It's just about every guy's dream to have a woman cook for him, but when that woman has a banging bod and wears stilettos while sautéing, well that will just about put any heavy testosterone-toter over the edge. So it was with great pleasure that many local gentlemen (and a few hot Miami ladies, to boot) got to watch acclaimed restaurateur and culinary starlet Donatella Arpaia do her thing in various residences throughout the Viceroy last night. The visit was part of a tour to promote her first cookbook, Donatella Cooks: Simple Food Made Glamorous.
Arpaia is more than just a partner in Eos and a judge seen on Iron Chef America and Top Chef. The attorney-turned-culinary mogul opened her first restaurant, Bellini, in 1998 and then subsequently opened a string of highly acclaimed restaurants in New York City, including Mia Dona, davidburke and donatella, Anthos, and Kefi. [Editor's note: See our interview with Michael Psilakis for an update on their working relationship.]
Though her attempt to demonstrate a simple cucumber soup last night fell flat when the blender conked out, no one really seemed to care; they were too busy flipping through their copies of her new hardcover, filled with recipes, family stories, and tips for staying glamorous, even when faced with a looming dinner party.
The sharp-dressed Italian claimed in a press release, "I believe I've created recipes that are non-intimidating and easy to follow, but with results that will totally impress even [the] most sophisticated friends." Few of them have more than six ingredients, but it readers will be faced with the challenge of making the presentations match Arpaia's glam-factor. Cool slates, Le Creuset side dish containers, and gourmet marshmallows are some of the "bling" mentioned in the book.
If you're up to the task, buy her cookbook at most major booksellers. And while you're shopping, maybe pick up a Chilewich table runner, some Phalenopsis orchids, and a pair of Manolos.
