Anthony Bourdain, Rest in Peace

Less than 12 hours ago I was sitting in this same spot when the news flashed across my screen that author, television personality and chef Anthony Bourdain was dead at the age of 61.

I believe “whoa” was my first reaction and I suppose I still feel that way.

Anthony Bourdain was a huge influence on my life and writing, no matter if either of us knew it. He loved writing about food and drink, working in the kitchen, traveling to exotic locations and trying the foods he found there.

It would take me time to embrace those same concepts, but after reading his books and watching his shows I found myself more willing to embrace travel and try exotic cuisines while simply writing about the stuff I loved. Or hated.

But more importantly, Bourdain wasn’t afraid to celebrate the mundane, the everyday things we took for granted, whether it was a down and dirty seafood joint or a greasy burger stand. He knew how to celebrate life and live every day as if it may be your last. Which makes the news of his death all the more tragic.

Coincidentally, Bourdain and I both have daughters about the same age. He’d mention his daughter at times and it made me feel like we had a connection. In fact, one of my all time favorite pieces he wrote wasn’t about food. It was about the horrific kids shows he watched with his daughter. In the prose, which made me laugh out loud, I could see myself and it drew me closer to the guy that I’d never get to know.

While I mourn the loss of a true original, I weep for his ex-wife and daughter and friends like Eric Ripert. They’ll never get to spend more time with him or know him better and for that I’m truly sorry.

I can only hope that Tony has found the peace he sought and that he knew how many chefs, writers and more he inspired. – Dan Taylor

Wait. I Actually Like '3 Days to Open with Bobby Flay'?

Caught about 30 minutes of last night's sneak peek of 3 DAYS TO OPEN WITH BOBBY FLAY, and let the Gordon Ramseyfication of Bobby Flay begin!

I've never liked Flay much and always thought he came off as an arrogant a-hole on shows like THROWDOWN, IRON CHEF, etc. This softens his edges a bit as he plays mentor to food startups, helping with recipes and dispensing tips and advice.

It also doesn't hurt that last night's ep (focused on a NYC chicken fingers joint called STICKY'S FINGER JOINT) has their own arrogant fart-knocker on board so Flay looks downright charming by comparison.

Certainly won't watch this one religiously but I'll sample every now and then.

Win a Copy of the Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook from Bon Appetit

Admittedly, I lasted about 15 minutes into the premiere episode of The Beekman Boys before I switched the dial to something else.

But what do I know? The show – based around two NY city dwellers who ditched the hustle and bustle in favor of a 60-acre goat farm in upstate New York – has spawned a fast-growing lifestyle brand, best-selling book and an award-nominated website.

Naturally, the duo has put together a cookbook and I'm more than willing to choke down my aversion to their show for a chance to win a copy of The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook. The photos look great and I love any cookbook whose recipe pages have ample space for notes, substitutions, etc.

If you want to enter, simply go to Bon Appetit's Win a Cookbook page and post a comment. You'll need to be registered with the site to do so but they have good newsletters and regular giveaways so it's probably worth your while.

And if you don't win one you can always buy a copy at Amazon.

We receive a small commission for purchases made at Amazon through this blog. Thanks for your support!

Food Network Looking for Food Entrepreneurs for New Show

A new Food Network series is looking for FOOD ENTREPRENEURS preferably in, but not limited to, the greater NYC area (NY, NJ, CT).  Specifically, people who have left their previous career and have no professional food experience, but are taking a risk to launch their own food business.  You must be planning to open a brick-and-mortar space (restaurant or singular food ideas welcome) before the end of 2011.  Those chosen will receive culinary & business coaching from a major celebrity chef and restaurateur, as well as invaluable national publicity. E-mail foodtvshow@gmail.com for more info.

First Taste of THE CHEW

I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the premiere episode of THE CHEW (ABC's new daytime food/entertaining/whatever show that debuted on Monday). Initial reports from close confidants and people whose opinions I trust were not good.

But with time running out to head downtown and grab a lobster roll (or slider, or lobster slider) at The Silver Platter I decided to raid the kitchen, make a quesadilla and watch the live broadcast of the show that initial reviews referred to as "patronizing", "mundane" and "over-stuffed".

Sounds great!

First impressions: 

• Michael Symon is an annoying over laugher and all kidding aside it sounds like the giggle of an 80s action villain. 
• No surprise here, but Mario Batali is over-bearing and condescending – even to other chefs! Hey ABC, if a guy is largely thought of as smug and superior, having him host a segment where he imparts his "Kitchen Kommandments" might not be your best move. (Note: One of Batali's "kommandments" was that you only needed three knives. Somehow I'm thinking a Tomato-Baguette Knife isn't one of them.)
• Poor Clinton Kelly has to keep the whole thing moving somehow and is easily the most likable part of the show (though he seemed so taken back by the uncomfy silence at the end of today's episode that he had a hard time spitting out the lame tagline). 
• I felt bad for Top Chefer Carla Hall when she brought up "Chow-Chow" and the rest of the cast pretended like they didn't know what it was. ("Ketchup? Hmm, interesting. Never heard of it.") I'm a movie nerd from New Jersey and I've heard of Chow-Chow!
• As for the odd-looking blonde (Somebody Oz?), well, she's a real downer. Place the salad and healthy food in the middle of my fridge so it's the first thing I see when I open it? Thanks Dr. Buzzkill.

I'm sure I'll get around to watching the premiere one of these days, but I have to admit that this little drop-in did nothing to encourage me.

Countdown to MasterChef Finale

Yep. This is my laptop wallpaper in honor of tonight's two-hour season finale.

Yep. I'm a grown man who will be 45 in November.

Yep. I'm gonna miss my weekly dose of Joe Bastianich.

MasterChef Finale and Season 3 Casting

It has been a busy couple days in the world of reality cooking shows.

First we had Jeff The Sandwich King (not to be confused with Chuck The Evil Sandwich-Making Guy from Word Girl) being named the winner of Food Network Star. I'm not so sure that The Sandwich King has more legs and potential as a marketing vehicle than runner-up Susie's Spice it Up! (or whatever it was called), but Bobby Flay appeared to be the only one on the judge's panel not swooning under Jeff's spell.

I'm not sure it matters, though, as I don't think I've seen more than a handful of promos for Aarti Party or Ten Dollar Dinners over the last couple years. I love a good sandwich but not sure how many times I'll be switching off NFL pre-game coverage in order to watch TSK at 11:30 on a Sunday morning. (Especially if he's going to continue to refer to them as "sammys".)

I still haven't watched the premiere episode of The Great Food Truck Race but I have it on the DVR. Ooops. Guess I shouldn't have pulled up the show's page to get the link.

Last, but certainly not least (at least for me), comes the two-night, three-hour finale of FOX's MasterChef. I'm not 100% positive I'd tune in this show each week if it wasn't for Joe Bastianich and his captivating presence at the judge's table (witness last night's chiding of a quiver-lipped Christian and Suzie). Forget the fact that, as one wag pointed out, Joey Polka Dots looks like a villain for a B-grade 80s action flick, he makes the normally outrageous Gordon Ramsey look like a pussycat.

Who knows who will win tonight's two-hour culinary showdown? Will it be Christian (obnoxiously arrogant stay-at-home dad with a drug addict past who says the show taught him to "be myself" ... yikes!), Jennifer (toothy former beauty queen -- from Delaware -- who talks in visible exclamation points!) or Adrien (a surprisingly strong competitor who might win it all with his ability to deliver powerful flavors)?

Oh, who cares?! With two hours of Joe B on tap we're all winners!

Think you've got the stuff to make a dish that Joe won't throw in the trash? Casting is underway for Season 3!

MasterChef Season 2 Premieres Tonight!

Want to know how old I am? I still remember the days when the summer television season was a dreadful roundup of reruns, primetime baseball and the occasional variety "special".

These days, though, the summer season is looked upon with some anticipation in THG's household. My better half enjoys much of the USA primetime lineup (and I grudgingly enjoy Royal Pains, largely due to SPLINTER's Paulo Costanzo) while I'm looking forward to MTV's Teen Wolf and tonight's premiere of MasterChef Season 2.

For me, MasterChef takes all the best elements from Gordo's other FOX reality shows (the relentless competition of Hell's Kitchen and the kinder, gentler mentor side of Kitchen Nightmares) and adds in the withering glare of Joey Polka Dots, one of Ramsey's two sidekicks/judges on the show. (The other judge is an overweight chef who wears "flamboyant" clothing and pastel eyeglass frames. In other words, the Dom DeLuise to Gordo's Burt Reynolds.)

Let's put it this way... I don't even know Joe's last name. All I know is that he looks sorta like an unfriendly version of The Beer Snob, wears a lot of polka dot hankies, and can obliterate someone's passion for cooking with one soul-sucking, pinpoint laser of a stare that says, "How dare you serve me this".

Frankly, I can't wait. Plus, a fellow food blogger made it to the audition stage so I'm looking forward to seeing if he makes the cut (no pun intended).

Guy Fieri as Wolverine?!

You know what would be off-the-hook, out of bounds, bananas and money?

If Chef Guy Fieri – or, just "Guy!" as he signs his recipes in the Guy's Game Day Playbook recipe pamphlet available at your local grocery store – was to suit up and play Wolverine in an upcoming X-Men flick.

Hell, Hugh Jackman has to get bored with the role eventually and maybe Guy! was thinking the same thing when he posed for this photo from the aforementioned cookbook.

SNACKT!

Extreme Ritz! Guy Fieri Style!

While walking through the grocery store today I found myself being verbally accosted by none other than Guy Fieri.

I couldn't understand exactly what he was saying but it was impossible to mistake that voice and the way every sentence is punctuated by an exclamation point or the way words like "bananas" and "money" drip from his goateed lips like he's on the set of a low-budget, foodie-centric porno.

"Oh crap," I thought. "This is it. All my bad-mouthing has come back to haunt me and now I'm going to have to fight Guy Fieri in the snack aisle of the grocery store. In front of my daughter. Oh well, I hope he didn't bring Bobby Flay with him."

As I turned, eyeing my basket for the best weapon – Rapunzel snacks? broccolini? – I was relieved (sorta) to discover that there wasn't going to be a supermarket rumble. It was just an extreme to the max Guy Fieri motion-activated shelf display exhorting me to grab some Kraft snack crackers and get extreme this post-season. To the max.

Naturally, the snack booklet accompanying the shelf display features a Guy-inspired take on Cheese Steaks and Sliders called, what else?, Ritz Cheese Steak Sliders. See scans below and click for larger, extreme details...

Top Chef All-Stars: Down to the Dirty Dozen

I have to admit.

After Jen got the boot I was beginning to wonder if my handicapping skills were not as sharp as I thought. I firmly believed that the seemingly-talented, Eric Ripert-mentored chef from my homeland would be around at least until the last-third of the competition and, maybe, just maybe would make it to the Top Chef All-Stars finale.

But after that rocky patch it looks like the stars have realigned and all is right with the reality cooking show universe. Elia, Stephen and Dale L (all "Longshots" according to Danny the Polack) have been sent packing and even Spike and Casey (both of whom I thought could compete for the title or mail in a horrific culinary monstrosity) got the boot for committing a couple cardinal Top Chef sins: letting Angelo fiddle with a dish; and, working the front of the house while somebody else preps your chicken feet, respectively.

Seriously, I am notorious in my household for pretty much eating any and every part of the chicken. (Don't get me started. It's definitely a holdover from my childhood when my Dad would be given the luxury of picking over the chicken carcass after Mom had gotten all she could out of it.) And, well, I wouldn't have eaten those chicken feet. Even on a dare.

Okay, maybe on a dare, but that's the only way!

And so we head into the middle rounds with most of my favorites left, though if I was re-seeding at this point I might knock Fabio down into the middle of the pack (the turtle walking kinda weirded me out) and bump up either Tre or Dale L. I still feel like the former is too flippant while the latter is too pig-headed, but hey, I've been accused of being both myself.

So, who do you like on Top Chef All-Stars now that the first third of the cheftestants have been weeded out?

Ranking the All-Stars... Top Chef All-Stars, That Is

Top Chef is back and taking a page out of the Survivor playbook!

Tom, Padma, Gail and Tony are bringing back some of the best non-winners from previous seasons to compete for the season 8 crown. I would have liked it better if they'd called it 'Heroes & Villains' but 'All-Stars' is fine, too.

18 chef-testants will battle it out for the title as well as (I'm assuming) the Food & Wine feature and the cash from Glad or Dove or Aamco or whatever sponsor is ponying up the cash money this time around.

With tonight's premiere featuring the chefs having to recreate the dish that got them eliminated it sounds like we hit the ground running and we won't have to mess around with any oyster shucking or celery chopping lightning eliminations. And since there aren't any Clays or always-disappointing Baltimore chefs in the bunch, there won't be a whole lot of room for error either.

In order to bring my wretched odds-making skills from the NFL ranks into the reality TV arena (really, I took the Cardinals +1.5 on Monday? really?!) I've split the 18 returning chefs into three groups of six... Favorites, Competitors and Long Shots, names listed alphabetically and personal prejudices definitely taken into account.

Favorites
Richard Blais
Jennifer Carroll
Antonia Lofaso
Angelo Sosa
Marcel Vigneron
Fabio Viviani

Competitors
Tiffany Derry
Tiffani Faison
Jamie Lauren
Spike Mendelsohn
Casey Thompson
Tre Wilcox

Longshots
Elia Aboumrad
Stephen Asprinio
Carla Hall
Michael Isabella
Dale Levitski
Dale Talde

South Park Skewers Foodies, The Food Network, Food Porn and More

Did you watch SOUTH PARK's skewering of foodies, The Food Network, celeb chefs and food porn the other night? I thought it had its moments but wish they'd gone further with their parody of the network and its stars. Great Gordo impression by Cartman, though.

If you missed it – or just wanted to see Randy getting intimate with his cooking again – you can watch the full episode at South Park Studios.

Colbert Talks Four Loco and Cheese

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Thought for Food - C-Zurrrre, Medal of Hunger Winner & Cheesercize
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

Next Food Network Star Casting Comes to Charm City

Okay Baltimore cooks, chefs, foodies, bloggers, line cooks, fry jockeys, waiters and hash slingers.

Casting for THE NEXT FOOD NETWORK STAR will take place in Baltimore on September 26, 2010. This is your chance to get your face in front of casting agents for the show. According to the casting call info they're looking for strong culinary skills, passion for cooking, personality that pops, food knowledge and lots of energy & enthusiasm.

Do not let us down like most of the area contestants on TOP CHEF.

Details
Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 10 AM - 3 PM
Pier 5 Hotel, 711 Eastern Ave., 21202
Bring two recent photos, a copy of your resume and a completed application (found here).

For more information visit the casting agency website.

What to Do in Batimore... Wine and Cake!

Looking for stuff to do in Baltimore during the coming weeks? Two events just popped up on our radar that I'm sure will be of interest to THG readers...

On October 22 from 6:30 to 9:00 PM the Maryland Science Center will be hosting the latest installment in its popular Science Uncorked series. Held in conjunction with their current Da Vinci exhibit, the event will examine the wines from the legendary painter and inventor's Italian homeland.

Experts from The Wine Market will offer an in-depth look at the wines of Italy. Guests will learn the Italian wine regions, sample a variety of Italian vintages, and explore the role that color, scent, and taste play in the enjoyment of fine wine while sampling numerous wine and food pairings.

Tickets to Science Uncorked are $40 for Maryland Science Center members and $45 for non-members. Admission includes wine, food, presentation, and a tour of Da Vinci - The Genius. Attendees must be 21 or older. RSVP by calling 410.545.5960.

If cake is more up your alley, join Duff Goldman and members of the Charm City Cakes team at Baltimore's Atomic Books for a book release party and signing on Tuesday, October 27 from 7:00-10:00 PM. The staff from Charm City Cakes, who also happen to be the stars of Food Network's hit show ACE OF CAKES, will be stopping by Atomic Books to celebrate the release of their new book ACE OF CAKES: INSIDE THE WORLD OF CHARM CITY CAKES (William Morrow Cookbooks) and sign copies of the book.

TOP CHEF 5 Finale Live Blog

Okay, here we go...

10:00 – Quickie season recap from Padma. Let's get it on. What's this? No chef montage?

10:04 – Okay, here comes the knife block... we've got a head-to-head, three course meal, any proteins, don't have to make a dessert.

10:05 – Marcel, Richard and Casey return from previous seasons... oh god, will Stefan team up with Marcel?!

10:06 – "Marcel kinda reminds me of Stefan."

10:07 – "He's a bit of a twat. But who isn't?"

10:08 – What a surprise. Hosea's doing fish. And stealing all the foie gras and caviar.

10:09 – Why would you do something in the finale that you've never done before? Carla needs to stick with the simple stuff that got her here the last few weeks.

10:10 – I like Richard's advice... "Get some sleep. Don't drink tonight."

10:11 – I have to admit that I don't think I turn Bravo on unless Top Chef is airing.

10:14 – So you get to the final three and your "treat" is a voodoo palm reading? Thanks Glad.

10:17 – No matter how many times I see this Hidden Valley Ranch commercial I always think Carole King or whoever wrote "Pleasant Valley Sunday" needs to sue their ass off.

10:18 – John at Baltimore Snacker is live blogging the finale, too. Check it out.

10:20 – The twist is an appetizer using traditional New Orleans ingredients. Hosea sticks Stefan with alligator. Go Stefan, I'm openly rooting for him to smoke Hosea at this point.

10:22 – Hosea's doing venison. Better cook that just right sport.

10:23 – Why is Carla listening to Casey? Stick to your guns.

10:24 – Looks like guests include Rocco and Dana Cowin. Uh-oh, Tom doesn't look impressed by Stefan's dessert.

10:27 – Is it mean for me to say it looks like Stefanie has been hitting a lot of tastings during her reign as Top Chef?

10:30 – Wait, maybe that's not Dana Cowin.

10:31 – I'm thinking the app course went to Hosea or Stefan.

10:33 – Do not like Carla's presentation on that first course but they all seemed to like it. Hosea's dish looked great but they didn't like it or Stefan's very much. That round definitely went to Carla.

10:35 – "This doesn't remind me of her."

10:36 – Gail bopping her head while Rocco blathers may have been my fave part of the episode so far.

10:38 – Looks like Carla just screwed herself with her half a dish. And there's the withering look from Tom.

10:40 – Are they going to ding Hosea for taking the safe way out and ending with venison? Will Stefan take it on the chin for his dated dessert presentation?

10:42 – I don't know if we saw the best from any of these chefs tonight. I feel like Stefan's been coasting for the last couple weeks... and it might just cost him tonight.

10:46 – Judges Table. I'm going to say Hosea wins.

10:47 – Carla's explanation about how much influence Casey had on her menu gets the raised eyebrows and disappointed glance from Tom.

10:51 – I feel bad for Carla. I really think if she'd stuck to her guns she could have won this.

10:53 – "It was pedestrian at best." Padma at her dismissive most!

10:54 – Toby seems to be the lone Stefan voice in the wilderness... Tom says he doesn't see any "soul" in Stefan's cooking, a thought I mentioned a week ago.

10:55 – I'd be shocked, SHOCKED if Hosea isn't the winner. Looks like John and I are in agreement here, he's thinking Hosea-Stefan-Carla, too. Gail and Tom looked too satisfied going into commercial.

10:58 – I love the way Padma has to get in that "Glad family of products" plug.

11:00 – I should not be snickering at Carla crying. Hosea said "things are going to change, that's for sure". Judging by Stefanie's Dr. Pepper commercial he should start buying clothes a size or two larger starting now.

STARCH MADNESS: Last Minute Thoughts on Top Chef's Final Four

As I catch a quick breather between a giant client project, the loads of laundry in the washer and dryer, and a sleeping 20-month-old poised to get up at any moment, I figured I'd dash off some last minute thoughts about the four competitors left in Bravo's fifth season of TOP CHEF.

I'm not sure where I'd rate this season. Frankly, I kinda miss Gail, and it seems like sub-judge Toby Young is trying too hard to be a mean, snarky Brit – sorta like the lead judge on some other reality show, if you catch my drift.

Even Colicchio seems taken aback at some of Young's stinging put-downs, and this is a man who once sat there as guest judge Anthony Bourdain (sadly MIA) remarked, "It's got a home cooking thing, but a home I wouldn't want to live in."

And so, with my afternoon coffee in hand, let's take a quick look at the four finalists, ranked – as I see 'em – in order from least likely to most likely to walk away with the Glad bags filled with cash. Or whatever the prize is. [Ed. Note: Ryan woke up at this point so I'm trying to cobble my thoughts together as we watch some DVDs. Forgive me if I pick Abby or Elmo to win the competition.]

Hosea
This Boulder-based chef who supposedly excels at seafood has sort of been like the ugly American version of super-chef Stefan over the course of the season. Stefan excels at challenge after challenge, while poor Hosea keeps finding himself at Judge's Table trying to explain himself. Silly Stefan endlessly flirts with Team Rainbow's Jamie, so Hosea goes out and swaps spit with fellow contestant Leah... despite the fact that both left significant others at home in order to compete on the show. (Ooops!)

Most telling, though, has been Hosea's apparent obsession with beating the Frying Fin. I rarely hear him talk about winning the competition but he sure wants to beat Stefan. Stefan, on the other hand, knows he's the best chef in the bunch (which might be his downfall) and even suggested last week that Hosea doesn't have the "balls" for the gig.

While I have to give Hosea credit for lasting this long he's been on the chopping block the last two weeks after preparing seafood – his alleged strong suit. With the finale set in New Orleans he's going to have to do a bit more to impress the judges and special finals guest judge Emeril Lagasse. Frankly, I just don't see it happening. Projected Finish: Valued Participant.

Fabio
First impressions led me to believe that this charming, smooth-talking Italian and California chef-owner would be little more than Stefan's sidekick (a Eurotrash Beavis to Stefan's blistering Butt-head, perhaps). Nothing could be further from the truth as I've come to both like and root for the Fab One.

I was thrilled that Fabio not only overcame a serious handicap last week (a broken finger) but also cooked with his heart and prepared a dish I'd love to have tried (Roasted Chicken with Carmelized Onions and Roasted Potatoes). If Fabio can cook with his heart and soul I wouldn't be surprised to see him win this competition. Alas, the mohawk he was sporting in the clips for this week's episode make me think he got some sort of weird pep talk from his client William Shatner. Hopefully that's the only advice he took from the Priceline Negotiator. Projected Finish: Miss Congeniality.

Carla
As recently as a few weeks ago I'd have never picked this bug-eyed oddball to make it to the Foodie Final Four, let alone emerge as my dark horse pick to win the whole thing. But something strange has happened over the last couple episodes. Carla seems to have gotten in touch with her simple (and I mean that in a good way), classic influences. Never was that more evident than last week when she wowed Wylie Dufresne with her take on Green Eggs and Ham (and shut up bottom-feeder Hosea in the process), then followed through by preparing a squab and peas dish that legendary chef Jacques Pepin seemed to simply adore.

I've gone from exasperatedly wondering how she was still around to quietly applauding her dishes and approach. If Carla keeps it simple and doesn't get too weirdo-New-Agey she just might be able to top you know who. Projected Finish: Runner-Up.

Stefan
This has been The Frying Fin's competition to lose from the very start and I firmly believe that Stefan's the only one of the remaining contestants that can actually beat Stefan. (Make sense?) His two miscues of late – during the Super Bowl-themed chef-off and last week's last meal challenge – have largely been due to his Achilles heel... over-confidence. He figured he'd whoop the chick from Season 1 (and maybe get in some flirting while he was at it) in the cook-off and might have been sent home if Jeff The Winker hadn't screwed up.

Last week he off-handedly remarked that there was no way he could screw up the salmon because it's something he's been making for 23 years. So what does he do? He overcooks the fish but gets saved because Leah's lame Eggs Benedict failed to impress.

Stefan's over-confidence and Euro-ego – helped along with some judicious editing, I'm sure – have certainly established him as the show's villain du juor. But I'd much rather hang with him for a few beers than previous TOP CHEF super-villains like Marcel and Hung.

What does worry me, though, is that you rarely (ever?) hear Stefan talk about his passion for cooking. He's a great chef but I don't see the secret ingredient – aka love – showing up in a lot of his dishes. One phoned-in service can send you packing (as we've all seen in the past) and it's up to Stefan to channel his inner Klaus Kinski and make sure that doesn't happen. Like last year's New England Patriots I think we all expect Stefan to win. The question is, will one of the other Fab Four be able to catch a ball against their helmet? Projected Finish: Big Winner.

So, there you have it. Insightful analysis drawn from spending one heavily-edited hour per week with these people. Considering how bad I am at picking winners in something I follow closely (ie, sports), please take these predictions with a very large grain of salt.

TOP CHEF Tom on Super Bowl Pregame

Call it synergy. Call it corporate shilling. Call it whatever you like, but during the Super Bowl pregame TOP CHEF judge Tom Collichio will join Tiki Barber and Jerome Bettis in judging a "Cook-Off" between previous TOP CHEF contestants exploring the cuisines of Arizona and Pittsburgh. (Other news sources have reported it as a cook off between Barber and Bettis but I think the other scenario is more likely.)

I could sit here and make smart-ass remarks about the cuisine of Pittsburgh involving pierogies and overrated sandwiches with fries on them consumed by people pouring out of bars at 2 AM, but I'm better than that.

I can't get a handle on when exactly this segment will air, considering that NBC has announced a day-long orgy of pre-game coverage including an exclusive interview with President Obama, a snarky smugfest between Keith Olberman and Dan Patrick, Bob Costas interviewing Bruce Springsteen and more.

Emeril's Back and TOP CHEF's Got Him

I'll be the first to admit that I was suffering from a bit of Emeril Fatigue Syndrome (EFS) for awhile. Between his nightly live show on Food Network, the toothpaste ads, the Food Network specials, and the (thankfully) short-lived sitcom it was hard to remember why I liked the guy in the first place.

A viewing of the still-excellent Essence of Emeril will change that any day and the show makes it easy to see why Food Network tapped him early on as the face (and personality) of their fledgling network.

These days I sorta find myself missing Lagasse, though that may have more to do with the personalities making up Food Network's current Mount Rushmore, namely the over-exposed Alton Brown, smug Bobby Flay, shameless Guy Fieri, and all members of the insufferable Deen clan.

So I'm happy to see Lagasse not only returning to the spotlight but returning on my favorite reality show and one of my favorite TV shows, period. Emeril will bring his big personality and penchant for catchphrases to the final two episodes of Bravo's Top Chef (airing next month), where he'll be a guest judge.

Asked about his experience on the show the chef had this to say about the Top Chefs coming to his neck of the woods:

In Louisiana, we have an amazing selection of local ingredients: andouille sausage, frog legs, turtle, catfish and rabbit. I was interested in seeing if the chefs would venture out and really try to explore our local flavors and culture. The challenge for some was finding a balance between the bold spices we love and their own personal style. All I can say is that you'll definitely want to go back for seconds for some of their final dishes!