Food Network Star 9 Finalists Announced
Bobby, Giada and Alton return to mentor a new cast of wannabe TV chefs.
The newest Starsters are: Nikki Dinki (New York), Andres Guillama (Waynesville, NC), Rodney Henry (Baltimore), Chris Hodgson (Cleveland), Connie “Lovely” Jackson (Los Angeles), Russell Jackson (San Francisco), Danushka Lysek (New York), Daniela Perez-Reyes (Haleiwa, Haw.), Viet Pham (Salt Lake City); Damaris Phillips (Louisville, Ky.), Stacey Poon-Kinney (San Diego) and Chad Rosenthal (Ambler, Penn.).
All Star Taste of Fashion Wrap Up
An All-Star Affair:
FOUR and Chef E. Dubble’s fashion/charity event hits all the right notes
Fashion tipped off All-Star Weekend with the “All Star Taste of Fashion” event that delivered style, savory bites, and chilled libations for an eclectic crowd of industry insiders. The soiree was conceived by Chef E. Dubble, and Melrose boutique, FOUR, as a way to combine fashion, food, and altruism. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit Los Angeles Team Mentoring, a mentoring organization that utilizes a team building approach to give tools and support to youths growing up in challenging environments.
As evidenced by the overwhelming response, the idea was the perfect way to kick off NBA All?Star Weekend. Host Brandon T. Jackson, star of Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son, kept guests entertained as they perused the racks for chic selections. Models showcased FOUR’s Spring ’11 men’s and women’s collection for the eager shoppers. Celebrities and stylemakers alike were seen dancing to the beat of the DJ’s eclectic playlist, and party?goers toasted with cocktails provided by premium tequila Dama.
Sponsored by Upscale Magazine and Queen of the Wink, the event’s red carpet was filled with a variety of celebrities ready to shop for a cause. Some of the high-profile guests included: Dennis L.A. White (Notorious), Hairspray’s Elijah Kelley, Natalie Nunn of Bad Girl’s Club, and KayCee Stroh (High School Musical 1-3). Alicia Keys newly signed group, Stereo Hogzz five members were seen taking pictures with Genevieve Jackson, recording artist and niece of Michael Jackson.
The mood was heightened by ambrosial bites created by Chef E. Dubble, who has created a following with his catering business, E. Dubble Catering and Private Chef Services, among celebrities such as Halle Berry, Maxwell, and Craig Robinson. The fare included: ahi tuna with wasabi, avocado sauce, and caviar; ceviche with red snapper and tiger shrimp, topped with tequila on a white corn tortilla; steak yakitori, bruschetta with pineapple, ginger and herb cream cheese, and pita topped with a hummus, feta, and tomato mixture. Days of our Lives heartthrob Brody Hutzler took a curious bite into the crispy fried frog legs and declared them delicious, and corn fritters dipped in chocolate sauce put a smile on Genevieve Jackson’s face.
FOUR’s fashion hub was a great location for the event. At first look, the sleek boutique creates a catwalk feel, with a metallic grey palette and sleek track lighting. Featured designers such as Mark & James by Badgley Mischka (sold exclusively on Melrose by FOUR), Kerryn Leigh, Fluxus, Carapace, Hyden Yoo, Sonbol Watches, and MBARQGO, were framed at the edges by python print frames, giving it a modern metropolis feel. Combining top-tier eatables, fashion, and faces, proved to be an All-Star success and provided an enjoyable way to give back to the community in style! The sentiment can be carried through the coming month by shopping at http://shop.fourla.com as a portion of the proceeds of online sales will benefit LATM through March 31, 2011.
For more information on FOUR go to: www.FourLA.com
For more information on Chef E. Dubble go to: www.chefedubble.com
Roadblocks to the TASTYs
Today I head to the West Coast for the TASTY Awards. If the trip is as interesting as the week leading up to it then I should have some crazy stories to share.
This trip to LA is way more important to me than just getting to go see an awards show. The potential for networking and bringing what I do to the attention to people who can make a difference is immense. That in and of itself is stressful so I clearly didn’t need all of this:
My week started with the good old US Postal Service losing a deposit I mailed to the bank – my spending money for the trip. I love how when they lose your mail they always ask, “Did you purchase insurance for your parcel?” Yes, as a matter of fact I did; it’s called a stamp.
For the record, the US Constitution gives the federal government two responsibilities – maintain a military and to provide postage FREE OF CHARGE to all citizens. If you are going to charge for postage then you damned well better guarantee it gets there. I really should think about moving to a bank in my own state.
A few days later my water pump goes out on my car which forces me to dip into my vacation funds. That sucks considering the USPS has just lost my hard earned money. Again, Post Office, when I pay you for a service I expect you to provide it otherwise don’t take my money.
As if this weren’t enough I have the added stress of my Auburn Tigers playing for the National Championship in football. It’s been a great year but I won’t bore you with the details. I just never knew how nerve wrecking it was to have your favorite team play for all the marbles until this year.
There is an old saying in the South, “If you die and go to heaven you still have to change planes in Atlanta.” This holds true with my trip to LA. I depart from Pensacola and switch planes in the same Atlanta that is currently bogged down with a freak winter storm that has to put the final nail in the coffin of Global Warming.
As a lad in Sunday school I was taught that God never gives us obstacles we cannot overcome. I’ve never actually seen that in the Bible. Not saying it isn’t there, just saying I’ve never read it. But I do know this, I got my water pumped fixed and for less than a $100, the head of payroll at The Kitchen Hotline has overnighted me a replacement check, the Auburn Tigers are now officially the best team in college football and if there’s a delay in Hotlanta I can finish watching season two of 30 Rock via Netflix on my laptop. That Tracy Morgan kills me.
If the resolutions to the few remaining roadblocks I have left pan out half as well then this will quite possibly be the best week of my entire life. Oh who am I kidding? When Wes Byrum put the ball through the uprights as time expired it was already the greatest week of my life. And that was on a Monday.
Grill It! with Bobby Flay Premieres Saturday, May 30th at 10:30am
Originally published May 25, 2009.
SEASON PREMIERE
Grill It! with Bobby Flay
Premieres: Saturday, May 30th at 10:30am – SEASON PREMIERE!
“Burgers with Bobby”
Bobby may be an Iron Chef, but when it comes to our favorite grilled foods, he loves a burger. Bobby and his guest, Giselle Raymond, a cook for TV and film crews, go beyond the same old burger and bun with her outrageous Onion 3-Way Burger and Bobby’s juicy Cheyenne Burger drenched in tangy BBQ sauce. On the side, the burger’s favorite accomplices: onion rings and fries.
Grill It! is filmed in Los Angeles.
