I DO INDEED have some great friends. They laid three great beers on me that night, and the next one will be featured on the show as well.

I’m so with you on Rogue. They are hit and miss with me too, and I’ll be honest here — had Old Crustacean not been a gift, I more than likely would have totally passed on it. So actually getting it from Ray & Afaf was a true blessing, because I’d have missed out on a pretty decent barley wine had they not.

I know it’s hard to muster the energy to cook when you’re living the single life for a while, but I always use that time to experiment with new things. When Katrina left for a few days earlier this Summer, I went crazy in the kitchen. Some things I’m glad she wasn’t around to taste, but others passed the test and I was able to make them for her, knowing she’d like them. So use your time wisely. Play around in the kitchen a bit, try some new recipes. When she gets back, you’ll WOW her!

The minute they start advertising sex toys for men on the Food Network is the day the sky will open up. As Charles said above, they’re advertising that vibrating touch on late night Food Network. I think that’s as far as they’ll go. I’m surprised to see them go that far, to be honest. I have to eat my words a little here.

Hey, you’re a man. Men watch Giada for a number of reasons. She does cook really simple food, and the things she prepares really are fantastic. She rarely uses pre-made ingredients on her show, so it’s food worthy. But truth be told, sometimes I can’t even remember what she’s cooking if she’s wearing something “fascinating” (for lack of a better word). You’re not alone, my friend.

You nailed that Ludo impression. He’s not intimidated by any ingredient. I actually got a chance to meet him the day I released this show at a party in LA. He’s an incredibly nice guy, very passionate about cooking, and says if he can’t cook, he doesn’t know what he’ll do. He’s meant to do this. He was born to do it.

I love Old Chub. I love all things Oskar Blues. Good pick!! Thanks again for listening, and for commenting, Steve.

So the Vibrating Touch ad is playing on Food Network too? How small do I feel now, saying that they’d NEVER run it. I have a little more respect for them now. I have to wonder . . . I’ll bet that thing is selling like hotcakes.

Thanks again for your thoughtful and supportive comments, as always.

and you’re killing me with the ludo bites dining experience! even more than the bazaar! sounds ridiculously delicious!

thanks for keeping up with the shows. i’ve been batchin’ it since the beginning of summer and finding the impetus to keep cooking interesting and creatively fulfilling things has been a challenge since i’ve only been cooking for one (with the exception of having some friends over). maybe i’ll start a blog about it!

cheers, dude.
and i’m sure someday they’ll be advertising viagra or fleshlights on giada’s and sandra lee’s show.

I was jealous about your beer gifts! I had some Oskar Blues “Old Chub” this weekend. Terrific!

I would SO like to be a part of the “so my mom” experience. I was raised by my mother (no father) so I picked up a lot of my mothers attributes and keep them to this day. Most drive my wife crazy, since they’re the same attributes that got on her nerves whenever my mother would visit – but I can’t change that.

Can’t wait to see the Inedit tasting video. I’m sure it will be spectacular.

I have to agree that Bourdain’s demo is a bunch of horny women. That little skit you did with the buzzing in the office was hilarious.

The thing that perplexes me the most about the whole thing–So the store can carry cherry-flavored Astroglide but you have to buy your “personal massagers” online?

Thanks for commenting on my Somymom blog, too. If you ever feel like you’re becoming your mother, I’m going to do an installment of men turning into their moms.

Oh, and I’m FINALLY going to post the video of the Inedit tasting. Your Gumballhead will be there soon!

LA is not that close for us – it’s an hour to 90 minute drive, depending on traffic. But it’s worth it to experience these things, and we feel fortunate to have so many opportunities. A chef like Ludo, you can sense he’s going to be a household name before long, if he’s not already.

The Old Crustacean is fantastic. And again, a barley wine that sits that well with me is something I never thought I’d say I not only enjoyed, but would want to revisit time and time again. Really impressive beer.