New York, U.S.A. — Superstar chef Anne Burrell hits the pavement to help prominent restaurants around the country find their most valuable employee – the Executive Chef. In season two of Food Network’s “Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell” premiering Thursday, January 31 at 10pm ET/PT Chef Anne puts four top-level candidates through the ultimate job interview as she tests their culinary chops and business savvy in kitchen challenges that run the gamut.

From testing their resourcefulness by creating a delicious dish using only four ingredients, to assessing their ability to pair their own dishes with a signature beer from the restaurant’s menu, these chefs are in for the challenge of their lives. For the final two chefs it all boils down to one night of service when they are handed the keys to the restaurant and, potentially, the job of their dreams.

“Anne’s culinary savvy and tough love come together to put these aspiring Executive Chefs through the toughest job interview they’ll ever face,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President Programming, Food Network. “She brings out the best in these chefs, and viewers can’t help but root for their success.”

Over the thirteen-episode season, determined chefs from across the country are put through unpredictable culinary challenges.  Whether it’s a test of their Italian scratch cooking skills and their knowledge of the regional cuisine at the immense Tuscan Kitchen in New Hampshire; assessing their ability to work with the scraps of high-end ingredients while creating a whole new menu for Mirabelle Restaurant in Los Angeles; or challenging their creativity by preparing a gourmet version of a traditional Puerto Rican dish for Oceano’s menu in Puerto Rico, each chef will devote blood, sweat and tears to prove to Anne that they are qualified to be Executive Chef.

About Anne Burrell

Anne Burrell has always stood out in the restaurant business for her remarkable culinary talent, bold and creative dishes, and her trademark spiky blond hair. After training at New York’s Culinary Institute of America and Italy’s Culinary Institute for Foreigners, she gained hands-on experience at notable New York restaurants including Felidia, Savoy, Lumi, and Italian Wine Merchants. Anne has also battled on Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” as Mario Batali’s energetic and reliable sous chef.

Additionally, Anne taught for three years at New York’s Institute of Culinary Education. She served as Executive Chef at New York hot-spot Centro Vinoteca from its opening in July 2007 through September 2008. She stars in “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” and “Worst Cooks in America” on Food Network. Anne’s bestselling cookbook “Cook Like A Rock Star” (Clarkson Potter) was released in October, 2011.

The article Chef Wanted With Anne Burrell Season 2 Premieres January 31 appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Food Network’s annual Wine and Food Festival will be coming to New York City from September 29 to October 2. This festival is in its fourth year, and has been widely successful in the past. The culinary festival is presented by “Food & Wine,” and will be showcasing some of the most popular chefs in the culinary industry.

The Wine and Food Festival is sure to bring big name celebrity chefs and food lovers alike to an array of events across New York City. The weekend will be full of discussions and cooking demonstrations for all those who love to cook and eat delicious food. The Wine and Food Festival is hosted by the Food Bank of New York City, and aims to reduce hunger throughout the city.

Share Our Strength is another organization that is working with the festival with the purpose of ending childhood hunger. This popular food festival brings together celebrated chefs and lovers of the culinary industry to give back to charities. All of the money made throughout the weekend-long festival will go to the Food Bank of New York City and Share Our Strength.

Practically all of Food Network’s beloved stars will be on hand for the 2011 Wine and Food Festival. Television personalities in attendance will include Sunny Anderson, host of “Cooking for Real,” and Anne Burrell, host of “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.”

Italian chef and Emmy Award winner Giada De Laurentiis will be at the festival, as well as everyone’s favorite southern comfort cook, Paula Deen. Sandra Lee, Bobby Flay, and Pat and Gina Neely, also Food Network celebrities, will also be at the festival. Dozens of food-centered events will be taking place over the course of the weekend.

Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse will be hosting “Chelsea Market After Dark” on September 29. Also on September 29, Anne Burrell will be hosting an event entitled “Rock & Bowl.” October 1 is when people can enjoy sushi and karaoke with Japanese chef Masaharu Morimoto.

There are events based on almost every culinary aspect, including everything from seafood to meatballs and burgers. There are also events for children that encourage youngsters to get involved with cooking. Tickets for these events have to be purchased beforehand, and many star studded events are already sold out. Events hosted by famous chef Jacques Pepin and actress Whoopi Goldberg are among the events that are already filled up.

While many of the events are pricey, there are some free events throughout the city that food lovers can participate in without breaking the bank. Chef Eric Ripert, widely known for his restaurant Le Bernardin, will be on hand at the Standard Hotel on September 30 to play a round of 21 Questions, where he will answer questions from the audience.

On October 1, Food Network personalities including Paula Deen, Alton Brown, and Robert Irvine will be in attendance at the Illy Park Book Signing. It is a great chance for fans to meet some of their favorite celebrity chefs.

The 2011 Wine and Food Festival will be a highlight in the culinary world. Attendees can choose from a large selection of events that showcases all aspects of cooking. With a large attendance from chefs and celebrities, the start studded festival will bring excitement through the love of food.
Image Courtesy of  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecosmopolitan/

The article New York City Hosts Wine and Food Festival appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.