On Today's Show: CRNtalk.com
Rick Maynard - KFC Communications Director
While we all know Colonel Sanders has been the famed face of Kentucky Fried Chicken for decades, today KFC is launching a search for the new face of Kentucky Grilled Chicken (KGC). Via MySpace, KFC fans can submit a video now through July 7 showcasing how they’re the ultimate KGC fan. Whether it’s an uncanny resemblance to the fried chicken founder or an updated take on the classic chicken dance, fans are encouraged to submit their videos at www.myspace.com/unthinkfc! Entrants have a chance to win the ultimate chicken prize – KGC for life – valued at more than $13,000. The winner will also have the chance to strut their stuff and represent KFC as the next American icon, potentially even appearing in future KFC advertising.
Larry Lipson - Costa Rica wine correspondent
He's been the Daily News restaurant critic for 50 years, but Larry Lipson has finally called it quits: "Sure, there have been editors who have leaned somewhat heavily on me - especially during one period when I was the only restaurant critic/writer in America featured in a newspaper seven days a week." Talk about knowing the restaurant scene in LA.
Aaron McCargo, Jr. - Food Network
competed on and won season four of The Next Food Network Star in 2008, beating out thousands of culinary hopefuls for the ultimate dream job – his own Food Network show. Big Daddy's House premiered August 3, 2008 and ranked as the number one "In the Kitchen" weekend show during its initial six-episode run. Food Network renewed the show for a second season, which premiered January 4, 2009. Big Daddy's House averages a 25% African-American audience, helping to raise the overall racial diversity of the network's viewers.
On Big Daddy's House, Aaron shares his passion for big, bold flavors and fun, family cooking. From comfort foods to barbeque favorites to breakfast delights, Aaron whips up mouth-watering recipes inspired by many years of culinary experience and his fun-loving family while bringing a down-to-earth vibe and warm smile to the kitchen. Whether cooking with his children, relatives, friends, or even by himself, big food and big fun reign supreme.
A family man who adores all things flavorful, Aaron's passion for cooking was sparked at the age of four when he started baking cakes in his sister's Easy Bake Oven. Always an entrepreneur at heart, Aaron began making and selling cakes and cookies to his childhood friends. At the age of 13, Aaron was as a Junior Volunteer in the kitchen at Cooper Hospital University. He has since worked in nine New Jersey restaurants including casual and fine dining. In 2003, Aaron opened his own restaurant in Camden, N.J., called McCargo's Restaurant, which closed in 2006. Most recently, Aaron served as the Executive Chef of Catering at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He attended Atlantic Cape Community College's Academy of Culinary Arts. Born and raised in Camden, N.J., Aaron regularly speaks to youth at community schools and events illustrating that they too can succeed despite the odds. Honoring him for his success and service, Camden Mayor Gwendolyn Faison presented Aaron with the keys to the city in 2008 and designated September 25 as Aaron McCargo, Jr. Day. Aaron comes from a large family (he has three brothers and two sisters) whose constant support has helped him achieve his goals. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys Bible study, tennis, buffalo wings, watching sports, and traveling. Married with three children, Aaron now lives with his family in Cherry Hill, N.J..
Lolita - "Female Entrepreneur - Sundae Bowls"
This summer, make your ice cream sundaes sizzle with funky, hand-painted sundae bowls by design diva, Lolita. The “Love My Sundae” Collection features 12 fun, colorful designs that are sure to spruce up this popular summertime treat. You’ll wish you could eat the bowl, too! Following suit with her famous martini and wine glasses, which include drink recipes on the bottom of each glass, Lolita shares her favorite ice cream sundae recipes with a delicious recipe on the bottom of each “Love My Sundae” bowl. And for ice cream lovers who like to create their own sundae concoction, these bowls are sure to spark your creativity! Ice cream parties are the perfect summer theme for kids. With sundae bowls for girls (Pajama Party, Ballerina Swirl and Sweet 16) and boys (Buggin’ Out and Paint Ball), these sundae bowls are sure to be the talk of the party! Ice cream isn’t just for kids! We have the perfect gift for expectant moms with an “Eating for Two” sundae bowl that is perfect for late night ice cream cravings. And surprise your mom, sister or best friend with a “Birthday Girl” or “Celebrate” sundae bowl to remind them how much you care on their special day or joyous occasion. The “Love My Sundae” collection also includes three of Lolita’s most sought after designs – Birthday Girl, Princess and Who Needs a Man? Designs by Lolita® celebrate personalities, holidays and life’s moments large and small, making these sundae bowls a deliciously different gift for that family and friends will use over and over. It all started with a girls’ night out… one that contained more than the usual laughter and fun. Browsing for the first time through a Martini menu, Lolita was inspired by the recipes. After being served a Cosmopolitan, her creative imagination made her see the glass differently – the way she thought it should be – a bit more dressed up with a pattern, with flair and a fabulous recipe on the bottom. It would become the first of many times Lolita would find a colorful vision dancing in a glass. After seeing each of her friends pick a different martini, reflective of their distinct personalities, the foundation for a product line was created. She knew this was something she had to pursue and she whole-heartedly did. The concept was developed in 2001 and after sketching, planning and nurturing the line, the “Love My Martini™” collection blossomed in 2004 to soon become the hottest gift brand in America today. As a student, Lolita nurtured her love of creativity, entrepreneurship and business. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Marketing and Fine Arts from Mary Baldwin College in Virginia, her hard work helped jumpstart her career working in advertising and for Christian Dior and Donna Karan in the fashion industry. With experience behind her and inspiration from a fun girls’ night out, her special idea was in her capable hands to make her product idea a reality. Relying on her marketing and creative skills to help polish her crystal clear vision, she chose to tailor her product to each individual and give it the variety it needed to succeed. And it did. As a designer, Lolita sees something quite extraordinary in the everyday and ordinary of life. She brings her vision into her products as a reflection of the Lolita lifestyle. It’s a balance of fun, entertaining and celebrating moments with the special people in our lives. As a designer, she injects her energy and charm into everything she produces, always pushing her designs in the fashion forward direction. Lolita monitors the trends, colors, textures and attitudes of the European runways. She takes care to incorporate the latest inspiration into her unique ideas and style when designing. As an artist budding in early childhood, Lolita was driven to enter drawing contests, compete for art awards, file for and procure her own copyright – all before the age of 12. She grew up embracing the creative process, the lifestyle of noticing color combinations, details, and trends. Her family would say, “She has always been an artist.” As she grew and her career moved forward in other creative directions, she never lost her passion for painting. Her business allowed her to find her way back to painting. Now, as a seasoned artist, she enjoys the variety of shapes that act as her canvas and dives in with excitement.
She would say she was never afraid of a crowd, or the stage. In fact she would embrace it. By drawing on her former dramatic roles, musical parts, fashion, acting and modeling background earlier in her career, Lolita enjoys being the strong and vibrant image behind the imagination of the brand, Lolita. As a female entrepreneur, Lolita knows it is no secret the crazy busy pace a woman in business raising a family needs to uphold. Running a business out of her basement with two toddler girls hanging onto her leg, she kept her hands dancing, creating, and moving to ship thousands of hand painted glasses and grow her business. As a business owner with an education in marketing, fine art and years of experience in the fashion industry, Lolita learned to create, strategize and market a product line and pair it with her artistic vision. Achieving her goal of being licensed was reached in 2004. Seeing first hand the loyal following and enthusiasm from her customers and fans is nothing but energizing to her. She knows they understand her vision and her products and the fun and special qualities that make them unique, sought out and collected. Launching her first product line “Love My Martini™” was the beginning of a whole new playground she introduced to the public. Now, after many successful products, designs and collections have been thriving in the market, she continues to stand behind what she always believed to be attributed to her success and her enjoyment in life. Lolita believes that life should be lived to its fullest, and every moment should be celebrated.