Food Network Addict Mini Chat: Ingrid Hoffmann

While down in Miami, I was able to chat briefly with Ingrid Hoffmann, star of Food Network's Simply Delicioso. While she's probably not the biggest star on Food Network USA right now, Ingrid has a huge following down in Miami, naturally. After I saw the line for her book signing stretched down the beach, I knew I had to chat with this chica chica.

One of the funniest things Ingrid mentioned actually happened while onstage during Cat Cora's demo. Ingrid revealed the loving nickname she calls the feline-named Iron Chef...


Pussy Chica!

(Pussy, like "Cat" Ingrid told us.)

Backstage I congratulated Ingrid on her own demo. This year, Ingrid got to take a stab at the BIG tent where regulars like Paula Deen and Rachael Ray have all the seats filled and onlookers spilling into the wings. (Does a beach have "wings" if it's set up kind of like a theater?)

Turns out it wasn't the crowd that was intimidating to Ingrid, but the language barrier. I had forgotten that doing an English demo might be challenging for her since she seems to pull her Food Network show off just fine. But Ingrid really seemed interested in finding out if she seemed better than the previous year, if she was still able to engage the crowd, and if her jokes still worked. ;-)

Ingrid had to take off quickly after that and decide if she was going to attend Bobby Flay's Oscar party that night. It was great chatting with her. Hope to see her more often.

BubbleQ 2009 - SoBe Wine & Food Fest

For those of you following my tweets, you already know about all that went on at BubbleQ 2009, down at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. But I still have a lotta pics to share!

As you know, Bravo's Tom Colicchio hosted the big event. It was only fitting that the first two celebs I saw upon entering were Tom himself and Mr. Al Roker, who I had just shared an elevator with earlier in the day!


Unlike last year's BubbleQ, in which host Giada De Laurentiis mainly chatted with fans and took some rest breaks (she was very pregnant, so I give her a pass!), Tom was so involved with the cooking and plating that it was nearly impossible to get a good pic of him. Such a dedicated host!

We made the BIG mistake of eating at Emeril's restaurant in the Lowes hotel right before we went over. I was not hungry at all and consequently missed out on a bunch of yummy looking things BBQ and sweets. I hear the Neelys' ribs were great, though.




Luckily, the Perrier-Jouet champagne was flowing nonstop, which I somehow made room for.


I got to chat with Simply Delicioso star Ingrid Hoffman a bit, whom I had met last year but only got to talk with for like one second. She was very, very nice and seemed to be having a great time.





I also got pics with both of the Neelys, so I guess that make me an honorary Neely? Look for me in those little pictures that flash up during the eps (JK).

SoBe first-timer Sunny Anderson was also there, of course. Thanks to miss Sunny for hooking us up all weekend!


Guy Fieri and his entourage was up on this little stage, too, but I didn't push to get a pic with him. At one point I heard Guy ask the security to "send up like 10" bottles of champagne. Fancy!

I also spotted ex-Food Network host George Duran, who made it up to the little Food Network area. Awkward? He and Susie Fogelson were chatting it up like old friends, so maybe there are no hard feelings.

I should have more video up soon from the night. After BubbleQ, we headed down to the Paris Theater for Paula Deen's poker party. Paula told yet another dirty joke there, which I have on tape!

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Lovin' that it's Friday, but haven't really been able to catch up at all this week. Hopefully I'll get it together this weekend. Have a great one, everybody!

Gimme Gimme More

Now that Emeril Live won't be on in primetime anymore, the network's got a few extra hours to fill each night. Even though I'm kind of on va-cay here in the Midwest, I thought I'd post about all the new shows coming up.


I'm very excited for my blogging friend Sunny Anderson who, in addition to getting a second season of Cooking for Real, will be premiering a new show in July, How'd That Get On My Plate?

"Each episode follows the fascinating journey of a single ingredient (such as eggs, garlic, honey or apples) as it moves from its raw state into the finished, iconic product. Watch Sunny as she travels the country from the farm, through the factory and to the market and showcases the technology and innovation it takes to get our favorite foods to the plate. Whether milking a cow, making a martini out of potato vodka, harvesting honey or driving a corn-harvesting combine, Sunny dives into the behind-the-scenes action and finds out how food gets on our plates!"

Sunny describes it as a cross between History Channel's Modern Marvels and Food Network's Unwrapped, so I'm excited for this show, as I've been known to sit through episode after episode of Unwrapped, endlessly watching some huge machine shoot a million Twinkies out a minute.

In other new news:

* Food Network has ordered up 13 more episodes of Simply Delicioso, hosted by Colombia-born Ingrid Hoffmann. Chica! Chica!

* Adios, Jamie and Bobby! Hello--the Neelys! Pat and Gina Neely are hitting the road for Road Tasted with the Neelys.

"This next iteration of the popular show follows the fun-loving couple to cities including San Diego, Baltimore, Portland, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, and Kansas City where they’ll highlight specialty stores and family-run businesses that make one-of-a-kind edibles. Armed with the knowledge of what it takes to launch a successful family business and a passion for all things food, they'll even show viewers how to get all the fabulous food finds delivered right to their doors."

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So Sunny and the Neelys both have secondary, non cooking-based shows premiering this Summer. Where's Ingrid's new show? There are a lot of countries in Central and South America she could be visiting!

TV Alert: Tyler & Ingrid on Oprah Today

Oprah's first-ever "Sandwich Showdown" airs today on the Oprah Winfrey Show, and Food Network's own Tyler Florence and Ingrid Hoffmann (along with TLC's Curtis Stone) are competing for the grand prize. Oprah's sidekick Gayle, along with Bravo's Padma Lakshmi, will be there to judge.



Friday's a great day for a sandwich.

Video from BubbleQ

Combine Moet & Chandon champagne with American barbeque cooked by celebrity chefs, thow in a glowing Giada De Laurentiis as host... and you have BubbleQ!



Delicious!

P.S.- Oh Sheila was the only song I remember them playing last night. Sue me.

Food Network hosts a SWEET dessert party

On Nov. 16, Food Network, along with Ferraro Rocher, hosted the SWEET dessert party, a preview event for the first:

Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival, coming in Fall 2008.

(These festival names are a mouthful!)



Rachael channeled her inner Oompa-Loompa for the event, with her mega spray tan proudly showcasing a deep chocolate-orange hue-- perhaps serving as an homage to the famous Willy Wonka candy makers?



And how is it that Ingrid Hoffmann, well-known as Food Network's most scantily dressed star, is wearing the most clothes!?!

I guess Miami girls have a hard time adjusting to New York weather.



Even Chiarello showed up! That's quite a jaunt from his Napa-valley abode, just for a lil' old candy party.

Businesswire has the deets on the goodies:

Guests will sample the mouthwatering creations of New York’s premiere pastry chefs, chocolatiers, and bakers, including such notable James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef award winners and nominees as Le Bernardin’s Michael Laiskonis (2007 winner), Dessert Studio at Chocolat Michel Cluizel’s Will Goldfarb (2007 nominee), Jean Georges’ Johnny Iuzzini (2006 winner), and Karen DeMasco of Craft (2005 winner). Also participating in the festivities will be Food Network stars Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, Michael Chiarello, Duff Goldman, Cat Cora, Sandra Lee and Ingrid Hoffmann

Luckily, there was a good cause thrown in. The event benefitted Share Our Strength and the Food Bank for New York City.

Plus, you got a nice photo opp with G and R:



Doesn't that look... nice.

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I didn't get a chance to go, but I'm hoping to make it to the actual festival next year. Check out http://www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com/ for more info.

[Photos via Wireimage]

People Gobble Up South Beach Tickets

Tickets are already going fast for the 2008 Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Fest, Feb. 21-24, 2008 in Miami.

In fact, the Giada De Laurentiis hosted "BubbleQ," Rachael Ray's "Burger Bash" and Ingrid Hoffmann's "Interactive Lunch" are all already SOLD OUT!



You'll notice that both Mario Batali and Al Roker do NOT have Food Network logos stamped onto their pictures.

I'm not that shocked to find out "Roker on the Road" may have taken it's last jaunt and is not being renewed, but with all the hubub from FN re: Mario's employment status I just figured the logo would be on for the time being-- at least while his (final) episodes of Iron Chef air.

I N T E R E S T I N G!

Rachael, Giada and Ingrid will surely be doing some other events during the fest, so don't let these sold-out event discourage you.

Seriously-- it is one the best events I've ever been to. Amazing food, great wine, Food Network celebrities AND the beach in February!

(I sound like a commercial, I know. I'm not getting paid at all by them, but I'll let you know if I ever do. You ain't even HEARD commercial, yet! JK)

New York Times Disses Delicioso

I've caught bits and pieces of Simply Delicioso with Ingrid Hoffman, but not enough to do a full post on it, yet. Overall, I think the show is fine and fits well with the standard FN lineup.

However, I do have some reservations over her reactions to simple actions and phrases. Seriously.... if you thought Rachael was bad, you haven't seen anything until you catch Ingrid Hoffman ramble off some catch phrases en español.

Still, I was surprised to read such a scathing review from the New York Times. In it, Gina Bellafonte claims that Ms. Hoffman is "quickly staking her claim as the country's pre-eminent cleavage cook" and even compares her to guitar-wielding, Latina entertainer Charo.


"Ms. Hoffmann specializes in Latin fusion, ethnic food from which any real sense of ethnicity has been stripped. Her set, a cheerful lime-green kitchen gleaming with chrome, seems never to have opened its door to a pig’s foot," writes Bellafonte, who after dissing Ingrid's (or her producers') choices in fashion, goes on to say that "[t]hough I count among my acquaintances a number of very attractive women who really know their way around a saucier, 'Simply Delicioso' has not convinced me that Ms. Hoffmann would be one of them."

Ouch.

While I've never been one to turn down an opportunity to poke fun at Ms. Sandra Lee, I certainly wouldn't base my entire review on whether or not the host chose to wear a turtleneck apron or an open blouse. It's not that it's just off-subject, it's sexist.

Blah. I'm not even beginning to assert that Simply Delicioso is food tv's saving grace. I'm just saying that it deserves more than a boob-focused review.

More Food Network Awards Arrival Pics

I will continue my post about the festival itself later on today. Until then, you'll have to stay on the edge of your seats. Right. :-)

I just wanted to post a few more shots from the Food Network Awards. I am so bummed that I didn't get to see Sandra Lee the whole weekend. She must have just been there for the awards and then jetted back to wherever it is she tablescapes.

Anyhow, I think Aunt Sandy took the whole "semi-homemade" thing a bit too far when she showed up wearing this:




What is that? Out of EVERYONE on the Food Network, don't you think Sandra would be the one most likely to go all out any chance she gets? I'm sure there was a bar somewhere in there.

I picture her strapping on her Jimmy Choos and running down to Valentino to pick something up just to wear to the store to get some cans of spaghettios.

Maybe I'm wrong. I just can't believe it. NO CLEAVAGE, even?! Sandra... this was your big opportunity and you squandered it! Better luck next time.

In better outfits news, take a look at these fine folks:


Beautiful. I love Nigella now. More to come on that, but she is gorgeous.

Poor CZJ. She looks hot. Hope it wasn't a complete waste of her time. And Tyler really has that smug look down. Nice!
[Photos Yumsugar via Wireimage]
New FN star Ingrid Hoffman is looking great. No "Quick Fix" needed for Robin Miller. I didn't see her the whole weekend, either. She looks awful skinny in this shot.

The awards are slated to air in April, but I wouldn't be surprised to find out that they get axed. Who knows, though. Editing can work wonders!

I still would have liked to go and check it out for myself.

Bienvenidos Ingrid

Broadcast Newsroom reports that Ingrid Hoffman, host of Delicioso on Univision, has signed a multi-year deal with Food Network.



I love all types of Hispanic food, so this should be great. I've been to Mexico, Cuba and Spain, so I'm starting to get a real taste for the different varities.

"Ingrid has a loyal and passionate following in the Hispanic community," said Bob Tuschman, senior VP of programming and production for Food Network, ia statement"Her love of food, flair for easy entertaining, along with her inviting personality, is sure to draw a new legion of fans to our air."

And, as luck would have it, she'll be making her first appearance this weekend at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival!