Wednesday, September 9 from 6 – 9 p.m. at the Astor Center

Our biggest culinary event yet!

Spend a delicious evening with WLIW21 and your favorite public television chefs! Lidia Bastianich, Jacques Pépin, John Barricelli (Everyday Baking from Everyday Food), and top local chefs and winemakers have teamed up with WLIW21 to bring you an intimate evening of great food, wine and “culinary theater” on Wednesday, September 9 at The Astor Center (399 Lafayette Street in Manhattan). You’ll enjoy demos by Jacques and John, a meet and greet opportunity with Lidia, tastings from the New York metro area’s best restaurants, and wines from around the world.

Space is very limited and tickets are available exclusively through WLIW21 when you show your support with a donation:

Advanced tickets are no longer available.  Tickets will be available at the door.

Single ticket, plus Lidia’s Italian–American Kitchen Book

Pair of Tickets, plus Lidia’s Italian–American Kitchen Book

Single ticket, plus Jacques Pépin’s Complete Techniques Book

Pair of Tickets, plus Jacques Pépin’s Complete Techniques Book

CHEF DEMONSTRATIONS

John Barricelli
Host of public television series Everyday Baking from Everyday Food and former co–host of Everyday Food, John Barricelli began his professional cooking career 29 years ago. He has worked at renowned New York City restaurants including The River Café and the Four Seasons Restaurant. In 1998, Barricelli joined Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia as a commissary chef at the company’s Westport studio, then went on to write for Martha Stewart Living magazine and in 2000 began working with Martha Stewart on her television cooking segments.

Jacques Pépin
One of America’s best–known chefs, cookbook authors and cooking teachers, Jacques Pépin has hosted 11 acclaimed public television cooking series, including his latest Jacques Pépin: More Fast Food My Way. Since 1988, Pépin has served as Dean of Special Programs at The French Culinary Institute (New York), and is an adjunct faculty member at Boston University. He is the founder of The American Institute of Wine and Food and a member of the International Association of Cooking Professionals.

BOOK SIGNING & PHOTOS

Lidia Bastianich
Award winning chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and public television host, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich was named Outstanding Chef – U.S. and Outstanding Chef – New York by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Her latest public television series, Lidia’s Italy, was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008 and was named Best National Cooking Show by the James Beard Foundation in 2009. Lidia is well known for her acclaimed restaurants, including Felidia, Del Posto and Becco in New York City. Her past public television series and companion books include Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia’s Italian American Kitchen and Lidia’s Italian Table. At the WLIW21 Autumn Gourmet Classic Lidia will sign books and be available for photos.

FOOD TASTINGS

CoolFish Grille & Wine Bar – Chef Tom Schaudel
“It’s like Disneyland for foodies,” says Tom Schaudel, renowned chef extraordinaire and winner of Wine Spectator Magazine’s “Award of Excellence” for nearly 13 years. CoolFish Grille & Wine Bar, located in Syosset, Long Island, combines the charm of a seaside villa with a distinctively stylish edge. Blending modern and classic, the CoolFish menu has a globally inspired mix of contemporary cuisine and has been expanded to include creative pastas and grilled pizzas, unusual cheeses and dazzling homemade desserts. Contemporary sculptures of fish of all sizes are displayed throughout the restaurant and an exposed wine cellar holds 1200 bottles of wine from all over the world, including a special reserve list for the truly adventurous.

DiPaloSelects.com, Owner Lou DiPalo
DiPaloSelects.com delivers the best specialty foods of artisan Italy to your doorstep, handcrafted in Italy, and hand–selected for you. Lou DiPalo, proprietor of the fifth generation DiPalo’s of Little Italy and the recently launched DiPaloSelects.com, is one of America’s leading authorities on Italian cheeses and specialty foods. DiPalo is renowned among food enthusiasts in the U.S. and Italy for his knowledge and passion for Italian artisan foods.

French Culinary Institute, Chef Jacques Pépin
Over 25 years ago, Dorothy Cann Hamilton founded this world–class culinary school that blends classic French techniques with American inventiveness in an exciting, fast–paced curriculum. Today, The FCI name is as legendary as their incomparable staff and alumni, which include world–class faculty like master chefs Alain Sailhac, Jacques Pépin, André Soltner, Jacques Torres and Marnie Old, and star alumni like Bobby Flay, David Chang, and Daisy Martinez. Students also get real–time, hands–on cooking experience at L’Ecole, The FCI’s critically–acclaimed restaurant in the heart of New York’s restaurant scene.

Industria Argentina, Chef Natalia Machado
Industria Argentina is a showcase of both Argentinean cooking and craftsmanship. Natalia Machado describes her cuisine as Argentine fusion: the cooking style of the different regions, mixing the Italian– and Spanish–influenced Buenos Aires cuisine and the Andean–style food of the North with the fresh seafood and beef of southern Argentina. In both decor and spirit, Industria Argentina may be New York’s most thoroughly modern Argentine steakhouse.

Paladar, Chef Aarón Sanchez
As a former co–host of Food Network’s Melting Pot, Aarón Sanchez introduced a national audience to his technique and creativity with contemporary interpretations of classic Latino cuisine. In February 2001, Chef Sanchez teamed up with Eamon Furlong to open Paladar, a pan–Latin–inspired restaurant on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Funky, but chic, Paladar is a dining experience that incorporates the vibrant energy of the neighborhood with the relaxed intimacy and warmth of a Cuban paladar.

The SoNo Baking Company & Café, Chef John Barricelli
Created and owned by John Barricelli, The SoNo Baking Company & Café is located in popular South Norwalk, Conn. in a renovated 3,600–square–foot former warehouse. Its open kitchen and bakery provide a view of hearth breads being baked in a deck oven imported from Italy, gorgeous cakes being decorated, and delicate pastries being carefully constructed — all while patrons dine in a homey, inviting café that offers a simple, delicious menu.

Stone Creek Inn, Chef Christian Mir
Beautiful Stone Creek Inn has graced East Quogue since 1996, when celebrated chef Christian Mir, a native of Southwest France, and his wife, Elaine DiGiacomo, bought and renovated the historic building and created a premiere dining destination in the Hamptons. Modern French Mediterranean cuisine and an award–winning wine list have garnered accolades from both the press and patrons for 13 years running.

WINE TASTINGS

Banfi
For over 90 years and spanning three generations, the Mariani family of Long Island, New York has built Banfi Vintners into America’s best–known name in imported fine wines. From the Mariani family’s own magnificent Castello Banfi estate in Tuscany to other leading properties throughout Italy and South America, Banfi provides an array of world–class wines tailored to cater to every taste and every budget. Sample wines from Rosa Regale Brachetto from the Mariani family’s Vigne Regale estate in Piedmont; BelnerO from Castello Banfi; and Ferdi, a white wine from the Sartori estates in northeast Italy’s Veneto region.

Bernard Magrez
Bordeaux native Bernard Magrez has dedicated his life to the production of exceptional wines, owning close to 100% of his properties — a guarantee of quality from vine to bottle. The Magrez portfolio includes some of the finest châteaux in Bordeaux and vineyards in France, with renowned enologist Michel Rolland as Magrez’s worldwide consultant. Sample wines from France, Spain and Argentina.

Carolina Wine Brands
With more than a century of fine wine–making experience in Chile, Carolina Wine Brands is the umbrella for one of the most dynamic and entrepreneurial Chilean wine families. Their wines are produced in Chile and Argentina’s finest valleys. Sample wines from Viña Santa Carolina (Chile), Viña Casablanca (Chile) and Finca El Origen (Argentina).

Palm Bay International
Palm Bay International thrives on seeking out wines with a distinct point of view, shaped by origin, terroir and winemaster. As they commemorate their 30th anniversary, they invite you to join them in celebration of authentic wine excellence. With stellar estates from 11 countries, including Italy, Argentina, Chile, and France, Palm Bay’s portfolio encompasses distinctive treasures from the world’s most prominent growing regions. Sample wines from Jean Luc Colombo, hailed as the “winemaking wizard” of the Rhone, and Bertani, one of Italy’s most heralded estates.

Exclusive Broadcast Premiere Monday, June 8 at 8 p.m. on WLIW21 with August: Osage County’s John Cullum and Mamma Mia’s Judy McLane LIVE in the studio!

Broadway’s most prominent female director and four of the top leading ladies of the theater share insights into the productions that first brought them fame, as well as the exciting challenges and nuances of their newest shows on Broadway in the exclusive broadcast premiere of Broadway Profiles: The Women of Broadway Monday, June 8 at 8 p.m. on WLIW21. Actress Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde the Musical) hosts this new one-hour special, featuring exclusive interviews with Tony Award winner Sutton Foster (The Drowsy Chaperone, Shrek the Musical); Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (Grey Gardens, Blithe Spirit); Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons (August: Osage County, “Roseanne”); Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor (The Lion King), who’s currently working on the new Broadway musical Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark with U2’s Bono and The Edge; and Charlotte d’Amboise (Chicago, A Chorus Line). The special also features footage of the women in action, including behind-the-scenes at rehearsals and opening nights of past, recent and upcoming Broadway shows. Preview video.

During the broadcast premiere of Broadway Profiles: The Women of Broadway, two-time Tony Award winner John Cullum (Beverly Weston from August: Osage County) and Judy McLane (Tanya from Mamma Mia) will be live in the WLIW21 studio sharing stories about their Broadway experiences. Tune in for details on great seats and behind-the-scenes experiences at two of Broadway’s biggest productions: Mamma Mia’s eighth anniversary cast party, and a Q&A and meet-and-greet with Phylicia Rashad and the cast of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play August: Osage County.
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Attention food lovers! Famed chef and public TV host Lidia Bastianich will be live in WLIW21’s studio Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. Send us your questions by late night Monday, June 1 at 12 midnight, then tune in Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. to see if Lidia answers your question during WLIW21’s exclusive broadcast of At Home with Lidia Bastianich. The 90-minute special features segments from Lidia’s Italy, including Lidia in Istria discovering the secrets behind wholesome seafood pastas; Lidia in Friuli, where she has her vineyards; and Lidia in Maremma, cooking up a classic steak with a side of Tuscan beans and squash. Additional simple and delicious recipes include scampi “alla Buzara,” roasted lamb shoulder with Montasio cheese crisps and swisscard or fricos, and appetizing poached eggs.

Tickets available now for Lidia’s book signing and photo op at the WLIW21 Autumn Gourmet Classic!

In certain viewing areas of NJ and NY, Comcast basic cable has moved WLIW21 to its digital tier (WLIW Create and WLIW World are also available). Some viewers will need a special set-top converter box from Comcast in order to continue receiving WLIW21 with their cable service. Comcast will provide this box at no cost for 12 months. Please call 1-800-COMCAST for more information.

Under a national agreement ensuring that cable providers would carry all of public television’s digital channels, cable companies agreed to carry the primary public television channel of a viewing area in both digital and non-digital forms. However, cable companies insisted that secondary public television channels in these areas choose either digital or non-digital, but not both.

In your area, Comcast regards WLIW21 as a secondary public television channel. That is why WLIW21 is being offered to you only with digital service.

As a result, viewers who do not subscribe to Comcast digital cable service must now have a special set-top box in order to view WLIW21 on cable. Please be aware, however, that Comcast will provide this box to you at no cost for 12 months. Note: this set-top box is different than the converter box that some over-the-air customers are using to receive DTV signals. You must get it directly from Comcast. It is not available in stores. For more information, please contact 1-800-COMCAST.

The federal government has extended the deadline for the transition to digital television from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009.

WLIW21 and THIRTEEN will continue to broadcast both analog and digital signals until June 12, 2009.

Until June 12, 2009, WLIW21 will continue to broadcast on digital 22. On June 12, 2009, WLIW21 will broadcast on digital 21.

Learn more about the digital transition June 12, 2009 and find out if you are prepared.

Exclusive Premiere Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. Kicks Off Memorial Weekend

WLIW21’s new production celebrates Long Island’s shoreline, inspiring a summer of weekend excursions. Structured as a sonata, the program showcases the varying moods and tempos of shoreline activity in Nassau and Suffolk, from sunrise to moonscape, through stunning scenic images. Poetry inspired by the shoreline’s eternal ebb and flow adds to the narrative, and includes works by Long Island poets like Huntington icon Walt Whitman, as well as lyrics by Long Island-based songwriters Billy Joel and Jimmy Webb. Classical music performed by the Long Island-based Constellation Trio and others, as well as contemporary songs by Dave Brubeck and Harry Belafonte, enhance the natural soundtrack of summer along the shore. Shoreline Sonata is sure to encourage all area residents to take advantage of the many ways to enjoy the paradise next door. Preview video and more.