A couple of months ago, Bravo announced yet another Top Chef spinoff: Top Chef: Just Desserts. The culinary competition, which has already held casting calls, will be a Top Chef-style show that features pastry chefs. Yesterday the network released the news that Food & Wine's Gail Simmons, a recurring judge on the regular Top Chef, will host Just Desserts. Via her Twitter account, Simmons confirmed, stating, "upping daily sugar consumption in preparation." I'm a huge Gail fan and am already looking forward to the premiere of Just Desserts. How about you? Are you excited to learn that Gail Simmons has her own show?
Even though Summer seemed like yesterday, the year's already well into November. You know what that means: The holidays are fast approaching! We got off to a good start sharing our most coveted items of the moment, but beginning today, we'll also be offering useful gift guides that'll outline kitchen must haves for your hard-to-shop-for family and friends.
Have you cozied up to the co-worker who brings fresh loaves of pumpkin bread into the office? Or do you have a friend who insists on baking her own birthday cake? If so, indulge her Bakesale Betty with tools that will have her creating even more sweet treats. To see them, keep reading.
First Top Chef Junior, then Top Chef Masters , Top Chef Wine, and Top Chef, the Magazine. What's next: Top Chef Desserts? Actually, yes. This week, Bravo begins casting calls for a new TC spinoff airing in 2010, Top Chef: Just Desserts. In a move that means year-round Top Chef programming, the show will feature pastry chefs living together and facing off in — you guessed it! — a weekly elimination. No word yet on who the host or judges will be.
Calling pastry "a different skill," Bravo exec Frances Berwick added, "We're finding people really love this franchise, and there seems to be no end to the interest in it." Really? I beg to differ and, like PartySugar, I am tiring of the Top Chef brand — not to mention all the cake competitions that have become so prolific on TV.
What say you? Will you watch Top Chef: Just Desserts?
Photos courtesy of Bravo
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Super girlie tees are all the rage, thanks to Lanvin's trés chic version. The more bows and frills, the better! Alice + Olivia's White Jewel Face Tee ($198) is so cute, I just want to eat it up. I can see myself wearing it with a pair of skinny black jeans and metallic ballet flats. Et voilà. My only concern is the price tag — it's so trendy, I'm afraid I won't want to wear it five years from now. And so I set out to find a cheaper version . . .
To see the look for less, read more
Are you familiar with rhubarb? Rhubarb is a celery-like vegetable that is consumed as a fruit. While the leaves of rhubarb are toxic, the pretty stalks are completely edible. Because of its natural tartness, rhubarb is usually combined with sugar to make a delicious dessert. This raspberry rhubarb tart is a wonderful recipe to use if you're interested in experimenting with rhubarb. A rustic, simple pastry dough is filled with a sweet rhubarb-raspberry mixture.
Although the recipe calls for fresh raspberries, frozen ones would work just as well. To take a look at the recipe — it pairs perfectly with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream — read more
Back in May Reverend Run's daughters, Vanessa and Angela Simmons, came out with a shoe line sweetly named Pastry. Now the sisterly duo is expanding their repertoire to include apparel and handbags. The Spring line will consist of satin and spandex dresses, embroidered denim, stretch charmeuse tops, French terry hoodies and pants, and more. 
Much like their sneakers, the collection is going to be colorful and lighthearted. Look for the aforementioned pieces in stores such as Against All Odds and Drjays.com starting January 25. In the meantime, do you see yourself buying any pieces from the Pastry clothing and handbag collection?
Napoleon
A small, single serving, rectangular shaped dessert pastry. It's made with alternating layers of puff pastry and the cream of your choice. Usually it's topped with either a glaze, a dusting of powdered sugar, fondant, or a thin icing.
Empanada, pronounced m-pah-nah-dah
A small, single serving, half moon shaped pastry with savory filling (although sometimes sweet - have you tried the new Starbucks mango and pineapple one?). The filling can be seasoned many ways and can contain meat, seafood, and vegetables. Empanadas are typically in Spain and South America, especially Argentina where they are consumed in quantities similar to that of sandwiches in the United States. Empanadas range in size from the entire pies of Galicia to the ravioli sized empanaditas of Buenos Aires.
