And we hear Rachel Ray will judge the next Bocuse d’Or…

Emeril Gets 10-Book Deal From HarperCollins (Crain’s New York Business)

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., which owns the rights to the Emeril Lagasse franchise of books, television shows, and kitchen products, on Thursday announced a 10-book deal between the celebrity chef and publisher HarperCollins. Under the multi-year agreement, Mr. Lagasse is set to release his first book — with a focus on indoor and outdoor grilling — in May 2009. NYP: Said MSLO chairman Charles Koppelman, “I think it will generate a boatload of money.”

Au revoir Alain Ducasse; we hardly knew you

ELV POSTS CORRECTION…

This post raised some hackles, so in the interest of the journalistic integrity for which ELV is known, we must report that the MGM-Mirage officially denies that Alain Ducasse is no longer involved with MIX (although his capacity, we have been told, is solely as a “consultant chef”). Sylvain Portay has told us directly that he is still works at and with the restaurant on Ducasse’s behalf, and we have confirmed this. Our sources stand by their information that Ducasse is (or soon will be) no longer associated with the restaurant. ELV regrets whatever errors were made.

ELV questions exactly when and how Ducasse “consults” on anything there. ELV imagines Ducasse’s average “consultation” goes something like this:

(Telephone rings….)

General Manager of MIX: “Hello, MIX Restaurant in THE Hotel in the Mandalay Bay, may we help you?”

Alain Ducasse: “Thees eez Alain Ducasse.”

GM: “Who?”

AD: “My name eez Alain Ducasse, I am zee most famous and acclaimed French Chef in zee world.”

GM: “I’m sorry Mr. Du….CAT…did you say it was…….?”

AD: “DuCASSE…you pathetic piece of rancid Albanian headcheese! I am zee ne plus ultra de la cuisine Francais!! Zee Michelin men bow before me and kiss zee hem of my garment….”

GM: “I’m sorry Mr. DuKane….but I’ve been here three years and we’ve never met. Would you like a reservation or a table with us this evening?”

AD: “No, I would like my check tout suite!”

GM: “Oh, that Alain Ducasse. It’s in the mail.”

(Click)

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THE ORIGINAL POST:

Alain Ducasse has been bought out of his contract with the China Grill Group and the MGM-Mirage Corp. and will no longer be associated with MIX in the Mandalay Bay. Thus, the world’s most Michelin-starred chef now leaves a town he barely came to in the first place. ELV remembers Ducasse appearing at the opening of MIX six years ago, and for hardly a moment since.* Plans for the restaurant — that received a Michelin star last year — are uncertain.

Continue reading “Au revoir Alain Ducasse; we hardly knew you”

Breaking Martorano’s balls – Part Deux

He’s toned down the tats to be sure, but this guy obviously is so impressed with himself that he should be permanently enshrined in the HotChickswithDouchebags Hall of Fame. Whether he truly qualifies as a “celebrity chef” is doubtful (his food doesn’t even make the playoffs), but the Rio has staked a lot on his tough-guy–Sopranos-wannabe-chef reputation….so we thought we’d let you bask in his aura one more time. But come on Steve… let’s face it….the Sopranos are soooo 2006 wouldn’t you agree?