Latest news with #Chopped
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Max is HBO Max again. What will change for me?
Get your jokes and your engines ready, because Max is once again HBO Max. The streaming service that's home to HBO content, Warner Bros. movies, all 10 seasons of "Friends" and a smattering of reality TV has been rechristened for a second time in its short life. The service debuted as HBO Max in 2020, only to have its name changed to Max in 2023 as a result of a merger between Discovery Networks and Warner Media that created Warner Bros. Discovery. Now that megacorporation is splitting up again, and as of July 9, 2025, the streamer, where you can watch Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) make more mistakes on "And Just Like That...," is once again called HBO Max. After the change was announced in May, fans, onlookers and even the company's own social media accounts were quick to make jokes. But is it all just one big laugh, or will the latest rebranding change what you watch? 'How many meetings?' Internet reacts as Max changes name back to HBO Max Don't worry, we have answers to all the Max/HBO Max questions you could have, now that the change is official. Mostly there's no need to be too concerned: WBD is making the change pretty seamless for consumers. That probably won't stop people making more jokes on social media, though. Is HBO Max different from Max? Nope! It's just a name change. The service is exactly the same, retaining all your profiles, preferences and "recently watched" data. You may have noticed a few weeks ago that the logo is black and white, rather than purple, which marks a return to the HBO style. You should be able to log on as you normally do on whatever devices you typically use to stream TV series and movies. As a subscriber, do I have to do anything different? Do I have to download a new app? Also, no! Although when HBO Max became Max the first time, users were required to download a new app, the company promises this time the app will change all on its own. Will there be any price changes for HBO Max? Not right now. Although streaming prices tend to change every year (getting more expensive each time), the name change won't make HBO Max any more expensive than Max was. Here are the current tiers and prices available: Are any TV shows or movies leaving HBO Max? Not as a direct result of the name change, but it's important to remember that nothing on streaming is permanent. WBD has developed a reputation for removing content with low viewership and canceling completed or almost-completed projects as cost-saving or tax measures. It's not as common as it was a few years ago, when the company canceled the "Batgirl" movie amid an outcry, but it still happens sometimes, although likely the content that disappears is stuff you didn't even realize was there. Several Discovery networks shows have already left the streamer in the past few months, although not necessarily as a direct result of this change or the company splitting. The dearly departed shows include seasons of series like Food Network's "Chopped" and some series from TLC's "90-Day Fiancé" franchise. As far as future shows and movies, the streamer has not indicated it will pause any announced plans. The new "Harry Potter" series is still in full swing, for instance. Why is Max becoming HBO Max again? It's all about branding and corporate priorities. Where the original name change to "Max" was meant to signify the streamer had a little of everything, that's not what the current head honchos want you to think of when you hear "HBO Max" going forward. Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO of HBO and Max content, said at the May presentation announcing the name change, "My team is well aware of what the HBO brand means to the industry and our consumers." The company wants to "elevate the name again." WBD president and CEO of streaming JB Perrette also said at the event, "No consumer today is saying they want more content, but most consumers today say they want better content." The name change represents the streamer's newfound goal of curating quality content, presumably akin to HBO shows such as current hit "The Last of Us" and "The Gilded Age," rather than being everything to everyone.
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Celebrity chefs, fans celebrate food and drink at Relish's debut in Newport Beach
The premier food, wine and spirits event known as Relish made its debut in Newport Beach over the weekend, bringing celebrity chefs and foodie fans to Orange County. Co-created by chef and Newport Beach resident Jamie Gwen with Cobalt Events event planner, Nicole Hirsty, the three-day culinary experience was held at VEA Newport Beach from June 27 to 29. 'We're incredibly proud of Relish's success and deeply grateful for the enthusiastic response from our guests, partners, and community,' Gwen said in a statement. 'It was a vibrant gathering of creativity, connection and culinary excellence. ' The weekend kicked off with a cocktail reception on Friday evening with gourmet hors d'oeuvres, like sushi rolls from Sushi Roku, a fresh fruit and charcuterie spread from Melissa's Produce and craft cocktails and wine on the lawn at sunset. The cocktail reception was followed by a private, four-course Italian dinner with chef and 'Chopped' judge Scott Conant. On Saturday, industry experts hosted a full day of master classes, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about craft spirits, wine, chocolate and cheese from sommeliers, mixologists, pastry chefs and more. Gwen tapped celebrity chef friends and colleagues to fill out a roster that included chef Gale Gand, mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim, winemakers Chris Kjanai and Bob Cabral and cheesemaster Afrim Pristine. The highlight of the evening was a four-course dinner from chef and Food Network show host, Tyler Florence. The event closed on Sunday morning with a sushi and doughnuts brunch that was followed by wellness workshops on guided yoga and meditation to balance the weekend's indulgent spirit. The ambitious event was partly created to bring culinary clout back to Newport Beach in absence of the Newport Beach Food & Wine festival, in which Gwen was heavily involved. 'I love living in Orange County and I believe that we do have a culinary scene and we do deserve an elevated, bespoke and extraordinary gastronomic event,' Gwen told TimesOC in April. Relish partnered with the James Beard Foundation, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the foundation's Good Food for Good mission and also received support from Visit Newport Beach. Encouraged by the success of the inaugural event, Gwen said the team is looking forward to the future of Relish. 'We're already dreaming up ways to elevate the experience even further in the years ahead,' she said.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- USA Today
Suspect arrested in connection to shooting of ex-NFL player, celebrity chef
Nearly eight months later, police in Maryland arrested a suspect in connection to the "senseless" shooting of a former NFL player turned celebrity chef and a woman. The shooting took place in the city of Hyattsville, part of the Washington, D.C. metro area. Devin Demetrius Spivey, one of five suspects wanted for targeting the pair, was booked into jail for the Nov. 5 double shooting, the Hyattsville Police Department announced on June 30. Police said the suspects attempted to rob the pair as they returned to dinner in Prince George's County. The victims survived and were treated at a hospital, police said. While police did not identify the shooting victims, Prince George's County Council member Wanika Fisher issued a statement confirming that the man who was shot is Tobias Dorzon. U.S. Marshals took Spivey, 21, into custody at a home on the 9100 block of Cherry Lane in Laurel, Maryland on June 27, police wrote in a post on Facebook. "We hope this provides some relief to the victims and everyone involved,' police Chief Jarod Towers released in a statement after the arrest. 'I'm still angry': Deputy recalls finding Travis Decker's truck as manhunt nears 1 month Who is Tobias Dorzon? A former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans, the ex-player is now the executive head chef of Huncho House in Hyattsville. Dorzon, 40, has appeared on reality TV shows including "Chopped" and "Last Bite Hotel." According to his Instagram page, Dorzon is also "the host of @espn & @hulu's #TimeOutWithTobias." It was not immediately known whether Dorzon or the woman knew the suspects. But after Spivey's arrest, Prince George's County State's Attorney Tara Jackson called the case "a senseless act of violence.' Watch: Wind turbine blade blocks traffic on Maryland interstate Suspect in Tobias Dorzon shooting held without bond In sum, Spivey faces 18 charges in connection to the crime including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, armed robbery, and stalking, Prince George County District Court records show. According to online court records, Spivey obtained an attorney in the case but the counselor's name was not listed online. He's slated to appear in court on July 28 for a preliminary hearing, the records show. Spivery remained jailed without bond in Prince George County on July 1 and police said the case remained under investigation. Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call police at 301-985-5060. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Time Out
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This new Bushwick pizza joint has the oldest coal oven in America, and it's opening tomorrow
Seeking out the best pizza places in NYC will lead you all over the five boroughs. Our city is home to second best slice in the world and still continues to churn out new 'za joints in every neighborhood. Some of the best restaurants in Brooklyn are also pizzerias, including a brand-new addition: Lucky Charlie, opening tomorrow at 254 Irving Avenue in Bushwick. Created by award-winning chef Nino Coniglio (of Williamsburg Pizza and Coniglio's fame), the restaurant takes inspiration from slice shops past, specifically the coal-oven pizzerias of the 1920s and Nino's own Sicilian heritage. But the true gem surrounding its debut sits in the corner of the kitchen: a coal oven built in 1890—the oldest in America!—which formerly provided fresh bread for the neighborhood's Italian immigrants. The building's landlord, Charlie Verde, discovered this iconic historical artifact in 2002, and thus, lucky Charlie became the restaurant's namesake. Scrawled on chalkboards, the menu highlights Italian imports (Sicilian olive oils, San Marzano tomatoes), seasonal rotations of meat (beef ragu, aged ribeye) and seafood (tuna crudo, clams casino), plus oven-baked pasta dishes. Ten-percent sourdough creates thin but fluffy crust for daily pizzas that include a classic pie with red sauce and Italian sheep's milk pecorino; a white pie laden in stracciatella, ricotta, and salty pecorino sardo; and a saucy red pie souped up with basil and breadcrumbs. You can always ask for additional toppings like locally sourced sausage, cup-and-char pepperoni, Sicilian olives, artichoke hearts, and even house-made meatballs. Alongside Sicilian wines, expect curated classic cocktails like martinis doused in Calabrian chili brine and a gin and tonic playfully called 'Tony & Geno' with house-made rosemary syrup. Most notably, chef Nino is the only pizza aficionado to ever apprentice with legendary chef Dom DeMarco (Di Fara Pizza) and has received numerous accolades abroad, in addition to championing Food Network's Chopped. Lucky Charlie is Nino's first project with a coal oven, where he applies techniques and ingredients pulled from pages of the O.G. NYC coal-oven joints of the 1900s. Across the tiled threshold guests are greeted with 'Va Eccati,' meaning 'Let's get outta here,' as the 42-seat space recalls throwback New York City: exposed original brick, stained glass sconces, red-leather bar stools, vintage posters and personal photographs galore depicting chef's family and ancestral roots.
Style Blueprint
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Style Blueprint
Auburn's New Summer Chef Series Has an All-Female Roster!
Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit Just because Auburn University students have packed up their books for summer break doesn't mean things have cooled off at 1856 — Culinary Residence. In fact, the heat is definitely on. This fine-dining gem, housed within the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, is keeping the burners hot with the launch of its third annual summer chef series, showcasing the talents of three renowned female chefs from around the South. Pin MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Each chef's three-night residency at 1856 will feature carefully curated menus that reflect their personal culinary philosophies. Think of it as a crash course in the South's most exciting kitchens, without ever leaving Auburn. Reservations are available now through the 1856 – Culinary Residence website. SB Tip: Make a weekend of it and stay at The Laurel Hotel & Spa, where Auburn hospitality students receive immersive training! July 10 – 12: Chef Lauren Windham First up is Chef Lauren Windham, an Auburn alum who's basically culinary royalty at this point. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and winning Food Network's Chopped in 2022, Lauren crisscrossed the country honing her skills before launching her own private chef business in Winter Park, FL. Now, she's coming home to Auburn to show off what she's been cooking up. Spoiler: it's going to be spectacular. July 17 – 19: Chef Maureen Holt The second week brings Chef Maureen Holt, whose name might sound familiar to Birmingham foodies. She was the chef and co-owner of the beloved Little Savannah and now runs Southern Graze, a catering company focused on soulful, Southern-inspired cuisine. But Maureen isn't just about feeding folks; she's also deeply involved in culinary education and mentorship through her work with nonprofits and Les Dames d'Escoffier. Expect warmth, wisdom, and wickedly good eats. July 24 – 26: Chef Aneesha Hargrave Rounding out the month is Chef Aneesha Hargrave, a Johnson & Wales grad whose résumé includes stints with Chopt and Impossible Foods. Her food is rooted in heritage, community, and flavor that tells a story. Aneesha will soon head up the culinary programs at the much-anticipated Elevation Convening Center and Hotel in Montgomery, AL. But before she takes on that adventure, she's bringing her bold, thoughtful approach to Auburn for a can't-miss culinary experience. ********** To stay in the know on the best ways to drink and dine your way through the South, subscribe to StyleBlueprint. About the Author Jenna Bratcher Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville's Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 17 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
