Meet The Team / Nicki Gostin

US magazine is right! Celebrities really are like you and me. They like food that they know is bad for them too! Seems like celebrities have soft spots for ice cream and pizza just like all us common folk. See if you and Brooke Burke share the same weakness.

Turns out, US Weekly is right: Celebrities are just like you and me. At least when it comes to favorite snacks, which may not fall within the guidelines of the stars' personal chefs or trainers. So while you tuck into your seventh Mallomar of the evening, be comforted by the fact that Kim Kardashian has a fondness for... read on and you'll find out. Of course, there are a few spoilsports who claim absolutely no weakness for gooey things. We think they may be lying.

Take the quiz after the jump.

Lidia Bastianich the famed restaurateur (Felidia) and host of "Lidia's Italy," on PBS, has a new year's resolution and it's not to cut calories. Rather, it's not to waste food.

Lidia says she wants to rekindle the adage, "Waste not, want not," the phrase that, if repeated to a tween would probably get you a major eye roll. But in these days of tightened budgets and worries about global warming, it's not so fusty after all.

In her blog post and call for a commitment from fans to join her, Lidia quotes some disturbing facts, such as how one third of the world's gas emissions are produced by wasted food. Let's be honest: How many times a week do you throw away perfectly good food because you can't be bothered turning it into leftovers?

So far, she tells Slashfood, she's been amazed by the response.

Chef: David Myers

Restaurants: Comme Ça (Los Angeles, CA), Comme Ça at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas (opening December 2010)

The Gift: Japanese knives and Hinoki wood cutting board. [Hinoki is a cypress that grows only in Japan.] People love the quality of the Japanese knives and the smell of the Hinoki wood on the cutting board. A perfect gift that ages well and everyone always seems to comment on!

Where to Find It: Available online (including Amazon.com and Broadway Panhandler).


Find out the other chefs' suggestions:
The First Day of Christmas: Carla Hall, The Second Day of Christmas: José Andrés, The Third Day of Christmas: Wolfgang Puck, The Fourth Day of Christmas: Lidia Bastianich, The Fifth Day of Christmas: Gail Simmons, The Sixth Day of Christmas: Alex Guarnaschell; The Seventh Day of Christmas: Candace Nelson;The Eighth Day of Christmas: Nigella Lawson; The Ninth Day of Christmas: Richard Sandoval; The Tenth Day of Christmas: Richard Blais

Last Monday we kicked off our 12 days of chef-inspired gift giving. Stay tuned every morning through December 24th for ideas from the pros on the best gifts for cooks. And see the links at the bottom of the post to catch up on days you've missed.

On the ninth day of Christmas, a Mexican master gave to me...

The Chef: Richard Sandoval

Restaurants: La Sandía and Zengo (Santa Monica, CA); RAYA at The Ritz-Carlton (Dana Point, CA)

The Gift: A molcajete. It's a unique and personal gift that is central to Mexican cooking - a simple and traditional tool that imparts great texture and adds flavor as the molcajete is seasoned over time.

Where to Find It: Can be purchased at Williams-Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, and other kitchen supply stores. Also available online.