Food Network Awards Pics

Lots more to come! It's been a blast so far. I am out the door again to go see Dave! Everyone go swoon now:-)

Photos from Burger Bash

I'm a busy little bee right before I head down to Miami. I saw Giada on the Today show this morning with Al Roker. They were on the beach and a big piece of the cookie she bit into got stuck to her lip. Fun times!

South Beach Wine & Food Fest Auction!

This year, the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival (Feb. 22-25; click on the logo in the sidebar for more info) will be hosting several auctions benefiting the Share Our Strength organization Florida International University's School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Teaching Restaurant and its Southern Wine and Spirits Beverage Management Center. Also, Art Bulls for Charity has collaborated with the Share Our Strength Organization for this auction, and are ready for bidding.

In the auction catalogue you will find one-of-a-kind culinary experiences, fantastic getaways, fabulous jewelry and unique wine lots. There will also be a limited number of tickets to some of the sold-out events at this year's Festival. If you missed out on some of the most popular events of the weekend, now is your chance to get these coveted tickets at the last minute.

One of the most sought-after lots is, of course, the "Rachael Ray in New York City and Burger Bash in South Beach," which is currently going for $1,700! Here's what you get:

If you are a Rachael Ray fan, this lot is for you! You and three friends will receive tickets to a taping of The Rachael Ray Show in New York City. While you are there you will spend two nights in a large room at the NYC luxury boutique hotel, Dream. To go along with your spectacular experience, you will get the Furi Rachael Ray Kitchen Trio, signed by Rachael Ray. Finally, to top it all off, you will receive four tickets to the Amstel Light Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray at the 2007 Food Network Wine & Food Festival, on Thursday February 22, 2007.

Wow! Can I be one of the three friends?

If you have the opportunity to attend the festival this year, I'd seriously recommend it. Not only will Food Network stars Giada De Laurentiis, Rachael Ray, Emeril Lagasse, Michael Chiarello and more be there, but you're sure to learn quite a bit, eat quite a bit, and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience, if I may be so bold. And did I mention the wine?

Make sure to check out the online auction catalog for your chance to bid on the items. If you're planning on attending, be sure to stop by the Delta Airlines Live Auction, Feb. 25 at the Publix Grand Tasting Village.

Giada's Auditioning for Idol?

That is Giada De Laurentiis on American Idol host Ryan Seacrest's morning radio show, but I don't think she was doing any auditioning.

She'd already got three Food Network shows on her plate. I don't think she could take on one more.

Or maybe she could?

FNA reader Quincy sent me this pic of Giada. I'm pretty sure Ryan's show is on pretty early in L.A., so excuse any shininess/puffiness that isn't normally present on Ms. De Laurentiis;-)

I'm waiting to watch a few more episodes of Giada's Weekend Getaways before I comment extensively on it. The ones I've seen so far haven't done much for me, but I think the show could work. It obviously did (for a time) with Rachael and Giada's added bits of culture and things to do make for a fuller show.

I just don't know. Wasn't it Giada herself who said she didn't want to get into acting or be in front of the camera? She definitely improved with Everyday Italian. Now let's just see where she goes with this one.

Giada at the Globes

If there's one thing celebrities need it's free stuff.

Well, now that the IRS has had its way, it's looking like they'll be getting a little less when it comes to award shows' gift bags. (Sorry, no more diamonds or trips to Antarctica)

So, when I first saw that Giada De Laurentiis had made an appearance at Access Hollywood's "Stuff You Must..." lounge during the Golden Globes weekend, I immediately thought she (and her hubby) were there for the gifts!






It turns out that the "Stuff You Must..." lounge was raising money for charity. I don't really have the full story, but I'm glad it wasn't just a blatant give-away.

There's this interesting crossover right now with personalities on the Food Network and "celebrity" and what is means to be a celebrity in our current culture.

Many seem to think that chefs are not supposed to be well-known, and if they are it's only to be among inner circles; they are to stay in the kitchen and create.

I just don't think that's true anymore. Like it or not, the faces you see on the Food Network are becoming more and more than just "people who cook on television." Suddenly, we're becoming interested in not just these chef's recipes but also their lives.

Soooooooo, that's what this little blog is here for:-) I watch the Food Network for the food. I watch the Food Network for the people. AND I watch the Food Network for entertainment.

Hope you do too.

Giada on Jimmy Kimmel

Food Network Addict reader Melissa sent me the link for Giada's recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel.



Cooking segments on talkshows always seem to turn into the host getting crazy with the ingredients, drinking any available cooking liquor and generally giving the chef a hard time. And this time was no different!

Giada and Jimmy (along with the crazy Jerry O'Connell) make a "Pop Tart"-like ravioli thing and discuss her new show, Giada's Weekend Getaways.

Of course, Jimmy asks how she stays so slim and trim... .

Well, I don't need to go through everything. The video is right there. Enjoy!

Okay, back to Ina. She's making soup and has that collar p-o-p-p-e-d!

A Few Items

There's a few things going on at the Food Network Web site that I've been meaning to talk about for a few days, and Friday is just the day to do it.

First, is this "The Next Food Network Star" vote. The producers "can't decide" which one of these two ladies to choose as the tenth contestant:



Colombe on the right and Eva on the left. After watching their videos I can see why they couldn't make a decision. Both are virtually equal in their likability, style, and potential (which, I would argue, isn't quite there). So, readers, I won't give away who I voted for until after a decision is met. Who do you think should get it?

You have until Jan. 16 to cast your vote.

Also on FN's site is this interesting thing about the "Food Network Awards." Now, this is right up my alley. Giada, Rachael, Paula and Dave decked out in Armani and Versace? Drawn-out acceptance speeches from Emeril and Alton Brown? Sounds Awesome.

Well, the details aren't really there, and I don't think it'll be as star-studded as, say, the Teen Choice Awards, but at least it's a start.

For now, here are the "categories" viewers will be able to vote for starting on Jan. 17:



My own ideas for categories are in green (if you couldn't tell). Perhaps there are other categories we viewers aren't allowed to vote on. Is there a Food Network "Academy?" Hmm...

AND, finally, unless you are living in a hole this winter, you undoubtedly know that everyone's favorite ITALIANA has a new show premiering tonight:



That's what it's called, right? Or is it "40 Dollars a Weekend"? Regardless, we get a double episode tonight at 9 p.m./8 central.

In this TV Guide interview with Giada, the interviewer comes off sounding like a pre-pubescent teenage boy who's got the hots for a sexy star instead of a serious journalist. Whatever.

Questions like:

"I found on your website the answer to one of my questions: How you, as one of these Food Network people, maintain a nice figure while indulging in the country's best mini- cheeseburgers, crab cakes and the like. You credit 'genetics, portion control and fresh ingredients' — to which I say, 'Yeah, right.'"

are just pointless.

And:

"And if the waiter balks, you say, 'I'm Giada, dammit. Give me what I want, or Food Network will take you down.'"

Sheesh:-/

We also learn that there will be no skydiving on Giada's Weekend Getaways, which is fine since Rachael took care of that in the first episode of her talkshow.

Still, best of luck to Giada. I tend to not love these travel shows, but I could be swayed. And Giada is quite the swayer. Right? Right?

Enjoy your weekend!

FNA in Print

I was so surprised this morning to see a quote from my own blog in the Express, DC's free, daily publication of the Washington Post.



"The Blog Log" is always the first thing I look at in the Express, so this morning's commute was especially interesting.

I saw "Giada" first and then read the full quote thinking "that sounds like something I wro..." OH, it is me!

FNA was recently featured on Express' blog, covering my review of Dave Does' MRE webisode, but to be in print is especially nice.

Now that it's out there, it REALLY IS only a matter of time before we a see a pic like this in print:









:-) It's fake, by the way. I made it.

Iron Chef, Battle Cranberry Wrap Up

As you may recall, I celebrated Thanksgiving early and fell asleep during the initial airing of the Iron Chef battle between Giada De Laurentiis and Rachael Ray.

I think everyone needs a full week or so after Thanksgiving to recover, so that's why this is so late. Hopefully you've all had plenty of time to see it.

The secret ingredient was cranberries. Both teams discussed a bit about what they'd make (or just pretended if they already had it planned) before getting into it.




This is right about where I fell asleep the first time, so it's fitting that my pictures begin from this point.

Giada immediately got flustered with that food processor. Her nerves were over the edge for the rest of the episode.

Mario Batali quickly got on the judges good side by sneaking some cranberry Bellini's over the them. Cheers!



When asked to comment on this obvious bribe, Bobby Flay sort of just acted his normal, alien-like self:



No words. Anyhow, he's a focused chef. No time for chit chat.

Mario didn't seem to mind prancing around, handing out pannetone to both teams while taking his own dishes to the refrigerator when needed... himself!

Since the chefs (and Rachael the "cook") are so focused they rarely have time to look at the camera. Most of the time you get these top of the head kind of shots.



But with all they looking down and bending over, you'd think we'd get some of those cleavage shots Giada has made famous! Come on, Mario! Don't let us down.

Just kidding.

So they cooked a lot, both teams making osso buco-inspired recipes. They all looked and sounded interesting to me, but some looked better than others. Rachael boiled pasta in red wine which sounded really nice. I had seen Michael Chiarello do a similar wine-soaked pasta and wanted to try it. Hmm...

Finally it was time to judge. The honorable judges were Mo Rocca that I remember from the Daily Show, some girl from Entertainment Weekly (I think), and David Evangelista who used to do hair and makeover segments on the Rosie O'Donnell Show (before the View became the Rosie show II).

Team Fliada went first:



This one gets a check mark by me. I like everything about it. Some of the judges didn't like the AMOUNT of goat cheese on it (too thick or something), but more cheese is always better in my book. Especially when it comes from a goat.



Sorry, Giada. I love you, but these ravioli look like flat, oily disks rather than gourmet, hearty Italian fare. Next!



This one gets a ribbon by me. Honorable Mention! I say that because I'm not the biggest fan of duck, but know many people are. They would have liked it better than I.



This one might have done in Team Fliada. Again, I don't like venison, but that's not even why. When compared next to Mario's osso buco, this one just doesn't match up. Also, that cranberry risotto looked really runny and sort of grayish. They showed some overhead shots of it and it kind of appeared to be what throwing up Pepto Bismol must look like. Sorry!



Giada's zeppole always get a check mark from me! Even though, admittedly, balls of fried dough should always get good marks. She had some trouble getting them to fry through, but they turned out great. Would love to try some.

Mo Rocca asked if Italian cops eat zeppole instead of "regular" donuts. Haha... that got him a hug from Giada.

Team Ratali:




This dish gets... a sheriff's badge from me, basically because I don't really remember anything about it. Can't even really tell what it is from this picture. Hmm...



These shrimp things get a check mark, but NO BOX:-) They sound all right, but I don't love the idea of wrapping meat in more meat. Maybe I'm wrong. Alton pointed out pancetta is like bacon, but not smoked. Great.



The drunken bucatini that I mentioned earlier gets a check/exclamation point! It sounds delish, and I've even eat the sweet and spicy sausage.



This one wins. I love saffron and the gold leaf.



This looks beautiful. I would get over my dislike for trifles by eating this, I think.

And now for the scores:

... but first



What is that in/on Rachael's teeth? As Jordan Baker pointed out, it sounded like Rachael had "smoked a full carton of reds" before the taping. It looks like it, too. Someone get Rachael on the patch quick!

After tabulating the scores, the winner is TEAM RATALI!



Rachael can't believe it; Mario knew it.



Looks like Giada thought Mario might try to throw the match her way. Flay is in alien mode.

That is a pretty saucy reaction from Ms. De Laurentiis. At least it wasn't this:



Better watch out!

All in all, a good episode. Fun times. Even if it took about 3 tries to get through it.

Okay, this post took forever. I gotta go sleep again:-)

Congrats Team Ratali!

And the Winner is...

Some of you were wondering why I haven't jumped on the posting wagon regarding the "epic" battle between GDL and RR this past Sunday. Well, I fell asleep during it!

I had a good reason, though. I was out of town for early Thanksgiving (get it out of the way, you know) and didn't actually sit down to dinner until 6. That turkey tryptophan worked its magic and I think I was completely out by the time Rachael started boiling wine to cook pasta in. Woops!

I do know who the winner is, though, and will post with pictures (including the Giada reaction shot Mike at tvfoodfan.com let me know about) after it reairs this Saturday.

Yay!

Okay, I should be back later today. Remember how I mentioned Rachael was supposed to be competing on Celebrity Jeopardy? Well, where is she?!?!

UPDATE: Evidently not everyone fell asleep while watching. Variety is reporting that this Iron Chef battle received its best-ever numbers, with 5.8 million viewers enjoying all that is Team Fliada and Team Ratali (thanks Jordan Baker)!!!

They beat everything else on cable that night and the CW (if you can shockingly believe... good thing Tyra wasn't up against it).

Giada's Family Smiles

Happy Labor Day to everyone reading this in the USA. So far, I've spent it by laboring as little as possible. Meanwhile, the Food Network has been keeping up with a "Quick & Easy" marathon of shows we've all seen before. Ugh... I need something to keep me from going back to bed.



Okay, that was it. Sheesh. How many teeth are up in there?



Mom's smile is large, too. Doesn't really come close to Giada's. Nice lips, though. Honrable mention for that.



I was in Rome last summer and don't remember seeing smiles like these.



Giada's hubby shouldn't even bother when he's around her family. Just look at that pathetic grin.

Ahhh, well. I know people are scared/annoyed/whatever that the Food Network is moving away from traditional "cooking shows" to a more flavored fare. I'm not really that worried. As long as there are smiles like these, I'll keep watching.

Vanilla Beans and other Handy Tips

I wonder if these kind of smiles just come about naturally when you're around Giada.

This pic really has nothing to do with the post. Just thought it was funny. I make that face all the time when I'm about to eat a donut, too.

No, what I'm really concerned about is the amount of times I've been "taught" what a vanilla bean is, and how to use it while cooking.



Okay, I started watching the Food Network in earnest when I was an early- college lad (not that long ago) in an attempt to learn more about cooking, as I was living away from my parents. I'm sure the first time I saw Ina or Dave or Giada or Pauler or Emeril slice open a vanilla bean I was thoroughly intrigued. Now, however, I know how to do it. No need to keep reminding me what one is, how there are seeds inside that create those little "flecks" you see in vanilla ice cream, and how even I can make my own vanilla sugar!


I suppose there are others out there who need the instruction, but I bet they are caught up by now, too. It's the same thing when Rachael reminds us what EVOO stands for. Or when Ina reminds us that none of our ingredients will ever compare to the quality she owns, grows, or creates by Hamptons magic.



Just kidding Ina. You know I love you.

My former roommate Sarah and I made Emeril's banana cream pie with caramel drizzles and chocolate sauce last Thanksgiving and it was awesome. Used a real vanilla bean and everything:-) So, thank you Food Network for your awesome tips. I got the vanilla bean down.

How would Giada pronounce "PEZ"????

UPDATE: Rocky Mountain News is reporting that Rachael Ray will release "a line of Ray-branded compilations and voicetones in a deal with Epic Records." Her first CD will be "Holiday Themed" and hits stores Oct. 3! What is a Ray-branded voicetone?

Just a little taste to get you through your work day...

TV Week is reporting that the Food Network is beginning negotions with several of the network's stars in non-TV endeavors. That is the Emeril cookware, the Ina food products, the Chiarello "Napa-Style" kind of things that the FN had previously not held a stake in. Evidently, freakin' Emeril is making $150 million every year ($90 million from restaurants) and the network caught on that this might be a good idea to cash in on the earnings of many of the people it helped make famous.

I don't know how I feel about this. The article quotes the president of a licensing organization who deals mostly with cartoon character products. Obviously, cartoons are easier to deal with than, say, Sandra Lee on her 5th cocktail.

Food Network wants to "be more like Nickelodeon," which earns huge amounts of money from its licensed products (think of all the Spongebob crap out there right now).

So, what will this mean for the future of Food Network products? There are already a few books, some DVDs, and other things out right now, licensed exclusively by the Food Network. What's next? Giada Pez dispensers?

I'm still working on my Ace of Cakes review. It might be up later today. As many of you have commented, I agree that the show was plesantly entertaining. Good job, FN!

guess who #2

Armchair Cook and BoingBoing have posted this little game where you have to guess, based on an extreme closeup, if what you're looking at is a food network star, or a porn star. it's pretty funny. i am actually more surprised about the amount of stills you can get of giada looking disgusted, which can be found here at TVGasm. so, without giving it away:

i actually took this photo, so forgive the lighting and bluriness please.

that's right, it's my favorite italian chef/daughter of a movie mogul/FN star, Giada De Laurentiis!!!

these pictures come from her Rockville, Maryland book signing at Barnes and Noble in April. it was a real gloomy day and kept raining throughout the entire event.

giada was about 30 minutes late (not sure why), and when she finally sat down they put her directly in front of these huge windows! it sucked for pictures, as you can see. so glad the Sports Authority came out so clearly there in the background.

security was tight at this thing, too. lots of strict "no standing areas" and uniformed important-looking people. i chose to not stand in the line, as giada was only signing copies of her newest cookbook. not having a huge family to cook for, i thought it was best to not purchase family dinners right then.

giada was as smiley as ever, despite the rain. she seemed genuinely happy to meet and talk to people too, which was nice. i just wish she would have done this in a better location. D.C. has a lot more to offer than a strip-mall, Rockville Barnes and Noble. Oh well.

Anyone else catch a book signing?

PS- if you can't get enough of giada, check out Giada Fan. it's run by the same guy who does Men in Aprons, another great site. Check them out.