On Today's Show: ww.crntalk.com
"Curtis" - "The Naughty Kitchen with Chef Blythe Beck"
(aka "Door Whore") Tuesdays on Oxygen (10-11 p.m. ET)Curtis is Central 214’s new summer host, but he prefers to call himself a “Spacial Arrangement Coodinator,” because he thinks it sounds much more dignified than “Door Whore.” Born in Chicago and raised in Garland, Texas, Curtis attended Southern Methodist University, earning a degree in advertising with a minor in corporate communications and public affairs. Working at Central 214 is the perfect summer job while he contemplates law school and starting a company with his best friend, Amanda. Outside work, Curtis spends his time being a karaoke all-star, and lately, being mistaken for American Idol’s Adam Lambert. Admittedly obsessed with his appearance, Curtis will do whatever it takes to look good and young and never age. He is a former tennis instructor with the calves to prove it, and enjoys running and rollerblading with his dog, Chance. The sarcastic, social, competitive flirt says there are two things he absolutely cannot live without: Tex Mex and margaritas.
Joel Fisher "Wine Guru"
The wine columnist for the Culinary Connection of the Chefs de Cuisine Association of California. He was a Contributing Editor of Patterson's Beverage Journal. From 1999 to 2006 he was a wine instructor for the Culinary Arts Department of the Art Institute of California-Los Angeles and is a founding partner of the educational Wine Vine and Dine, which conducts programs throughout Southern California. Sommelier for the Escoffier Association of Southern California, Joel is also a member of Patterson Magazine's tasting panel. Joel travels extensively through "wine country" and frequently broadcast live from vaious winerys & vineyards. Dr. Fisher is a member of the Society of Wine Educators, The Circle of Wine Writers (UK) and was awarded a Wine Enthusiast Media Scholarship for 2005 at the Culinary Institute of America. He is the author of the Wine Work Book now in its 6th edition. In 2004 he co-led a program for chefs and culinary students to the Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany and to wineries in Burgundy and Champagne. In June 2006 he again led a program, "Wine and Cuisine of Iberia," to Spain and Portugal. In the 1960's, Joel M. Fisher (JMF) served in many Washington positions, including as Public Relations Director to Charlie Rhyne's World Peace Through Law Committee, before returning to California to teach. Two years later he was awarded the Ford Foundation supported National Committee Fellowship and was appointed Director of the Arts and Sciences and State Legislative Divisions of his party's national committee. As part of the 1968 presidential campaign, Fisher operated in 13 states.
Rose Levy Beranbaum - "Rose's Heavenly Cakes"
Rose Levy Beranbaum is the award-winning author of nine cookbooks, including The Cake Bible, the International Association of Culinary Professionals Cookbook of the Year for 1988. She also won a James Beard Foundation Award in 1998 for Rose's Christmas Cookies, and her most recent book, The Bread Bible, was an IACP and James Beard Foundation nominee and was listed as one of the Top Ten Books of 2003 by Publishers Weekly and Food & Wine. She is a contributing editor to Food Arts magazine and writes regularly for the Washington Post, Fine Cooking, Reader's Digest, and Bride's. Her popular blog, realbakingwithrose.com, has created an international community of bakers where you can visit Rose Levy Beranbaum and join in the discussion on all things baking. While you are there, you can bring the author right into your kitchen as she demonstrates key techniques and shares trade secrets so that you can create perfectly divine cakes. This extraordinary collection of heavenly cake recipes from "Diva of Desserts" Rose Levy Beranbaum, the award-winning author of The Cake Bible, is an essential kitchen companion for anyone who loves to bake. Illustrated throughout with stunning full-color photography, the book's meticulously tested, easy-to-follow recipes are all you need to create spectacularly beautiful cakes in your home kitchen. In her signature crystal-clear style, Rose takes you step-by-step through the instructions for making every type of cake imaginable—more than 100 expertly tested (and re-tested) recipes in all—while full-color photographs of every finished cake and step-by-step processes offer inspiration and clear instruction. Exceptionally delicious butter and oil cakes, sponge cakes, flourless cakes, and cheesecakes, such as Heavenly Coconut Seduction Cake, Golden Lemon Almond Cake, and Devil's Food Cake with Midnight Ganache, are perfect for birthday celebrations, coffee breaks, or everyday weeknight desserts. And Rose also includes a range of charming baby cakes such as Mud Turtle Cupcakes and divine creations like the Deep Chocolate Passion Wedding Cake that will make any special occasion more festive. With each and every recipe, thoroughly explained in Rose¿s usual approachable style, baking with Rose's Heavenly Cakes is like having a master baker right alongside you in the kitchen. In her "Ten Golden Rules of Cake Baking," Rose provides advice on the right kind of flour to select to give your cake the perfect structure, how to fill a cake pan so that your cakes bake evenly every time, the best way to unmold a cake for a perfect finished appearance, the ideal ways to store every type of cake, and much more. The baking tips and trade secrets that she shares throughout the book will show you how to transform a simple cake batter into delicious art, with perfect results every time.
Nicole Hockin "Travel Expert"
If you are thinking about travelling this fall and have been worried about how to keep costs down, look no further. Nicole Hockin, Travel expert for Hotels.Com is available to share the latest research on hotel price trends plus some top travel tips and deals for saving on your upcoming fall vacation. According to the latest hotels.com Hotel Price Index(TM) (HPI) that was recently released , the average price of a hotel room in the U.S. fell 17 percent in the first six months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Room rates in the U.S. cost on average $115 a night during Q1 and Q2 2009, down from $139 the year before. What does this mean for the consumer? According to the recent findings, this is by far the most significant change in prices since the creation of the Hotel Price Index. Americans' travel dollars have never gone farther than in 2009 and as properties continue to roll out discounts and other incentives to attract guests, the gap between the top star categories have narrowed, giving travelers more value and making luxury more accessible than any other time in the past five years. Nicole will be able to discuss: COST EFFECTIVE TRAVEL TIPS - From using the concierge (they make things happen!) to driving to sharing rooms with friends, Nicole will be able to break down the most overlooked cost-saving methods when planning a trip. GETTING MOST OUT THE HPI FINDINGS - From Top Destinations around the country and the fall's best cost effective getaway, let Nicole tell your listeners about great finds at a very reasonable price. HIDDEN TRAVEL GEMS IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD - Finding that luxury spot in your own city or state that is affordable to you and your family. For more than six years, Nicole Hockin has been providing travel tips and insight to both travelers and the industry. She is often interviewed and quoted by print, radio and television media, some of which include The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, CBS Marketwatch, ABC News Radio, BusinessWeek, Travel Weekly, and Travel Distribution Report. Additionally, Nicole Hockin is a regularly featured television travel expert on numerous national and local television morning programs such as The Daily Buzz, The Mike & Juliet Morning Show, Soap Talk, WLS Chicago ABC 7, WUSA Washington DC, WXIA Good Day Atlanta, Good Day Colorado, and many more, providing audiences with practical travel advice, trends and recommendations.