The experience I had on The Next Iron Chef was “once in a lifetime.” I met and worked with nine great chefs, pushing the boundaries of what I thought I could do each time I approached a challenge. It taught me more about myself and my willingness to take risks in order to make thingsRead more »

It’s hard to believe that Halloween is almost upon us! Whether you plan on trick-or-treating with the kids or celebrating with more experienced Halloweeners, these frightfully festive drinks will get every ghost and goblin in the spirit.

So here it is, the end of the line for me on The Next Iron Chef, but I am walking away with my head held high. I looked at this competition in the way that I have learned to look at all things that life has presented to me: This is no dress rehearsal, so grabRead more »

Before our 10 rivals landed in L.A. to compete on The Next Iron Chef, each was asked what ingredient they couldn’t live without on a desert island. And what do you know? The chefs’ answers (ranging from corn and limes to chicken and whole pigs) determined their secret ingredient in the very first episode. While ChefRead more »

Would YOU want to be thown into the shark tank with this guy? Facing down an Iron Chef is not for the faint of heart (or knife skills).  When she got the call to kitchen stadium, Chef Amanda Cohen’s first reaction was “I don’t think so.” Having just opened restaurant Dirt Candy in New YorkRead more »

Fresh cherries are at their peak May through August – don’t miss them! Debating between sweet and sour? Sweet cherries, like deep-red, heart-shaped Bing cherries, are most often eaten raw, but can also be cooked. Sour cherries are smaller and tart – they have a little too much pucker-power to eat raw but they’re theRead more »

I think summertime is all about haute hot dogs hot off the grill! Living in New York City, I have found that street vendors have really upped their hot dog toppings game. My best friend introduced me to Summer Saturdays at the Brooklyn Flea, which has an amazing hot dog vendor called Asia Dog. TheRead more »

I have to admit I haven’t made many burgers in my life, but in preparation for Memorial Day I wanted to try grilling one up at home. I typically partake in the eating activities at barbecues rather than participating in the grilling. But at some point a person with my burger appetite should have aRead more »

One of the most seasonally delicious things about spring is the abundance of fresh berry desserts found on so many restaurant menus. Fortunately, I live a few blocks away from perennial NYC hot-spot Balthazar which serves a Berry Pavlova just as elegant as the ballet dancer, Anna Pavlova, for whom it was named. It isRead more »

Brian Boitano was in Vancouver this week re-living his Olympic glory. Long before he became a Food Network star, Brian won figure skating gold in the 1988 Calgary games. We’re guessing he had a pretty good seat for some of this year’s figure skating competitions, but he also went up to Canada to do some cooking.Read more »