While we don't know who will take home a GRAMMY Award on Sunday night during The 50th Anniversary of the GRAMMY Awards, we do know that the telecast will feature a gospel performance by Aretha Franklin, Kayne West performing a tribute to his mother who died last year, Rihanna and Jimmy Jam and The Time (formerly Flyte Tyme) reunited for the first time in more than 15 years.
Jam, a Grammy Award winning producer (with Terry Lewis), collaborated with Janet Jackson on two of her albums Control and Rythm Nation and has also worked with artists such as Boyz II Men, Usher and Mary J. Blige.
The new Chairman of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Jam attended a preview of the GRAMMY Celebration, the huge after-party in the Los Angeles Convention Center, near Staples Center where the awards show will be held and where the new GRAMMY Museum is being built. Natasha Bedinfield, Cyndi Lauper, Fourplay and others will perform for the GRAMMY winners, their guests and the many celebs during the bash organized by Along Came Mary Productions. Under the guidance of owner Mary Miccuci, the 95,000 square foot space will be transformed into a turn of the century opera house with Victorian and old European touches. This is the company's ninth time organizing the event, but the first time Wolfgang Puck has developed the custom menu, which features Italian, Latin, Thai and English food stations.
Jam joined Puck for a cooking demonstration of the braised short ribs with Panang Curry, Lime Leaves, Coconut Milk and Fried Garlic that will be featured in the Thai food station. The other items available for tasting included Sea Bass Wrapped in Banana Leaves with Thai Spices and Jasmine Rice, Glass Noodles with Spicy Shrimp, Papaya, Carrot, Thai Holy Basil and Citrus Dressing, woks full of stir fried vegetables, and Bangkok Fried Rice and Thai Spicy Beef and Grapefruit Salad with Bean Sprouts, Peanuts, Rice Sticks, Mint and Ginger (recipes can be found on www.wolfgangpuckcatering.com).
Puck regularly feeds the music world at his restaurants in Los Angeles and when Mary J. Blige comes into “Cut”, he says “he makes sure that her music is playing.” At home, when he's cooking, he enjoys Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd. His son encouraged him to try 50 Cents, but Puck found the language too racy for him.
Also at the party will be Tony About-Ganim, an Iron Chef America champion, who will be on hand to mix up his latest creation "The Sweet Escape. " Named after the Gwen Stefani song, the libation is infused with fresh mango puree, vodka, fresh lemon juice and simple syrup.
In an attempt to be as environmentally friendly as possible, Wolfgang Puck Catering is using locally grown produce, dairy and meat, including 1,800 pounds of Short Ribs, 1,200 pounds of Snake River Farms Filet Mignon, 2,000 pounds of Texas White Shrimp and 500 pounds of Wild-Caught Striped Bass. Sustainable packaging and compostable, biodegradable and recyclable producers are being used and leftovers are going to “Angel Harvest”, which organizes the delivery of food to local social service agencies.
Presenters, performers and celebs are also invited to spend time in an “All Green Lounge”, where spa services, a tea and raw food bar will be featured along with many eco-friendly products and services. The “All Green Lounge” will be open on Friday and Saturday and the event will benefit “Make it Right 9”, Brad Pitts non-profit organization to create affordable green housing in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans.
Don't miss the Grammy excitement! Tune in on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 8 pm/et on CBS
