Todd English Chefs MTV Video Music Awards

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Will Todd English's wish come true: will he become this generation's Wolfgang Puck? He has been chasing that dream for a long time, with a methodology similar to Wolf's that combines ambition and perseverance. Wolf captured the Oscars years ago; earlier this year, Todd was part of the Children Uniting Nations Oscar party (see previous article). Now, he's after the Music Biz's Oscar party: on August 28, 2005 (Sunday), Todd will be executive chef for MTV's 2005 Video Music Awards, held this year in Miami. Todd has been after MTV Networks for a long time. I was with him during the taping of his MTV beach house appearance in 2003 for MTV Hits (described in detail as the opening of Todd's profile in Super Chef, pp. 89-93). Among the TV shows he has been planning was Rock'n'Roll Chef (see previous article). Is this MTV VMA appearance a signal that a deal has been cut -- or is that all Todd has been offered after all his long-term interest? According to Todd's journal: I will be designing the menu for the awards show, overseeing cuisine at the event, and preparing food for the prestigious Golden Circle VIP area and backstage Green Room. Todd has wanted Rock'n'Roll Chef on VH1, whose demographics are closer to his own customers' -- but the audience and media buzz that the MTV Video Music Awards attract can't hurt -- especially if he gets air-time or some glossy magazine photos. Previous articles: Todd English: Fast Casual Chain Loses 2 Figs Branding: Todd English, Beer Gourmet Cooking Under Fire: Doused Romancing the Stove - or The Way We Worked? Todd English: Pitching After Puck? English is Italian: No Stars Cooking Under Fire: Already Over Done? Todd English's Foodie Hotel Todd English: Pots and Pans Pucked? Todd English: Childrens Oscars (Update) Ming Tsai TV Todd English Winner Gets "English is Italian"? Todd English Slums With Jeffrey Chodorow Todd English: Trip Over Table? More Halloween Mexicana, from Rick Bayless Todd English Flipflops between Bush and Kerry? Iron Chef: America vs. USA Todd English: American Chef Gone Wild Technorati Tags: chefs food restaurants cooking branding cuisine MTV music videos --> back to superchefblog