Vegetarian Star

Stephanie Izard

Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard received criticism from PETA for hosting a veal dinner in a series of meals titled “Wandering Goat.”

“We’re writing today because numerous individuals—including fans of yours—contacted us to let us know that they were shocked to see you promoting veal and even displaying a photo of a skinned baby calf—Guillermo, as you named him—on your Twitter. Please know that the veal industry is cruel and inhumane and will remain financially viable as long as influential people like you continue to refer to the meat from sick, malnourished baby cows as a delicacy. It doesn’t matter where you purchase the meat—if you support the veal industry, you are supporting cruelty.”

Izard responded to PETA’s letter on her blog, explaining she sought veal that was raised locally and by what she considers humanely.

“In the past I have rarely used veal due to the inhumane treatment of calves. However, I was contacted by a local farm that raises free range veal in a very respectable way. While many people shun veal, the greater culinary community will continue to have veal be a part of their menus. All I am trying to do is get people to look at these local farms as refuge from larger meat-processing plants.”

Although the Kilgus Farm in Fairbury, Illinois does let goats feed on the pasture in the spring and fall, switching to homegrown hay in the winter, the baby calves, of course, are fed mother’s milk before quickly being taken to slaughter.

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Two eco chefs and cookbook authors, Alicia Silverstone and Alice Waters, are scheduled to attend the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 24 and 25.

The event is being promoted as one of the largest literary ones in the United States and will feature chefs from both the Food Network and Bravo’s Top Chef.

The cooking stage is free of charge and will be open from 11AM to 3:30PM both Saturday and Sunday.

Silverstone is expected to be interviewed by the LA Times at 3:30PM on Saturday and Waters is expected to speak on Sunday at 11AM on the UCLA campus.

For more information, visit the event page.

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Vegan Soul Kitchen by Bryant Terry

The top 10 hottest male chefs have been profiled at Black Voices, and vegan chef Bryant Terry is hotter than a dish of haberno and serrano peppers drizzled with Tabasco sauce.

The food activist and author of Vegan Soul Kitchen takes traditional southern recipes like butter milk biscuits, removes the dairy, supplements pork and other meats with plant based protein like seitan and rounds it off with known southern vegetable players like seasoned greens.

“Based in Northern California, this “eco chef” and cookbook author is dedicated to promoting a “just and sustainable food system.” A friend of the environment and a pro in the kitchen? Perfect.”

Other hot chefs are the list are “Take Home Chef” Curtis Stone, Season 2 “Top Chef” contestant Sam Talbot and the British hottie but the mouth is potty Gordon Ramsay.

You’ll have to scroll down through the interview with “Top Chef Masters” Marcus Samuelsson before you can click through the slideshow.

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Tom Colicchio is working on a new cookbook that is set to be released in 2011 through Artisan books.

According to Artisan’s executive director of publicity, Amy Corley, Colicchio’s new book will be, “very different from anything he’s ever done.”

Might Top Chef fans may be in for less meat and more potatoes?

During a recent benefit for The Hungry in America Project hosted by FEED Projects and the Feed Foundation, Colicchio and Natalie Portman paused for a moment to chat with The Stylist.

Portman expressed excitement about one of Colicchio’s vegetarian recipes.

“He does a delicious potato flatbread pizza,” she said.

Colicchio’s new cookbook will not only offer recipes and techniques, but also Tom’s “philosophies and beliefs” about cooking food.

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Top Chef finalist Carla Hall was scared to death of making a vegetarian dish for the judges during the reality TV show competition, but thankfully, she’s being a little braver now that the heat isn’t so intense in the kitchen.

NPR gave Carla the challenge of cooking something using a seasonal vegetable and Carla chose cauliflower.

Unfortunately, Carla also chose to put chicken stock in the original recipe, but she says vegetarians can substitute either vegetable stock or almond milk.

Carla allowing substitutions in her soup explains her stance on following recipes.

“You just have to be present, and let the process be a little organic and not be so rigid with the recipe, because you have to feel it. For instance, if I’m doing this soup in season it’s going to taste totally differently than it would if it’s not in season. You have to honor the produce; maybe you have to add something else in it.”

You can listen to Carla talking to NPR while making her soup and grab the recipe for Cream Of Cauliflower Soup With Roasted Cauliflower Florets, Toasted Walnuts And Brown Butter at npr.org.

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It’s been a great season for herbivores on Top Chef.

Zooey Deschanel made a guest appearance that challenged the judges to not only cook meat free, but also without gluten and soy.

Then came along Natalie Portman, who dropped the V word on the cheftestants and ended up with a mouthful of shallots and garlic.

Last night’s episode featured the chefs making two dishes-one vegetarian and one featuring a local protein (which could have also been vegetarian…hmpf!) for a party of 150 people.

In the end, Jen put way more salt on her veggie dish than the judges preferred and she was sent packing while the brothers Voltaggio and Gillespie remain standing.

Watch the clip above to hear Jen’s thoughts on her exit.

via wsj.com

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Green Is Universal NBC

NBC’s third annual Green Week is on!

Designed to raise environmental awareness among NBC viewers, Green Week features television programs normally broadcast on the station incorporating green themes.

Looking at the schedule, there are a few shows that catch our eyes.

Tuesday night, The Biggest Loser will feature green training tips throughout the episode.

With vegetarian coach Bob Harper, and almost vegetarian but still fish eating Jillian Michaels, we’re crossing our fingers sustainable nutrition makes the tip list.

Top Chef on Wednesday will pay a visit to Top Chef Masters contestant Chef Rick Moonen‘s restaurant as the competitors take over Moonen’s eatery that serves organic and sustainable produce and seafood.

For the entire green programming lineup this week on NBC, visit greenisuniversal.com.

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Just a reminder, Natalie Portman will make a guest appearance on next week’s Top Chef.

Here’s a sneak peek at what happens when Natalie visits the chefs.

“As I said, I love food, I love eating,” Natalie says.

“I’m pretty adventurous with different flavors, different cuisines. The one thing is…”

The look on the chefs faces when Nat drops the “V” word is worth a million dollar prize itself.

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