Ted Allen of the Food Network was holding court last night in a prime Penthouse at the Chateau Marmont over looking Sunset Blvd. Not for a secret tryst or to promote his appearance on the Chelsea Handler show on E! (airing next week) where he did the first ever cooking segment, but for Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines. Allen is the Ambassador and after his exotic food lesson with Handler, was all too happy to talk about how he became involved with the iconic winery.
“To be completely honest, before I knew anything about wine, I knew that liked this house. When I didn’t know what to order, I always chose Mondavi because it never let me down. So when I got a job in television (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on Bravo), I actually approached them.” Since then, Allen has included his enthusisam for the brand in cooking demos and wine pairings on Top Chef and the Food Network. “I like to demystify wine and break down the wall of intimidation for people - you can pair wine with anything,” says Allen.
Allen’s current show Chopped is in the fifth season on Food Network and the ratings have never been higher. He is also developing a new cookbook and another series. In addition, his 1897 renovated Brooklyn town-home-kitchen will be featured in the May issue of Food & Wine magazine.
Wines being showcased at the party included Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinto Noir and a very mellow Meritage that had the intimate crowd talking. Carolyn Spence, formerly of the Spotted Pig in New York, is behind the stove now of the Chateau kitchen and dished up amazing comfort food ranging from mini-beef wellingtons and bite sized pigs-n-a-blanket to grilled cheese and sliders to pair with the wines.
