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Yummy Links: From Jello Jigglers to Baby Artichokes

partysugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:50:19 -0700

Must make before Halloween: creepy Jello jigglers. - Hostess With the Mostess
Can you really lose weight by eating more?- The Epi-Log
Meet manzanilla, it's not your grandmother's sherry. - Chow
An inside look at a futurist banquet. - Eat Me Daily
Hubert Keller's newest restaurant, a Burger Bar in San Francisco, is now open. - Eater SF
David Chang's insulted chefs of San Francisco. Their response? The cancelation of an upcoming Chang cookbook signing. - Grub Street NY
Here's how you make baby artichokes like a Sicilian. - Serious Eats

Top Chef Masters: Season Finale

partysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:15:13 -0700

One chef took home the $100,000 prize on the final episode of Top Chef Masters last night. It was a nostalgic show that looked back at the final three chefs' - Michael Chiarello, Rick Bayless, and Hubert Keller - food memories and culinary careers. Did you watch? Let's discuss the details (spoilers ahead) after the break.

Top Chef Masters: Episode 9

partysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:15:14 -0700

Only four masters remained on last night's episode of Top Chef Masters. The best part was when the Top Chef alum showed up! Did you watch? To discuss the episode, read more.

Doesn't Rick Bayless's beard kinda remind you of Spencer Pratt's?
What do you think of Anito Lo?
How is your palette? Could you name those dishes?
Which ex-Top Chef contestant would you pick to be your sous chef?
Who was out of line: Dale or Chiarello?
How hot is Hubert Keller?
Who do you think will win?

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Yummy Links: From Hubert Keller to Root Beer

partysugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:50:04 -0700

The hottest chef at last weekend's food festival in San Francisco? DJ Hubert Keller. - Eater SF
How to start your own food truck. - Grub Street
If you love Pop Tarts, you'll enjoy this Pop Tart art. - Eat Me Daily
Taste test: milk chocolate bars. - Serious Eats
Where to taste wine while traveling in Sonoma. - Chow
Are you America's best home cook? Enter this contest and you could win big. - Food & Wine
Kelly Choi just got a little more ridiculous: here she is dressed up as Catwoman. - The Feedbag
The latest trend to hit the beverage scene is old-fashioned root beer. - Bon Appétit

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Top Chef Masters: Episode One

partysugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 00:50:17 -0700

Well, Top Chef fans, what did you think of the spinoff, Top Chef Masters? I have mixed feelings about the show - I loved seeing the world-renowned chefs compete, but I hated seeing three of them fall so far, so quickly. I also didn't like how the stakes weren't as high: the four competitors are already established and well-respected professionals in the food industry.

They aren't desperate to win, their careers don't depend on the success of their performance. Top Chef Masters lacks the immediacy of the original. These chefs haven't shopped for groceries or made desserts in years, so who cares if they can't complete a quickfire challenge? To see the rest of my thoughts and discuss the premiere in more depth (warning, spoilers ahead!), read more.

Was I the only one who missed the signature Top Chef theme song?
Why couldn't Michael Schlow make a dessert that pleased Girl Scouts? I understand that he was under a time restraint, but hello? Rice Krispy treats? Brownies? Cupcakes? He could have made any of these desserts and totally impressed the little girls.
What did you think of Kelly Choi? Was she trying too hard? Is she too skinny to be the host of a culinary competition?
Did Bravo fool the chefs? How come Michael Schlow's cake didn't bake? How did Tim Love not realize he was putting his food in the freezer?
Would you eat macaroni and cheese that was made in a dorm bathroom?
Was there too much emphasis placed on the charities?
How did you feel about the critics table? Don't you love how it's not called "judges" table anymore?
Did you love or hate the star rating system?
Were you surprised Hubert won?
What was your overall perspective on the show?

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Yummy Links: From Burgers to Bacon

partysugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 06:50:04 -0700

Hubert Keller teaches us how to make the perfect burger. - Chow
Check out these hilarious love letters people have written to their favorite foods. - Epicurious
Energy saving tips for eco-friendly cooking. - Cooking With Amy
A behind the scenes view of what it's like to run a prime rib house. - Serious Eats
Go inside Ina Garten's two kitchens. - The Kitchn
A look back in time at bacon. - Life

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The Secret Behind the Chef

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 03:00:18 -0700

Yesterday I brought you a quick video tour of my behind the scenes look at Hubert Keller's show, Secrets of a Chef. While I was there, I chatted with everyone from executive producer Marjorie Poore to the gals from the Culinary Institute who were prepping the back kitchen. It was an amazing morning and completely fascinating to see a show come together. We were there for a few hours - a teeny amount compared to the cast and crew's long 16 hours days - and I can't wait to tell you guys about what I learned. To check out all the details, just hit the "Start" button.

View Slideshow ›

Get a Sneak Peek at the Secrets of a Chef

YumSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 07:00:17 -0700

Recently I had the opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at Hubert Keller's cooking show Secrets of a Chef. Filmed in the Napa Valley, his fantastic PBS show is a mix of great cooking, relaxed presentation, and fun. I was absolutely nervous to meet such a prestigious chef, but it wasn't him I should've been scared of, it was his producer Marjorie Poore!

An award-winning cooking show producer with a meticulous eye for detail, she knows exactly what she wants and isn't afraid to tell people what that is. In fact, I watched her command Chef Keller to pick up a pot and put it back down five times until the angle was just right. Her technique was thoroughly impressive and the entire crew was a treat to work with.

I'll have more about the experience later, but for now I'll leave you with a video of what it was like. Consider it a little amuse-bouche.

Do You Like Watching Cooking Shows on TV?

YumSugar — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:13:56 -0700

Ming Tsai Talks Food, Cooking, and Top Chef Masters

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:50:32 -0700

I've been sold on Ming Tsai ever since he was a barrel of laughs in Aspen, so when I heard he was headed west, I knew I had to meet him. Ming was in town hosting a benefit for Macy's Come Together, a campaign to provide 10 million meals for families in need. I caught up with him in the green room before his demo, where he shared his thoughts on the importance of cooking for others, why you shouldn't buy a $4.99 skillet, and whether we're likely to see him on Top Chef Masters. Read his thoughts after the jump