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Top Chef Vegas: Episode 8

partysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:15 -0700

Did you catch the latest episode of Top Chef? We had Pilates, pairings, and Charlie Palmer, the guest judge. Did anyone else wonder how come Bravo couldn't find a judge who didn't know the V Bros? Want to discuss more details? Well, you know what to do, keep reading.

Top Chef Quiz: Dinner Party

partysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:30:10 -0700

On last night's episode of Top Chef the cheftestants host a dinner party and are forced to cook in the house's small kitchen. Tyler Florence is the guest judge, Padma runs around in a green silk jumper, and we learn that Michael Voltaggio has two children. Were you watching? And if so, how well did you pay attention? Find out now and take the quiz!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Top Chef Vegas: Episode Six

partysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:30:51 -0700

After roughing it while camping last week, this time around we saw the cheftestants get magical. Again. Oh wait, I'm confusing this challenge with one we saw on Top Chef Masters! The chefs deconstructed classic dishes like clam chowder and pot roast. Penn & Teller guest starred, while Michelle Bernstein was the guest judge. Did you watch? Do you say pie-eh-ya or pie-elle-a? Want to discuss in detail? Read more.

Yummy Links: From Oatmeal Cookie Milk Shakes to Food Cities

partysugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:15:03 -0700

Must make: oatmeal cookie milk shake. - Chow
Is Eric Ripert the most interesting man in the world? - Eat Me Daily
Padma Lakshmi denies that there is a gender bias on Top Chef. - Grub Street
Grant Achatz on why wine and food pairings matter.- The Atlantic
Learn more about Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth. - Gourmet
Meet the Fojol Brothers, an interesting street food truck that operates out of Washington DC - Serious Eats
Yesterday President Obama and Bill Clinton enjoyed a healthy lunch at Il Mulino in New York City. - Eater
What do you consider to be the top 10 food cities in the world? - The Epi-Log

Padma Lakshmi Brings Fashion and Food Together

partysugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:15:44 -0700

Last night as a part of Fashion's Night Out, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour's event to stimulate the economy, Bergdorf Goodman threw a Top Chef style cookoff in its seventh floor restaurant. Fashion designers Cynthia Rowley, Edward Bess, Gilles Mendel, Lela Rose, Naeem Kahn, and Peter Som created recipes, and Padma Lakshmi, clad in a leather minidress, hosted the event. Although the place was packed, the gorgeous Padma kept the chatty crowd under control. The designer's dishes - Som's fried oysters with blood orange gastrique and tartar sauce sounds divine! - were passed around for partygoers to try.

We've gotten our hands on their recipes, so to check them out, read more.

View 10 Photos ›

Find a printer-friendly version of the recipes here.

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 2

partysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:30:30 -0700

With Top Chef Masters officially over we can finally turn our attention to getting to know the 16 remaining chefs on Top Chef Vegas. The second episode aired last night and after watching, I've come to several conclusions. Mike might be the world's biggest douche, Kevin's beard and Jesse's lip ring are distracting, and Jennifer scares me. To discuss all the delicious details, read more.

Todd English: hot or not?
Re: Jennifer - Does a female have to be mean and tough to succeed as a chef?
Do you enjoy the behind-the-scenes videos Bravo airs during the commercials?
My favorite line: "It's true, gay guys grow flowers better than straight guys." What quote stood out in your mind?
Was Ashley being too sensitive or does she have a right to be offended?
Isn't it weird that the bachelor/ette parties are in the exact same place?
Did the producers choose the boys vs. girls challenge because they knew it was easy drama? The boys put down the girls, the girls put down the boys. The boys think they are better, the girls think they are better. The boys act stupid and jump in the pool, the girls act superior and annoyed. It seemed scripted.
That being said, don't the boys' dishes seem way more sophisticated than the girls?
Could the brothers make it to the final three?
Overall, how do you feel about this season so far?

Did I forget something? Please bring up more discussion points below!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Introducing Top Chef the Wine

partysugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:15:31 -0700

Today at the Television Critics Association's convention in Los Angeles, the people behind Top Chef revealed a new TC branded product, wine. The collection, which was created in partnership with Rutherford Hill winery, is expected to be released soon, but won't make its debut on the show this season. Molly and BuzzSugar were lucky enough to taste the wine last night. According to Molly, the Cabernet Sauvignon is smooth, very easy to drink, and slightly spicy. Padma Lakshmi hosted the Vegas season launch luncheon and the quickfire that followed the meal earlier today.

The challenge pitted three of the upcoming Top Chef Las Vegas cheftestants against accomplished competitors Fabio Viviani, Antonia Lofaso, and Ryan Scott. With so many Top Chef products - from knives to t-shirts to a cookbook - the introduction of a wine is not surprising. After all, if the Food Network's Iron Chef can have its own wine label, why not market one for TC? Are you interested in tasting this wine?

Yummy Links: From Padma to Bruni

partysugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:00:21 -0700

Before she was the hostess of Top Chef, Padma starred as an alien princess on Star Trek. - Eat Me Daily
Is Thomas Keller opening another restaurant in New York City? - The Feedbag
Learn how to make kimbap. - Serious Eats
The nation's top restaurant critics reveal their favorite burger joints. - Epicurious
A menu of no-cook recipes for the hottest days. - Chow
Wondering who will replace Frank Bruni. - Eater

Mario Batali Set to Light Up the Silver Screen

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:30:53 -0700

Looks like Padma Lakshmi's not the only food figure to catch the acting bug. Hot off the news that the Top Chef hostess is starring in a sitcom, we've learned that another celebrity chef, Mario Batali, has joined the cast of the upcoming film Bitter Feast.

Bitter Feast, which is being described as a dark comedic thriller, is currently filming in Manhattan and Woodstock, NY. Written and directed by Joe Maggio, the movie stars James LeGros as a New York chef and cooking personality who takes revenge on a food critic who recently crushed his restaurant in a review. Batali will play the owner of the restaurant. The movie is slated for a release this Fall from Magnolia Pictures.

Do you think Molto Mario has the chops to star in a major theatrical production? Would you rather watch Padma in a sitcom - or Mario in a movie?

From Top Chef Hostess to Sitcom Star?

partysugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:30:59 -0700

Emmy nominated Top Chef hostess Padma Lakshmi is cooking up a new project. Variety reports that Lakshmi plans to star in an upcoming NBC sitcom. With the possible title of Single Serving, the thirty-minute comedy will feature Lakshmi as a female working in the culinary industry. The show is still in the initial stages with Padma and executive producer, Charlie Corwin, scouting writers and talking details. Although she's known mostly for her role on Top Chef, Padma's had several small acting roles. She appeared on ABC's The Ten Commandments miniseries and played a singer in Mariah Carey's ill-fated Glitter. I'm very interested to see where this show goes and am curious to check out Padma: the actress!

How do you feel about the news? Would you watch Padma star in a sitcom?