Crumbs - 1/16/08
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 | posted by Mike
Crumbs...remember them? I know, it's been a while.- Completely unverifiable, yet nonetheless enjoyable, gossip about a Rachael Ray commercial shoot.
- A blogger takes some shots at the Food Network lineup.
- America's Test Kitchen apparently has videos available on iTunes.
- One of the restaurants shown on the British version of Kitchen Nightmares was gutted by fire.
- Apparently Rachael Ray's magazine has a pretty high turn-over rate.
- A discussion of some of Food Network's mobile technologies.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 10/31/07
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 | posted by Mike
Happy Halloween, everyone. If any of your are dressing up as Sandra Lee this year, you know where to send the pictures...mike@tvfoodfan.com.
Let's get right to it, shall we?
- Someone complaining about Sandra Lee. It includes this: "...and I've never seen her resort to boxed mac and cheese the way Lee will." My God. That's not true, is it? Has someone actually seen this happen?
- America's Test Kitchen has some ideas for crispy baked onion rings. The secret? Potato chips.
- Rachael Ray goes green.
- And she's coming to Moorestown, New Jersey (a very short drive from TVFF HQ) to help her local affiliate kick off a holiday food drive. We must have an available TVFF Operative somewhere in the area...
- Jamie Oliver's programs are coming to DVD.
- A Gordon Ramsay video game? Do you get an extra life for berating the line cook?
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 10/17/07
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 | posted by Mike
OK. A quick one today, as it's Mrs. TVFF's Birthday and I still haven't wrapped the present.
Oh, but be sure to check back tomororow when you'll get to hear about another member of TVFF's family.
- Sandra Lee will be playing herself on an episode of As the World Turns this Thursday.
- Gordo thinks French women smell.
- Mario Batali launches a web series on Serious Eats.
- Plenty of food personalities are headed for Cleveland next month.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 10/10/07
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 | posted by Mike
One of the fun parts of working in the new location (Center City Philadelphia) is the chance to explore and find new places for a quick lunch. Case in point: Mama's Vegetarian on 20th Street that serves a simply amazing falafel sandwich. You can take a look at it here, but it really needs some sort of cross-section illustration to do it justice.
- The Next Iron Chef America delivers good ratings for Food Network.
- Bobby Flay will be appearing at a Barnes & Noble in Freehold, NJ -- a relatively short drive from TVFF HQ.
- Gordon Ramsay settles a discrimination suit.
- And gets two Michelin stars for his NYC restaurant.
- Emeril and Food Network in talks for a contract extension.
- Jamie Oliver looking to open a chain of Italian restaurants.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 10/3/07
Wednesday, October 03, 2007 | posted by Mike
So, are you as excited as me about tonight's finale of Top Chef?
Yeah, that's what I thought.
Seriously, it's been a very good season and I am looking forward to seeing how it all shakes out. We'll have more on that tomorrow.
- Grub Street talks with the Top Chef finalists.
- Also at Grub Street, a fun photo of Lidia Bastianich.
- Trouble at Rachael Ray's magazine?
- Food Network is teaming up with Comcast for expanded HD availability. In related news, I still don't have HD...but I did get that DVR!
- A look at FN's upcoming new shows.
- My favorite headline of the day: GORDON RAMSAY HAS A VERY LOW SPERM COUNT
- The Food Network's parent company, Scripps, is getting a new home down in Tennessee.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 9/26/07
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | posted by Mike
Another week scooting by. You'll all be happy to hear that my Friday night excursion with PhilaFoodie was a blast, and that I'm looking forward to making him my personal culinary sherpa, guiding me through the moutain range that is Philadelphia's restaurant scene. As an added bonus, Marisa -- all star Slashfood blogger -- also came out and meeting her was a real treat.
OK, enough about my personal life.
- The Post-Intelligencer thinks Giada and Gordon have style.
- Speaking of Seattle, two local chefs get call-backs on for TNFNS.
- Robert Irvine, a former military man himself, cooks for the Air Force.
- The Australian ladies love Jamie Oliver.
- But he insists he's not looking to buy the British restaurant chain Little Chef.
- Guy Fieri is apparently under the weather.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 9/19/07
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 | posted by Mike
- Here be a story about a new line of Crocs clothing, as well as a video of Padma!
- Well, shiver me timbers, Robert Irvine will be making an appearance right near TVFF HQ!
- (OK...enough of that.)
- Lidia will be "down the shore" as we say around here.
- The Food Network branded line of products is now available at Kohl's.
- Recap of a Giada appearance in Connecticut.
- The New York Post has an article about Rachael Ray's butt. Classy.
- And, speaking of Rachael, go check out this piece on the new cooking competition on her show.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 9/12/07
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 | posted by Mike
Well, I started the new job on Monday, and it's just great. We're going light on the crumbs today, mostly because I'm tired. That, and the 124 unread items in my inbox are just too intimidating to actually wade through.
Philadelphia Food Update: Lunch at the Continental Midtown with a new friend from work. Thumbs up for the Rad Na Thai Noodles.
- Rachael Ray in Vanity Fair.
- Robert Irvine, spokesperson for Healthy Choice food.
- Guy Fieri visits Minneapolis.
- A recap of the Hell's Kitchen auditions in Denver.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 8/29/07
Wednesday, August 29, 2007 | posted by Mike
Well, Mrs. TVFF and I made the trip to Manhattan last Friday for dinner at Spice Market and it was very good. We were part of a table of five, so we ended up ordering and eating family style, but the highlights for me were (of course) the red curry duck, the mushroom egg rolls and the snapper. The decor was overwhelming, but in a good way...sort of an escape from the world outside. A tremendous amount of fun was had by all.
On to television-related stuff:
- Robert Irvine will be writing a column for a magazine.
- Marco Pierre White has something to say about Jamie Oliver's school lunch campaign. Hint: It's not positive.
- A Nigella Lawson/Martha Stewart feud?!?!
- Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen flavor-tests salt.
- A profile of Matt Molina, the 29-year-old running the kitchen at Mario Batali's Mozza in Los Angeles.
- Rocco DiSpirito and Ted Allen are appearing live in Atlanta.
- A photo of the restaurant for Gordo's upcoming season of The F-Word.
- Rachael Ray's talk show is doing well lately.
- Someone at the Denver Post likes the Food Network.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 8/22/07
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 | posted by Mike
Sorry about the lack of Crumbs last week, but I did mention that things have been a bit hectic. Look for news about that on Friday if you care (you probably don't). But now you're intrigued, so you'll probably come back, won't you? I'm clever like that.
Actually, look for it fairly early on Friday, as I'll be heading into NYC early in the day...I'm planning on seeing some sights (Museum of Modern Art, I think) and having drinks with friends. As I mentioned yesterday, be sure to let me know if you have any Spice Market experience and, if so, what you recommend.
- Variety covers Have Fork.
- The OC Register interrogates Guy Fieri.
- A Gordo-double films a promotional spot and scares people to death.
- Life after Hell's Kitchen for Jen.
- An article on Top Chef's Harold Dieterle's restaurant.
- Bobby Flay takes advice from Yogurt: "Merchandising...where the real money from the movie is made!"
- Hear Bill Buford read from his book, Heat.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 8/8/07
Wednesday, August 08, 2007 | posted by Mike
Hey, thanks for not making fun of me too much for the goofy grilling picture. That really helped my self esteem.
- Bikers like Alton's Feasting.
- But this guy doesn't. (Truth be told, he makes some good points.)
- And this guy doesn't like Bourdain's No Reservations.
- The New York Post takes a look at Anne Burrell, Mario Batali's sous chef during his appearances on Iron Chef.
- Grub Street talks to Joey from Top Chef, who apparently isn't a fan of Rocco.
- US News tells us that these celebrity chefs are making some serious cash.
- Food Network goes to the Middle East.
- Robert Irvine was taping an episode a short distance from TVFF HQ.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 8/1/07
Wednesday, August 01, 2007 | posted by Mike
Quiet week...plus I'm working on some sort of stomach bug. And the forecast says nothing but 90s for the coming week. Yuck.
- Giada De Laurentiis: Posing with tomato sauce: A+ Geography: C-
- An auction tomorrow for dinner and a lesson with Mario Batali.
- Gordo's gastropub rates highly.
- The De Laurentiis/Lagasse/Garten interview in Ladies Home Journal. I must have misplaced my subscription copy...
- Guy was a hit at that garlic festival.
- And he knows the way to San Jose (Palo Alto, actually) for a day-long celebration of food this Saturday.
- Amy Finley chats about her new show.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 7/25/07
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 | posted by Mike
A little while back, Mrs. L posted a comment and asked whether they'd be rerunning last season's Feasting on Asphalt before the new episodes. We managed to catch a promo the other night and it looks like they are! They'll be showing next week, Monday-Thursday, at 8:00 pm (ET/PT).
Be sure to check out Thursday's episode and catch Friend-of-TVFF Chris Cognac as he demonstrates why you don't want to mess with a cop who carries a pepper-ball gun.
- Dan, our buddy who runs The Hungover Gourmet (be sure to check out his visit to one of those Simpsons Kwick-E-Marts!), let us know about Gordon Ramsay story in The New York Observer.
- Guy likes garlic.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 7/18/07
Wednesday, July 18, 2007 | posted by Mike
Short and sweet. Why? Because we have another post coming later today!
- Taping at the CIA for the upcoming The Next Iron Chef.
- Gordon Ramsay's restaurant has been accused of racism.
- A little bit of satire for your Wednesday: "Rachel Ray Launches Microsoft Xbox 360 Cooking Show."
- A New York Times article that mentions Lidia Bastianich's restaurant in Kansas City.
- Judy Girard, the president of HGTV and a big part of the success of Food Network, is retiring.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 7/11/07
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 | posted by Mike
I'm tired. Feel free to instert your own witty intro here.
- Bobby Flay was right down the road from TVFF HQ and we didn't even know about it! If TVFF Ace Reporter Jessica had known about this, we might have been in for another sweet camera phone picture!
- Wondering why Emeril is now on at 7 p.m. on weeknights? Wonder no more.
- A short profile of Guy Fieri.
- We're on a bit of a movie premiere kick lately. This time, it's Duff Goldman at the new Harry Potter. And...just like last time, Masi Oka (a.k.a. the dude from Heroes) was there. Doesn't this guy have anything better to do?
- Gordon Ramsay fired the head chef of his New York restaurant.
- British police have arrested somone in connection to those threats agains Jamie Oliver.
- Bill Buford's book about Mario Batali, Heat, is out in paperback.
- Lidia and Mario, out and about in D.C.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 7/4/07
Wednesday, July 04, 2007 | posted by Mike
First off, Happy Fourth of July to all of our American visitors!
Secondly, I'd like to thank Jacob at food network addict (and everyone else) for the well-wishes for our one-year anniversary here at TVFF. Jacob also just celebrated his first year, so we'd like to send our congratulations right back at him.
Also: Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a very special post.
- A fashion run-down of the ladies of Food Network.
- Janeane Garofalo likes Food Network.
- Apparently, Bobby Flay is determined to take part in ever pro sport all star game this year. First basketball, now baseball. Does anyone know if he can ice skate?
- ClickZ isn't a fan of the production quality of the Dave Lieberman Hellman's videos.
- The New York Post reports that life isn't all peaches and wellington for Hell's Kitchen winners.
- Gordon Ramsay gets in a dig at Rod Stewart while accepting an award on his behalf. Unsolicited TVFF music critique: Rod Stewart -- from his time with Faces
until Never a Dull Moment
-- awesome. Ever since then, steadily down hill. (Seriously, check out Faces
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 6/27/07
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 | posted by Mike
I neglected to make a mention of the fact that our "home town rooting interest" on Hell's Kitchen, Vinnie from nearby Milltown, New Jersey, got the boot this week. As I said when Eddie was told that his services were no longer needed, Vinnie was a bit of a knucklehead. If you're interested, you can check out Vinnie's site. Be sure to check out the "Recipe Cards" section and pick up the recipe for moonshine.
Is that even legal? I know everyone thinks a still is charming and Hawkeye and Trapper John and blah, blah, blah...but I'm guessing nobody is laughing when your neighbor goes blind from the bottle you gave him for Christmas.
- The star of The Surreal Gourmet is returning to Food Network.
- Nigella wants everyone in the UK to be a fat-fat-fattie.
- Gordon Ramsay won't apologize for cursing.
- And is Gordo driving women out of the kitchen? His wife thinks so.
- Jamie Oliver speaks out on Cornish extremists.
- Looks like Mario isn't the only high-profile Crocs wearer. I don't think those are going to help his 32% approval rating.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 6/20/07
Wednesday, June 20, 2007 | posted by Mike
It's Wednesday, it's late and I'm tired.
- Maio Batali hates bloggers. (But not TVFF, I'm sure. I like to think he'd make an exception for us.)
- Hey, it's Marc Silverstein!
- Bobby Flay in Green Bay (hey, that rhymes).
- Guy Fieri and Martin Yan in Pittsburgh.
- Cat Cora will be there, too.
- And Robert Irvine in Pensacola.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 6/13/07
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 | posted by Mike
As you probably know, the new season of Top Chef starts tonight. Let's all hope and pray that it is gloriously foam-free. And why do we feel like the judges will quickly become the most compelling reason to tune in?
- An incident that I'm sure many of you will consider some sort of karmic retribution: Gordon Ramsay in buffalo herding car crash.
- Jamie Oliver threatened by "Cornish extremists." Thank God it wasn't Cornish hens!
- Rachael Ray is coming to Australia.
- Del Posto, co-owned by Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, will continue to operate despite an attempt by the building's new owner to have them evicted. Note to building owner: Good luck getting a decent table.
Labels: Crumbs
Crumbs - 6/6/07
Wednesday, June 06, 2007 | posted by Mike
As promised, it's time to hand out credit for the trivia question that we had last week.
We referenced "Bluto Blutarsky" and "Ned Ryerson" and asked which two movies we were talking about and what they had in common with one another.
"mrs.l" was the first one to get Animal House and Groundhog Day. Bluto, of course, was played by John Belushi and Ned (played by character actor Steven Tobolowsky) was the guy who accosted Bill Murray's character every day, trying to get him to remember him from high school before watching him step off the curb and into a puddle.
But the thing they have in common came to us from "david auerbach" (credit also to "seth," who sent it in a little later via e-mail) who remembered the involvement of Harold Ramis in both of the movies. It's amazing...this guy either wrote, directed or acted in: Animal House, Caddyshack, Stripes, National Lampoon's Vacation, Ghost Busters, Back to School, Groundhog Day, and Analyze This. Oh, and he was on SCTV, too. I think that qualifies him as a "Comedy Legend."
OK. Enough messing around.
- Lidia Bastianich will be doing a live demonstration for NJN, the public broadcasting station in Trenton that services TVFF HQ.
- Paula Deen was in Shreveport, y'all!
- Or you can drink wine with Giada, Batali and Morimoto in Aspen..."a place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano."
- Gordon Ramsay's pet lamb suffers the same fate as many of his Hell's Kitchen contestants.
- Buy Jamie Oliver's 2002 Maserati.
Labels: Crumbs
