If you are comfortable in the kitchen, but not a pro, and you're ready for your closeup, you might want to get yourself and your savvy down to the Sur La Table store at the Original Farmers Market next weekend to see if you've got what it takes to be on a new show. Gordon Ramsay will star in the upcoming MasterChef, a show that "celebrates great people who make great food." (The Hollywood Reporter called it a "culinary American Idol.")They are on a national search for budding chefs from all walks of life - amateur chefs, passionate foodies, or the ultimate dinner party hosts to be a part of the show. more ›

Xeni Jardin is a long-time contributor and co-editor of the mighty BoingBoing. She's a Contributing Writer for Wired and you can also hear her quite often on your radio if its tuned into . more ›

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For the past several days the Food Network's ubiquitous kitchen pixie, Rachael Ray, has been invading book and cook shops in California on a signing tour for her cookbook 365: No Repeats. Tomorrow night marks her last stop in the greater Los Angeles area, with a 7-8 PM slot at Pasadena's Sur La Table. We happened to stroll by there over the weekend and noticed that their sidewalk sandwich board urged those interested to arrive at least one hour ahead of Ms. Ray's arrival in order to line up. more ›

The next few days are all about classes aimed at getting folks in the kitchen and their hands dirty in preparation for holiday feats and foodie gift-making. Check out some of these holiday how-tos: more ›