Everyone knows about Dan’s admiration for Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef. He says he’s not as attracted to Giada De Laurentiis of the Food Network’s Everyday Italian even though Giada has long hair, a toothy smile, expressive hand gestures, and ample cleavage.



Shef, on the other hand, seems to really admire Giada’s many pleasing attributes. “Is that Giada?” he asked me while I watched the opening of her show the other night.

“Yeah,” I said.

“And is that Giada?” he asked, referring to a clip of the chef cheerily holding up a live crustacean against airy background music.

“Yes,” I said.

“And is that also Giada?” he wondered, as she toasted some friends with some delicious Italian wine.

“Um hmmm,” I said.

“And is that her?” he pointed at Giada laughing, throwing her head back and tossing her hair.

“They’re all her,” I confirmed.

Shef stared at the screen for a few more seconds. “She’s really nice, Mom,” he said.

“She does seem nice,” I agreed.

“She’s way better than you,” he continued.

Humph.

“Way better than me at WHAT?” I demanded.

“She’s a way better cooker than you, Mom,” he declared, quite sure of himself.

I suppose there’s no denying it.