YumSugar

Guy Fieri: He's Off the Hook

partysugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:20:27 -0700

Last week I had the chance to speak with Food Network's Guy Fieri. He's the host of three shows - Guy's Big Bite, Diners, Drive-ins, Dives, and Guy Off the Hook - and winner of the Next Food Network Star season two. Filming keeps him incredibly busy, but in his spare time, the celebrity chef - who prefers hot dogs to hamburgers and mustard to ketchup - continues to experiment in the kitchen. He's deeply passionate about food, especially food education for children, and encourages "people to get on the food train." Fieri and I talked about his upcoming appearance at New York City Wine and Food Festival, and I got to see a softer side of the "in it to win it" bad-boy chef.

To see what Fieri had to say when we chatted, read more.

PartySugar: Tell us about your role at the Food Festival.
Guy Fieri: I'm new to the whole food festival thing. My first one was last February in South Beach. I'll be doing a live filming of Off the Hook. It will be two one-hour taped specials featuring all kinds of good food. Anybody that's into food, chefs, cooking, partying - they should go to the festival.

PartySugar: At a festival so large, do any chefs make you star struck?
Guy Fieri: No, not star struck. I'm a big fan of a lot of chefs. I love what Emeril created. Bobby is a bad-ass. Rachael took this whole world and turned it into a new realm. Everyone is the King/Queen of their own kitchen, so I respect them all.

PartySugar: Out of all the seasons of the Next Food Network Star, you are the only one who actually became a FN star; why do you think that is?
Guy Fieri: If I had that answer, I would be churning out new stars for the network! I made who I wanted to become. I did things my way. I don't know really. Divine intervention, perhaps?

PartySugar: Have you ever had a bad experience at one of the diners, drive-ins, or dives?
Guy Fieri: Oh yeah. There's no reason to lie. I'm not a food critic. I usually look at the recipes and can tell what will be good and what won't be.

PartySugar: What's in your fridge?
Guy Fieri: Let me open it for you! Organic blackberry preserves, sriracha, six different jars of olives, 10 kinds of mustard, sesame oil, horseradish, fish sauce, unsalted butter, salted butter. I'm sort of a mad scientist when it comes to cooking. I love every type of condiment and sauce. The vegetable drawer is kind of empty. It's only got red pepper, onion, carrots, new potatoes, celery, and beets. The cheese drawer has three kinds of salami, six cheeses, parmesan reggiano. In the freezer I have bacon cut into small portions 'cause my son likes to have a little bacon at breakfast. Smoked elk sausages, spaetzel that I made, capers.

PartySugar: What's your advice to the everyday home cook?
Guy Fieri: Make two new things every week! Break out new recipes, try new ingredients, experiment with new things. Don't make a whole meal of new dishes for your family, but if you want to give curry a try, make your usual rice, vegetables the kids like, a salad, and then the curry. That way if no one likes the new thing, there is still other stuff they can eat. Don't be discouraged when something goes wrong. But really food is so awesome, everyone can do it. The common denominator between humankind is food. It's empowering to cook.

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New York, Here We Come!

partysugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:00:03 -0700

This weekend the who's who of the food industry is headed to New York City for the first-ever Food Network NYC Wine and Food Festival. Of course, we'll be there soaking it all up!

We're incredibly excited to check out the demonstrations, speakers, grand tastings, and parties. From helpful tips and new products to celebrity chef sightings and upcoming food trends, we'll share as much of our experience with you as possible, so be sure to check back next week for our coverage of this fabulous event. And if you see us at the festival, come up and say hello!

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 16-22, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:25 -0700

In the height of good weather, food and festivity abound, and right about now, I'm wishing I could teleport myself around the United States. First I'd hit up Manhattan for Wine 2.0's wine sampling this week, followed by the Shrimp & Grits Festival in Georgia, and then some classic Eli's cheesecake in the Windy City. Don't miss out on these events - if you do, you'll have to wait another year!

New York, NY: The StarChefs Rising Stars Revue New York - Sept. 16
New York, NY: Epicurious Wine.Dine.Donate New York - Sept. 17
New York, NY: Wine 2.0 New York - Sept. 18
Atlantic City, NJ: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlantic City - Sept. 18
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA: Delaware River Food & Wine Festival - Sept. 18-21
Nappanee, IN: Nappanee Apple Festival - Sept. 18-21
La Crescent, MN: Applefest 08 - Sept. 18-21
Leavenworth, WA: Wenatchee River Salmon Festival - Sept. 18-21

To see the rest, read more.

Salinas, CA: Salute to Agriculture Taste of the Valley Food & Wine Show - Sept. 19
St. Peters, MO: Smoke-A-Palooza - Sept. 19-20
Hot Springs, AR: Smoke On the Water Arkansas BBQ Challenge - Sept. 19-20
Madison, WI: Food For Thought Festival - Sept. 19-20
Palisade, CO: Colorado Mountain Wine Fest - Sept. 19-21
San Pedro, CA: Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival - Sept. 19-21
Jekyll Island, GA: Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival - Sept. 19-21
Berea, KY: Berea Spoonbread Festival - Sept. 19-21
Sioux Falls, SD: Spirit of the West Festival - Sept. 19-21
Monroe, WI: Green County Cheese Days - Sept. 19-21
Los Angeles, CA: Picklefest 2008 - Sept. 20
Lowville, NY: Cream Cheese Festival - Sept. 20
Litchfield, CT: Litchfield Hills Harvest Festival - Sept. 20-21
Chicago, IL: Eli's Cheesecake Festival - Sept. 20-21
Westminster, MD: Maryland Wine Festival - Sept. 20-21
Nebraska City, NE: AppleJack Festival - Sept. 20-21
San Francisco, CA: A Food Affaire - Sept. 22

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Noteworthy Nibbles - May 15 to 21, 2008

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:30:52 -0700

The weather has warmed up and the festivals are in full swing! From coast to coast there are amazing things to check out. Whether it's cheese in Seattle or BBQ in New Jersey, there's a lot of food waiting to be gobbled up. So if you're wondering what to do this weekend, then look no further. There's something for every region this weekend.

Nantucket, MA: Nantucket Wine Festival - May 14-18
Buckhannon, WV: Strawberry Visions - May 14-18
Alpharetta, GA: Taste of Alpharetta - May 15
Memphis, TN: World Championship BBQ Contest - May 15-17

Monterey, CA: Cooking for Solutions - May 16-17
Intercourse, PA: Rhubarb Festival - May 16-17
Washington, DC: Savor - American Craft Beer & Food Experience - May 16-17
Magnolia, AR: Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cookoff - May 16-17
Dermott, AR: Crawfish Festival - May 16-17
Fruita, CO: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival - May 16-17
Seattle, WA: Seattle Cheese Festival - May 16-18
Little Rock, AR: International Greek Food Festival - May 16-18
Lodi, CA: ZinFest - May 16-18
Taylorsville, KY: Gourd Festival - May 16-18
Pasadena, TX: Strawberry Festival - May 16-18
Paso Robles, CA: Paso Robles Wine Festival - May 17
San Francisco, CA: Uncorked! Wine Festival - May 17
New York, NY: Taste of Tribeca - May 17
Norfolk, VA: Annual Beer Festival - May 17

There's a ton of other events - including homebrew and oysters! - so be sure to read more.

Albany, OR: Oregon Homebrew Competition - May 17
Toms River, NJ: Chili & Salsa Cook Off - May 17
Nashville, TN: Toast to Tennessee Wine Festival - May 17
Hico, TX: Texas Steak Cookoff - May 17
Sacramento, CA: West Coast Brew Festival - May 17
San Francisco, CA: Oysterfest 2008 - May 17-18
Castroville, CA: Artichoke Festival - May 17-18
Muscoda, WI: Annual Morel Mushroom Festival - May 17-18
National Harbor, MD: Food & Wine Festival -May 17-18
Grand Prairie, TX: Annual Cajun Festival - May 17-18
Plant City, FL: Blueberry Festival - May 17-18
Mountain View, CA: A La Carte and Art - May 17-18
Richmond, VA: Broad Appétit - May 18
Tuckerton, NJ: Bluegrass & Barbecue Festival - May 18
Astoria, NY: Cuisine of Queens & Beyond/Burger Battle of the Boroughs - May 20
New Orleans, LA: Wine & Food Experience - May 20-24

If there's something not listed, let us know in the comments below!

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Noteworthy Nibbles -Oct. 7-13, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

It's the middle of Fall, and the festivities are bigger than ever. From Spencer, WV, to San Francisco, there's something for everyone, whether you've got a craving for candy or a hankering for ham. Know of something we've left out? Please feel free to add your comments below!

New York, NY: Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival - Oct. 9-12
Denver, CO: The Celebrity Chef Tour Denver - Oct. 9
Denver, CO: Great American Beer Festival - Oct. 9-11
Spencer, WV: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival - Oct. 9-12
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest 2008 - Oct. 9-12

To see the rest, read more.

Gulf Shores, AL: National Shrimp Festival - Oct. 9-12
Charleston, SC: Taste of Charleston - Oct. 10-12
Cadiz, KY: Trigg County Country Ham Festival -Oct. 10-12
New Smyrna Beach, FL: New Smyrna Beach Uncorked - Oct. 10-13
Long Beach, WA: Wild Mushroom Celebration - Oct. 10-15
Chincoteague, VA: Oyster Festival - Oct. 11
Timonium, MD: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest - Oct. 11
Fairfield, CA: Fairfield Candy Festival - Oct. 11
Port Angeles, WA: Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival - Oct. 11-12
Waynesville, OH: Ohio Sauerkraut Festival - Oct. 11-12
Oroville, CA: Passport Weekend 2008 - Oct. 11-12
Atlanta, GA: Taste of Atlanta - Oct. 11-12
Cape May, NJ: Cape May Wine Festival - Oct. 11-12
Grand Prairie, TX: International Bar-B-Que Cookoff - Oct. 11-12
Williamsburg, VA: CIAO Italian Festival - Oct. 11-12
Newport, RI: Newport Oktoberfest - Oct. 11-13
New York, NY: PastryScoop Fall 2008 Conference - Oct. 12
Culpeper, VA: Taste of Culpeper - Oct. 12
Half Moon Bay, CA: The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off - Oct. 13

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Nov. 18-24, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:00:55 -0800

This week, the country's running wild with wine tasting events. Even if there isn't one listed below that you can attend, chances are that this week there's a wine celebration going on near you, as the third Thursday of each November marks the yearly release of Beaujolais nouveau. Stock up on cases to pair with your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, because as soon as the bottles sell out, they're gone for good.

Chicago, IL: Passport to France - Nov. 20
Houston, TX: Beaujolais Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 20
New York, NY: Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 Celebration - Nov. 20
Dallas, TX: Beaujolais Wine Festival - Nov. 21
Grand Rapids, MI: Grand Rapids Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 21-23
Stamford, CT: Connecticut Wine & Food Festival - Nov. 21-23
Plant City, FL: Plant City Pig Jam - Nov. 22

To see the rest, read more.

San Francisco, CA: La Soirée Extravaganza - Nov. 22
Panacea, FL: Mighty Mullet Maritime Festival - Nov. 22
Minneapolis, MN: Calhoun Square Coffee Festival - Nov. 22
San Francisco, CA: Slow Food Nation Community Eat-In - Nov. 22
York, PA: Pennsylvania Food & Beverage Show - Nov. 22-23
Hyannis, MA: Taste of Cape Cod - Nov. 23
Rosendale, NY: International Pickle Festival - Nov. 23

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Biggest Headline of 2008: Rachael Ray's Year of Ups and Downs

partysugar — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:30:22 -0800

Whether you love her or hate her, Rachael Ray, the Food Network's biggest star, is here to stay. Although 2008 was filled with many ups and downs, it was a huge year for Ray. Things got off to a rocky start in January, when a secondhand story claimed that Ray, a Dunkin' Donuts spokeswoman, refused to drink Dunkin's coffee, instead opting for Starbucks. A week later, Ray denied the claim as "absolutely ridiculous." In February, Ray happily hosted the wildly popular Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, but March brought worries that her daytime television talk show would not be renewed. However, these rumors were quickly squashed when reports showed that her viewership was growing. The weirdest bombshell came in May when Michelle Malkin, a conservative commentator, accused Ray of supporting terrorists in a Dunkin' Donuts ad. The donut chain pulled the ad and released a statement clarifying that Rachael was simply wearing a stylish scarf and not a traditional headdress sometimes associated with terrorists.

Ray rose above the controversy to win a daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show. In July she rolled out a line of pet food called Nutrish, and in early August Forbes named her the world's richest chef. The week before bringing the Burger Bash to New York City's first-ever Wine and Food festival, Ray revealed her plans to open a hamburger restaurant. Since then, Ray has laid low. She recently had throat surgery to get rid of her raspy voice and is currently taking some time off to recover.

What did you think about Ray's turbulent year? Will she continue to make headlines in 2009?

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 21-27, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:02 -0700

This week's events have left me curious: Exactly what activities does one partake in at a Pig Stein? Or a Yambilee? If you have attended these in the past, I'd love to know. Will anyone be at the James Beard Foundation's Taste America in Las Vegas?

If you know something we've left out, please leave a message in the comments below!

Las Vegas, NV: Rising Stars Las Vegas - Oct. 21
Torrance, CA: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village - Oct. 21-26
San Francisco, CA: Joy of Sake San Francisco - Oct. 23
Atlanta, GA: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlanta - Oct. 23
Portland, ME: Harvest on the Harbor - Oct. 23-25
Mountain View, AR: Arkansas Bean Fest - Oct. 23-25
Kohler, WI: Kohler Food & Wine Experience - Oct. 23-26
Opelousas, LA: Louisiana Yambilee - Oct. 23-26
Las Vegas, NV: The James Beard Foundation's Taste America Las Vegas - Oct. 24-26

To see the rest, read more.

Lynchburg, TN: Jack Daniel's Invitational Barbecue - Oct. 25
Keene, NH: Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 25
Orlando, FL: Central Florida VegFest - Oct. 25
Lexington, NC: The Barbecue Festival - Oct. 25
Kitty Hawk, NC: Pig Stein 2008 - Oct. 25
Powhatan, VA: Festival of the Grape - Oct. 25
Fredericksburg, TX: Fredericksburg Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 25
New York, NY: Feast With Famous Faces - Oct. 27

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