Iron Chef Fibs: Veggies Not From Obama Garden

Not surprisingly, White House exec chef wins the day

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama made her much-hyped guest appearance on Iron Chef America last night, in a “Super Chef Battle” featuring the White House executive chef. Cristeta Comerford teamed up with celebrity chef Bobby Flay against the two-celeb team of Emeril Lagasse and Mario Batali, while Obama’s role was to rock a bright orange dress and introduce the secret ingredient: “Anything from the White House garden.” More»

Ellen DeGeneres calls Constance McMillen a leader for gay rights

(NEWSER) - Ellen DeGeneres honored the Mississippi teen who stood up for her right to take a same-sex partner to the prom on her show today, presenting her with a $30,000 college scholarship check. DeGeneres hailed Constance McMillen as part of a new generation of leaders in gay rights. The school district canceled the prom rather than let McMillen attend. "I admire you so much," DeGeneres told the 18-year-old. "When I was your age I never would have had the strength to do what you are doing." More»

Padma Lakshmi tops list; Food Network faves score

(NEWSER) - Of a piece with the site’s list of the hottest men in food , Slashfood presents its top women:

• Padma Lakshmi: “Calm, collected, and poised, the host of Bravo’s Top Chef is possibly the hottest woman on television,” John Devore writes.
• Giada De Laurentiis: The Food Network star is “fun, good-humored and stunning.”
• Cat Cora: A Food Network Iron Chef, yes, but “also a blonde bombshell, not to mention executive chef of Bon Appetit."

First lady will guest on Food Network competition's season opener

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama’s campaign to wean kids off junk food is taking a slightly unorthodox turn: The first lady will guest on Iron Chef America’s Jan. 3 episode. In addition to discussing her crusade for healthy school lunches and more, Obama will reveal the secret ingredient for the show's chefs (anything grown in the White House garden). The White House executive chef will team with Bobby Flay to compete against Mario Batali and Emeril Lagasse, the New York Times reports. More»

Obama 'realized he could do more with his life,' she says

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama capped a media blitz that included visits to Good Morning America and the View with an appearance on the Daily Show last night. The first lady, ostensibly promoting her new cookbook, didn't take the bait when Jon Stewart asked about her husband's pot-smoking high school years, which the host likened to "the script of a Cheech and Chong movie." Without directly addressing Obama's marijuana use, Michelle said he had changed during his college years after he realized he "could do more with his life." More»