Celebrity Chefs

[MMLEsq]

I didn't know where this would fit in, so I decided just to go ahead and create a new thread about anything and everything to do with celebrity chefs in general.

I went to an event at the Miami Book Fair a couple of weeks ago and Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali were together at an author event. First they "interviewed" each other, then they took questions from the audience. Some of the things I learned:

1. Anthony Bourdain ("AB") asked Mario Batali ("MB") who he hated at the Food Network. MB refused to answer, so AB rephrased the question to who would he be least likely to invite to dinner. MB responded right away with Sandra Lee. Then MB turned the tables on AB and AB replied that his answer would be Padma. Based on some of the sarcastic comments he made about whether she was qualified to be the judge of a cooking competition and how "smart" she is, it did not appear that he has a ton of respect for her.

2. When asked their "guilty pleasures," MB replied that his were chips and salsa, or basically anything that someone else has made (I guess he doesn't like to cook when he gets home). AB replied that his guilty pleasure is the orange macaroni and cheese out of a box.

3. When asked what food they would eat if they could only have one food for the rest of their lives, MB answered spaghetti and AB answered sushi.

4. MB thought that Vietnam was the most interesting country from a culinary perspective these days; MB thought that would be Singapore.

5. When asked where they liked to eat in Miami, both mentioned Michelle Bernstein's restaurant.

They signed books afterwards, so I had MB sign his new cookbook (that he wrote with Gwyneth Paltrow) on his travels through Spain and I had AB sign Kitchen Confidential. Both were super nice and chatted with me while they were signing the books (I actually had each of them sign two books -- one for me and one for my Mom).


Last week it just so happened that Michelle Bernstein was appearing at a local bookstore, so I went to that as well. She talked for about an hour about growing up in Miami, her culinary influences, opening her first restaurant, her new restaurant that's open in a week or so, etc. Her mom, sister, niece and nephew were all there. One of her friends from high school was sitting in front of me. She also made three dishes from her new cookbook that they served for everyone: a lobster and corn bisque, a chicken and mango sandwich, and a watermelon Greek salad. She also signed books and chatted with me for a while about where my Mom lived (I was having her sign books for both me and my Mom), the Miami book fair (she had appeared at an event separate from AB and MB), etc. She was so nice!

[Google]

 

[Ellen]

I'm so jealous -- I love Anthony Bourdain and am a fan of his novels; they're my favorite summer beach reading! It must've been a hoot to see AB and MB interview each other, as they're good friends. MB was on AB's New Jersey episode of No Reservations. It was hilarious -- they did a parody of the "leave the gun; take the cannoli" scene from The Godfather.

[myrosiedog]

I love Anthony Bourdain and watch No Reservations all the time. I've read all his books, but kitchen confidential is my favorite.

Mario is too pretentious for me.

I'd rather invite Tony and leave Mario at home.

Speaking of Sandra Lee, I caught the last part of her "thanksgiving leftover" show yesterday. I can't stand her so I don't usually watch it. The stuff she made had me wanting to gag. If someone served that to me as leftovers, I would NOT be happy.
The cocktail was red wine, orange juice and sparkling cider. UGH.

[Ellen]

Originally Posted by myrosiedog

. . . The cocktail was red wine, orange juice and sparkling cider. UGH.

The really funny thing about her vile cocktail, though, was her description of the recipe: one-half part red wine, one-half part orange juice, and one-half part sparkling cider. Good god, she flunked math, too?!!

[myrosiedog]

Originally Posted by Ellen

The really funny thing about her vile cocktail, though, was her description of the recipe: one-half part red wine, one-half part orange juice, and one-half part sparkling cider. Good god, she flunked math, too?!!

I had forgotten about that. But I thought when she made it that her "parts" were off.
Her tablescapes get to me too. She thinks she's Martha Stewart and Martha would cringe at some of the stuff Sandra Lee does. There is a forum that makes fun of her. A few people here have told me about it, I can't remember the name of it. It's not a Fort forum. But I have read it a few times and it's funny.

[livin4reality]

Interesting that AB doesn't care for Padma. He is on Top Chef at least once per season. Oh to be a fly on that wall.

And IMO Guy Fieri is taking over Food Network. I knew he was going to be big when he won NFNS.

[myrosiedog]

I can take Guy in small doses. I like "triple D", but I can't watch too much of him.

Seems like Food Network has changed so much. Emeril is no longer king and Rachel Ray is no longer queen.

I like Paula Deen and Ina Garten and Alton Brown. I watch their shows the most and Giarda De Laurentis and Tyler Florence.

[luvsginger]

Wow, thanks for the info! I personally can not stand Padma on Top Chef. I had written a post over on the Top Chef forum on how I have to hit the mute button when she is talking. I realize that Padma has written a cookbook or two but other than that, what qualifies her to judge these 'Top Chefs?" I just never understood the "love" for Padma.
It is interesting though that Anthony Bourdoin is a guest judge on Top Chef.
I always wondered about the "love" between the Food Network Chefs. Did anyone watch the Iron Chef episode where Bobby Flay/Giada DeLaurentis teamed up against Rachael Ray/Mario Batalli? Rachael Ray and Mario Batalli won and when they panned the camera over to Giada DeLaurentis she did not even try to hide her dislke for Rachael Ray. She was rolling her eyes and shaking her head. I've read that many chefs do not respect Rachael Ray, a little jealousy maybe jmho?
Giada was a little "b****y" as a judge on The Next Food Network Star.

[myrosiedog]

I really can't stand Rachel Ray and the few recipes of her's I've tried I didn't like either. I'm one of those that don't get the love for RR.

Giada seems like she could be a real bitch. But I do like to watch her show and her recipes that I've tried are always really good.

Ina Garten is pretentious, but not like Mario. And Ina's recipes are always good too.

Alton Brown just makes me laugh and I like how he explains the history and "science" of what he's making. Plus you can just tell he has a love for all things related to food.

[livin4reality]

luvsginger-I remember watching that episode of Iron Chef with Giada. I got the same impression that she was jealous of Rachel Ray. And she was a witch on NFNS to some of the contestents (the female ones?) I've never liked her and seeing those antics kind of confirmed my opinion of her.

I don't have much of an opinion of Ina Garten. If there is nothing else to watch...

Padma-I suppose it is all about her looks. She is a stunning woman.