The Food Network staff Guac Off ’09 stretched across two states and in the end, two were left standing. Without further fanfare, we want to announce our two winners and share some photos.
Get the results here.

Via our sister site FN Dish:

That’s a pie.

Rupa Bhattacharya, Culinary Writer

Last week, a generous farmer from Ohio who was a judge on Iron Chef America delivered an abundance of vegetables.  The table outside of our programming offices was piled high with fresh root veggies, potatoes, salad greens, micro greens, and herbs.  Being invited to take a bag, I snatched up a colorful array of beets, carrots, turnips, and parsnips. 
Check out what this Iron Chef did with them.

Subbing for Bruce, Sunny Anderson gets the behind-the-scenes dish from the “Hot & Spicy” episode of Ultimate Recipe Showdown.

Part 2 of a recurring series; see part 1 here.

What would the European city look like had there never been a Mahmut Aygun, inventor of the doner kebab, man who taught Europeans to eat with their hands?

We’ll leave history to ponder that–and ponder it will, no doubt. For now we mourn the passing of the original ‘Kebab King,’ and wish him safe journey on his way to that great kebab cart in the sky.

Jonathan Milder, Research Librarian

Several months ago the Test Kitchen team was given an assignment for the current (Jan/Feb) issue of the Food Network Magazine. Our challenge was to come up with creative new uses for ramen noodles.

One day, my daughter, who was home visiting from college, stopped by the Test Kitchen to say hello. Her timing could not have been more perfect, since Bob Hoebee, one of our recipe developers, had just called for a tasting of his Ramen Noodle Cake with Swiss Chard. Much to my daughter’s delight, she was invited to join in the tasting.

Now it wasn’t just because she is a vegetarian that this dish appealed to her; there was something so appetizing about the way the noodle cake looked — so golden and crispy on the outside, but still moist and tender on the inside.

One bite was all she needed to be motivated to try this recipe out when she returned to campus.

Please note: (I hope I don’t get in trouble for this later) you may expect that cooking comes naturally to her since her mom and many others in her family love to cook, but the apple fell a little further from the tree where cooking is concerned. While she certainly appreciates a great meal, she is less inclined to spend significant time in the kitchen. However, this dish seemed right up her alley: cheap, easy and delicious.

A few weeks later, a campus pot luck was the perfect opportunity for her to test it out. After a very successful first attempt, she called excitedly to inform me that it was a huge hit and she was surely going to make it again. Each time, she happily reported that it was a major crowd pleaser. The dish has become a favorite; on her latest visit home, she decided to try it again, this time for the family.

In my opinion, one look at the photo will tell you that this is definitely a keeper! Of course, I may be just a little biased.

Claudia Sidoti, Recipe Developer

You didn’t really believe we would let the day pass without wishing you HAPPY NATIONAL PIE DAY, did you? That’s right, who knew…

We’re celebrating with this gravity-defying wonder from Paula Deen — Savannah High Apple Pie. I mean, c’mon — apples are in season, it’s Paula and this looks amazing. Has anyone ever tried?

If you’re saving your sugar for Valentine’s Day, you MUST whip up this savory treat from Ina Garten. My mom usually sticks with her favorites but made this Chicken Pot Pie and knocked it out of the park. I’m actually craving it now — ah, that buttery pastry topping.

If you want some other celebratory ideas, check out the award winners from the All-American Pie Championship.

Have a favorite Food Network pie recipe?
Cut us off a slice and let us know…

~ Mark, THE FN Dish

In a four-part restaurant tour kicking off Monday on “The Martha Stewart Show” (11 a.m., Ch. 4), the domestic diva is visiting a quartet of tiny downtown eateries on E. 10th Street.

“I have never been on a street anywhere in New York where restaurant after restaurant is just so, so good,” says Stewart, citing “diverse” menus and “fantastic” prices as reasons for her latest foodie obsession.

Stewart’s fascination with 10th Street started over the summer, when she and Lisa Wagner, supervising producer for the show, visited Graffiti, pastry chef Jehangir Mehta’s tiny, four-table restaurant serving global small plates.

Full disclosure: Jehangir and his restaurant catered my wedding (and were paid to do so), but he has since become a friend (and I was totally cheering for him on Iron Chef). Even if he weren’t, though, I’d still be thrilled for him.

[via]

Rupa Bhattacharya, Culinary Writer

When I first started at the Food Network, I envisioned lively coffee breaks with Giada on slow Monday afternoons. Or maybe shop talk over a toasty sandwich with Bobby in the Kitchens… Though this is not our reality and only some shows tape here in Chelsea Market, I have a few memorable run-ins to share.

I once heard Michael Symon’s distinctive laugh echoing down a hallway and scampered down to catch a glimpse. He’s definitely the Iron Chef with a heart of gold. Another time, I literally bumped into Duff Goldman while taking a corner too quickly. He laughed it off as I stuttered an apology and awkwardly ran back to my desk. Just last week I rode the elevator with Rachael Ray and her husband John – really!

But my favorite star-spotting happened while I was diligently finishing an expense report and heard a familiar voice. I looked up and, lo and behold, there was Alton Brown standing right in front of me!

What’s your best Food Network star run-in? We want stories!
~ LT, Production Coordinator