James Beard News

The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre (BRIFT) recently announced the election of a new Board of Directors. Stepping in as Chair is Douglas Rill, owner of Century 21 America's Choice in West Palm Beach and Palm Beach. Mr. Rill has over 40 years of experience in the real estate industry and serves on the board of the PBC Film and Television Commission. He holds a BBA from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

The most sought-after 'reservations' in town for April 2013 will not be on land, but rather will be at sea, with the launch of the first-ever TOP CHEF: THE CRUISE aboard the modern, luxurious Celebrity Constellation.

Actors Theatre of Louisville's Managing Director, Jennifer Bielstein and Artistic Director, Les Waters have announced that nationally recognized Executive Chef and owner of 610 Magnolia and farm-to-table pioneer Edward Lee has selected the theatre's downtown location as the site for his much-anticipated new restaurant.

Viewers get a double serving of primetime grub on Sunday, August 19th, with the sizzling season finale of Chopped: Grilled Masters at 9pm and the must-see season three premiere of The Great Food Truck Race at 10pm.

Award-winning chef and author Marcus Samuelsson will present Vy Higginsen's Gospel for Teens Choir, who will provide the musical entertainment for "A Gospel Gathering at Ginny's" beginning Sunday, July 15th, 2012 at Ginny's Supper Club, the sister venue to Samuelsson's Red Rooster Harlem, located at 310 Lenox Avenue (between 125th and 126th Streets). The Gospel for Teens Choir will perform three sets of rousing gospel tunes during the venue's new Sunday buffet brunch served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Seats are $35 per person (half off for children under 12). Reservations and walk-ins are accepted by calling 212.421.3821.

Get ready to dive into pigeon pie in Austin, barbeque some armadillo in Central Florida and eat lambs tongue at a one-night only pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles in season six of the BIZARRE FOODS series.

Greg Mohr and Scott Weiner will open their fourth restaurant that will serve literal farm-to-table cuisine, Homestead, by mid-July.

This fall The Public Theater will unveil its revitalized downtown home as the Company celebrates a milestone year that also includes the 50th anniversary of the Delacorte Theater, home to Shakespeare in the Park. The revitalization will transform the lobby into a piazza where audiences, artists, and the public will engage with one another. A central element of the project is the addition of The Library at The Public Theater, a new lounge serving food and drinks on the lobby's expanded mezzanine level. The Library at The Public Theater is named in honor of the landmark building's original use as the Astor Library, New York City's first public library.

Bravo hits the road again with the annual TOP CHEF: THE TOUR kicking off in Charlotte, North Carolina tonight, May 17.

Get ready to dive into pigeon pie in Austin, barbeque some armadillo in Central Florida and eat lambs tongue at a one-night only pop-up restaurant in Los Angeles in season six of the BIZARRE FOODS series.

Today Change.org and GLAAD, the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, launched a Mother's Day campaign in support of Jennifer Tyrrell, a mother of four from Bridgeport, Ohio who was ousted from the Boy Scouts of America because she is gay. Celebrities including Julianne Moore, Fran Drescher and Jane Leeves today tweeted after Josh Hutcherson, Kim Wayans, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, as well as Max Adler and Grant Gustin of Glee previously showed support for Tyrrell at the GLAAD Media Awards.

54 BELOW, the nightclub and restaurant announced earlier this year, today announced that Andre J. Marrero will be the Executive Chef of the nightclub and restaurant. A June opening is planned. Chef Andre trained at The French Culinary Institute in New York and went on to work in some of New York's leading kitchens with some of the best chefs in the world.

Ovation, the only network dedicated to art, artists and all forms of artistic storytelling, will premiere the second season of the critically acclaimed original series, In Search of Food, beginning tonight, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The 3-part program spotlights Jason Mraz, Ann Cooper and Joel Salatin, three heroes of the 'locavore movement' -- cooking with locally sourced ingredients.

Bravo hits the road again with the annual TOP CHEF: THE TOUR kicking off in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday, May 17.

Lookingglass Theatre, Frontera Grill and Silverguy Entertainment announce additional performances of Rick Bayless in Cascabel: Dinner - Daring - Desire, a theatrical adventure featuring a feast, circus acts, and a love story starring celebrity chef Rick Bayless. The culinary and theatrical experience has been extended an additional week, through April 29, 2012, at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works.

Bravo Media serves up the most incredible culinary competition with AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 PLATES presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred premiering on Wednesday, May 9 at 10pm ET/PT.

Ovation, the only network dedicated to art, artists and all forms of artistic storytelling, will premiere the second season of the critically acclaimed original series, In Search of Food, beginning Monday, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The 3-part program spotlights Jason Mraz, Ann Cooper and Joel Salatin, three heroes of the 'locavore movement' -- cooking with locally sourced ingredients.

On today's episode of ABC's daytime talk series THE CHEW, the cast and crew celebrated their 100th episode. The show debuted on Monday, September 26, and is an innovative and groundbreaking daytime program co-hosted by a dynamic group of engaging, fun, relatable experts in food, lifestyle and entertaining.

Tom Colicchio, will appear at the Gallo Center for the Arts on Friday, February 24 at 8:00 PM.

MYSTERIES AT THE MUSEUM, WHEN VACATIONS ATTACK to return in March on Travel Channel. They'll join the previously announced 'Ghost Adventures' as well as an array of new specials.