Top Chefs at Leisure

Food Network is gone for now from three million homes. There is still the Bravo Network and that is where the very popular Top Chef show resides. http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef
Through the foresight of a dear friend who ordered the tix, I was on my way to see some stars of Top Chef, courtesy of the NY Times Arts and Leisure week- perfect way to jump start the new year. http://artsandleisureweekend.com/
Our discussion was for Saturday January 9, 2010 at 2:00-3:15 PM. There were a series of discussions/interviews going on all day long. It was a frigid day in Manhattan, the 9th in a series of brutally cold days of 2010; however despite the cold, people were out displaying their booklets, advertising where they had been and where they were going-a badge of honor if you will. You could spot them all over the streets surrounding the Times Center. A sense of kinship, camaraderie, a New York experience.
As I hurried down 7th Avnue to meet my friend, two folks walking briskly bundled against the cold, booklets in hand hurried passed me. I warmed to them just because they were doing the same activity I was; their exchange pierced the cold air:

Woman: What the F_ _ _ ! She was such a bad f_ _ _ _ _n bad interviewer. F_ _ _ _ _n terrible discussion.
Man: You are so F_ _ _ _ _n right

OMG. Such passion, such heat, such vulgarity and crudeness. Hope my audience members are not going to be like this.

I meet my friend and we are waved to the very first row by work colleagues who spotted our notable heads. And there we were in the first row. A dream.

We found out some neat behind the scene stuff.
During one judging session, Tom Collichio held a gin and tonic between his legs
Scenes are edited to make us think a certain way.
All contestants' calls are recorded and screened lest a relative whisper a souffle recipe over the phone.
The judges have no contact with the contestants.
They do really dislike some contestants.
If you admit you screwed up, they respect you more as a chef and you might survive another day over a cocky clueless know it all..
Judges must be unanimous in their choice, they will stay all night until they reach consensus.
They have never regretted a final decision.
Each challenge is unique unto itself. Like starting all over each time. So why so many tests? Just pick one winner one time. I guess if you keep surviving until the end, then you are a Top Chef, since on each particular previous day someone was worse than you.
They want and need more women to make it to the top four, Yay Jennifer, season 6, Top four, Go girl.

Padma- a dramatic funny earthy Diva. Laugh out loud funny, not like the statue she portrays on the show. Very pregnant, I was seated next to her doctor

Gail- tiny, petite, passionate, smart

Eric Ripert, Chef at Le Bernardin- French-could not understand anything he said even with my hearing aids turned up. The audience loved him, it was me, not him.

Frank Bruni- Charming, smart, witty and low key-my hero-a New York Times food critic who has multiple eating disorders. Read his Memoir, out now "Born Round"

Back at home in New Hyde Park that same day

Paul has a chop (pic from Crabtree's 1/08/09)

Liam watches football with Daddy Paul

Liam plays * pic taken Tuesday

Liam enjoys a Top Chef meal of lamb and brown rice * pic taken Tuesday

That was Saturday.The world changed since then, and now we are all watching the horrific images of Haiti.

I would like to share a message I received from a friend.

Hello my old friend Carol,

I am very uncomfortable doing this, but I thought that you have mastered the communication network

I have volunteered as an RN for the Red Cross - for 9/11, Southern hurricanes, Hurricane Katrina/Rita , locally all year round.

There is a simple and easy way for all to quickly donate $10.00 to the Red Cross/Haiti - use your cell phone, text: HAITI and enter 90999. Will be charged to your cell phone.

Can you please help me to distribute this information?

You are so good at this!!

My mom's neighbors in Hollis are all from Haiti. They speak in French to my daughter whenever we are back there. My heart is broken for them and for their country.

Love and thanks,

M

I did it, it works

Liam stands with his canine friends who are helping in the Haitian search and rescue and is happy to be safe at home stretching at peace dreaming of a better world

woof woof

Hungry and Homeless

Many New Year's resolutions were made December 31, 2009 to go into effect January 1, 2010. I read some, heard some and will share some. Many resolutions involve losing something, gaining something, Giving up something, changing something, doing more, doing less, having less, giving more.
Some universally popular ones:
eat less, (snacks)
eat more (good foods, definitions vary)
drink more (one glass of red wine
drink less (one bottle of red wine)
say no (to users)
say yes (to givers)
giving up HGTV and Food Network


Wait, something is wrong. The last one. Resolutions are made by individuals, not companies for its subscribers without their input. No one decided to give up Food Network http://www.foodnetwork.com/and HGTV http://www.hgtv.com/
Cablevision made this unsolicited resolution for its 3 million customers. These two networks are gone. Where are Bobby Flay Sue Torres Barefoot Contessa, Mario Batali , Paula Deen and shows such as the Iron Chef, Chopped and the super hyped Worst Cooks in America?
Isn't the Food Network based in Chelsea Market in NYC? where is Mayor Bloomberg on this?
In case you are not one of the 90 million households worldwide who receive this network, the Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring (episodic) programs about food and cooking with intermittent contests and with a potpourri of talented chefs and cooks.
HGTV is the official website of the Home and Garden Television network, providing a variety of lifestyle programing jammed contests, consultants, and advice
No HGTV= no more House Hunters, Property Virgins. My First Place, Curb Appeal, Design on a Dime and many more
My health club has FN and HGTV as does my nail salon. I could spend more time at the gym and add other services to my weekly manicure pedicure to extend my stay in order to catch some shows. PC Richards always has TV's turned on-I could check them out daily hoping to catch some FN and HGTV. Another possibility- any house with a dish might be worth a visit to befriend its occupants since DISH homes are exempt from this punishment.

For now, I have been watching the Weather Channel at least there is weather right now, Animal Planet, CNN (non stop), Bridezilla, Suze Orman. PBS, and from Channel 12, pictures of the Grand Central Parkway and LIE traffic jams. Closed captioned-I treat it like the Yule Log, background only.

The emptiness for the 3 million affected customers has been so wrenching that Newsday published an article in its January 6, 2010 edition about how to get through this dearth of Food and Home shows. http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/satisfy-your-hunger-for-missing-food-and-home-shows-1.1685701
However fine some of these offerings might be, one would need an event planner to keep up with the schedule, or a team totally committed to show recordation to obtain a smooth flow for watching since these shows are all over the place and at many different times. The DVR would be exhausted by all the saving. And no offense, but to suggest "The Victory Garden" as an HGTV replacement! quaint, charming, sweet show from back in the day, not this day.
BTW Cablevision owns Newsday, so they have a vested interest in our happiness.

Liam has heard that you can get these networks if you have a DISH. So Liam looks over at his dishes Purrfect, he thinks. Two dishes-one for each missing network. Hey Mommy and Daddy, I have two dishes One for FN and one for HGTV. No Liam. The dish is like a flying saucer on top of the house. Oh.

Might as well play ball Gone under the couch forget the ball. I'll just curl up and hibernate. Nudge me when the contract is signed

Woof, Woof and enjoy the cold night sky arooooooooooooo think I see a DISH out there.

Wassailing with Liam

Wassail
sounds like WAH-sul
verb/noun

Meaning
1-to indulge in riotous drinking, carousing and other activities associated with the Holiday season
2-to sing carols from house to house or go partying with someone named Carol during the Christmas season
3-to drink to the health or thriving of
4-hot drink of wine, beer, or cider with spices, sugar, and baked apples

There was a record snowstorm on Saturday, December 19, 2009- 26.3 inches at Upton, Long Island, the most ever recorded on L.I. New Hyde Park had much less, I measured 12 inches.
Liam had a tough time on his first foray out into the snow. Seems his head was not much above the snow and he decided to come right back The snow stayed for while since the weather was cold. Liam treated the backyard as a racetrack, only using the perimeter for his excursions. Although melting went on all week, on Christmas Day we still had 4 inches of snow. I had always thought the true definition of a White Christmas to be -snow falling softly on Christmas Eve and awakening Christmas morning to a fresh blanket of new snow.
Not so. If one inch of snow is on the ground, it is deemed a White Christmas. The snow could be left over from weeks or years prior.
See story from NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/nyregion/25white.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=white%20Christmas&st=cse

a different take from Lynne of the Lake House, NJ
"My idea of a white Christmas is not measured in inches. I see family and friends gathered together on Christmas Eve and someone looks out the window and says "look, it's beginning to snow". And as we all gaze up toward the street lights, we catch a glimpse of the clean white flakes coming down. And the young kids get all excited knowing Santa will be flying through the snow to reach them the next day."

I agree with Lynne.

Liam received some toys and treats this Christmas season. He enjoyed each and every one. Snowman, Gman (both severely injured) green boney and snowflake still intact Some toys are now severely wounded and in ICU. Others might live to see the new decade. Treats have been shared with our doggie neighbors. See Tango ready for her treat Liam has his own stocking and received some money from his Aunt Susan which we deposited in his stocking for Christmas morning


A Christmas dinner
Liam, Paul and I were invited to a Christmas get-together. Liam was very excited; he would be the only dog and knew this meant lots of attention. Being a Leo birth sign, Liam craves the spotlight. The party's location was in an apartment building. I grew up in an apartment, in city housing and love the abundance of people all living together stacked in little compartments. All went well. Liam rode in an elevator for the first time, had a Christmas meatball - a big departure from his routine of strictly dog food only and got to hang with family

This potpourri of activities was interrupted by Liam's annual physical on Monday, 12/28. Poor little guy. Didn't have a chance to work off the extra doggie treats, so he showed a bit of a weight gain since last year. And it was a complete physical- meaning pokes, prodding of the prostate and shots for prevention of all sorts of things. Liam even received a flu shot. This will protect him from me since I have not received one. Paul has received two. Liam had to rest after this ordeal; a hound under a hounds tooth shawl

Tomorrow, New Year's Day, will be the second anniversary of Liam's adoption from North Shore Animal League. We brought puppy Liam home on 01/01/08, Liam shown here in early 2008-He has brought us tremendous joy over the last two years. Liam has his own blog. He owns all the rooms in our house, even claims our clothesas well as the yard

Wishing you all Happy New Year, Happy New Decade

and thanks for reading LiamLicks all year. This is the LastLicks of 2009 as well as the decade. See you in 2010.

Woof, Woof

'Tis the season in NYC

Saturday, December 12, 2009 was all about being in New York in the Holiday season.
We started with Liam's Howliday Party at Best In Show bestinshowpetresort.com This Pet Resort has had parties for holidays, the most recent being Halloween. This time North Shore Animal League was there parading their adoptable doggies, all had coats proclaiming their adoptable status and many had injuries, a different spirit from the past coffee and candy parties yet fitting and noble for this season. Liam was placed in an already started doggie play session. The dogs were the big guys, Golden's, Labs, all lovers. Liam promptly pooped. After that session, we attempted to capture the traditional Christmas pose, but no Santa. Liam was upset and would not stay in the little photo room that had been set up for the pix.
Having exhausted Liam, we returned home, tucked Liam in and set out to NYC for our traditional NYC Holiday outing. NYC day in years past had been packed with so many activities that we could have been tour guides. We have pared it down to "The Tree" and walking to Sueños, our favorite Manhattan restaurant suenosnyc.com-huge walk downtown- about one hour from Rockefeller Center.

Anything goes in NY especially at Holiday time-funny conversations, fearless and fierce costumes, all in a celebratory, silly glorious mood.
So I am sharing some conversations, some scenes, some people,, and our favorite city restaurant, Sueños.
We arrive at the NHP LIRR station for our 2:37 train. Saturday was a cold day. Some folks knew it and dressed like they were embarking on a visit to Wassila to go moose hunting with Sarah Palin; others were in denial, dressed in skinny leather short jackets, bare legs, heels and earmuffs, looking entirely too fashionable for traversing Manhattan We all huddled in the waiting room, all seats taken, only standing room, sort of like non-moving subway car, cell phones going off, snatches of one-sided conversations.
One two sided in person exchange which tickled us came when the station waiting area had emptied as the clock promised that the train was due any minute. Paul and I remained inside with one other couple believing that we could dart out and up the stairs quickly to make the train.

The couple exchange:
"Woman-" The train is coming." Man- "where is it? "It is due 2:37, it is 2:37 so it is here." Man-"I am looking outside and there is no train here. When will it arrive?" Woman "Now. I am going outside." Man" Why? there is no train." She leaves, he shouts after her as the station door closes "I'll call you in the city."
The train did arrive a few minutes later. We saw them in our car. Someone gave in.

A vendor and buyer exchange:
We are waiting on the corner of 47th and 7th. The crowd is so dense and huge that at each light we have to wait two light changes til we can cross. To my right is a $10 cashmere scarf vendor -how can that be bad? I have bought all my scarves and sunglasses on the streets of Manhattan, as well as many watches. The vendor has us, a captured redlight stalled audience and he is working us, looking very frozen, rubbing his hands together for warmth, hands he has to keep free for the next sale. A young man, underdressed ( must be a warm weather tourist) no scarf, no gloves only a windbreaker, approaches and throws out a price "give you 8 bucks for the scarf." "Come on man," answers vendor scarf-man, "Business has not been brisk, people too cold to stop. What will you do with the 2 bucks you make on me?" "Buy myself a hot dog," the young man replies. "Nah, suck it up, it stands at $10, no bargaining in the recession." " Okay you got it." Young man forks over the ten dollar bill with my beloved Alexander Hamilton intact, not broken by change. Sale completed at S10. The green street light switches on and our group glides across 47th as one unit.

Sights along the way:
a couple dressed as Christmas trees, fully decorated with flashing lights, garland and topped with Stars, arms akimbo to show spreading branches.

Group of young women singing "Jingle Bells", loud, in unison and arms linked, boldly challenging anyone to comment; we do not.

Three folks outside a bar for a smoke-one man in a Zorro like black velvet cape , the other two as Mr. and Mrs Claus-just chatting as if being in costume is totally routine. And Elmo, Cookie Monster, Wookies from star trek. So many people are dressed in costume that it can be Halloween.

We arrive at The Tree. I have NEVER seen NYC so crowded. Nearing the tree has to be done in stages and carefully. No hope of looking at the skaters this year

Then onward to Sueños. An arduous walk for me- I am wearing my Uggs, boots my podiatrist has informed me are the worse footwear for walking.

We arrive and the Sueños' owner and Chef, Sue Torres is there. Fresh from her stint on Iron Chef with Bobby Flay. A merry crowd, eclectic -we are in Chelsea and the ambiance is flaming red, orange, purple, alive! We talk to our waiter about the cooking shows, Top Chef, Iron Chef and the Food Network. We are unknowingly building in his mind a belief that we are gourmands, possibly pals of Tom Collichio, Bobby Flay and of course Sue Our waiter informs us that Sue will be on Chopped in January, we nod as if we are her "sue" chefs. Chef Sue, outside in the adjacent garden, is lighting candles and perching precariously on rocks to place them in view of us diners All of this to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadeloupe.
At our meal's end, we request our idea of dessert, Mexican coffee. "Oh no, we do not have that here." We are confused, we always have it here. Our waiter says he will check with the bar and staff. He returns with two cappuccino mugs with some delicious frothy concoction. He says " We do not have the staff to shave the chocolate, to pick the Mexican beans, to...... I said "Oh, are you thinking "Top Chef" and all the spices, herbs and ingredients that are used for their dishes?" All we wanted was some liqueur, with coffee and cream on top. Like an Irish coffee. Our waiter explained that he mistook our simple order for something much more grand, complicated, high-level. We all got a kick out of our challenging request. and his suspicion that we might be food critics. Professional paid ones.
The coffees were good, if a tad small.

Penn Station had a great band playing Real talent.

Some Santas on the LIRR trip home

Oh and Liam now knows there is no Santa Some of the NSAL dogs told him. So he posed without Santa, who should be on my right. Liam is okay with it. He is not a puppy anymore.

Woof, Woof
Liam has a Christmas gift of a gingerbread man from his Akita pal, Stormy the GM 's time seems short as Liam gets a good mouthful but maybe they'll be friends for a bit

BFF
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO