507080
Iron Chef Cat Cora
Mon Apr 07 14:45:06 -0700 2008
64
33
Food Media and News
0
3570933
It seems to me that this lady has lost more challenges than has won. I watched yesterday to see if they showed her winning numbers vs losing, I didn't see it. Does anyone know?
thanks
Mon Apr 07 14:45:06 -0700 2008
152622
cook52
1
3570964
Her record is 12-7 according to Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Chef_America
Mon Apr 07 14:53:40 -0700 2008
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sibeats
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3570966
According to wikipedia she's 12 wins 7 losses. This wikipedia article is current enough to include newest Iron Chef Symon, so I assume it's reasonably accurate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Chef_America
Mon Apr 07 14:53:54 -0700 2008
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Ralphie_in_Boston
1
3570991
Bobby Flay hasn't won a single "Throwdown", has he?
Hey, it's all entertainment. I don't believe any competition is involved. Any thoughts?
Mon Apr 07 14:58:28 -0700 2008
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dhedges53
2
3571206
He has, the "Hot Dog" throwdown against Pink's in SoCal. Episode was shown over the weekend. Seemed the judges liked his toasted buns over the steamed buns of Pinks .... go figure.
Mon Apr 07 16:00:54 -0700 2008
3570991
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lrostron
3
3571293
He won the inaugural one too, the chowder throwdown.
Mon Apr 07 16:29:02 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
2
3571347
He won the pie throwdown with the ladies in Maine.
Mon Apr 07 16:46:30 -0700 2008
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124435
sharonlouk
2
3571404
I think he's won less than half of them. I think he's actually embarrassed when he wins -- not the best PR for him. You should have seen his sheepish look when he won the pie contest from the two little old ladies.
Mon Apr 07 17:02:13 -0700 2008
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Miss Needle
3
3573280
I thought they sorta rigged it so he didn't win. I guess the do let him win once in a while so it seems legit but it would be like a MLB pitcher coming in to strike out me on TV. It's much better TV if I get a hit.
DT
Tue Apr 08 09:40:27 -0700 2008
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Davwud
4
3581736
Yeah, I always figured it was "set up" so that he generally didn't win. I mean come on, its always completely obvious which of the unlabeled items is his and which is the other person's, it'd be easy to do.
Thu Apr 10 12:30:41 -0700 2008
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jgg13
5
3685242
I thought it was interesting that he won the burger throwdown when (contrary to normal) he made a traditional burger, where-as his opponent went with something more unique ( a greek burger)...my guess is the judges thought the greek burger was flay's, and thought they were honoring the "hometown"/tradition, as they usually do.
Wed May 14 02:22:17 -0700 2008
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joeyz
2
3571902
Didn't he win the chocolate one, too? Though I have to admit, they always have a commercial break before the verdict, and I change the channel! I don't want to see Bobby Flay beat somebody who has spent their entire life perfecting a dish. It's too sad. It just makes me uncomfortable. So I watch the battle, but I don't see who wins. I often do that with Iron Chef, too.
Mon Apr 07 19:59:18 -0700 2008
3570991
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miss_bennet
3
3571965
I also feel bad for most of his contenders when they lose. I was happy when he beat the biscuit lady. I had watched her on Martha Stewart and thought she was very silly about her biscuits, when I saw her on Throwdown I was glad he won.
Mon Apr 07 20:27:05 -0700 2008
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152622
cook52
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3572553
maybe the sadness of the losers can be compensated by the increased publicity their businesses get......(at least the ones with businesses.)
crying all the way to the bank ;-)
Tue Apr 08 05:38:49 -0700 2008
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alkapal
2
3583014
Bobby Flay's win record on Throwdown is about 30%.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throwdown!_with_Bobby_Flay
Thu Apr 10 19:51:31 -0700 2008
3570991
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youngho
3
3583489
Just enough to make it seem believable.
DT
Fri Apr 11 04:32:32 -0700 2008
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Davwud
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3599308
I think he also won the cheesecake and the grilled cheese recently.
Love the show because its done in good fun.
Wed Apr 16 06:56:46 -0700 2008
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yankeefan
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3599338
Thinking about this. I would rather they forgo the judging portion and the corny revelation of winners and spend more time talking about what the differences are and what kind of impact the differences made in people's minds. They can use the "judges" to discuss what works in the original recipes and which changes Flay tried worked and which changes did not work.
Wed Apr 16 07:05:18 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
1
3571003
thanks sibeats & Ralphie, I guess she is doing better than I thought, but Marimoto better get with the program.
Mon Apr 07 15:02:04 -0700 2008
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cook52
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3571117
Um, its a show. Like the last thing they care about is who wins.
Mon Apr 07 15:38:51 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
3
3572976
If you've ever seen the "chefography" episode about Bobby Flay you'll change your mind about them caring about winning!
Tue Apr 08 08:19:23 -0700 2008
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sibeats
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3573078
And I should trust Chefography because?
Tue Apr 08 08:46:35 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
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3573225
Because why would FN want to give us the wrong impression...?
Although I'd pay to see episode about Robert Irivne that was set to air. Which for some unexplained resaon never happened.
Tue Apr 08 09:28:08 -0700 2008
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Withnail42
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3573411
To pump up the FN audience for more of the same. This is a competitive society and you have to cater to it, but it is terrible for the Throwdown show if Flay whups up on the throwdown victims, no one would watch. So they have to create the illusion that there is competition going on.
Tue Apr 08 10:08:47 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
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3574285
I've always thought throw down was an attempt to make the big BF more likable.
Tue Apr 08 13:33:00 -0700 2008
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Withnail42
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3573413
Because you would hear Bobby Flay talking about his first experience with Iron Chef and it was interesting to hear from him personally.
Tue Apr 08 10:09:08 -0700 2008
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sibeats
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3571170
I don't think Morimoto's Japanese style sometimes doesn't translate well to the Western palate. He had a pretty good record on the original Iron Chef. A lot of Asians prefer food not as heavy as some Westerners. I think that's why you've got that Asian chick judge alway saying the food is too oily and greasy.
Mon Apr 07 15:50:32 -0700 2008
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Miss Needle
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3571893
I know! She'll be talking about the most beautiful frites "They're too greasy." Of course they're greasy! They're deep fried! But, as you said, if westerners can't appreciate the light Japanese style, why should she appreciate the heavy American style? Oh that's right. It's Iron Chef AMERICA.
Mon Apr 07 19:56:47 -0700 2008
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miss_bennet
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3572102
You may not like her, but if she's going to be a judge, she should say what she thinks, not what she believes is expected of her. If she's really an inappropriate judge, the producers of the show should stop having her on; but that's their call.
Mon Apr 07 21:33:12 -0700 2008
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jlafler
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3720949
<Of course they're greasy! They're deep fried!> Food that is deep fried correctly is never greasy. Even in America!
Mon May 26 07:56:13 -0700 2008
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ChefJune
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3572094
The funny thing is that on the old Iron Chef, Morimoto was the "Americanized" chef. He even had a U.S. flag motif on his outfit. He mixed natto with Coke. He was always getting called out by the traditionalists for desecrating the Japanese culinary tradition.
Mon Apr 07 21:31:00 -0700 2008
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jlafler
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3571149
I know it is just a show but they are the ones who started keeping score, I just got caught up with it. No real emotion on it.
PS: I think Bobby has won at least 2 throwdowns.
Mon Apr 07 15:45:30 -0700 2008
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cook52
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3571783
I always kind of feel bad for the other guy when Bobby wins.
Mon Apr 07 19:19:30 -0700 2008
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stellamystar
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3572262
If you ask me, the "Throwdown" is something that he doesn't want to win. He show's somebody up, who has been cooking something for years and years. He has to lose, otherwise, it doesn't look good.
Hey, I like him as a chef, but the "Throwdown" show is something that turns people on to a whole host of American Cooking. If he wins, it is a slight to what America eats on a daily basis. I'd still like to know how many of those shows versus how many he has done, that he has won. It can't be many.
Mon Apr 07 23:22:38 -0700 2008
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dhedges53
4
3572838
I havent watched that many of the Throwdowns,
but I think it's a little rigged for him to lose. For example,
I was half-watching the PUFFY TACO episode where one of the
criteria was "authenticity" and he didnt even try to make it authentic,
so he basically tossed he scoring to the "native". And at least in that
episode, it was pretty obvious which was the native dish and which
was Flay's.
If the had asked judged with no context "which tastes better, A or B"
the results may come out differently ... or more fancifully, used a
"revealed preference" system like giving people a taste of a A and B
and then seeing which one people are willing to pay more money
for.
Tue Apr 08 07:33:46 -0700 2008
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psb
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3574570
That's what I've noticed in most Throwdowns. He has to compete with a dish that is "native" to the area, and he doesn't stay "native" to the dish. He always makes it "his" way. I think that's why he looses so much. Like in the episode where he went against the two brothers that made muffelatta's. Flay used mayo on his, and that is a sin! Of course he lost.
Tue Apr 08 14:44:31 -0700 2008
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Missi
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3581744
The scoring categories often seem to be set up to favor the other person.
Thu Apr 10 12:31:40 -0700 2008
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jgg13
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3572532
On that note, did anyone from Boston watch on Sunday? I only got to see the beginning—how did our Ken O. do?
Tue Apr 08 05:30:31 -0700 2008
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tatamagouche
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3572982
Ken Oringer won. It was one of the best ICA shows I've seen (and I've seen them all)! I was really impressed with his food, as were the judges. It was a pretty close one though, and I did think that Cat Cora stepped up her game from her past performances.
Tue Apr 08 08:21:29 -0700 2008
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sibeats
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3572984
Yay for Ken!
Tue Apr 08 08:22:15 -0700 2008
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tatamagouche
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3572565
cat cora always looks angry to me.... not very appealing to watch -- or root for.
Tue Apr 08 05:43:05 -0700 2008
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alkapal
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3573190
I disagree...I interpret that look as intensity, not anger. Combine Greek intensity with Greek-inspired cooking and what's not to like? And ouzo shots all around when the 60 minutes is up, that's not angry.
I see your point though: on one episode she was ripping one of her assistants a new one for improperly scaling a fish. She hadn't lost her cool, wasn't yelling or throwing things, and she was right, they messed up, so she called 'em out on it. Still, she seemed more disappointed than angry and that just showed she cares about her product.
Tue Apr 08 09:17:50 -0700 2008
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Ralphie_in_Boston
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3573251
What qulifications does she even have to be lauded as such a culinary powerhouse? I'm not saying she doesn't have them I just don't know what they are...
Tue Apr 08 09:34:04 -0700 2008
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Withnail42
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3573449
CIA graduate, apprenticeship with Roger Verge, Executive Chef for Bon Appetit....anything specific you were looking for?
Tue Apr 08 10:16:23 -0700 2008
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Ralphie_in_Boston
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3573885
I believe she trained in George Blanc's kitchen as well.
Tue Apr 08 11:53:01 -0700 2008
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limster
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3574273
Like I said just did not know her back ground.
But other than education any long term kitchen experience?
Tue Apr 08 13:30:31 -0700 2008
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Withnail42
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3574454
Any James Beard Award perhaps? michelin star? actual restaurant experience post apprenticeship?
Tue Apr 08 14:12:39 -0700 2008
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cleveland park
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3575057
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cat_cora/article/0,1974,FOOD_9790_1670882,00.html
Tue Apr 08 17:03:35 -0700 2008
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KTinNYC
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3583313
That link led me to Cat Cora's own web site- looks like it might be worth checking out if you are a fan:
http://www.catcoracooks.com/about.html
Thu Apr 10 22:13:54 -0700 2008
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Clarkafella
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3576981
I really liked the breakfast to dinner interplay with Cora and Oringer - much to be learned from both!
Wed Apr 09 09:38:16 -0700 2008
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chowfamily
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3583218
Ken's guy Rick Billings is no longer with him. Perhaps only joined him as sous chef for the taping. Rick was pastry chef at Clio.
From The Boston Globe 4/09/08
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2008/04/09/oringer_used_his_bean_for_iron_chef_victory/
"But former Clio pastry chef Rick Billings (currently executive pastry chef at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Manhattan) helped ensure victory with his space-age party trick. Served with hazelnut ice cream and a dusting of fennel pollen, it most resembled a dinosaur egg that broke open to reveal a crystallized chocolate center.
Who is next? Took him a while to grab up Rick when Alex left. Congrats on the win and new job, Rick!
Thu Apr 10 21:29:39 -0700 2008
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blueheron
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3597957
That's interesting, and may explain what looked like tension at the recent Clio pastry event. It was puzzling, since Billings' dessert was creative and delicious.
Tue Apr 15 17:10:46 -0700 2008
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chowfamily
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3593847
I missed that episode and was quite disappointed as I like watching her cook. I have a girl crush on her. I'm amused that someone interprets her as "angry" - I wonder if the same is said about the men contenders, hmm. I agree with the others who instead interpret her as intense - and bravo for it.
Mon Apr 14 15:26:34 -0700 2008
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AnnVL
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3597646
Yeah, clearly a double standard, as I see a lot of "angry" men on that show. I have a "guy crush" on Cat Cora, even though I know she is gay. She has a beautiful companion, and two beautiful kids. She looks extremely serious to me, but not angry. I bet she'd be fun to hang out with, though.
Tue Apr 15 15:39:28 -0700 2008
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dhedges53
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3597658
Wow. In one week I learned she was gay and Greek. Makes me like her more.
Tue Apr 15 15:40:55 -0700 2008
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southernitalian
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3598026
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Tue Apr 15 17:36:00 -0700 2008
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Withnail42
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3598213
What do you have against Greeks? ;)
Tue Apr 15 18:42:24 -0700 2008
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Phaedrus
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3598955
Completely agree - though this changes everything about my crush (in a good way). My hubby also has a crush on her. But now I'm thinking - my crush is actually much more interesting - and this will not necessarily disappoint the hub, lol. [rolls eyes]
Personally, I like the fact that she never smiles gratuitously, as so many of us women are wont to do - me included at times.
Wed Apr 16 04:18:10 -0700 2008
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AnnVL
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3601906
I like Cat. She's sharp/smart and her dishes are appealing to me.
Wed Apr 16 17:38:47 -0700 2008
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soleado123
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3693657
I don't know why, but Cat has just always rubbed me the wrong way. IMHO, it seems that her food is always overdone, overembellished, etc. I was quite pleased to see the local chef from one of my favorite restos (Walter Royal from the Angus Barn in Raleigh, NC) kick the stuffing out of her on ICA last year.
Fri May 16 10:10:54 -0700 2008
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Suzy Q
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3700514
I have to say, I like her and her cooking attitude style for really no solid reason. Does she have any restaurants on the East Coast? Id be eager to try out some of her food.
She seems very divisive- love or hate her.
Mon May 19 06:58:26 -0700 2008
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yankeefan
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3720859
i saw her in ica battle honey against chef faulkner, and cat was wearing a very traditional wedding ring set. anyone?
Mon May 26 07:11:24 -0700 2008
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alkapal
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3721502
Which is notable because?
Mon May 26 12:34:41 -0700 2008
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ccbweb
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3723059
is she newly married? i hadn't noticed the prominent bridal set in the past....
Tue May 27 06:28:14 -0700 2008
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alkapal
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3724192
Not sure if there was a recent ceremony, I know she's had a partner, Jennifer, for some years now and that they have two sons.
Tue May 27 11:43:19 -0700 2008
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ccbweb