Todd English Shares His DeathbedFood – And Creates a New One For Me (Beet Risotto)
Photo: Todd English Productions
It’s always fun to meet a chef whom you’ve long admired. I got the chance to do that when I met Todd English at LA Food & Wine this past weekend. While I realized he’s built a huge following among Foodies as a four-time James Beard Award winner, host of the Emmy-nominated PBS travel series “Food Trip with Todd English”, creator of his housewares line, The Todd English Collection, and, of course, head of Olives and over 20 restaurants across the country, I didn’t quite realize how HOT he was!
First, I don’t know how THIS got by me but he’s been deemed one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People“! Wow, what rock have I been living under?!
Photo: People Magazine, May 2001
Well, I can see why. As People pointed out, even Martha Stewart is enamored:
The square-jawed looks of celebrity chef Todd English are no happy accident. Like the interpretive Mediterranean-style cooking at the Olive Group restaurants he owns across the U.S., they’re all about technique and presentation: Vidal Sassoon haircuts every six weeks, daily 40-minute runs and regular eyebrow trims. English … is a self-confessed style “monster.” Suit? Make it black and Armani. Shoes? Prada or Gucci. His “thin, stringy hair,” he says, needs Kiehl’s Extra-Strength Styling Gel (“I’m neurotic if I don’t have it”). The routine works for his pal Martha Stewart, who says, “Oh, those deep sunken eyes, the high cheekbones, his big hands and broad shoulders.”
Beyond his movie star looks, this man is SMART. His DeathbedFood: 1945 Chateau La Fete.
Meantime, like the man himself, Todd English’s food is also very seductive. In particular, the plate he prepared which included a new DeathbedFood for me: Beet Risotto with Blue Cheese from his new (fourth) cookbook, “Cooking in Everyday English.” While I don’t normally go out of my way for beets, risotto and blue cheese usually manage to catch my attention. Here, those ingredients become magic.
Beet Risotto with Blue Cheese (from “Cooking in Everyday English”)
Finally, ladies, here’s a guy we can really feel good about – not only is he HOT, but he actively supports many great causes including the fight against breast cancer through the Susan G. Komen and Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer organizations. So, Todd, please carry on the good work as we’ll definitely be following you each step of the way!