Celebrity Chefs

Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa Frozen Dinners for Two

I find Ina Garten to be downright fascinating. Before she was a Food Network personality, she owned a specialty food shop in the veddy-posh Westhampton, N.Y.; before that, she worked for the OMB (Office of Management and Budget) on nuclear energy analysis. She and her husband, Jeffrey, have no child ... More >>

13 Houston Chefs Who Have Celebrity Doppelgangers

Check out which local chef sure looks a lot like a Spice Girl, who might be hosting a game show in his spare time, and who we think is a long-lost triplet: See also: - 12 Celebrity Chefs Who Have Cartoon Doppelgangers - 13 Celebrity Chef Doppelgangers 13. Kaz Edwards vs. Joshua Jackson We could s ... More >>

The Eating...Our Words 100: Renatta Lindsey, The Taste Contestant and Houston Home Cook

Who she is: A self-identified "home cook" from Houston, Texas who will compete on the comfort food episode of ABC's The Taste (airing tonight at 7 p.m. CST). Lindsey's stellar Dijon chicken with mashed potatoes garnered her a coveted spot on the team mentored by British food writer Nigella Lawson. ... More >>

The Taste: Three Chefs And A Baby

Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public. - H.L. Mencken Greetings, Eating Our Words-ians. My name's Pete and I usually skulk over on Art Attack writing about things that nobody cares about. This includes weekly recaps of random reality shows, so when I decided to wr ... More >>

The Taste Premiere: Sea Bass with Butterscotch for Anthony Bourdain

With television today overwhelmed by reality shows that feature everything from singing to dancing to racing around the world, it's no surprise that ABC has a new reality competition centered around cooking. The Taste is exactly like The Voice on NBC, except that instead of judging someone's voice b ... More >>

Top 5 Cooking Shows to Watch in 2013

The New Year brings new series and the return of some of the best cooking shows on television. With today being the first day of 2013, we ranked our top five cooking shows for this year. Some are new and some are veterans, but all of them are enjoyable (or at least predicted to be) to watch. Here a ... More >>

The 12 Biggest Food News Stories of 2012: The Year In Twinkies, Go-Go Juice and Guy Fieri

From eating like cavemen to redneck sketti, we're taking a look back at some of the biggest food happenings of 2012. 12. Singapore Serves Mashed Potatoes...From A Vending Machine? The internet was abuzz when a photo of a mashed potato vending machine surfaced. Eventually, the viral picture was tr ... More >>

Anthony Bourdain: Not Quite Evil but Still a Badass

We last saw Anthony Bourdain in Houston back in 2010 right after the release of his book, Medium Raw. It was a sold out show befitting of a rock star, and those that came looking for his usual offensive language and utter disdain for Food Network stars and all things celebrity chefs weren't disappoi ... More >>

Visit Our Food Truck Court Tomorrow and Enter to Win a Free Pair of Tickets to the Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert Show

As promised in the aftermath of Anthony Bourdain's last visit to Jones Hall in 2010, the foul-mouthed chef is back -- and this time with Eric Ripert, Bourdain's constant friend and foil. Bourdain and Ripert's speaking engagement tomorrow night is rightfully called Good vs. Evil and although it's not ... More >>

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Top 10 restaurants on Washington Avenue

Anthony Bourdain on Hipsters, Food Critics, Tasting Menus, the Death of Fine Dining and a Religious Experience with Texas Barbecue

The biggest problem with interviewing Anthony Bourdain is not the crackly phone connection between Houston and New York City, nor is it the general trepidation that comes with talking to someone who's notoriously, forcefully honest. The problem is that Bourdain is so interesting -- has traveled so ... More >>

Street Foods of India at Kiran's: The Perfect Launch for the Houston Metro Cooking Show and the Curry Digest Video Series

If you're like most Houstonians, you haven't, in the past week, been swept off your feet and transported to India and back in a matter of hours, experiencing the joy of Indian street foods, upbeat music, age-old traditions, and exotic beverages in between. But to my own and a diverse group of food w ... More >>

Paula or Pepin? Separate Savannah from Southern France, and Win Tickets to the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show

The Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show is coming to Houston this weekend, and Eating...Our Words has three pairs of tickets to see two of this year's celebrity speakers, Paula Deen and Jacques Pépin (two for Dean and one for Pépin). We would like nothing more than to give them away to you ... More >>

Eating D.C.: Dining Dispatches from the Capital

As of this writing, I am still comfortably ensconced in the Hotel Palomar in our nation's capital. There is a Negroni at my side, compliments of the hotel, which was waiting for me in the room after I returned from walking off a Shake Shack burger at lunch. That's service. Both the Shake Shack and ... More >>

12 Celebrity Chefs Who Have Cartoon Doppelgangers

We've already noted Emeril's uncanny resemblance to Grandpa Munster and determined that Eric Ripert and Mr. Jay may just be twins. Now we'll take a look at the celebrity chefs that have a different kind of doppelganger: Check out our list of 12 Celebrity Chefs Who Look Like Cartoons: 12. Alton Br ... More >>

Upcoming Events: Low, Slow and EaDo

Next Thursday night from 7 to 10 p.m., help support Foodways Texas while enjoying some terrific Texan beer and bites at the Saint Arnold brewery with Low and Slow: An Evening of Smoked Food & Film. The evening will feature short films by Keely Steenson about Texas barbecue traditions along with tast ... More >>

Look Out, Rachael Ray: Annise Parker Is Coming After Your $100,000 in ASPCA Cash

Mayor Annise Parker announced today the kickoff to a plan to get 2,100 dogs and cats adopted out of Houston facilities in order to win a $100,000 grant sponsored by TV food guru Rachael Ray. Houston's BARC is one of 50 operations across the country to qualify as a finalist in the ASPCA Rachael Ray ... More >>

Marcus Samuelsson Shares Stories About Life and Cooking at Central Market

Read "Five Questions for Chef Marcus Samuelsson" and "Lunch with Marcus Samuelsson Provides a Sneak Peek at Pass and Provisions." In case you haven't heard, Chef Marcus Samuelsson was in town last week for a whirlwind day of book-promoting events, including a book signing and cooking class held at ... More >>

The 5 Sexiest Celebrity Male Chefs

It's getting hot in the kitchen, and not just from the flames. Check out the Top 5 Hottest Celebrity Male Chefs that make our flames broil: 5. Govind Armstrong Armstrong's dreamy locks first made our hearts flutter on shows like Bravo's Top Chef and Top Chef Masters and the Food Network's Iron C ... More >>

Anthony Bourdain Heads to Cook It Raw

What does the chef and owner of the world's best restaurant do in his spare time? He finds ways to make cooking more challenging and intellectually stimulating. Rene Redzepi, of the famous NOMA in Copenhagen, also founded Cook It Raw. CIR is a food event that gathers 15 chefs in an unfamiliar settin ... More >>

2012 Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show

Good vs. Evil: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert

13 Celebrity Chef Doppelgangers

I didn't know Rocco DiSpirito was a Jonas Brother! And was that really Gordon Ramsay starring opposite Will Ferrell in Step Brothers? Who knew! Check out these and more Celebrity Chef Doppelgangers: 13. Rocco DiSpirito vs. Nick Jonas Renowned chef, cookbook author and the fifth Jonas Brother.

Food Network Star Turns Former Judges into Competitors

At my house, the DVR is always set to record Food Network Star (nee The Next Food Network Star). The only Food Network mega-star to emerge from the show was Season Two winner Guy Fieri, although other contestants have developed lasting concepts that continue to air on Food Network. I think one of th ... More >>

Who Said It: Anthony Bourdain or Paula Deen?

Anthony Bourdain and Paula Deen may currently be the two most diametrically opposed personalities in today's food world. The two have feuded for years, with Bourdain generally accusing Deen of fattening up America for profit and Deen generally accusing Bourdain of being an elitist. Most recently, B ... More >>

Gordon Ramsay Delivers Three Delicious Shows for Our Summer Viewing Enjoyment

When regular networks like NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX put their shows on hiatus, they line up mind-numbing, inexpensive-to-produce fare for us to consume while Mark Harmon, Alec Baldwin and Patrick Dempsey (and their expensive hair, wardrobes and sets) get a well-deserved vacation. CBS will bring back t ... More >>

Blue Hate Special: Loving to Loathe Guy Fieri

We've all seen this spiked, peroxide-dyed Food Network star eating his way across America's heartland. We've all heard him choking out limp catchphrases around mouthfuls of food, wheezing out airy, hyena-like whinnies of laughter while wiping grease and mustard off of his perfectly manicured, bleac ... More >>

Win Free Tickets to the 2012 Menu of Menus and Iron Fork Competition

This year's Menu of Menus will take place on April 17 at Silver Street Studios. In addition to featuring 50 of the city's best restaurants in one place, Menu of Menus will offer an exciting new component this year: the Iron Fork competition, our own little take on Iron Chef. The Iron Fork competiti ... More >>

UPDATED: Paula Deen Rumored to Have Type 2 Diabetes, Endorsement Deal with Big Pharma

​Update: A company spokesman with Novartis called this afternoon to address the rumors that Paula Deen has signed an endorsement deal with the pharmaceutical firm, which the company says are false. Novartis issued this statement: "The rumors that Novartis has signed a multi-million dollar spok ... More >>

How The Simpsons Makes Foodies Look Like Smug, Elitist Schmucks

There must be a kitchen sink that we can get to do a cameo too, guys...​I didn't want to watch the latest episode of The Simpsons, the one in which Marge inexplicably becomes a food blogger. Yes, the foodie backlash has officially begun. I haven't wanted to watch an episode of The Simpsons in ... More >>

5 Food Celebrities We'd Rather See Naked Than Anthony Bourdain (and 5 We Wouldn't)

Stars and hearts over the naughty bits, so this is almost 100 percent safe for work. Almost.​In case you hadn't heard -- especially since the man himself Tweeted the pic -- a nude photo of Anthony Bourdain surfaced yesterday, taken 12 years prior while on vacation. To quote Bourdain on the pho ... More >>

Top Chef: Texas - Let the Games Begin

​I have absolutely no tolerance for reality shows of any kind, and I watch little food television programming aside from Chopped, Alton Brown and the PBS Saturday morning line-up. I do not understand the modern paradigm of chef as rock star. I don't know why food blogging has become so entrenc ... More >>

The Best and Worst Celebrity Endorsements

What is she... Is she literally pouring herself a glass of wine?​A few weeks back, I saw a Tweet from my friend Melissa, who found herself alternately captivated and horrified by what she'd come across in her local Kroger. It was a sign advertising a line of Pinot Grigio from Ramona Singer (ab ... More >>

Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show

Gordon Ramsay Is Really F&*king Excited About the New Season of Kitchen Nightmares

​Where there are bad restaurants, there are bad kitchens. With the new season of Kitchen Nightmares (premiering Friday, September 23, at 8 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. CST on FOX), master chef and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay seeks to transform another series of train-wreck eating establishments, starting ... More >>

Top 5 Celebrity Chefs I Wish Would Relocate to Mars

Yum-o???​It does not surprise me that people who cook well become popular. What shocks me is that many of these people remain famous even after revealing their less savory personalities and sometimes substandard skills. Here are five celebrity chefs I hope take their "talents" to another plan ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 2: Domenica Catelli of Catelli's

Photo by Matthew DresdenDomenica Catelli, outside her family restaurant in Geyserville, CA.​Yesterday on part one of our chat with Domenica Catelli, we discussed how she left Houston to reopen her family restaurant in Geyserville, California. Today, we discuss her work as a Food Network person ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Domenica Catelli of Catelli's

Photo by Matthew DresdenDomenica Catelli, outside her family's eponymous restaurant in Geyserville, CA​This week on a very special Chef Chat: the California wine country edition! Domenica Catelli might be the most prolific chef you've never heard of, with a hand in nearly every aspect of the ... More >>

The Deen Brothers

Guess Those Hands: The Real Food Network Challenge

These look more like real chefs' hands, but that's a topic of discussion for another day.​It's Memorial Day. You've eaten too much today and gotten too much sun, so you've retreated back indoors to the cold comfort of your computer screen. We understand. Believe me, we understand. And to that ... More >>

Top 5 Houston Restaurants Featured on the Food Network

Photo by Robb WalshThelma's previous incarnation.​Houston may feel a little like Rodney Dangerfield when it comes to being recognized as a top culinary city -- we get no respect. But the Food Network has always shown Houston a little love. As early as 2003, shows on the Food Network were featu ... More >>

Racing Rachael: Mini Meat Loaves with Mac & Cheese and Seared Greens

Carrie Applegate Jaeger​So, here's the thing...Even though Rachael Ray's TV persona drives me up the wall with the overuse of her cutesy catch phrases (specifically "EVOO" and "Yum-O," if you need a reminder), I can't help but be intrigued by the 30 Minute Meals concept. Can a regular Jane wi ... More >>

SXSW Saturday: Hot Sauce Hawker Billy Gibbons Smokes Elmore James At Rachael Ray Party

Craig Hlavaty​ Billy Gibbons sat in with The Cringe at Rachael Ray's Feedback Party at Stubb's just after lunchtime for a cover of Elmore James' blues standard "Dust My Broom". The ZZ Top guitarist also mentioned his BFG hot sauce line, which he had a bottle of in his back pocket.

Your Worst Kitchen Nightmare: Gordon Ramsay Coming to Houston

​The more tolerable (but only by a sliver) of Gordon Ramsay's "reality" television shows, Kitchen Nightmares, is coming to town. Get your earplugs ready now. A casting call went out this week from Jen Apploff, casting producer for the show, in search of Houston restaurants that are in dire ne ... More >>

Real Housewife Bethenny Frankel More Influential as a "Chef" Than Tom Colicchio, Michael Symon

Suck my wig, serious female chefs everywhere!​Michael Symon is a chef, a restaurant owner and a contributor to magazines like Gourmet and Saveur; in 2009, he won a James Beard award. Michael Ruhlman once credited Symon with saving the entire Cleveland restaurant scene. Giada De Laurentiis, wh ... More >>

One Guy's 20 Suggestions for Improving Astros Attendance

Drayton, sex sells​The Astros have completed the new HD video screen/scoreboard, and if you thought the seasons past have been filled with earsplitting nonsense, just wait until they start playing with this new thing. Now the powers-that-be with the Astros have stated that the primary reaso ... More >>

Recap: Final Episode of The Next Iron Chef

​We enter the final chapter of this season of The Next Iron Chef, and I am torn. On one hand the finalists, Marco Canora and Marc Forgione, are the two that should be here. They have consistently been the best from start to finish and won a majority of the challenges. They deserve to be called ... More >>

Recap: Episode 7 of The Next Iron Chef

​I gotta admit, I'm still stewing over the results of The Next Iron Chef. At the beginning of the episode, we were promised that two would be banished, but instead they just kicked off Bryan Caswell and then wimped out of picking another to boot. There are rules, people. In America, we follow ... More >>

In Defense of Rachael Ray

​It's funny how culture seems to creep in via osmosis. Take, for example, a dinner I made on the fly the other night. I found myself staring into a near-empty refrigerator at around 7:30 p.m. on a school night, trying to find something to make for dinner. A container of pre-made basil pesto c ... More >>

Recap: Episode 6 of The Next Iron Chef

​On the previous episode of The Next Iron Chef, Maneet Chauhan was finally put out of her misery. Nice lady, interesting choices, but just not consistent enough to get the job done. We also learned that in this episode that two of the final five would be getting the ax. If I have to guess rig ... More >>