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Next Iron Chef: Chef Jose Garces

Iron Chef Jose Garces

It’s no secret that I am a Food Network junkie. I’m addicted to the network’s line-up of foodie shows including Food Network Challenge, Next Food Network Star and Chopped. But, I have to say, my recent interview with the Next Iron Chef was a highlights for my blogging career.

If you are new to Food Network and the Iron Chef franchise, The Next Iron Chef is a TV show that has ten super-star chefs competing to achieve the status of Iron Chef. The few who achieve this status then cook and compete against the best chefs from around the world on the show Iron Chef America. The dramatic show features “kitchen stadium” (which is a completely tricked-out kitchen), a surprise theme ingredient (which ranges from eggnog to eggplant), and lots of drama (including a time-clock and feisty judges).

The winner of this season’s Next Iron Chef is early-season-favorite Chef Jose Garces, an Ecuadorian-American who was raised in Chicago and owns famed restaurants in both Chicago and Philadelphia. A handful of bloggers were invited to speak with Chef Garces the morning following his victory, including yours truly. Here is a snapshot of the conversation:

Q: I am a big fan of Chef Freitag and was disappointed to see her leave so early. Whose early exit was most surprising to you?

A: “Chef Appleman was most surprising to me.” Chef Garces said that Appleman was a strong chef from the beginning, and then added he was both “surprised and alleviated” when Appleman was cut from the show.

Q: There are moments when the “secret ingredient” is unveiled and I think to myself, “I would never eat that!” Throughout the season, what secret ingredient or menu-theme made you cringe?

A: Chef Garces quickly pointed to the episode where the Chefs had to cook with challenging ingredients including un-laid eggs, stinky tofu, dried grasshoppers and duck tongue. He reminded us that this episode was all the worst ingredients rolled into one heinous menu. [LTV Mom: I would rather cut off my right arm that eat those dishes.]

Q: Whose food would you most like to try?

A: Chef Garces said, “Chef Mehta’s food… I never got to try his food!” Note: Chef Mehta and Chef Garces competed head-to-head until the show’s finale! [LTV Mom: I am heading to NYC this week and hope to try Chef Mehta's Graffiti.]

Q: What’s the most important thing you took away from this competition?

A: Chef Garces said, “The show triggered my creative juices, I proved to myself that I can cook on the fly.”

Q: What was your favorite gadget in Kitchen Stadium?

A: Chef Garces likes the “blast chiller” which helps you quickly chill food. [LTV Mom says "I want one too!"]

Q: How will you be preparing your Thanksgiving Turkey this year?

A: I was shocked to learn that even Chef Garces will brine and fry his turkey this year. He says, “the product comes out the best.”

Q: Last and most important question: Chef Garces, you are from Chicago, so I have to ask: Cubs or Sox?

A: Cubs! [LTV Mom: Go Cubbies!]

At the end of the day, I have to say Chef Garces came across as a very kind, hard-working, down-to-Earth person. I hope to dine at one of his restaurants in the near future. In the meantime, I will root for him during his premiere on Iron Chef America on Sunday, January 17.

– LTV Mom

Photo Credit: Food Network

Published

Stacy Libby

on November 30, 2009

in Food, Laptop Television and Trying to be Cool

. 1 Comment

My Personal Gratitude

Earlier this year, I worked with online stationery retailer Tiny Prints to start an online movement encouraging people to express gratitude for even the littlest things that keep us smiling. The idea was to recognize how everyday experiences can be profound enough to provide a renewed perspective and hope for a happier tomorrow. We called this online movement the Gratitude Challenge and simply asked people to “take note, give thanks.”

The Voce team and I helped identify 14 bloggers who, along with Tiny Prints bloggers, would kick-off the online movement and encourage people everywhere to stop, take a moment, and take note of the brighter side of life. I worked with amazing women and men across the blogosphere who opened my eyes to a million things for which to be thankful. One person was thankful for surviving a car accident, while another simply appreciated the smell of a freshly baked pie. I highly recommend you watch the video above to see and experience the power of gratitude.

Working on this project was fun and uplifting; I was inspired and happy to be part of it. Ironically (and rather pathetically), I was so wrapped up in work and life that I did not actually take the Challenge. I felt I was just too busy to take the time for personal reflection and thanks.

Recently, I found myself “down in the dumps” and overwhelmed by my world. I had clients to please, dishes to clean, laundry to wash, birthday parties to plan. I missed my workouts, my books, my inner peace. And one day, out of the blue, my five-year-old daughter walked up to me, wrapped her arms around my neck and whispered, “I love you, Mommy.” I literally felt my heart warm and my concerns melt. With tears in my eyes, I suddenly realized that I was so focused on the things that burdened my mind, I was forgetting the people who uplift my soul.

At that moment, I decided that laundry can wait, dishes can sit overnight, and I am going to take time to reflect on my personal gratitude. Starting today, I am taking the Gratitude Challenge. And I couldn’t be happier. I have downloaded and signed the contract. Step One is to express why you are taking the challenge… and you just read what’s on my mind. If you want to take note and give thanks, go to www.gratitudechallenge.com to download the contract and join the online movement. As I have learned, it’s never too late.

– LTV Mom

Published

Stacy Libby

on November 4, 2009

in Laptop Television

. 1 Comment

WINOS Pick of the Week: 2006 Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon

: 2006 Ghost Pines Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s time for a look at the new wines appearing in my wine-fridge. My husband and I have been wondering the aisles of CostCo looking for new — but not overpriced — wines to try. We recently stumbled across a 2006 Ghost Pines Cabernet. And it’s good.

We had never heard of Ghost Pines before buying a few bottles, but the Web site leads me to believe it’s owned by Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena. The online retail partner The Barrel Room calls the winemakers “young” and “hot-shot” so I’m not sure who they are. But their Cab is delicious.

The 2006 Cab is drinkable now, no need to cellar this one. It’s tasty with hints of jam and berries. It’s not a peppery or earthy Cab, so I have been drinking it without meals (just a little bite of salty cheese.) I think this Cab would be good with a medium rare filet mignon, but I say that about every red wine I enjoy. At the end of the day, we found a wine that will please most red-wine fans and we proudly serve it to our friends. It’s not too overbearing, it’s just smooth and tasty.

The Ghost Pines cab sells for about $23 at The Barrel Room. We found it at CostCo and Safeway for a lesser price of about $16. I see the winery also bottles a Chardonnay and a Merlot, but have not tried them yet.

As much as I enjoy the wine, I absolutely love the tagline: “Sonoma Spirit. Napa Elegance.” (Yes, I love Sonoma for is down-to-Earth goodness.) The label tells me the Cab is 72 percent Napa County, 28 percent Sonoma County. I think it’s 100 percent tasty.

– LTV Mom

Note: Following the new FTC rules, I’m going to confirm the opinions are my own and I bought this wine all by myself! And yes, I am more than 21 years old (just barely).

Published

Stacy Libby

on October 6, 2009

in Food, Laptop Television and WINOS Pick of the Week

. 0 Comments

Do One Nice Thing: and not just when it’s convenient

From time to time, the ladies and gents who write for the Silicon Valley Moms Group participate in a virtual book club. We all read the same book and share our thoughts on our personal blogs. I have been so overwhelmed with work and life, I skipped the past several books. But this month’s book selection was too intriguing to pass up. We read a book called “Do One Nice Thing” by Debbie Tenzer.

The concept of the book is quite simple: it offers more than a hundred easy ideas to show kindness to other people. The ideas range from donating baseball tickets to the Veterans Administration to smiling at everyone you pass on the sidewalk. Reading the book was a good exercise in self-reflection: Am I a nice person? Do I do nice things? Most importantly, am I teaching my daughter to be a nice person?

I grew up in a household that had one simple rule: if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. (And I guarantee unkind words resulted in big trouble, especially if I was talking to my sisters!) More importantly, I grew up in a Midwestern community that was just that… a community. We treated each other with respect, kindness and generosity each and every day. If a neighbor had a baby, the neighborhood would fill her refrigerator with casseroles and lasagnas. When our roof needed to be re-shingled, my dad’s buddies on the street spent an entire Saturday helping him. When the local downtown flooded after days and days of rainfall, the high school seniors filled and hauled sand-bags to help save the family-owned businesses.

Random acts of kindness, and making time to help others in need, fueled our community. It was who I was raised to be.

Sadly, reading this book made me realize that I have lost some of the kindness and generosity that is so important to me. I am so focused on getting through my days, so set on surviving the rat-race, I have forgotten to take time to care for others. Oh sure, I still make the goulash for the new mommy across the street and I gave my daughter’s stroller to a friend who was strapped for cash. But those things are done when they are convenient for me… not necessarily when they are needed most.

I already have working-mom guilt, always worrying about taking care of my family. But I have had a wake-up call that I need to look beyond my four walls and care for the people who need it… when they need it.

And not just when it’s convenient for me.

– LTV Mom

If you want to explore other thoughts and opinions on being nice, please follow the dialogue on the New Jersey Moms Blog.

Published

Stacy Libby

on September 29, 2009

in Books and Silicon Valley Moms Group

. 0 Comments

BlogHer Food 2009

I’m obviously not a food blogger, but I love to write about (and watch) food television. I’m a long-time fan of shows like Top Chef, Chopped and Next Food Network Star. Recently, I’ve been sucked into the cake decorating shows, and Cake Boss is a fan-favorite in my house.

I admittedly watch a lot of television after the kid goes to bed and I go back to work (hence the moniker Laptop TV Mom). But during waking hours, we limit TV-time in my house. My young daughter is allowed to watch cartoons during breakfast, but then has to “earn” TV time for her favorites like iCarly. But let’s be honest, there are times when this mama just wants to cuddle on the couch with her special girl, and chill with some TV. The challenge is finding TV that we both want to watch. And this is where cooking shows come in.

My 4.5 year-old daughter and I love to watch cooking shows together. We spend the time talking about the mystery ingredients, the decorations on the cakes, and which recipes we would eat for dinner. We can watch these shows, and I know there will be no sex, drugs and bad language. (Well, some of the shows have bad language, but I can usually work around a bleeped-out F-bomb.)

All that said, I’m also a closet foodie who loves to cook (and eat). I love cookbooks, entertaining, and experiencing new and exciting restaurants.

So, absorb all that information — and couple it with BlogHer Food 09 in San Francisco — and you have LTV Mom attending the upcoming conference for food bloggers. I am meeting up with cookbook author Gina von Esmarch, and we are going to see cooking demonstrations, learn about food photography, and meet the food bloggers we love to read.

But my favorite part? I am bringing my kid with me! My hubby is out of town, so the kid and I are hitting Highway 280 and joining the foodies in San Francisco. She says she wants to drink milk and watch people cook. (I told her the California Milk Board will be there, and milk is her absolute favorite drink!)

So, if you see a TV blogger (and closet foodie) with her super-cute kid, please say hello!

– LTV Mom

Photo Credit: BlogHer

Published

Stacy Libby

on September 26, 2009

in BlogHer, Laptop Television and The Kid

. 2 Comments

My good-bye to Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing (AP Photo)

Of course, I never met Patrick Swayze… but I also will never forget him. His death moved me, and I tried hard to figure out why. Was it aftermath from my father-in-law’s fight with pancreatic cancer? Was it what he represented as part of my childhood?

After reflection and reading all the articles and obituaries about the man, I figured it out: Patrick Swayze made it okay to lust after a dancer. I grew up in the 80s where my teenage heart-throbs were athletes, actors and musicians. I fell in love with Tom Cruise in Top Gun because of his bad-ass leather jacket, motorcycle and muscles.

And then, in 1987, a little movie called Dirty Dancing changed everything.

I saw the movie with my best friends Heather, Kristin and Vicki. We went to see a movie about dancing in the Catskills, and we were introduced to Johnny Castle. He was the bad boy of the film, but unlike Tom Cruise’s Maverick, Johnny Castle was a dancer. Oh, Johnny still had muscles, all-black attire and a street-tough attitude. But he also could move his hips, point his toes, dance the Cha-cha… and get the girls.

Yes, Patrick Swayze made dancers desirable. Even for teenage girls in the 80s.

Appreciating dancers (and loving musicals) was not new to my family. I grew up watching Gene Kelly in “Singing the Rain” year after year. I loved Gene Kelly… but he was not sexy to me, Patrick Swayze was. Gene Kelly was athletic, stylish and charismatic. Patrick Swayze was raw, manly and (I’ll say it once more) sexy.

In that vein, I say good-bye to Patrick Swayze. I never knew him, but I thank him for bringing sultry moves and pointed toes to the hearts of teenage girls everywhere.

– LTV Mom

Photo Credit: Associated Press

Published

Stacy Libby

on September 22, 2009

in Laptop Television

. 7 Comments

9/11… Never Forget

Tragedy at the World Trade Center

Amazingly enough, it’s been eight years since this day. We all remember it; in fact, we can’t forget it. Stop, take a moment, and honor the Americans who died heroes.

– LTV Mom (who is too emotional to write a long blog post)

Photo Credit Phia Kushi

Published

Stacy Libby

on September 11, 2009

in Current Affairs

. 0 Comments

Reality TV: the Cake Show Bake-off

Cake Boss on TLC

When it comes to topics for reality TV, you can take your pick. You can find show about fashion, real estate, decorating, cooking and even hair styling. Recently, there has been an explosion of shows about cake decorating. When it comes to watching these shows, I see two major themes: cake decorating competitions and a sneak-peek into a bakery. Here’s a look at my favorite cake-shows, as well as a nod to my ultimate favorite.

Cake Boss on TLC — Yes, this is easily my favorite cake show on TV. The show Cake Boss highlights a family-owned bakery in New Jersey run by Buddy Valastro of Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop in Hoboken. The show has a fantastic cast of characters, including Buddy, four older sisters, three brothers-in-law and cousins galore. Buddy is the heart and soul of the show. He is a hard worker, joker, comedian, and artist. The cakes that come out of this bakery are absolutely beautiful… but the beauty of the show is the love of the cakes, the heart (and heat) of the family, and the hilarious dialogue. Set your DVRs now.

Ace of Cakes on Food Network — This is another show that takes us behind the scenes of a too-cool bakery, but this time we are in Maryland. Chef Duff of Charm City Cakes in Baltimore is this cool, super-tattooed chef who makes masterful cakes representing icons from Wrigley Field to a family’s much-loved bulldog. Duff is charming, but his cast of supporting cake artists don’t hold a candle to the artists at Buddy’s bakery. That said, my kid’s birthday cakes don’t hold a (birthday) candle to Duff’s masterpieces.

Ultimate Cake Off on TLC — This show is a cake-decorating competition show, and it’s pretty good. Each week, three accomplished cake decorators go head-to-head to create amazing cakes based on a common theme in just nine hours. (Point of reference: some of Duff’s cakes take 29 hours!) I’ve seen pirate cakes and shark cakes… all better than the cupcakes I made last weekend! This show provides great insight into the heart, soul, heartache and expertise it takes to reach this level of cake design.

Food Network Challenge “Last Cake Standing” — Food Network Challenge has many different types of challenges, but I love the cake contests. It’s the show’s first-ever elimination style show, and is my favorite of the competition-style cake shows. Hand’s down, the best part of the show is the celebrity judge Kerry Vincent who brings a silver tongue, quick wit, amazing eye for detail, and signature headband to every show. Kerry demands each cake artist brings an amazing level of professionalism to each design, and those of us who watch the shows are the ones who benefit.

At the end of the day, I am hooked on my cakes… have I missed any other good shows?

– LTV Mom

Photo credit: TLC

Published

Stacy Libby

on September 8, 2009

in Food and Laptop Television

. 2 Comments

“Top Chef Masters” Finale

Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless and LTV Mom

Even this long-time fan of Top Chef was dubious when I heard there would be a “celebrity Chef” version called Top Chef Masters. The Top Chef series makes for great laptop television, so I tuned in while I worked and blogged. Well, I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the show. Like all good reality TV, the competition started with 24 Top Chefs and whittled its way down to the final three Chefs. The winner will be named this week on Wednesday, August 20 on Bravo.

I am happy to say that two of my all-time favorite Chefs are in the finale. Here are the finalists and why I admire them (or at least want to eat their food):

1. Rick Bayless — Frontera Grill

I love Rick Bayless because he cooks the kind of food that I want to make for my family and friends. His fresh approach to Mexican food combines delicious whole foods in a simple, easy and delicious way.

As you can tell from the photo above, I recently met Rick Bayless at BlogHer 09 in Chicago. He was hosting cooking demonstration for the National Pork Board. He made a Chamoy-marinated pork tenderloin with mango salsa. (Visit “This Mama Cooks” for the recipe.) I was so excited to see him cook that I showed up 20 minutes before his presentation began to get a good spot. Well, I did get a good spot even though I felt awkwardly stalker-ish and tried to look busy while Rick prepared his cooking station.

Rick was so nice and humble… and even seemed shy. He kindly posed for photographs and signed autographs. Rick signed one of his recipe cards for my sister (who ADORES Rick), and she is framing the autograph to hang in her kitchen. Of course, if I had been more organized, I would have bought some of Rick’s cookbooks to have him sigh them. Oh well… I’ll have to settle for watching him in the Top Chef Masters finale!

If you are a fan of Top Chef Finale and Rick Bayless, check out Root 4 Rick! Rick is competing for the Frontera Farmers Foundation.

2. Hubert Keller – Fleur de Lys

I love Hubert Keller because he cooks the kind of food I *wish* I could make for special occasions with my husband. His food appears elegant, refined and sophisticated.

I always gravitate to Chef with restaurants in San Francisco because I like to support the food scene in my backyard. But I really fell in love with Hubert’s manner, tone and style. He just seems so refined. And let’s not forget that Hubert Keller also has an entire cookbook dedicated to hamburgers! (Be still, my beating heart!)

Hubert is competing on Top Chef Masters to win money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (And I have requested my husband makes reservations for dinner at Fleur de Lys for my birthday.)

3. Michael Chiarello — Bottega

Of course, there is one more Chef in the finale, and he is Michael Chiarello from Napa Valley’s Bottega Restaurant. I love the fact that Michael is competing for the Clinic Ole Foundation to help Napa Valley’s migrant workers (the backbone of California wine country). Michael has moxie, attitude and good food. But I just want to say to him: “What is my name? And who I am to you?” (Sorry, couldn’t resist!)

At the end of the day, support the Chef or charity that appeals to you and watch Bravo on Wednesday night to see who wins!

– LTV Mom

Published

Stacy Libby

on August 17, 2009

in Food and Laptop Television

. 1 Comment

“The Next Food Network Star” Season 5 Winner: Melissa d’Arabian

Melissa d'Arabian and Food Network's "Ten Dollar Dinners"

This loyal watcher of “The Next Food Network Star” celebrated the crowning of this season’s winner on Sunday night. The show, where 10 chefs compete for their own cooking show on Food Network and subsequent celebrity status, concluded with two solid contestants: Jeffrey Saad and winner Melissa d’Arabian. I connect with Melissa’s “can-do-mom” attitude and was happy to attend a victory phone interview on Monday morning.

During our call, Melissa unveiled the concept for her new show on Food Network called “Ten Dollar Dinners.” I’m sure the concept — aimed squarely at busy moms on a budget — will be well-received by moms, dads and budget-watchers everywhere. Throughout the show, we got a glimpse of her “four-step chicken” type recipes, so I am hoping for quick and easy (as well as cost-effective) recipes.

Melissa explained the evolution of her show: “I believe that eating on a budget should be about feeling empowered and about feeling good,” she said. She assured us that the recipes on her show will include delicious and interesting ingredients (she promised no hot dogs!) because she wants to teach people how to feed a family a delicious and well-rounded meal with several components. She also promised her viewers “will be surprised by the ingredients and the recipes.”

What’s interesting about Melissa is her background in Corporate America. Rather than extensive culinary training, Melissa holds an MBA. She is self-taught, and in my opinion, self-inspired. She explained at the judge’s table during one of the episodes, “I was climbing up the corporate ladder, but my soul was malnourished.” After pregnancies, bed-rest and maternity leave, Melissa decided to follow her passion in the kitchen rather than return to the boardroom.

How does it feel to be the most under-trained contestant in the show AND to be named the winner? Melissa said, “It feels amazing to know I’ve been able to accomplish this and a tremendous lesson to not underestimate myself. Moms can do things too. My job will never be more important than my family. But my dreams do matter.”

Tune into Melissa’s new show “Ten Dollar Dinners” beginning Sunday, August 9 on Food Network.

– LTV Mom

Photo Credit: Food Network

Published

Stacy Libby

on August 5, 2009

in Laptop Television

. 5 Comments