To ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ And Back

Posted Aug 16, 2006 by Jeff Houck

Updated Aug 16, 2006 at 05:32 PM

So the winner of the “Hell’s Kitchen” finale, for those who missed it, was Heather, the 25-year-old sous chef from New York. (above, left)

The finale pitted her against, Virginia, a salad chef who, shall we say, was a few crutons short of a full Caesar.

Host Gordon Ramsay gave the women a chance to design their own restaurant (with two days of prep) and create their own menu.

Virginia went for a water theme. Heather went for an elegant motif, albeit one with graffiti on the walls. Oh, and her fact projected on one wall.

Virginia’s service was, predictably, a mess. She picked a bad crew to work with, didn’t order them in a commanding tone and ultimately lost control of her evening. Oh, and the waterfall she asked for turned out to be a minor fiasco. (Everyone knows there are two rules: Never get involved in a land war in Asia and never install “Waterworld” in a restaurant.)

Despite accusations by a previous chef that Ramsay only wanted Virginia in the finals so he could sleep with her, he ultimately chose Heather for the flavor of the food, her attention to quality control and for keeping her line of chefs in order.

Can Heather run a multimillion-dollar restaurant in a Las Vegas casino?

Stay tuned.

---

Doing It NapaStyle

Posted Aug 16, 2006 by Jeff Houck

Updated Aug 16, 2006 at 04:34 PM

Had a story in today’s Tribune about TV chef Michael Chiarello.

My favorite quote from him:

“Rule No. 1: Don’t cook for someone you don’t like,” he says. “And don’t ever cook something for the first time for someone you’re not sleeping with.”

To see some extra photos from his appearance in Tampa, click here to see a gallery of pics I shot.

Full disclosure: I own a set of NapaStyle knives that come with a completely convoluted set of warnings.

---

Carry-on toiletry alternatives

Posted Aug 16, 2006 by Victoria Lim

Updated Aug 16, 2006 at 02:39 PM

You won’t have to toss your toiletries, as long as they come in an acceptable form.  Here are some TSA-friendly alternatives to common personal grooming products:

Handiwipes and Wetnaps instead of gel hand-sanitizer
Dental Dots or Brush-ups instead of toothpaste
Solid sunblock
Solid shampoos and moisturizing dusting powder by a U.K.-based company called Lush - this company also has solid moisturizers.
Powder toothpaste

Of course other companies and brands exist for these types of portable products and more.  Do you know of a product that you can put in your carry on, but in traditional form might be banned?  Share it with us!

---

Today, Tomorrow, Next Week, What’s The Difference?

Posted Aug 16, 2006 by Janine Dorsey

Updated Aug 16, 2006 at 10:32 AM

Here is a list of foods that are better the next day:

Homemade soups, spaghetti sauce, lasagna (except frozen), chili, cheesecake, jambalaya, meatloaf, cold fried chicken, anything served on Thanksgiving,  beef stew, fruitcake, stroganoff, maccaroni and cheese, baked ham ...

Here is a list of foods that are NOT:
Sandwiches.

Guess what Marty is having today?

Remember that sandwich? He never ate it Tuesday.

See below.

---

Paging Mr. Depp.

Posted Aug 16, 2006 by Jeff Houck

Updated Aug 16, 2006 at 08:50 AM

Hey Johnny, street cred just called.

It will no longer be in need of your services.

---