"anne burrell" news and stories

First it was ballpark fare, now wine. The Food Network isn't satisfied with simply being the television home of an increasingly loud stable of hosts. The cable network, which already does brisk business with cookware lines and cookbooks, is launching a new wine label: Entwine.

The venture is a partnership with California's Wente Vineyards, and features four varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio (all 2009 vintage). The potential wine-drinking pool is deep -- the network claims it reaches 100 million households.

The wines, priced at $12.99, officially launch this summer, but the network hosted a tasting party earlier this week. We're not sure that the Pinot Grigio was exactly like "a green apple drizzled with lime juice and honey," or that the Chardonnay was "reminiscent of a slice of toast spread with homemade apple butter," but we'll give their PR people points for trying.

Anne Burrell, host of the network's "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef" cut to the chase, according to eater. Her spin? "The only way you will learn is to try. Drinking is research! So get out there and drink more," she said.

Over at Manhattan's Harvard Club this weekend, it was Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto vs. Ming Tsai vs. Anne Burrell in a bizarre but hilarious late-night battle for karaoke supremacy as part of the New York City Wine & Food Festival. Morimoto was first up at the mic, belting out a Japanese tune with conviction -- but not a whole lot of tunefulness.

After his uneven performance, a sober Morimoto offered an excuse: "With no drink, it's the first time."

Next up at the "Rock & Roll with Morimoto and Friends" event was Ming Tsai.

If the allegations in a recently leaked discrimination suit against celebrity chef Anne Burrell are true, contestants on her new Food Network reality show may have gotten an earful about more than their poor stirring techniques.

Former employees say Burrell, whose "Worst Cooks in America" competition debuts next month, "constantly harassed (them) with sexually discriminatory and derogatory remarks." The complaint, filed earlier this year, was publicized today by blogger Abbe Diaz, whose husband, Sasha Muniak, owned the New York restaurant where the incidents allegedly occurred and is named as a defendant.