BIO
From a natural foods chef to best-selling author, reality TV star to self-made businesswoman and mom, Frankel’s wit, wisdom and humor first came to national attention when she was named first runner-up on NBC’s “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart.” Network executives saw a personality they couldn’t ignore, and her connection to the audience, so they put her center stage on Bravo’s hit series “The Real Housewives of New York” for three seasons. She emerged as the star of the series, with a huge network of fans, which led Bravo to create a spin-off series, “Bethenny Getting Married?” that premiered with the highest ratings ever in Bravo history and continued with “Bethenny Ever After…” which aired for two seasons.
Now, Bethenny Frankel brings her distinctive voice and candid point of view to daytime television this fall on “Bethenny,” the nationally syndicated new daytime talk program, hosted by Frankel and cleared in over 97% of the country, following a successful six-week summer test on select FOX-owned stations including New York and Los Angeles.
“Bethenny,” the show, embodies Bethenny the woman; it is real and unfiltered five days a week. Bethenny, "the queen of too much information," brings her honest, non-judgmental and playful perspective to the topics that women care about most; love and relationships, celebrities and pop culture, beauty and fitness, as well as her own relatable personal and professional life experiences. From fun and spontaneous celebrity interviews to informative takeaway on health and relationship issues, “Bethenny” is the go-to destination where women can come every day to learn, laugh, feel inspired and be transformed.
In addition to being regularly featured in national publications from The New York Times to Forbes, she is a regular contributor to Health and Glamour Magazine. Last year, Frankel checked novelist off her list with the release of her first novel, Skinnydipping, an instantNew York Times Best-Seller, which chronicles the story of Faith Brightstone, an entrepreneur-turned-reality-TV-star who must choose between fame and love. Her first book Naturally Thin: Unleash Your Skinnygirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dietingdebuted on The New York Times Best-Sellerslist and remained onthe list for an impressive 18 consecutive weeks. Frankel’s second book, The Skinnygirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life was released just in time to support “new year, new you” resolutions with delicious, practical, effective recipes and lifestyle tweaks. The Skinnygirl Dish showcases Frankel’s renowned “fix-ology,”her ability to take calorie-rich foods and revamp them to create healthier versions without compromising flavor. In A Place of Yes: 10 Rules for Getting Everything You Want Out Of Life, Frankel put her personal experiences into a framework of rules, to encourage readers to take action when “good enough” really isn’tgood enough. A Place of Yes spent 13 weeks on The New York Times Best-Sellers list. And her fifthbook will be released summer 2013, entitled Skinnygirl Solutions, which will include tips on relationship, career building and motherhood.
Her skill as a fixologist applies to cocktails, too. She created the Skinnygirl Margarita and in March 2011, the largest U.S.-based premium spirits company, Beam Inc. (NYSE:BEAM), acquired Skinnygirl Cocktails where Bethenny continues to serve as the committed brand collaborator, developer and marketer. Skinnygirl Cocktails is currently one of the fastest growing spirits brands in the U.S.
Frankel has enjoyed expanding her Skinnygirl brand by creating products for women with practical solutions to everyday problems. Her Skinnygirl Smoothers n' Shapers line was created as "lazy lingerie," shapewear you actually want people to see, all the designs are practical with a hint of fun, flirtiness and sexiness. Her Skinnygirl Daily nutraceutical line was developed for women (and men) to have a variety of products to fit into and promote healthy lifestyle. The line includes Skinnygirl Cleanse and Restore, which is a daily cleanse packet that gently removes toxins from the body and replaces it with essential greens, Skinnygirl Daily Weight Management supplement, and Skinnygirl Daily on-the-go bars (which are vegan, kosher and natural). Her Skinnygirl Workout collection includes yoga DVD’s and workout accessories that are perfect for “fitting in fitness.” Products currently include: Skinnygirl Mini Stepper, Weighted Fitness Gloves and Ankle Weights, Fitness Mat Wrap, and Folding Mat & Tote.
As the go-to expert for all things reality and lifestyle, Frankel wields her pen (and Iphone) like a sword, ensuring that her fans will get the unvarnished truth along with common sense, expertise and a healthy –always-healthy – dose of humor. She is on a mission to democratize healthy living, making information available to everyone she can reach through her appearances, books, columns and blogs … and now her daytime talk show.
CHEF IKAIKA MANAKU – EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF, THE WESTIN MAUI RESORT - 2014 KFRESH
It’s our credo that good food brings people together no matter where they’re from … We invite you August 29 – 31, 2014 to explore the bounty of the island with dishes creatively prepared by our resort chefs as well as celebrity chefs from Hawai‘i. Discover new ways to build cocktails with fresh ingredients, explore a Maui farm, and experience authentic Hawaiian culture.
Along the way, indulge in the beauty of Hawai‘i’s legendary master-planned resort at Ka‘anapali: stroll on America’s Best Beach, frolic with marine life in the clear blue sea or simply enjoy the warm sun and lush landscape.
BIO:
Born and raised in Kauai, Hawaii, Ikaika Manaku discovered his passion for cooking at the tender age of six when he began helping his Irish-Portuguese grandmother and cousins in making 30 pounds of malasadas for family and community gatherings. His interest grew when he began his first job at a bakery at the age of 17, while he was still studying.
Upon graduating in culinary arts at Kauai Community College, Ikaika began his career at Princeville Resort, holding positions such as Chef de Garde Manger and Sous Chef at the resort now known as St Regis Princeville. He joined Sheraton Kauai Resort in 2007 as Executive Sous Chef before his appointment in 2010 as Chef de Cuisine at Tropica Restaurant & Bar, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Two years later, he was promoted to the position of Executive Sous Chef at this 12-acre beachfront resort on Ka’anapali Beach, Maui.
Ikaika’s classic culinary expertise combined with his creative flair and strong relationship-building skills have contributed to his present success. He is most passionate in promoting sustainable cuisine and enjoys being creative with island-inspired flavors such as onions, pineapple, ferns, beets, lavender and goat cheese to enhance guests’ dining experience. He also sources seasonal flavors available in Hawaii such as sweet mangoes with a nice texture, lychee and even mountain apples.
“It is our responsibility as chefs to support island sustainability through the restaurant industry. We can certainly influence the development of agri-tourism by facilitating supply and demand such as creating menu selections that provide our visitors and guests sampling of the island’s fresh farm ingredients and flavors unique to the Hawaiian islands. These include Kula strawberries in our signature dessert at Relish Burger Bistro. Similarly, we purchase at least 20 cases of Maui Gold pineapples on a daily basis to be used in our dishes at Westin Maui,” explained Ikaika.
He further elaborated that annual events such as Ka’anapali Fresh provide chefs the opportunity to meet and partner farmers, ranchers and fishermen in using their locally-grown produce. When he is not working, Ikaika enjoys fishing, hunting and trying out small eateries or “hole-in-the-wall” places for authentic dishes such as the best poke or barbeque burger – just like any other locals.
His source of inspiration is none other than his father who has held executive chef positions in Hawaii. “Seeing my dad dressed in his white coat and tall hat was most inspiring,” said Ikaika. “It is a respected profession and I grew up watching cooking shows and seeing my dad in action,” he added.
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STEVE EVANS - "THE MOVIE GUY"
GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.