Iron Chef White House Style

Any Iron Chef America fans out there? I had the lovely pleasure of being a judge a few months ago for an intense battle and left Kitchen Stadium with a full belly. How about a serious battle at the White House! Be sure to put this one on your calendar. On January 3rd, two pairs of chefs will compete: Cristeta Comerford, the White House executive chef, and Bobby Flay will go up against the combined forces of Mario Batali and Emeril and battle it out in Michelle's garden...where the secret ingredient comes from!
Also, how amazing is her outfit?! I love, love, love it.

you're invited

Date: September 29, 2008

Time: At your earliest convenience for your viewing pleasure
Place: www.retrospectivekitchen.blogspot.com

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Yes. That's right, it is the most wonderful time of the year (for food that is). Let me tell you why... you can smell the sweet scents of Fall in the air which means that all of the primary food holidays are just around the corner.

In September, a true foodie will feel obligated to make something fabulous with apples. My loyalties lie with candied apples. All of the sudden it's okay to make soup for dinner and homemade rolls more than once a week. It also means that the farmer's markets and fruit stands are just about to close up shop urging us all to shop at least one more time in order to take full advantage of locally grown greatness.

Then October comes. This is the one month of the year when it's alright to have a bottomless candy jar and popping a bite-sized something in your mouth every hour on the hour is expected. Cider and donuts are a must for all family gatherings and the countdown begins for chili and cornbread on Halloween. To top it all off, homemade root beer with the effect of fogging dry ice in the black plastic cauldron that you continue to buy every year at Wal-Mart.

November brings traditions, classic food, and family recipes. Yesterday I made a Thanksgiving dinner for a photo shoot and our apartment smelled so delicious that I wanted to pull a cozy sweater over my head and write down all of the things I'm grateful for. Pie baking is good for the soul and comes with a sense of satisfaction that is hard to beat.

December is my favorite. In addition to the holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and hot cocoa topped with marshmallows, this is the one time of year that you get to end every conversation with, "Happy Holidays." Food brings people together. It seems to be at the center of every gathering where people allow themselves to eat whatever they desire claiming, "Oh why not, it's the holidays." To that I say, good for you. Indulge, for it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.

p.s. my apologies to those of you who prefer posts that are short and sweet.
photo: donna hay

check your mail

Check your mail...
I can't thank everyone enough for voting for the fan favorite. My Aunt Kim had her office voting religiously and guess what, one of her employees came in today flashing a $500.00 gift card! I think that they are just starting to get them out to voters. I'm crossing my fingers that someone else I know will get one. Good Luck!

events

I've been filling my schedule up with private events lately. This weekend I had wonderful help from my significant other (robby) and sister (kylie) as we pulled off a lovely summer fare dinner party for 40. Kylie was also the token photographer for the event (see pictures here). She'd love to take your picture and she's very good at it. I was so pleased with the way things turned out.

*shameless plug warning*

If you're interested in hosting a cooking class for friends, a private party, or would enjoy a customized class in your own home, don't hesitate to contact me. I'd love to cook for you.kelsey.nixon@gmail.com

photos: kylie my sister

thanks a bunch

I owe tremendous THANK YOU to everyone who voted for the fan favorite day after day. Your votes made a difference and Robby and I will be enjoying a brand new kitchen and a good chunk of change. You are all simply the best!

VOTE

Ok Folks...voting has officially begun. You can vote once a day and there are actually perks. Every time you vote you enter yourself in a competition to win $500 at Sears. Prizes are awarded after each episode. If you've got kids, vote for them too...I need all the help I can get. I'm currently leading the pack, I'd appreciate your support to keep it that way. Thanks again for watching and being so darn supportive. Vote Here!

xoxo- Kelsey

NFNS 4

So that secret that I had been keeping for the past 3 months is finally fully exposed! (and I can talk about it...without breaking my confidentiality agreement of course) Last September I auditioned for a show called Next Food Network Star. I have been watching the show for years and in a round about way auditioning for the show played a part in the creation of Kelsey's Kitchen. (Yes, I auditioned for the show in 2004 and it was horrendous.) This year they had open call auditions which really helped me in landing a spot because I was able to give my press kit and reel to the casting agency. After waiting for months, I found out I was selected as a finalist for the show right around Christmas. I then left for New York City, ten days after graduating from culinary school, and found myself wrapped up in the biggest challenge of my life. (no pun intended) I can't even begin to describe the difficulty of being on the show. NO contact with the outside world and culinary battles day after day. It's a good thing that I didn't know how difficult things would be or else I may have chickened out. I really learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses while living with 9 other people and being on camera 24/7. (F.Y.I emotions are a weakness)

Really, the whole point of this post is to thank everyone who has been so supportive. All of the "good lucks," "congratulations," and "go gettem's," have been so thoughtful and appreciated. It means so much to me that so many people believe in me and support my crazy goals. The best part in all of this is that me being selected as a finalist proves that if you really want something and you're determined to get it...you will.

If you are interested in the show and you want to learn more you can go to www.foodnetwork.com/star and learn all about the other finalists and get a sneak peek of the challenges they put us through.

I'll be posting about the show as much as I can (within the bounds of my contract) to give you as much behind the scenes information as possible. Thanks again for your support!

dum dum da dum...

i'm getting married...and i'm really excited about it

news

BOBBY FLAY “GRILLS” A NEW SEASON OF
FOOD NETWORK HOPEFULS

Network Announces Season 4 Finalists On
“The Next Food Network Star”
Iron Chef Flay Joins Selection Committee As Permanent Celebrity Judge
Series Premiere Set For Sunday, June 1st at 10pm ET/PT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Television’s most challenging food fight, The Next Food Network Star, returns this June for a fourth season filled with star-studded appearances and culinary challenges sure to test the boundaries of any palette. Premiering Sunday, June 1st at 10pm ET/PT, the series offers viewers a cast like never before – filled with 10 contestants eagerly vying to be the next face of Food Network. From a stand-up comedian, to a cookbook author and a self proclaimed “Mini Martha Stewart” – the contestants are sure to introduce a new flavor to the line-up. The names of the finalists were announced today by Bob Tuschman, Senior Vice President, Programming and Production for Food Network.

“Last season’s show was our network’s highest-rated, most-watched series ever and we look forward to keeping that bar raised and the level of competition high,” said Tuschman. "This season's finalists are our most skilled ever, and we put them through the toughest challenges we could devise. We guarantee viewers an incredibly compelling and entertaining series."

The 10 finalists include:
Nipa Bhatt, 35 (Victoria, MN) Marketing manager
Jennifer Cochrane, 32 (Woonsocket, RI) Executive Chef, Geppetto’s and Briggs Corner restaurants
Lisa Garza, 32 (Dallas, TX) Owner, Suze Restaurant and kitchenwear fashion designer
Adam Gertler, 30 (Philadelphia, PA) Former restaurateur, server and actor
Cory Kahaney, 45 (New York, NY) Stand-up comic and playwright
Shane Lyons, 20 (Colorado Springs, CO) Private chef
Aaron McCargo Jr., 36 (Camden, NJ) Executive Catering Chef, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Kelsey Nixon, 23 (North Ogden, UT) Freelance food writer, culinary class instructor
Kevin Roberts, 39 (San Diego, CA) Radio contributor, restaurant owner & cookbook author
Jeffrey Vaden, 43 (White Plains, NY) Caterer and former restaurateur

The Next Food Network Star follows Food Network’s nation-wide search for its newest on-air talent. The finalists, ranging from professionals to amateurs, compete in a series of difficult challenges that test their knowledge, skills and personalities. The ultimate winner will star in his-or-her own six-episode series on Food Network. This season, Food Network chef Bobby Flay joins the selection committee as a permanent celebrity judge. With appearances from other Food Network stars and other special guests, the new season of The Next Food Network Star is set to be the most intense one yet! The Next Food Network Star is produced by CBS EYE too Productions.