NATION’S TOP BARTENDER–Mixologist Joe Bruno
Good friends and family are what the holidays are all about, but a creative drink menu can be the perfect complement to any festive occasion. Just in time for the holidays, we have one of the top mixologists in the country to share some of his tricks of the trade that will impress your guests…and could even keep them safe. Master bartender Joe Bruno explains why drinks like the Christmas Elf’s Revenge, Hot Chocolate Peppermint Schnapps or a nice Christmas Carol punch with apple cider can be a tasty conversation starter at any party. He’ll also share some insight into the fun “science” of drink presentation. Part of Joe’s timely message will include how to tell if someone has had too much to drink, how to provide tasty drink alternatives that will keep your guests happy and sober. Bruno is nationally recognized for his mixology expertise and is responsible for training more than 3,000 bartenders a year as the Executive Director of the American Bartending School. The founder of Bar-Pro Consulting Inc., he is recognized as one of the top experts in the restaurant industry, and has been featured on numerous national media outlets, such as CNN, CBS and the New York Times
Kelly Killoren Bensimon - Real Housewives of NY
Kelly Killoren Bensimon, no longer the newest Housewife, is known as one of New York City's major tastemakers. The mother of two daughters, Kelly is a model, equestrian, author, editor, and designer. Her recent line of costume jewelry collaboration with Mouwad has been selling in major department stores nationwide. In addition to her own show on Plum TV called Behind the Hedges, she has also published three books – The Bikini Book, American Style, and In The Spirit of the Hamptons – and donates a portion of her book proceeds to the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Bensimon is the Editor-at-Large for both Hamptons and Gotham magazines and was Editor of Accessories for Elle Magazine for the first two issues. An avid supporter of the charity Feeding America, she also donates her time to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kelly also adds a new publication to her modeling portfolio – Playboy, with a March cover, spread/interview. She splits her time between New York City and East Hampton.
Chef/Host The Food Network - Robert Irvine "Worst Cooks of America"
With more than 25 years in the culinary profession, Chef Robert Irvine has cooked his way through Europe, the Far East, the Caribbean and the Americas, in hotels and on the high seas. He brings his experience to Food Network as host of Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America and Restaurant: Impossible. On Dinner Impossible, Robert serves stunningly creative dishes for both intimate gatherings and huge crowds, all without warning and at a moment’s notice. On the show, he has cooked on a desert island, in an 18th-century kitchen, in an ice hotel, for cowboys on a cattle drive, for master instructors at the Culinary Institute of America and at the inauguration of Pennsylvania’s governor. Robert joins the prime-time reality show Worst Cooks in America as a co-host, with Chef Anne Burrell, for season two, premiering January 2011. On the show, the chefs attempt to transform the country’s most hopeless cooks from kitchen zeros to kitchen heroes through a grueling culinary boot camp. Also in January 2011, Robert will host a new prime-time show, Restaurant: Impossible, in which he attempts to save America’s most desperate restaurants from impending failure in just two days with a budget of only $10,000. A native of England, Robert joined the British Royal Navy at the age of 15, and his skills in the kitchen soon came to the attention of his superiors. As part of his service for the Royal Navy, Robert was selected to work onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, where the Royal Family and their entourages regularly dined. During his time spent training U.S. Navy chefs as part of a guest chef program, Robert worked in the White House kitchens, and his creations were served to high-ranking government officials. During his career, he has also had the opportunity to serve 6,000 servicemen and servicewomen on a U.S. aircraft carrier and plan the menu for a celebrity-studded after-party at the Academy Awards. Robert’s first book, Mission: Cook! (Harper Collins, 2007), was published in September 2007, and his latest cookbook, Impossible to Easy (Harper Collins), was released in 2010.
Jim Strong - Travel Expert
Experiencing the woes and hassle of holiday travel can turn even the jolliest travelers into real-life Scrooges. Jim Strong, recognized by Travel + Leisure as an A-list travel agent, has tips that will help travel-goers arrive at their destinations with holiday cheer to spare. During the tour, Jim will answer such questions as:
• Is there any hope for travelers who are looking for last minute deals?
• How early should people arrive at the airport to minimize stress?
• How can travelers keep the check-in process as hassle-free as possible?
• Are there any new airport rules travelers need to be aware of this season?
• What can those traveling with children or pets do to ease their stress?
For those who aren’t getting away this holiday season or need a vacation after their holiday “vacation”, Jim has a great suggestion to help them get away in the New Year. Listeners can log onto www.cheerios.com/love to enter the “Do What You Love” sweepstakes to win the chance to have Travel + Leisure plan their next vacation. Cheerios is offering this exciting opportunity to inspire Americans to take care of their hearts so they can continue doing what they love.
