Hail to the chef

As part of Gaelic Gourmet, a week's worth of events cooked up by the Boston Irish Tourism Association, former Kennedy family chef Neil Connolly prepared favorite Kennedy family recipes and shared memories of his many years cooking for the family in Hyannis Port. Billy Costa , of NECN's "TV Diner" and KISS 108, was the moderator. Following the discussion on Sunday, Chef Connolly signed copies of his book, "In the Kennedy Kitchen: Recipes and Recollections of a Great American Family."

It's not only Samantha Power's unfortunate public pronouncements that are attracting attention. The Harvard professor's private life is proving to be intriguing as well. Power, who was banished last week from Barack Obama's presidential campaign for calling Hillary Clinton a "monster," has a high-profile new boyfriend, according to AboveTheLaw.com. The widely read legal blog reports that Power is dating Cass Sunstein, the University of Chicago Law School professor who recently split with his significant other, fellow University of Chicago faculty member Martha Nussbaum. Sunstein has declined to talk about his relationship with Power, but it's no coincidence that the celebrated legal scholar has decided to ditch the Windy City and accept a position at Harvard Law School. (For her part, Nussbaum told AboveTheLaw.com: "[Cass and I] separated some time ago, no third parties were involved in the separation on either side, although of course we are dating other people now.") As for Power, she's apologized for calling Clinton a monster, but this is hardly the first time she's used hyperbole to make a point. In an interview with 02138 magazine, she referred to Obama as "charming and hot" before quickly adding "but please don't lead with that."

Joe Perry's peeps regret to inform you that the aging process is catching up with Aerosmith's ax man. Perry, who recently performed with sons Adrian and Tony in their trio TAB the Band, is having knee surgery and will be on the shelf for a while, according to his publicist. As a result, Steven Tyler's Toxic Twin has canceled his upcoming solo show in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman will receive the 2008 Harvard Arts Medal from the college's president, Drew Gilpin Faust. Given annually to a Harvard grad or faculty member for their contributions to the arts, the award is part of the four-day campus celebration Arts First, which was founded by actor and Harvard alum John Lithgow. A 1991 grad who thought he'd have a career in law, Redman is the son of the late tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff.

A black-and-white photograph of a nude Gisele Bundchen that was taken by famed photographer Irving Penn is expected to fetch $30,000 at an April 10 auction at Christie's in New York. The rarely seen portrait of a bronzed Bundchen with flowing hair is part of European photography collector Gert Elfering's holdings that include the work of Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Man Ray, Diane Arbus, and Horst P. Horst. Also among the more than 130 photographs in the auction is a Penn nude of another supermodel, Kate Moss, who is seen looking over her shoulder. The auction, Elfering's second with Christie's, is expected to bring in more than $3 million. Tom Brady's girlfriend is expected soon to be strutting the catwalks of Rome, wearing the clothes of her friends Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Godsmack frontman Sully Erna made sure he was in the house when folks on the North Shore threw a surprise 75th birthday party for Laurie Cabot, Salem's best-known witch. (The Boston-based band tapped Cabot and her coven for their video "Voodoo.") About 100 Wiccans flew in from around the country for the fete, held last weekend in a private home in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Erna told those gathered that he "owed everything to [Cabot]" because she took him in during a low point in his life.

Don't be surprised if Bruce Springsteen announces plans to play Gillette Stadium this summer. The Boss, who kicked off the Fenway concert series a few years back, is hitting the road with the E Street Band but so far hasn't scheduled any Boston dates. Word is Bruce will play Gillette on Aug. 1 and 2, immediately after he wraps up three night at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. Darn, beaten by the Giants again.

Sam Waterston was at the American Repertory Theatre's annual gala last night to receive the Robert Brustein Award, named for the Harvard-based company's founder. Waterston was joined at the swanky soiree at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston by honorary event chairs Oscar-winning actor Chris Cooper and his wife, actress/writer Marianne Leone Cooper.

The 42-acre Whittenton Mills complex along Taunton's Mill River looked like a World War II concentration camp yesterday as filming continued for Martin Scorsese's "Ashecliffe." Set in the 1950s, with flashbacks to the war, the movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Michelle Williams, Mark Ruffalo, and Ben Kingsley. Based on Dennis Lehane's novel "Shutter Island," the pic will also film at the former Medfield State Hospital.

Thomas Melville will be the news director at NECN. The 50-year-old Boston College Law School alum succeeds Charles Kravetz, who becomes president and GM next week. Kravetz, in turn, is replacing NECN founder Phil Balboni, who is leaving to start an international news website that will be called Global News Enterprises.

A revival of the 1926 Gershwin musical "Oh, Kay!" starring Harry Connick Jr. will open in Boston this fall before heading to Broadway. According to Playbill.com, Connick will play the lead in the show that produced several hit songs including "Someone to Watch Over Me."

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