SMORGASBORD: Bobby Deen takes aim at mom’s waist-busting recipes

Bobby Deen takes aim at mom’s waist-busting recipes

Paula Deen is probably used to being pummeled by the food police about her cooking, but you’ve got to wonder what she really feels about son Bobby Deen’s new book, “From Mama’s Table to Mine” (Ballantine, $22), written with Melissa Clark.

The love taps begin with the book’s subtitle: “Everybody’s Favorite Comfort Foods at 350 Calories or Less” — and then there’s his introductory admission: “I love my Mama’s food, it truly is the best-tasting food on this planet. But, let’s face it. I can’t eat her rich food every day of my life.”

The son, host of Cooking Channel’s “Not My Mama’s Meals,” takes pains to show readers that his recipes are as tasty as those made by “Mama,” to whom the book is fondly dedicated, but without the fat and calories. He offers a “before” and “after” snapshot for each recipe. The differences on paper can be striking — 185 calories and 15 grams in the “before” creamed spinach and 93 calories and 2.5 grams of fat in the “after,” for example. I’m assuming many of the before recipes are based on Mama’s, though it’s not always clear. I just wish there was a way to offer both versions side by side for comparison.

Bobby Deen’s life has a before and after as well. Twenty-five pounds overweight, he looked and felt 10 years older before embarking on a healthier lifestyle under the tutelage of a fitness coach. The book offers a number of tools for eating better, from a list of “Bobby’s Fantastic Fourteen” foods that he works into his diet to a guide for stocking one’s kitchen with healthy foods to five sample party menus to stay on the healthy-eating track. Each recipe also comes with a side note, usually on a health or nutrition-related theme.

You know, even mothers have feelings — and egos. If I were Paula Deen, I don’t know whether I’d want to laugh, disown that boy or cry all the way to the bank. Because any publicity is good publicity, especially when it is all in the family. At least there’s comfort in knowing Bobby Deen does offer some appealing, and healthier, takes on comfort cooking that would make any mama proud.

NYC has top 10 U.S. restaurants

New York City is arguably the top culinary destination in the United States with six of the 10 best restaurants in the country, a survey released showed.

The French Laundry in Yountville, California, founded by chef Thomas Keller, was named the best restaurant by a panel of experts, followed by the Gramercy Tavern, Le Bernardin, Momofuku Ssam Bar and Eleven Madison Park, which are all in the Big Apple.

“This (New York) is still considered by most chefs the ultimate proving ground of their talents and their ability to run a restaurant,” said Colman Andrews, editorial director of The Daily Meal, on the food website’s annual poll.

In last year’s poll, New York City had five of the top 10 restaurants, with Le Bernardin taking first place and The French Laundry coming in fifth after placing first the previous year.

More than 150 food critics, writers and bloggers voted in the third annual survey of 101 Best Restaurants in America. They considered the cuisine, region, atmosphere, level of “buzz” and price range.

Bobby Flay finally brings home Burger Bash win

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Bobby Flay is a Burger Bash bridesmaid no more.

After years of playing second griddle to Iron Chef Michael Symon, the Food Network star finally netted a victory in the South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s build-a-better-burger competition.

Flay has sought the top spot at the Burger Bash for nearly seven years, but always fell short.

For the past three years, Symon bested him — and the 20-something other top chefs who compete each year — with over-the-top, multimeat creations.

But this year, Flay cooked up a crisped beef patty topped with queso sauce, potato chips and green chili pickle.

“It’s about time,” Flay said after Thursday evening’s event. “The green chilies were my secret weapon. I pulled out all the stops for this one. Michael Symon is a tough guy to beat.”

The Burger Bash is a fixture of the festival and is hosted by Rachael Ray. Dozens of chefs from around the country gather in a massive tent on the beach, cooking up their best burger creations for thousands of attendees.

“Michael Symon is my best friend. If I had lost again it was going to be a long summer,” Flay said.

Previous winners include Symon (2012, 2011, 2010), Spike Mendelsohn of Good Stuff Eatery in Washington (2009), Michael Schlow of Radius in Boston (2008) and Shake Shack of New York (2007).

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