BRAVO TV
Bravo has taken one part cooking show and one part travel show to bring viewers a culinary whirlwind spanning the entire globe. The network’s new culinary competition series, Around the World in 80 Plates, takes twelve chefs around the world to cook, learn about unfamiliar cultures and their cuisine, and most likely stab each other in the backs with their perfectly sharpened chef knives. The combination of Top Chef skill, the Amazing Race stamina, and Survivor strategy is sure to satisfy the hunger of even the most discerning reality TV junky.
Who said former assistants couldn't get their own shows? Brad Goreski, former assistant to the talented Rachel Zoe, has since announced his document series for Bravo TV. Great, something interesting to watch during our down time! Brad, known for his unique sense of style (coloring blocking trends and bow ties), will be giving viewers an insight to his personal life in his new reality show titled “It's a Brad Brad World.” Catchy, huh?
The show is said to premiere January 2nd ( so we'll try not to party too hard). Since his rumored ugly split with Zoe, Brad has had his hands full. Juggling his work schedule, styling career, working on a book, and writing for InStyle magazine (and you thought you were a busy bee). Let's hope some of the juicy celeb details; like who styles who or who shops where, will be captured on the new show.
One personal aspect the fabulous stylist shows is his 10 year anniversary with boyfriend Gary Janetti. The two throw a huge Grecian-themed party in their yard for the occasion. Awww just when we thought Celebrities couldn't get any cuter.
Bravo recently announced its chef-testant lineup for its ninth season of Top Chef and you should NOT mess with it. Oh yea, it's in Texas.
The cooking competition/foodie TV career enhancer is going south this winter and is changing things up a bit. In the past, news of the show's debut is followed by a list of the 16 chefs planning on competing for the title. This year, however, the TV station has revealed 29 "hopefuls" that wil be narrowed down some time in the future. In addition to the bulked-up participant list, fans can expect to see the regular parade of celebrity guest appearances including Pee Wee Herman, Patti LaBelle, Charize Theron, Cat Cora, John Besh and Tim Love. Of course, the always-hungry judges, Tom Colicchio, Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons will have final say on deliciousness but will this year be joined by perennial nice guy, Emeril Lagasse and Hugh Acheson.
Young entrepreneurs Ben Goldberg and Jacob Davenport will be premiering their highly anticipated fry truck The Frying Dutchmen to the streets of Manhattan on May 20th. The gourmet fry truck will feature both Belgian-style fries and sweet potato fries along with a unique line-up of specialty sauces and dips.
Joonbug caught up with Dave Martin, who is The Frying Dutchmen’s Consulting Executive Chef, famously known as Top Chef's Season One Finalist, cookbook author and former Executive Chef of Lola, Crave (42nd Street) and VYNL Restaurants. Chef Dave Martin shares some insights on what New Yorkers can look forward to if they pay a visit to The Frying Dutchmen truck.
Bug eyed Ramona Singer of Real Housewives of New York has confirmed that Cindy Barshop will be the new addition to the series. Barshop is the owner of the Completely Bare Salon in the city and is also a mother of twins.
Singer is said to be happy with her new co-star but let's be serious. If Barshop starts to get more air time apples will be thrown. Bethenny or not, there will always be drama. No complaints here.
Man about town Micah Jesse will be hosting the Grand Opening of Social Tuesdays at the Hudson Eatery at 9 PM tomorrow night. There will also be a special appearance by Jill Zarin from the Bravo TV series The Real Housewives of New York. Sounds like an interesting combo! You never know what to expect from Micah Jesse or what tricks he may pull out of his magic hat...
This season of The City is a little better than the last. With a strong premiere last week, I have hope. The City, in case you don't know, centers around the life of Whitney Port (one of the less interesting, yet more grounded sidekicks of Lauren Conrad on The Hills). The show's downfall is while Whitney is pretty and sweet, she's also kind of boring. Unlike the sometimes too opinionated Conrad, Port has no real opinion. She uses words like "yeah" and "totally" to express herself when talking about serious business like her fashion line with her boss. If you don't know her costars already there's Olivia Palermo (token mean girl who works at Elle Magazine), Erin Kaplan (Olivia's nemesis also works at Elle), Roxie (Whitney's roommate, best friend and coworker at People's Revolution) and Kelly Cutrone (owner and boss of People's Revoultion). Tonight's episode centered around Whitney's new fashion line, "Whitney Eve."
Last night Bravo TV premiered Christian Siriano's reality television show, Christian Siriano: Having A Moment.
As if I don't watch enough television, I needed something to get my fix, which was left back in the past week somewhere from Bravo's Kell On Earth.
Siriano was a favorite of mine throughout his Project Runway debut. I walked away from the emotional finale saying the word "FIERCE!" On his behalf, of course.
As every other reality television star (aka the entire crew of CW's Stylista), I let Siriano fade into the back of my mind only to recall his name when walking past a Payless Shoe Source; seeing his promo ads plastered throughout the windows.
It is either talk of the spices, the unique menu, or the garden oasis out back that first draws you into Oleana, but nothing quite prepares you for the experience. This is food that you probably have never tasted before with carefully woven layers of flavors and spices.
If Oleana's food were to be given as a quick-fire challenge and chefs were asked to taste and describe what is in just one dish, I'm not sure even the most trained palate would be successful. Although the spices keep their flavors and don't melt into one another, the layer upon layer of tastes are perfectly complementary and seemingly endless. Chef Ana Sortun is celebrated not only for her amazing talent in the kitchen but for the flawless, complex use of spices. Oleana offers a true family farm-to-table dinner nightly to be enjoyed indoors in a warm, happy environment with intriguing smells wafting from the kitchen or outdoors in the garden where you feel transported outside the city. For breakfast or lunch, head over to Oleana's "little sister" Sofra Bakery and Café. For a taste of Ana Sortun in a completely different environment, tune in to Season 2 of Top Chef Masters. Here is what Chef Sortun had to say about her experience.
Celebrated, by locals, sought out by visitors, and recognized by everyone from the James Beard Foundation to The New York Times, chef/owner Jody Adams of Rialto can most often be found in the kitchen at Rialto or cooking for a cause somewhere. If you haven't been, Rialto is a fresh, comfortable, elegant restaurant located at the Charles Hotel and the food is an exquisite variation on a classic theme. The main concept always roots from Italian cuisine and the variations are chef Adams' inspirations from the best foods of the season, a recent excursion, or some other chef's whim.
In a few short weeks Chef Adams will also be on a television near you. Joining a slew of other talented chefs, Jody Adams will be competing on season 2 of Bravo TV's Top Chef Masters. Here is what she had to say about the experience.
LK: Did you go into the competition with a bag of tricks or as an accomplished chef did you just step into the kitchen feeling ready for whatever the host and judges threw your way?
It was a good excuse so I treated myself and went out and bought a brand new knife kit. I didn't have much in terms of a bag of tricks. I stayed true to what I do and who I am.
LK: Every chef has an ingredient, a method, or a kitchen tool that they just feel at odds with. What would that be for you?
Anything high tech.
LK: If you could invite one chef you competed with to come work with you at Rialto for a month who would it be and why?
I would choose them one by one to come. The thing about this experience was that in the heat of the moment I didn't really get to see what the others were doing. I'd love to cook side by side with them and taste their food. There is so much to learn.
 |
 |
 |
 |
