YumSugar

The Fashion Show Premieres Tonight - Will You Tune In?

Melody Nazarian — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:00:05 PST

If you've watched Bravo lately, you've most likely seen the overly dramatic commercials for Iman and Isaac Mizrahi's new show, The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection. Actually, this is season two of The Fashion Show with Isaac and singer Kelly Rowland. Remember that one? But there's a brand-new twist this time around: 12 expert designers will be split into two fashion houses, and each house will work together to produce an entire fashion show every week. By that I mean, not only will they be designing the clothes, but also the set, lighting, and music. Harper's Bazaar's Laura Brown will also serve on the panel. Does this new show - debuting tonight at 10 p.m. on Bravo - intrigue you?

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 12

partysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:12:49 PST

It was down to five cheftestants on last night's episode of Top Chef. The final Las Vegas challenge - the next two shows take place in Napa, California - highlighted the Bocuse d'Or, the world's most prestigious classical cooking competition. A plethora of big name chefs including Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, guest judged. Ready to discuss? Keep reading.

Work Out: One-on-One Training With Jackie

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:30:35 PST

I definitely was a fan of Jackie Warner's Bravo show, Work Out. And though I didn't always agree with the drama in her personal life, Warner's workout ethic is inspiring. I was recently given a copy of the fitness DVD, Workout: One-on-One Training With Jackie ($10) and the picture of Warner on the cover was enough to make me drop and give her 20. It's obvious that Warner works hard for her body, and that's enough for me to buy what she's selling.

Warner has designed an intense workout that focuses on upper body, lower body, and core. You can combine the three sections together for a grueling one-hour workout, or just focus on one area for about 20 minutes. Warner is great at talking you through the moves, and there are also modifications for beginners and the more advanced.

To hear more of my thoughts on Workout,

I like my workouts to feel intense but to also fly by, and Warner provides that to a tee. Her workout offers a wide variety of moves with a lot of twists on the classics, and she offers little rest between them. Don't be fooled by how quickly time moves though, this is definitely an intense cross training workout - it combines alternating strength (you'll need hand weights) and cardio exercises. After doing this workout my abs were definitely sore the next day.

I think fans of Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred will really appreciate Workout. They both move at the same pace and each trainer has a similar no-nonsense, but encouraging approach. Beginners might benefit from Warner's DVD a bit more though because unlike Michaels, she does a much better job at instructing. This was especially helpful during the exercises where weights are used.

My only beef with the DVD is that there were some segments in which all of her trainers did not participate. Instead of going off camera they sat in the background, which might be a little distracting or uninspiring for viewers. Despite that criticism I definitely recommend this DVD and can attest that my abs were still sore two days later!

FABTV: Bravo Replaces Project Runway With The Fashion Show

FabSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:00:22 PDT

The hammer has fallen. The never-ending fight over Project Runway has finally settled in favor of Lifetime. A big loss for Bravo but the network isn't going to cry over spilled milk. Bravo has already announced a new fashion show replacing the former called The Fashion Show.

The reality fashion show rotates around seasoned professionals - compared to Project's newbie designers - and will feature designer Isaac Mizrahi and former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland as the hosts, with Fern Mallis as the judge along with other special guests. The twist? Each episode will feature a fashion show criticized not only by Fern and guest judges, but also by live studio audience members - interesting. The winner of the show will have his/her designs picked up by a major retailer. Interested? Meet the cast of the show and let us know what you think!

Source

Top Chef 5.14: Season Finale Part 2

partysugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:30:14 PST

It's over! The final episode of Top Chef 5 aired last night and a new cheftestant was named Top Chef. It was an exciting end to the competition. One chef stepped up to the plate, another failed to shine, and the third cracked under the pressure. To see what I thought of the outcome - warning: the winner is announced, so if you don't want to know who is Top Chef, don't click through! If you did watch,

What do you think of the rivalry between Hosea and Stefan?
Is the make-whatever you want challenge too easy or too hard?
Were you disappointed or happy to see the previous contestants as the sous chefs? I was disappointed! I liked it when they had professional chefs as sous chefs.
How did the old contestants look? I remembered Casey being prettier.
Going into the finale, do you think the chefs had an idea of what they would make as their final meal?
Does anyone know the best way to cook alligator? Please enlighten us below!
What on earth happened to Carla? Did Casey inadvertently sabotage her?
When you have a three-course meal do you want one of the courses to be dessert?
Do you think it's fair the winner is selected based on this one meal and not the entire season?
Only 8% of you thought Hosea should win, so how did you feel when Padma named him Top Chef?

Source

Top Chef Recap 5.9: Restaurant Wars

partysugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 03:00:13 PST

One of the most important episodes - restaurant wars - came and went last night on Top Chef. Did you watch? To discuss the episode (warning spoilers ahead),

Do you know who Stephan Starr is?
Whose quickfire dish looked the best?
What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner?
In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others?
Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house?
Can you believe Jamie did scallops again?
Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work?
Does Leah have an attitude problem?
Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika?
Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts?

Source

Ariane: "Leah Should Have Went Home"

partysugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:45:45 PST

Over the past couple of weeks I grew to love Ariane on Top Chef, so when Padma asked her to "pack her knives and go," I was disappointed. The restaurant owner and mother got off to a rocky start in the first couple of episodes, but she hit her stride and took home several wins. I spoke with Ariane this morning and found out what she thought of the experience and what she's up to now,

read more. On going home: I worked hard and rose to the challenge. Maybe I relied too much on my teammates. I felt like Leah should have went home. I can say that now because I watched the show. When it came to the lamb, I wanted to do it a certain way. I wanted to grill it. But they wanted to do all this stuff to it and I believed my teammates. It's hard when you are in a challenge. The time, the moment, the pressure, being the third wheel. I had such a good run. It was such a high. I had so many wins. On Toby Young saying she can't cook: I was a little surprised by that. He's a little angry Englishman. Hearing what Padma said, on the other hand, was really really great. Maybe if Gail had been there it would have been different. Gail's tough, but she's not as verbal as Toby. On working with Hosea and Leah: It was tough, being the third wheel. When there's three people on a team and two of them are in a relationship it's hard. One would say yes and the other would say yes. I had no say in any matter. On watching herself: It was really tough to watch the first two episodes. I couldn't sleep. It was more sad than difficult. I wasn't ready to leave, but I have the love and support of my family. I stay true to myself. You really saw who I am. In the beginning it was hard because you get caught up. Your mind plays tricks on you. Time flies during the challenges; it's really like having an out of body experience. I just kept telling my family, "watch what happens!" On who should win: I'm rooting for Jamie. I'm rooting for Carla. Those are my girls. On what's next: We're extremely busy. I own a restaurant with my husband and we are looking to expand. It's here in Montclair. Maybe I'll write a cookbook. I have two daughters - one's 11 and the other is 13 - so I'm pretty busy. Source

Top Chef Recap 5.7: Focus Group

partysugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:30:30 PST

After a two week break, Top Chef was back last night with an exciting new episode. We were introduced to Gail Simmons' replacement judge, Toby Young, a vicious British foodie. We watched the chef's get creative in the kitchen and critical at the dining table. If you're anxious to discuss all the delicious details (warning: spoilers ahead!),

What exactly did the Diet Dr. Pepper have to do with the quickfire challenge? Was it a requirement to use the soda in the sugar-free dessert?
Don't you just love Fabio? He's hilariously Italian: The guy actually thinks the reason guest judge Jean-Christophe Novelli didn't like his dessert is because the Frenchman is still bitter about France's loss to Italy in the World Cup!
Whose dessert was the most mouth-watering? I wanted to try Leah's strawberry balsamic crepes!
Do you agree with Radhika: does Stefan create stress in the kitchen?
Was it a good idea or bad idea for Jamie to make scallops again?
Did group B have an advantage because they cooked knowing Toby Young, and that they would be judged by their fellow competitors?
Is Toby Young saying it how it is or just plain rude?
Will the chefs cook differently now that they know what it's like to be a judge?
Why didn't Fabio's undercooked lamb get mentioned at judges' table?
Did they send home the right two cheftestants?

Photo courtesy of Source

Top Chef 5.5: Gail's Bridal Shower

partysugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:30:18 PST

Last night on Top Chef, the contestants catered Gail's bridal shower. Food and Wine's Editor in Chief Dana Cowin was the guest judge. To discuss the episode,

Cute or creepy: Stefan being in love with Jamie?
What did you think of the ingredient identification challenge?
Wasn't it interesting how they all mentioned salt as the first ingredient?
Which theme was the easiest?
Can you name any blue foods?
Whose dish would you want at your bridal shower?
While watching the episode, can you tell who will win and lose?
Were you surprised by Ariane's win?

Source

Top Chef 5.3 - Foo Fighters Thanksgiving Recap

partysugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:15:34 PST

This week on a Thanksgiving episode of Top Chef, the Foo Fighters made a special appearance and award-winning chef and cancer survivor, Grant Achatz, was the guest judge. To discuss the episode (warning: spoilers ahead),

Grant Achatz: kind of a hottie?
Watching the start of the quickfire, did you want the Top Chef cookbook? I did!
Do you like white asparagus?
Were you surprised that Leah selected the most confident chefs?
Do you consider Ariane a cougar?
Can you imagine cooking Thanksgiving dinner in a microwave?
Hosea made a fruit cobbler and referred to it as not his "most proud dessert." Would you serve a mediocre dessert to the judges?
What dish did you want to eat at Thanksgiving? I want to try Fabio's pumpkin tiramisu.
Was it weird how the elimination challenge had no winner?
Between Jeff, Richard, and Danny, who deserved to go home?

To learn how to dress like Padma, check out our new site, CelebStyle. Source