Now every wax figure in Madame Tussauds New York will learn how to whip up meals in 30 minutes. Yesterday, Feb. 21, Rachael Ray was on hand to unveil her very own wax replica. Now, I can't tell in these photos, but does wax Rachael come with a wax bottle of EVOO?

If you live in the New York area (or are planning on visiting), you'll be able to get up close and check it out yourself (and pose with her too!). What do you guys think, does it look like her?

To check out a bunch more photos of Rachael mugging with Rachael, read more

No that is not a typo, apfelstrudel is the Austrian term for a classic apple strudel. Wolfgang Puck will be whipping up his version with fuji apples, plump raisins, and plenty of cinnamon this weekend for the stars at the Governors Ball. I'm a big fan of apple strudel and can't wait to try this recipe. Although I wish I was making it for Leonardo DiCaprio (like Wolfgang), but I'll have to settle for making it for my dad. Instead of slaving over the KitchenAid, I'll use Wolfgang's advice and simplify the recipe by substituting egg roll skins for homemade pastry dough. To make this delectable apple dessert for the star in your life, read more

For the first time in more than 55 years, a woman has won the coveted Michelin Guide three star ranking.

Anne-Sophie Pic, the fourth French woman to achieve three stars since the ranking system began in 1926, runs The Maison Pic in Valence, France. Although three stars is a huge accomplishment (for any chef, male or female), one can say that Pic was destined to obtain the high ranking, after all it's in her blood. Both her father Jacques and grandfather Andre received the same high ranking (in 1973 and 1934 respectively). Yet, it was difficult living up to her fine family pedigree, it turns out being a woman chef was actually an even more difficult feat.

"The last few years, my battle and my desire to win this third star were motivated by my father, by the feelings I had for him, and for the fact that I am reviving the memory of him and my grandfather," she told French radio.

She said the main difficulty she had encountered was "the fact she was a woman rather than being the 'daughter of'" and said she wished that "there would be more and more women chefs".

I also wish there were more recognized women chefs. It's really interesting to me that cooking is thought of as a "woman's job" whereas being a chef is a "man's job."

The last females to win the distinguished award were Marguerite Bise in 1951 and Marie Bourgeois and Eugenie Brazier in 1933.

Source: BBC News
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Sofia Coppola seems to lead a charmed life. Not only is she part of the talented Coppola family, but she has her own successful film career, has her own clothing line and, get this, she has a sparkling wine named after her! It came out a few years ago, but I thought it would be the perfect bubbly beverage for Oscar week. Sofia, which is a sparkling wine distributed by the Niebaum-Coppola Winery (owned by her pops), is packaged in small soda-style cans with a little straw. It's also available in full-sized bottles, but I think these little cans are just so cute and fun.

The Sofia Mini Blanc de Blanc is made mainly from Pinot Blanc grapes and has a crisp flavor with bursts of honeysuckle, apple and lemon. It's pleasing and refreshing and you can even drink it pool-side (glass is a no-no near the pool). Be sure to drink it ice cold for best flavor.

Available in packs of 4 for $15.00.
To check out Sofia video clips featuring Sofia Coppola herself, read more

I'm always in search of beautiful new centerpiece ideas to jazz up my regular old table or bring my party table settings to the next level. A few weeks ago I asked you to help me out and share your best centerpiece suggestions. You saved your favorite floral/foodie designs in the Yum Market on TeamSugar and tagged them with the keyword Centerpiece, here are what I consider to be the most gorgeous centerpieces:

DesignRchic found this exquisite, modern, geometric candle centerpiece. One of my rules when dressing a table is to create as many levels, layers, and textures as possible to attract and tantalize the eye. This centerpiece does so all by itself. To add more depth I could use colored votives and place it on a vibrant tablecloth.

Two more creatively cool centerpieces so read more

• These days Coq au vin really isn't coq au vin (rooster in wine), it's more like poulet au vin (chicken in wine). Whatever you call it, it's absolutely delicious.- Boston Globe
• Slowly-cooked Italian sauces, called sugo, bolognese or ragu, are in vogue with Bay Area chefs. - San Francisco Chronicle
• Looks like Chicagoans are turning their back on their famous deep dish pizza pies in favor for a thin-crust Neapolitan style pizza. - Chicago Tribune
• Gain a flair for picking fish and never worry about the difference between "flash frozen" and "fresh frozen" again. - Seattle Times



• I love daikon radish and am thrilled to see that it's finally getting the recognition it deserves. After all, it's rich in vitamin A, C and E and has even been called a natural hangover cure. - Houston Chronicle
• With kurobuta cuts, salumi, carnitas, crown roast and more, it really is the year of the pig. - Los Angeles Times
• Remember when I said that pinkberry was the hottest thing around? Well get ready, because with a bunch of other franchises popping up, frozen yogurt is back. - New York Times

Know of some great Wednesday food section news that I missed? Let us all know in the comments below!

Whenever I am in Spain, my Spanish friends ask me about typical American dishes. I hate to mention hamburgers (because I'm more of a hot dog type of girl) and instead answer Caesar salad. Caesar salad is on practically every menu from those at McDonald's, to high end haute cuisine restaurants. It has single handedly increased the sales and production of romaine lettuce. If ordinary everyday people are eating it up, then big time Hollywood players must like it as well. This year Wolfgang Puck is making a chic version of the salad as part of his tapas menu for the Oscars after party blowout bash, The Governor's Ball. For a salad recipe worthy of five stars (Leonardo, Mark, Jake, Djimon, and Brad), read more

Just a reminder, this week's secret ingredient is tofu. So join the Secret Ingredient Group and post your best tofu recipe there! I'll look through all the posts and pick my favorite one to share with everyone. You've got until Thursday afternoon, so get started!

To learn how to post to the Secret Ingredient Group, read more

I'm a big fan of tuna canned in olive oil. I know there was a huge health craze and practically all of the tuna canners started canning their fish in water but I prefer the tuna canned in olive oil: to me it tastes better (YumSugar disagrees with me on this one, but says she rarely uses canned tuna and prefers the real stuff). If you have yet to try a recipe that calls for canned tuna in olive oil as an ingredient, I would recommend using a can of the good stuff to make today's special recipe. It's easy, healthy (yes even if it was packed in olive oil), and delicious. Not your ordinary tuna salad, this one includes bright tangy tangerines and salty olives, for the recipe, read more

Like many a die hard fashionista, The Devil Wears Prada was my favorite movie of 2006. I know it may be a bit loco, but I actually saw it in the theaters twice and received the DVD as a gift from the bro for New Years. My clothes-horse self loved Anne Hathaway's countless (Chanel) outfit changes, while my foodie self loved how her boy toy Adrian Grenier was a wannabe chef. Adrian Grenier excels at making hard-working Anne late night grilled cheese sandwiches. Grilled cheese is number one on my top ten best sandwiches in the world list and I'll have to confess, since seeing the movie I've had a fantasy (or three) about Adrian making me a late night grilled cheese sandwich. In the movie he uses $8 a slice Jarlsberg making it one haute sandwich. For the super simplistic yet super good recipe, read more