Jump into your Way Back machine and land in the month of February. Remember the show Dinner Impossible on Food Network? Remember how Chef Robert Irvine was relieved of his impossible duties after it was revealed he inflated his resume? OK, that’s what happened if you weren’t already aware. At least now you know why Chef Michael Symon has been appearing in the most recent episodes. more…

”It’s not how many dragons you kill; it’s who goes home with the princess.”

That is it. I am now officially hooked on the new season of Top Chef. I came home late tonight after closing the restaurant a little annoyed that I had to reviewcap this show. But then I popped the episode on and for some reason this episode captured me far more than the premiere. more…

Can there be spoilers for Top Chef? The episode will begin with a “previously on,” they’ll show the cheftestants in their rooms, the Quick Fire will feature the guest judge, there will be a twist on the Elimination challenge, and someone goes home. But just in case you absolutely must avoid knowing what’ll happen on the next episode of Top Chef you probably shouldn’t watch the following videos. Except they are excerpts from the show and don’t really feature anything but an introduction to what the cheftestants will be facing. more…

If you’re expecting me to review each and every dish on the premiere of Top Chef you will be sorely disappointed. Maybe when we get down to the nitty gritty later on I’ll be able to do that, but did you see how many dishes were prepared? With 17 cheftestants going there was a lot to take in, which is why this episode was fifteen minutes longer than the typical episode. more…

We are now less than a week away from the premiere of Top Chef New York, so that means we can just sit back and wait. Right? Nah, let’s watch some more videos from the upcoming season of cheftestants. Below you’ll find the videos showcasing the…ahem…talents of the new cast. This season’s first quickfire, an apple peeling and dicing competition, might be my favorite opening so far. It’s something that I’m actually good at, and understand. more…

The next stunt week for Iron Chef Japan is ready to begin this coming Monday. So, what can you expect from the chefs and the chairman? Well, how about all of those slimey and living creatures that only appear on the Japanese version of the show. After years of watching Iron Chef America it’s easy to forget how much more interesting the secret ingredient can be. Pork loin isn’t exactly exotic. more…

If you’re looking for the right restaurant to eat at this weekend you may come up short on recommendations. Or maybe your friends have suspect tastes in dining out cuisine. Here’s a hint, anyone that tells you the fries at Wendy’s are the best to be had is someone you want to watch closely. Luckily the cheftestants of Top Chef are here to advise you on your restaurant choices. more…

I mentioned recently that Julie and Julia, the Nora Ephron film starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep based on Julie Powell’s book on her adventures through Julia Child’s cookbook, has been finished. It’s still being delayed, but it has been seen. At least a rough cut. The audience? Julie Powell herself, who describes watching the “Rom-Com-ed, slimmed-down, considerably less foul-mouthed version of [herself]” as surreal. more…

I’m a guy and even I can admit to enjoying Nora Ephron’s films. Perhaps they are chick flicks, but they are very well done. When Harry Met Sally and My Blue Heaven, both written by Ephron, are classic comedies in my mind. The kind that whenever they’re on I’ll stop to watch. So finding out that Ephron was doing a movie about Julia Childs was exciting. But it appears the movie will be delayed a little bit due to star Meryl Streep. more…

You’ve been watching Top Chef for a few years, you’ve probably even made some of your favorite dishes. But don’t you just want to know how good these chefs are in real life? Take away all the editing, the drama, the oddball challenges and just see how good they are. Last year’s favorite, and finalist, Richard Blais will be showcasing his unique skills as a promotion for the upcoming season of Top Chef at The Culinary Institute of America on November 8th. Even better the special event is a full on demonstration class with Q & A. more…