Food Network Magazine

When I was about 7 years old, I was tasked with picking out a box of Entenmann’s crumb cake at the grocery store. This was considered a delicacy in my family, so I took the job seriously. I looked at the boxes, hoping to select the cake with the most crumbs (the best part), and my heart sank. The packages all said “Since 1898” on the top, so surely these crumb cakes were very stale, possibly inedible. I reported the terrible news to my parents, who explained that the company was old, not the cakes. I was a bit embarrassed, but mostly relieved because this meant I could still get a crumb cake. I didn’t understand this at the time, but Entenmann’s was a real trailblazer in the bakery space: The…

24 in 24: Last Chef Standing The whirlwind competition returns for a second season, with hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi leading 24 chefs through 24 challenges in 24 hours. The grand prize is $75,000—and a good night’s sleep! Take a behind-the-scenes tour before the games begin. TIMING IS EVERYTHING A 24-hour countdown clock keeps time in the kitchen, and once it starts, it doesn’t stop! The contestants are given time the day before to get familiar with the space. NAPPING OPTIONAL Sleeping on the job is totally fine, as long as you make it quick! The break room is set up with beds and competitors can earn the chance to rest. STOCKED SHELVES This might be the tidiest the pantry looks all season: The crew reorganizes it in real time while the chefs cook. You might…

EARTH DAY EDITION! How bad is it to buy produce out of season? Shopping local and in-season is the most eco-friendly option, though it’s not always realistic. Just keep in mind that out-of-season fruits and veggies are shipped from afar, so they can be more expensive and less delicious. Consider buying more frozen produce in the off season: It’s packaged at peak freshness! Do I need to rinse dishes before I put them in the dishwasher? Save yourself the extra step—and save some water too! Rinsing is actually counterproductive: Dishwasher detergent works better on dirty dishes. Just scrape off any big chunks and make sure your plates and bowls are well separated so that the soap and water can circulate around them. Should I save my frying oil and reuse it? Peanut, vegetable and canola oils…

Strawberry and cherry are the top jelly bean flavors, per polling from the National Confectioners Association. About 30% of Peeps sold are never eaten: The beloved treats are used for home decor and art projects! Cadbury Mini Eggs were voted America’s overall favorite Easter candy, according to candystore.com. Most people (78%) eat the ears first on a chocolate bunny. About 35 million Cadbury Creme Eggs are sold in the US every year! Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs are the top-selling Easter candy in the US, according to Instacart. PHOTOS: ALISON GOOTEE; PROP STYLING: SARAH SMART.…

Add a Runner Most kitchens have simple color schemes, which makes them prime spots for bold rugs. In this Greer, SC, space, designer Amanda Louise Campbell chose a burnt orange one that contrasts with the seafoam green backsplash and island. Swap Your Hardware Individual knobs and pulls are small in size, but they make a big impact! Look for ones in unique shapes and colors. Display an Appliance Next time you need a replacement, buy something with a cool design or a pop of color, then leave it out in plain sight. Wallpaper the Island This part of the kitchen typically goes unnoticed, but covering it in wallpaper turns it into a focal point. Give the look a test run with a removable option, like this Floral Cut Out peel-and-stick wallpaper from chasingpaper.com. Paint the Ceiling This adds just…

no one knows for sure when or how the Bloody Mary was born. Most sources credit French bartender Fernand “Pete” Petiot for mixing up the original at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris in the 1920s. He reportedly named it the Bloody Mary after Queen Mary I of England and her violent reign, then he brought the drink stateside in the 1930s when he started working at the St. Regis hotel in New York City. The name Bloody Mary was considered too vulgar for the St. Regis, so they called it the Red Snapper. According to another legend, the Bloody Mary was born when American actor George Jessel spilled a tomato juice cocktail on an heiress named Mary, who said, “You can call me bloody Mary!” No matter the origin,…