BuddyTV - Seattle, WA, USA - Last month, Whitney Thompson became America’s Next Top Model’s first full figured model to win the show. She began her modeling career at age 15 in Florida but was never able to find commercial success because of her size. Whitney had her ups and downs throughout the season but always prevailed, in even her darkest moments. Up against Anya, a consistently strong model, in the final two, it was Whitney who became the last woman standing. She is featured in the July issue of Seventeen magazine and is preparing to kick her career into gear. As a plus size model,

BuddyTV - Seattle, WA, USA - On the previous season of America’s Next Top Model, we saw plus-sized model Whitney Thompson battle it out with runner up Anya Kop, who eventually lost the title to the 20-year-old from Florida.  Five years ago, Whitney began a modeling career locally, but never landed any major gigs.  After being pushed by her family and peers to join the reality search for aspiring models, she auditioned and landed a spot in the finals of the tenth season of America’s Next Top Model.

Whitney recently talked to the L.A. Times to speak about her experiences on the show and how she dealt

Home Textiles Today - New York, NY, USA - Town & Country Living is cooking up some new kitchen textiles and table linens with licensing partner Food Network, with the launch of the Iron Chef America collection and the expansion of the Rachael Ray collection.

The Iron Chef America collection, based on the cable network’s primetime program series set stadium style, comprises oven mitts, potholders, grippers, kitchen towels, aprons and other accessory pieces.

Town & Country said each item “has something special about it” intended to make cooking for the user easier, faster or more fun.

The line is scheduled to ship this summer.

The Rachael Ray collection is being spiced up with

Chicago Daily Herald - Chicago, IL, USA - Tickets go on sale Monday morning for food celebrity Alton Brown's March 15 lecture at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

Brown, a Food Network personality and self-proclaimed "food explorer," will addresses the basic connection between the foods we eat and the scientific principles that govern them. The one-hour lecture starts at 11 a.m. in the museum auditorium; a 30-minute audience question and answer session follows. Brown will be available to sign books until 2:30 p.m.

Brown created and hosts the show "Good Eats" and hosts "Iron Chef America," both airing on the Food Network. His talk is being held

Chicagoist - Chicago, IL, USA - We're still two weeks away from finding out whether or not Stephanie Izard will be crowned the winner of Top Chef Chicago but her first post-show cooking appearance is already sold-out.

Izard will be going plate-to-plate in a competition with Nick LaCasse, chef at the Drawing Room at Le Passage and a former sous chef for Shawn McClain. The event on June 15 will feature Izard and LaCasse preparing a four-course meal, offering their interpretations of assigned courses and having diners rate them. Foie gras will be featured at the dinner. We spoke with reps for the Drawing Room on Saturday,