All-Star Grill Fest: South Beach

By JULIETTE ROSSANT What is the All-Star Grill Fest: South Beach all about, y'all? The hour-long special show kicks off the Food Network's annual Grillin' and Chillin' Week on Sunday May 27th at 10pm. It is all about putting the Food Network's big property together – those who can cook with those who can't (you guess who is who) and watching the fun. It is about personality, which is what the Food Network is selling underneath all those skewers, smoke, and cooking tips. Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis and Alton Brown pal it up around beachside outdoor kitchens, making a grilled feast. Tyler makes a cocktail, a jazzed-up Mojito with vodka instead of rum, Giada makes Watermelon and Cantalope Salad with Mint and Basil Vinaigrette,, but for the rest of the vignettes the stars pair off to banter and "learn" from each other. Who shines? Alton. He is, by far, the funniest and the most sarcastic of the lot. He also makes some of the more challenging dishes (Bowl Smoked Shrimp with Spicy Brown Mustard Dipping Sauce), all the while playing the odd-chef out. The pairing of Giada with Paula is fun. Giada shows Paula how to make grilled artichokes and Mediterranean Bruschetta, which Paula mangles in pronunciation. At one point Paula brags that she makes the best lasagna, "I'll go up against you any day of the week and I have not a drop of Italian in me." Whom are you going to believe? On the other hand: do you really want to see that "Throw Down"? The very opposing approaches to food and cooking make this pair amusing to watch. When Alton and Paula have to work together, Paula comments beforehand that Alton knows so much, and then he stares at the camera and says how difficult it is to get to speak with her because of her entourage. We see Paula with her hairdressers and get the point. It's a wink, wink, nudge, nudge kind of moment. Hey, these are celebrities first and fore most. Paula makes her Hawaiian Beef Teriyaki that sits atop slices of grilled fresh pineapple. Is anyone going to eat that? Still, the two Southerners get along, and though they are truly an odd couple, the dish turns out relatively well. Tyler and Bobby, the closest thing to twins on the Food Network, make Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Spicy Chile-Coconut Tomato Salad. Bobby and Tyler talk alike and agree on everything, so they aren't really learning anything from each other. These two have the least pizzazz. It is Alton's comment about Tyler that is much more telling: It is difficult to work with Tyler, not only because he knows so much and he is a really good cook, but have you ever gotten close to that man's hair? Amazing hair! Fabulous hair! That just about says it right there. Tyler's fabulous locks are far more important than his cooking – the guy can cook – but the point is that he looks good doing it. Alton knows it, and y'all do, too. Previous articles: More Food From Alton Brown Valentine Knives Cut to the Heart Iron Chef America: Running on Empty [Food Television - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, Grillfest, Grill Fest, Alton Brown --> back to Super Chef