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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > September > 29 > Entry
Blais preps for Flip chain, maybe TV
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s own Richard Blais is still working the “Top Chef” juju, hoping to parlay his TV exposure into … more TV exposure.
Blais, who was at Piedmont Park for three “Top Chef Tour” demonstrations Saturday with season three runner-up Casey Thompson, said he’s pitching ideas to cable networks such as Bravo (of course), A&E and TLC. He just taped a “Movie & a Makeover” bit for TBS, too.
Buzz checked out the third hourlong cooking demo. Thompson was the lead cook this time, allowing Blais to do most of the talking before 40 or so foodies squeezed into the tour bus space.
“Being on stage like this helps prepare me for TV,” Blais told Buzz afterwards, jokingly adding, “I’m working on my corny jokes and dead air.”
Thompson’s original plan to cook a squash soup was squashed when the dishwasher accidentally dumped the squash. So she did impromptu shopping at the weekly Green Market, found some okra and eggplant, threw in some sweet peppers, cilantro, jasmine rice, fish sauce and a pouch of Curry Simple to make a tasty creation.
“This is our version of the Quick Fire Challenge,” Blais quipped, referencing a weekly “Top Chef” staple.
Blais and Thompson dished about fellow contestants, the judges and their current projects. While Thompson is moving to San Francisco to work with some wineries, Blais recently left Home to open a chain of burger joints called Flip. He hopes to open the first one on Howell Mill Road in October featuring a signature liquid nitrogen milkshake bar.
“Yes, I’ll have the bacon milkshake,” he said, noting a creation from the show. “Each Flip will be regional. So here, we’ll have a Krispy Kreme milkshake.”
Krispy Kreme vs. bacon in a shake? Hmm … hard to guess which one will be more popular!
A FANTASY RIDE
On Saturday, Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath roller coaster was rechristened — for the day — The Goliath Fantasy Ride, in honor of Atlanta Grammy winner Ciara.
No, it had nothing to do with the way she writhes in videos.
Instead, it was an early promotion for her third CD “Fantasy Ride,” due in December, along with a way to give three students from her local alma mater, Riverdale High School, a free day at the park. Students Ashley Clayton, Shaneka Pickering and Muoi Ung all won an essay contest, for which they were asked to write about whom they admired. Believe it or not, none of them said Ciara. (Clayton and Pickering picked their moms; Ung said Martin Luther King Jr.)
Before the trio got to their front-row “Fantasy Ride” with the R&B singer, Ciara signed the artwork for her new “Go Girl” single for hundreds of fans who just happened to be at Six Flags. “This is a blessing!” said Ciara. “I mean, I used to come here religiously when I was younger. I remember when I used to have to save up money for a season pass — or try to get the hook-up.”
Ciara’s parents and other members of her family joined her during her afternoon-long visit. So of course Buzz had to ask what they thought about the “nude” shot of her on the current issue of Vibe magazine. She maintains it was Photoshopped.
“I had on a bikini.” Before mom and dad saw it, “I got them on the three-way [phone call] to explain. And they — like they always have been — were supportive.”
HIGH FIVE
Music
The top-selling albums at Decatur CD for the week ending Sept. 27:
1. TV on the Radio, “Dear Science”
2. Calexio, “Carried to Dust”
3. Kings of Leon, “Only By the Night”
4. Okkervil River, “The Stand Ins”
5. Dead Confederate, “Wrecking Ball”
Courtesy: Decatur CD
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Critics of the bailout plan say it will save Wall Street while it would do virtually nothing to help out Main Street. And as always, you’re on your own, Martin Luther King Boulevard.”
“Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update” anchor Amy Poehler
during this week’s faux newscast.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Singer Jerry Lee Lewis is 73. Actor Ian McShane is 66. TV personality Bryant Gumbel is 60. PBS newswoman Gwen Ifill is 53. Actress Emily Lloyd is 38. Actress Natasha Gregson Wagner is 38. Guitarist Josh Farro of Paramore is 21.
Contributing: Rodney Ho and news services.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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