Austin Mahone and other celebrities have holiday spirit
HELL OF A NIGHT
Wednesday night was cause for celebration over at 3030 Ocean at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort.
Guests at a Hell’s Kitchen season finale viewing party were able to cheer for the winner of the always intense Fox competition.
After weeks of grueling challenges and putting up with judge Gordon Ramsay’s temper, the restaurant’s chef La Tasha McCutchen emerged the victor.
McCutchen was one of 18 to compete this season, winning a position as Head Chef at the Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grille in Atlantic City, N.J.
The South Carolina native who lives in Wilton Manors works with executive chef Paula DaSilva, who came in second on the fifth season of Hell’s Kitchen. DaSilva encouraged her staffer to try out for the Hell-ish adventure.
Experience taught McCutchen how to deal with the hotheaded Scot. “I’ve worked with a few Ramsays in the past,” the fast learner explained in her initial Fox interview for the show.
“I’ve had dishes smashed, tenderloins thrown across the kitchen. I’ve been yelled at so closely that I’ve gotten a nice little shower.”
In the end, her cooking is what helped her clinch the win.
“My family is deeply rooted in food,” explained McCutchen. “I like to show that as long as you keep love and the passion in every dish that every dish will be successful.”
MERRY & BRIGHT
Local celebs are getting in on the holiday spirit: On Saturday, pop cutie Austin Mahone spread cheer with dozens of families at Miami Children’s Hospital. Philanthropist Michael Fux dressed as Santa, handing out presents at the event, which also included an appearance by NBA All-Star Alonzo Mourning and 2013 Indy Lights Champion and racing phenomenon Sage Karam.
On Sunday, Rick Ross showed off his softer side, throwing .a block party at Legion Memorial Park for about 1,000 neighborhood fans. The rapper gave away $5,000 for shopping sprees, free haircuts, a community workout and photos with Santa.
Dwyane Wade wouldn’t let a little thing like a stomach bug keep him out of action. The Miami Heat star showed up at the Miami Children’s Museum Thursday reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas to a bunch of rapt kids.
Chris Bosh and his charity, Team Tomorrow Inc., will get in on the festivities, treating mini VIPs to the fifth annual, albeit private “Christmas with Chris Bosh” at GameTime at The Shops At Sunset Place Saturday.
MEAT AND GREET
Nick Loeb is going all Hollywood on us. And we don’t mean the Florida version. Sofia Vergara’s ex filmed a segment for Extra, cooking burgers topped with his latest condiment, Pickle Crunch. How do we know? He changed his profile picture on Facebook, which shows the Delray Beach entrepreneur — who looks as if he’s been doing oodles of bicep curls — arranging a meal al fresco at Universal Studios. It airs Saturday.
Next up for Loeb: rolling out a Mustard Crunch, according to his website.
MADELEINE MARR
This story was originally published December 18, 2014 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Austin Mahone and other celebrities have holiday spirit."