Anthony Bourdain has accepted a challenge from food writer, Michael Ruhlman of Cleveland Heights. He’s gone off to Ohio to find proof of life beyond the world’s largest rubber stamp and cow tipping (if you have no idea what cow tipping is, watch the movie Cars. They call it tractor tipping in the film).

Michael Ruhlman and Anthony Bourdain are actually friends. Ruhlman challenged Bourdain on his blog to come to his hometown, preferably during one of the colder months. The weather may be grim but that hasn’t stopped the celebrity chef or the “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: crew from getting there.

What has the celebrity chef been doing? He’s been winter skiing on Lake Erie, visiting the Lake View Cemetery which is where John D. Rockefeller lies buried and taking a tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of fame – the last in the company of Marky Ramone, drummer of the Chef’s favorite band, the Ramones. There’s even a mock drag race set between Bourdain and Ruhlman.

Of course no trip would be complete without food which is why he’s visiting Sokolowski’s University Inn to have some pierogi, checking out the exotic dishes at the West Side Market and trying the kielbasa at the Sausage Shoppe. He’ll also do some cooking with Michael Symon, Lola chef and Owner.

No date has been set yet for when this episode will be aired. Definitely though it brings good publicity to Ohio.

Here’s a new show for everyone to watch out for: Food Trip With Todd English. The Boston Chef has taken a camera crew out with him as he goes out and about discovering new dishes that he will now recreate in his restaurant’s kitchen at the Charlestown Olives, with a special twist uniquely his own.

Sounds like every other cooking show you’ve ever seen? Give it a chance. You might find that though the format is similar to other shows, the content and of course the recipes are unique and definitely worth watching.

Already there are four shows lined up. Each episode is full of information that are really useful and practical. He begins with the episode he calls “Japan: The Freshest Of Fish”. Here he explores Tokyo and suchi. Viewers get to see the Itamae or Sushi chefs at work.

The next episode is “Nantucket: On the Waterfront,” followed by another visit to Japan, this time for “The World’s Best Beef”. The last of the set is set in the Big Apple to bring viewers a peek into what he calls “New York: The Surprise Inside”.
The show is set to air on January 13 at 2pm on WGBH.

Technorati Tags: chef, Todd English, cooking, TV Show, sushi, Japan, Nantucket, New York

Gordon Ramsey has taken time out from his busy schedule and prepared Christmas dinner for 800 British soldiers stationed at Helmand province, Afghanistan. This truly was hell’s kitchen and by far one of the toughest challenges that this famous restaurateur has ever had to face.
The event was organized by the Daily Mirror. In his interview, Chef Ramsey said,

“It was well worth it to see the look on the guys’ faces when they came into the dining tent. It was absolutely brilliant. I’m only sorry I couldn’t do this for more of the men and women from the armed forces who are out here.”

Truly it made for a great christmas meal. If you can’t have your mother’s turkey at least you get a fantastic turkey feast courtesy of a world famous chef. Not bad at all for a christmas present. It makes being away from home at least a bit more palatable, even if only for one night.

Technorati Tags: Gordon Ramsey, Hell’s Kitchen, dinner, Christmas, turkey, soldiers, Afghanistan

When I saw this book written by 30-minute-meal-maker Rachael Ray, I immediately thought of those travel guides used by backpackers. When I lived in London in my college days, backpacking friends would pass through the city and stay at my flat, and every single time they came with a copy of “Europe on $20 a Day”.

So back to Rachael’s $40 take, which is less of a travel guide and more of a companion to her tv show of the same name. In the show, Rachael packs her bags and bids goodbye to her sunny kitchens at the Food Network and travels in search of the best eats for $40 a day.

Although Rachael travels the world in search of gourmet meals on a tight budget, most of the venues are in the southern Atlantic coast and Northeastern parts of the US. Abroad, she does visit obvious foodie countries like France and Italy.
There are a few recipes of pretty basic recipes (think clam chowder and french toast), and although the book does not have an index (my other bone of contention with her “30 Minute Meals” cookbook), the restaurants are grouped geographically which makes things somewhat simpler.

In general, this book picked up mixed reviews. Most of the people who bought it were fans of the show (or of Rachael) anyway and thought the tips and photos to be great – but if you were expecting a recipe-worthy cookbook or a concise travel guide to restaurants, you’d probably be disappointed.

How many people can say that they’ve cooked for the queen before entering their teens? Not that many, that’s for sure. James Martin was born into the life of a chef. His dad ran the catering side of Castle Howard which meant James was exposed very early to the intricacies of fine dining. He began his formal training in Scarborough technical college at age 16.

His work caught the attention of Antony Worrall Thompson who brought him to London. He worked in the kitchens of 190 Queensgate, and later in dell’Ugo. He later left England, traveling to France to increase his knowledge and culinary skills in the kitchen’s of some the grand old families of that country.

Upon returning to England in 1993, he took on the position of the Hotel du Vin and Bistro in Winshester from the time of its opening. He is known to have changed the menu there everyday. His skill and the variety apparently attracted many clients. There was an 8 week waiting list just to get a table.

In 1996, James Martin became a regular member of the TV program Ready Steady Cook catapulting him to public notice. He has now appeared on a string of TV shows including Stately Suppers, Castle in the Country, Yorkshire’s Finest and Saturday Kitchen Live. He even shoed off his dancing skills on the show Strictly Come Dancing.

James Martin also has several cookbooks under his name. His first cookbook, Eating In with James Martin, was published in October 1998. His other cookbooks include Great British Dinners and the Deli Cookbook.

Cooking up the latest news, recipies and food tips from the world’s celebrity chefs!