It’s good news all around for a couple of lesser-known names trying to make their big break in the world of entertainment.
First up: Michael Symon.
I know. Michael who?
If you aren’t a regular viewer of Food Network’s “Iron Chef” series then you likely have no clue who Michael Symon is. The Ohio cook won the network’s “The Next Iron Chef” competition in 2007 and appears on its “Iron Chef America” series, but now you’ll be seeing his mug even more.
Earlier this week the folks at Food Network announced that Symon will take over as host of the “Dinner: Impossible” series. Personally, I don’t much care for the show, but if you enjoy seeing how a professional chef prepares meals under extreme conditions then the series is right up your alley.
Symon replaces Robert Irvine, who left (see: got the boot) the series last month following revelations that he’d exaggerated (see: lied) about details on his resume.
Irvine hosted the show for four seasons before he parted ways with the Food Network. As for Symon he should be able to handle his new job with ease. He is chef and owner of Lola and Lolita restaurants in Cleveland, graduated from The Culinary Institute of America and was named by Food & Wine magazine as one of the Ten Best New Chefs in America in 1998.
Network execs say Symon will begin taping 10 new one-hour episodes this week. The first will begin airing this summer.
Meanwhile, remember the name Jordana Beatty… she could be the next Julia Roberts for all we know.
The 9-year-old just beat out more than 4,000 others to win the part of Eloise in the film adaptation of the best selling children’s book “Eloise in Paris.”
Movie producers say they searched four continents for the right little girl to portray the spunky heroine of Kay Thompson’s children’s classic.
Beatty beat them all.
The Aussie actress, who began her show biz career at age 4, will play the title role in “Eloise in Paris,” while Uma Thurman has been chosen to play her nanny.
The movie is based on the 1957 kid’s book about a precocious 6-year-old girl – and resident of The Plaza Hotel in New York City – who travels to the City of Light.