Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Christmas clash
Celebrities duke it out in Yule food feud
Ah, Christmas. An oasis of warmth and cheer amidst the gloomy chill of the winter season. Around this time of year, many of us are clearing the couches to accommodate out-oftown guests, frantically shopping for that perfect last-minute gift and cleansing the house of anything that might cause an argument. Over at Andy Richter’s house, however, holiday preparations involve setting up some very deliberate conflicts.
Richter, who rose to fame as Conan O‘Brien’s sidekick in “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” has been hosting dinner parties for well-known celebrities and chefs, but these aren’t merely friendly gatherings of food lovers. Tune in to see what all the excitement is about when the finale of “Celebrity Food Fight” airs Wednesday, Dec. 23, on Food Network.
Each episode of “Celebrity Food Fight” pairs four guests up into two teams for various rounds of competition. The competitors strive to prove their culinary prowess and, with two gastro-gurus in attendance each episode, even the less food-inclined celebrities have a fair shot. In this week’s new episode, Richter plays host to singer-songwriter Joey McIntyre, actor Dean Cain, chef Richard Blais and food critic Katie Lee.
Cain got his big break as Superman in “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” back in the ‘90s, and currently hosts CW’s “Masters of Illusion.” Cain’s teammate, Lee, studied journalism and food science before hosting the freshman season of “Top Chef” in 2006. She has written two cookbooks, publishes a weekly column for Hamptons magazine and hosts the Food Network talk show “The Kitchen.”
McIntyre, best known for his membership in the boy band “New Kids on the Block,” had a relatively successful solo career after the group’s breakup, has appeared in various theater productions, and finished third in the first season of “Dancing with the Stars.”
After attaining an extensive education as a chef, McIntyre’s partner, Blais, launched an innovative food company called Trail Blais. He also operates several restaurants and regularly appears on various Food Network programs as a host, judge and competitor.
December is heating up as the festive competition comes to a climax. Don’t miss the finale of “Celebrity Food Fight,” airing Wednesday, Dec. 23, on Food Network.