook = sexy. Accents * men cooking = food network hit?


What do you think?!?

Blog if You're Going to Blog

Blogging can be tough work at times. You have to feel passionately enough about something to write nearly every day if you want to build and keep a good readership.

Some people start blogs for personal reasons-- they want to document their lives, keep friends and family updated, or just post pictures of their kids. Others may be extremely knowledgeable about a certain subject and wish to share this knowledge with the world. And still others may start blogging because they are well-known by the public and wish to keep their fans updated.

This can be both good and bad.

I'm talking specifically about the various Food Network celebs who've started and failed to maintain their blogs.

When Dave Lieberman burst onto the Food Network as its youngest host ever it seemed only natural that he'd start a blog and capitalize upon his youth appeal. His Web site, www.davecooks.net, debuted quickly along with a promising interface containing news, photos, forums (that have since been shut down after being overwrought with Cialis spam), and a BLOG.


Dave's blog section is literally YEARS overdue for an update. Perhaps Dave thought that the traditional written blog would be too much work, so he opted for both audio and video blogs.

His audio blog section, containing ONE post, includes references to "regular updates" and that'd he'd "let us know what he's up to." Well, two years later he's only got that one post and a "coming very soon!" note on the video blog section.

What gives, Dave?! You removed the forums section because it wasn't working. Do you still think this whole blogging thing might just randomly work out... two years later?

I found out back in November that longtime Food Network star Bobby Flay also has a blog. Despite promising to leave the gossip and negative stories to the "haters in the blog world," Bobby has pretty much failed to write (or let his assistant write) much of anything worth reading.


Combine that with a horrible interface that only allows you to scroll through a tiny window and a ridiculous amount of ellipses (...) and things that only resemble ellipses (...............) and you get turned off rather quickly.

Who else should be fined?

Cat Cora's last post: Nov. 19, 2007
George Duran's last post: April 15, 2007
Warren Brown's (Sugar Rush) last post: Dec. 8, 2007

Fined! Fined! Fined!

Tyler Florence has been one of the best Food Network bloggers. His new blog hasn't been updated since Jan. 11, but I'll give him a break. He's also been the best about sharing relevant information and stories in his blog posts. You know-- stuff we might actually want to read.

My buddies at Charm City Cakes (and stars of Ace of Cakes) debuted a blog a few months ago and have been pretty good about keeping updated. They are so busy, so I'll cut them some slack.

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

Basically, my point is that if you've got a blog... then blog! To those Food Network stars who maybe weren't sure what they were getting into when they thought "Hey! I should start a blog," I say: either get it together, or just get rid of it.

Mario on Martha

If you're lucky enough to have the day off (like me), perhaps you've been checking out the fine (right) daytime TV offerings that we all normally miss while slaving away at "real jobs."

I was able to catch a classic Good Deal rerun on FN with Dave making some baked bolognese and other pasta dishes (all of which are in his latest cookbook).

He was still a little rough in this episode...fumbling his lines and such, but I really think he could have had (and I guess still could have) a great television cooking show if the time was right. Oh wellllllll.

I also randomly caught Mario Batali's segment on the Martha show. I never watch her show, but was excited to see him on.

He made this yummy sounding spaghetti with green olive sauce. So simple and fresh.

I kind of missed out on the Mario phenomenon (in terms of his FN career) since I didn't really start watching in earnest until close to the end of Molto Mario, but after watching this segment I was reminded just how good a television personality he really is.

His demo was effortless but not lethargic. He was able to teach simple cooking lessons without being pedantic. Yes, he did throw in some big, multisyllabic words here and there, but they weren't overdone.

While it's pretty clear that his time hosting a cooking show on FN is done for the time being, it's still obvious that he's a great talent. I'm totally stoked about his PBS show with Gwenyth Paltrow in Spain (as I've mentioned before).

And that's not just because I've eaten chipirones en su tinta (squid cooked in its own ink) while in Bilbao, España.

Have a great day off (If you have it off) everyone!

Dave Does... Draft

Dave Lieberman certainly enjoys his beer, as was evidenced by his zany demonstration at last year's Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Fest. So it's fitting that he's on the cover of the latest issue of Draft magazine.


I don't know if I'd refer to him as "Food Network's rising star" since his show(s) are basically on permanent hiatus (from what I hear), but the rising star part is certainly accurate--provided that he starts doing some new and exciting projects for all of us to see. And preferably the kinds that involve him smiling, wearing open shirts, and getting inebriated.

Okay... I'm getting carried away.

Dave Lieberman Rocks

Dave Lieberman appeared on CNN's "Young People Who Rock" recently, looking buff in his tight tee.



Nice!

Dave talks about his Food Network experience (and what led him to getting the gig) and what he wants to do in the future.

"I want to do good!"

Dave also discusses where his future TV interests lie: serious programming.

He wants to do shows on food issues such as where our food is grown, what really goes into it, and what the implications of mass-produced imported products are and might be in the future.

And with those dashing good looks, Dave could probably charm anyone into giving him a show.



(That's the looks that everyone gives Dave when they meet him.)

(Right, Jordan?) =)

Dave Does L.A.

Dave Lieberman may not be filming new episodes for the Food Network, but he's still got a lot going on.

Just look... here he is at the recent Sony Cierge holiday preview party in L.A.


[Images via Wireimage]
Oh no! Is that just a casual hand placed upon a friend's shoulder... or is it something more?

Luckily, I think I'll believe the former. She's Felicia Alexander of Sony. Probably just a friend?

Nothing more.

Right? Right? ;-)

Be Dave's "Special Friend"

Dave Lieberman loves lending his name and likeness to lots of contests-- many of them involving the chance to spend time with the Food Network star cookbook author himself! Hot!

Not to be outdone, Macy's is offering the chance to fly to Chicago and be Dave's sous-chef for a day:



Now what the hell... I've entered the blender contest, voted for his favorite sandwich thing, and even said he was the McSteamiest chef out there... and nothing! No winnings for me, Dave:-(

Oh well... I'll still enter this one. Gotta have better luck someday, right?

Dave (and others) could be McSteamy

My oh my. With all this talk about hot male chefs on Food Network you'd think some massive supplier of plastic wrap and other kitchen products would devise some sort of "steamiest chef promotion."

Well, they have.



You can go to Glad's web site and vote on who you think is the steamiest. Choose between Govind Armstrong, G. Garvin, Dave Lieberman, Aaron Sanchez and Aaron Talbot.

You also have the chance to win a dinner with the steamiest chef and other prizes. The bobbleheads are enough for me, though.

Further Proof Dave is Done with FN

Well, after word hit in early July that Dave Lieberman may have ended his relationship with the Food Network I was still optimistic that some new project might pop up. However, Eater LA (via Madeline) now has a direct quote from Dave after they ran into him at the Green Party this past Wednesday:

He told us he's "done with the Food Network for now," working on some other ideas, and wants to open a casual restaurant somewhere in LA.

Dave mentioned the restaurant idea when I saw him in South Beach at the Wine and Food Fest. I think all of his outbursts pretty much confirm the fact that he was done with Food Network back in February, but I could be wrong.

Anyhow, Dave is quite the ladies man in this photo. Not another man to be seen, actually. Miss Thing in the white shirt is definitely trying to work it with the spray-on tan and hand flowing through her hair. Sadly, this ain't gonna work on Dave!!! :-) At least I hope not.

Party at Dave's!

I hope you all purchased your tickets, because this Wednesday Dave Lieberman is hosting a party in his new Hollywood Hills home... and it's for a good cause!



Dave, along with Food & Wine magazine, is hosting a special, $100/ticket Green Party. The proceeds will benefit Grow For Good, Food & Wine's national initiative dedicated to supporting local farms and encouraging sustainable agriculture.



Only 7-9 pm, though? I bet Dave wouldn't mind hosting a little after-hours if the mood strikes. Hope and pray, people.

I've read about Dave's newfound interest in political food issues such as these and I think it's great he's helping out. I guess you have a little bit more time on your hands to do these kind of events when you're only worrying about hosting an online mayonnaise show.

I kid, I kid.

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How's your Monday going, peeps? I am bored with the excessive heat and still somewhat bored with the new Food Network schedule. I want my Ina on at the same time every Saturday (and so does she)! I don't care if it's the same episode of her making asian salmon or pecan bars for the millionth time. Gotta get it in.