The Singing Chef

THE SINGING CHEF, ANDY LO RUSSO
TO APPEAR AT THE FRANKE CENTER

Fine, authentically cooked Italian food is a delicious treat, but to have a celebrity-singing chef prepare delicious appetizers  for you is pure heaven.

Singing Chef Andy LoRusso is a best-selling author, chef and singer who will present "A Taste of Italy" at the Franke Center for the Arts on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 7 PM.

This special event is designed to entertain and delight, and to be a fundraiser for the Franke Center, located at 214 East Mansion Street in Marshall, MI.

Everyone will enjoy fabulous tasting foods prepared and served Italian style, perhaps with a splash of wine, while listening to Andy sing and watching beautiful projected images from the beautiful country of Italy.

Event admission per person is $40 on stage with “The Singing Chef.” Limited seats on stage are available, on a first come first serve basis. Main floor seating is $30 and balcony seating is $20. Wine is available for $10 per person.

The author of "Sing and Cook Italian," Chef LoRusso grew up in New Jersey in a close-knit, Italian-American family and was inspired by his grandmother, Grace, who lovingly cooked for the entire family while operatic music played in the background.  His love of food and good music was fostered at a young age and, by 22 Chef LoRusso had signed a recording contract with Epic Records.  He subsequently moved to California to study with world-renowned vocal coach, Giovanna d'Onofrio.  His love for cooking and singing ultimately melded into a career which includes both at the same time, a tasty take on having one’s cake and singing it, too.  And that is exactly what Chef LoRusso does in presentations around the world and in "Cooking Cabaret," a cooking musical featuring the singing of international recipes in what becomes a veritable United Nations of food and song.

Chef LoRusso's appearance will include what he termed "a very visual and auditory experience and wonderful foods based on lots of heart and soul" presented with the warmth of la famiglia.
"This brings people together in the context of a family. It's a time to come and enjoy a little part of Italy," Chef LoRusso said from his Santa Barbara home.

For about 15 years, Chef LoRusso has appeared on such television shows as those hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond and has presented cooking/singing demonstrations nationwide.

His best-selling book "Sing and Cook Italian" and his unique singing/cooking performances aren't just about having fun in the kitchen.

"I wanted to do something different. Health and well-being were on my mind, and I wanted to find tools to use toward that end.

"Since every culture has some music and food, I put the two together. It encourages people to cook in a happy, healthy environment," Chef LoRusso said.

As a speaker, entertainer and chef, he has gained a wide following as a celebrity cooking professional. His cooking/singing presentations became a television hit as cooking programs and food-oriented cable channels were evolving.

"I had this new idea and turned to my recipes. I started singing the recipe to ricotta cake, for example, and it really took off," he said.

Chef LoRusso's Franke Center appearance will include working with local caterer Ronda Masters and staff and culinary students from the Calhoun County area.

"I love doing it and I love meeting people everywhere I go," he said.
Mangia!

For more information on “The Singing Chef, visit www.singingchef.com or visit us online at www.frankecenterforthearts.org

For information and reservations, please call (269) 781-0001 Monday thru Friday from 1 to 5 PM.  We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.  Group discount rates available for parties of 10 or more.