Fiery local chef’s temper tested
Blunt-speaking celebrity chef Carla Pellegrino is hinting that sexist pot-stirring surfaces in upcoming episodes of "Top Chef: Seattle."
The behavior of some male colleagues "kind of surprised me," she said in a telephone interview that was monitored by a Bravo publicist.
The Brazilian pepper pot wasn't pleased that the men refer to one another as "chef, but they call the women 'sweetheart' or 'honey.' "
"There are some things in the next two or three episodes," she said, that tested her famous short temper.
"I was kind of hurt," said Pellegrino, who operates Bratalian in Henderson and The Meatball Spot in Town Square.
Pellegrino, the former executive chef at Rao's at Caesars Palace, got publicity mileage out of a sexy quote during last week's episode.
"I am a chef, but I am also a woman," she said. "When I'm cooking, I like to look good. I want to be a James Beard, and I want to have a nice ass."
After she said it, she worried it would "diminish" her reputation as chef.
Her quote went viral on social media. "People are loving it. I'm getting my 15 minutes of fame on that," she said.
The show airs at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.
FREDERICKS IN HOSPICE
Former Channel 3 meteorologist John Fredericks entered Nathan Adelson Hospice on Tuesday.
Fredericks, who spent 12 years at KVBC (now KSNV) as the lead weather person before his 2008 departure, said in a telephone interview that he was diagnosed with cirrhosis in June.
"I'm where I need to be. Say a prayer for me," said Fredericks, who said he is holding on to hope that he can get a liver transplant.
His dog, LJ, short for Little Jordan, has a caretaker, Fredericks said.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Last chance to cast your vote on Luxury magazine's model search. Voting on the head shot competition ends Thursday at 8 a.m. The finals take place Dec. 6 on the runway at the Fashion Show mall, starting at 6:30 p.m., with "Peepshow" star Josh Strickland emceeing. Luxury is a sister publication of the Review-Journal.
SIGHTINGS
"Dancing With the Stars" performer Gilles Marini and "Glee" star Dot Jones, co-hosting the kickoff of "Winter in Venice" at The Venetian and the premiere of "Mannheim Steamroller Christmas" at Palazzo on Tuesday. ... Pellegrino, driving a black Ferrari 430 Scuderia at Exotics Racing on Tuesday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. During her warmup lap she asked her instructor whether there was speed limit. "No," he said. "Good," she replied, and punched it up to 190 mph. ... Among the attendees at the Tony La Russa Animal Rescue fundraiser last week: basketball coach Bobby Knight, Andre Agassi, comedian George Lopez, former Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux and pitching great Dave Stewart, ESPN's Mike Tirico, former baseball slugger Reggie Jackson and NFL great Jim Brown. ... Tony Award winner Betty Buckley, taking in "Mystere" (Treasure Island) and "Zumanity" (New York-New York) over the weekend.
THE PUNCH LINE
"You're only in it for the intensely vibrating seat." - From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're Not Cut Out to Be a Race Car Driver.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. His weekly segment, "Norm Clarke's Vegas," airs during the "Morning Blend" on KTNV-TV, Channel 13 every Thursday.
