Chef Report

SONOMA - Richard Childress was quite pleased when a NASCAR Nextel Cup race was placed in Sonoma back in 1989.

Sure, it exposed the sport to an untapped market. But what really got the team owner fired up was the annual stop he’d be making in wine country.

Childress is a wine fanatic, so much so that he started up Richard Childress Vineyards in 2004. It’s based in Lexington, North Carolina.

“I got interested in it when I was a driver in the 70’s, going to Ontario and Riverside,” said Childress, who has won six Cup titles as an owner, all with the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel. “I thought if I ever get the opportunity I would love to have my own winery and vineyards. I was going to do it on a small scale. Now we’re a major player in North Carolina.” more…

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma

Jayson Williams, the retired NBA star awaiting retrial for killing a man in his Hunterdon County home four years ago, plans to open a restaurant here.Williams and wife Tanya Young Williams, a native of nearby Ewing, plan to open a franchise of TRY J’s Waffles and Chicken in about two months, Tanya Young Williams told The Times of Trenton.

Jayson Williams, 38, was found guilty in April 2004 of four charges of trying to cover up the shooting of Costas “Gus” Christofi. He was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter, aggravated assault and a weapons charge. more…

What does Astronaut Jim Lovell of the famed Apollo 13 mission and food have common? A Restaurant - Lovells of Lake Forest.

Chef Lovell and Students Prepare Floating Islands

The vegan artist filmed a clip for the Humane Society of the United States, addressing the state of factory farming in the U.S., which he calls “an abomination.”

Moby, a vegan and self-proclaimed animal-lover has filmed a clip for the Humane Society, addressing factory farming and animal welfare. Against shots of wide-eyed cows in pens, pigs stumbling in warehouses, and chickens writhing on dirty floors, Moby implores viewers to seek out ways to help reduce the suffering of animals raised for meat, eggs, and milk. “I’m a vegan because I love animals,” Moby said. “You have to make your own choices and I’m not going to tell you how to live, but could you look a cow in the eye and say that your appetite is more important than that cow’s life?” more…

NEW YORK — The actor who plays temperamental chef Artie Bucco on “The Sopranos” avoided jail time for driving while impaired in a plea bargain deal, authorities said.

John Ventimiglia, 42, who portrays Tony Soprano’s high school buddy on the HBO show, will visit 30 schools to caution against drinking and driving under the agreement announced Monday in a Brooklyn courtroom. more…

THE SOPRANOS star JOHN VENTIMIGLIA pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol in a New York City court on Monday (26JUN06). The 42-year-old actor, who plays Chef Artie Bucco in the mob drama, agreed a plea deal with prosecutors and was fined $500 (GBP277) and had his driving license suspended for 90 days in Brooklyn Criminal Court. (more…..)

St. Louis rapper Nelly and his St. Lunatics crew will open a new bar and grill in August in Hazelwood.

The new restaurant, called Mack’s Bar and Grill, was originally slated for an April opening but was pushed back because the rappers were waiting for Mack’s manager, Tony Powell, to finish his work as a chef and manager at Azio, an Italian restaurant in Atlanta.

The restaurant, which takes its name from the first letters of theowners’ names - Murphy Lee, Ali, Slodown, Kyjuan and Cornell, Nelly’s first name, is now scheduled to open August 10 at 6827 Howdershell Road. more…

Premiere Date:
September 18, 2006

Genre:
Talk show

Format/Length:
Daily 60-minute talk show

Series Description:
Rachael Ray, TV’s most down-to-earth and relatable star, launches her brand new, one-hour daily syndicated series, appropriately named RACHAEL RAY on September 18. The show will be an exciting and unpredictable hour of fun that celebrates the can-do spirit in every person and gives viewers the essentials for whole-hearted living. Host Rachael Ray will present simple solutions for everyday issues-from food and travel to family and relationships to pop culture trends and “how-to” instruction-offering viewers unique, entertaining ways to squeeze just a little more out of life every day.

http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/ 

Angelique Soenarie
The Arizona Republic
SCOTTSDALE - Leading up to Friday’s public opening, Pink Taco continued its weeklong string of private parties Thursday night and early this morning, hosting special guests from Hollywood and professional sports teams.

A 20-foot pink carpet lined with black velvet ropes and pink lighting greeted guests Thursday as they stepped from the curb on Camelback Road and entered the bar-restaurant in the new Scottsdale Waterfront.

Among the invited guests this week were Jamie-Lynn Sigler from The Sopranos, Coyotes’ coach Wayne Gretzky and Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinhart.

Paradise Valley porn star Jenna Jameson, whose Club Jenna Inc. adult business empire was just bought by Playboy Enterprises Inc., was out celebrating Thursday night at the new Pink Taco. more…

A preliminary hearing date of July 27th was set in Memphis for singer Hank Williams Junior on assault charges.

Williams appeared briefly in court yesterday on charges of assaulting a Peabody Hotel waitress on March 18th.

He is accused of grabbing Holly Hornbeak, choking and verbally abusing her in the lobby of the hotel. At the time, Williams was in Memphis while his daughters received hospital treatment for injuries they received in a serious car accident. more…

Beyoncé was confronted Thursday night at the swanky restaurant Nobu in New York City by two members of People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The two had won an eBay auction, benefiting VH1’s Save the Music Foundation, to dine with the star. Beyoncé had no idea they were PETA members. more…

Video of the confrontation

Nobu Restaurants

Kelly Clarkson has hired a personal chef to keep her trim while on tour.

The “Because Of You” singer enlisted the services of the specialist cook so she doesn’t develop bad eating habits, and insists she is not trying to lose weight.

She told Entertainment Tonight, “She cooks anything. It’s not like a diet, it’s just good organic, energy food. If one person gets sick, the entire crew gets sick. It’s all about just staying healthy. I’m the type of person, who if I go on vacation to Italy or Greece, where they only eat bread and pastas, I’ll gain 10 pounds then lose 10.” more…

FEEDING SNOOP

When Marini was asked to prepare a menu for one of City Stages’ most highly anticipated acts, Snoop Dogg, he was quick to accept.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this year’s City Stages and since we are a bit on the edge with the food and our philosophy, it is a real honor to be asked to do some of the fun stuff,” Marini says.

For Snoop Dogg and his entourage backstage at the Miller Lite venue Saturday, the menu will be total “soul food.” It will include smoked collard greens, black-eyed pea salad, Wisconsin Cheddar macaroni and cheese and crispy fried chicken. more…

NEW ORLEANS, LA [Thursday Jun.15.2006] /J98.com/ — Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Emeril Lagasse will host a very special invitation-only luncheon, “FEED THE SOUL,” in New Orleans on July 5th at Emeril’s Restaurant.

Chef Emeril will be cooking up his signature New Orleans dishes for 120 guests, and net proceeds from the event will go to the Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, to continue efforts to help with hurricane recovery and the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast region. (more…..)
http://www.j98.com