Chef perpares for battle

By Mark Shanahan & Meredith Goldstein  |  May 28, 2009

Before taping the first episode of "Top Chef Masters," Michael Schlow did some prep work, watching a compilation of quick-fire challenges from "Top Chef." Boy, was that ever a mistake. "It's nerve-racking enough watching once a week," Schlow said yesterday. "Watching 25 in a night . . . I had a panic attack. It was gut-wrenching." The celebrated owner/chef of Via Matta and Radius is one of 24 culinary kings and queens competing on the "Top Chef" spinoff, which debuts June 10 on Bravo. (The gaggle of gourmands includes Christopher Lee, Cindy Pawlcyn, Douglas Rodriguez, Rick Bayless, and Hubert Keller.) During a conference call yesterday with a few of his fellow foodies, Schlow said he was flattered to be asked on the show. "It's an honor," said Schlow, who's competing for the Cam Neely Foundation. "We get to showcase our talents and do it in a fun setting with friends."

Adam Sandler and his family, who spent Memorial Day weekend touring Boston, were in Southborough this week for more filming of the movie "Grown Ups." The comedy, which stars Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and Salma Hayek, has had big names showing up at a few spots around the Metrowest town including the Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Yes, that's Boston regular Tommy Lee Jones at Daisy Buchanan's on Newbury Street. The actor was at the bar for much of the morning yesterday filming more of the John Wells recession drama "The Company Men." The shoot had Jones up on Cape Ann a few days ago. After a Monday night dinner at the Gloucester location of the Franklin Cafe, where Jones had lobster bisque but refused scallops (he doesn't like them), he spent Tuesday shooting in Marblehead. The "Company" production - which has brought Jones, Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, and Maria Bello to the South End, the Financial District, Framingham, the North Shore, Quincy, and other locales - is set to revisit a number of sites over the next few weeks before wrapping production. The crew is expected at the Gannon Municipal Golf Course in Lynn on Tuesday.

While Tom Brady was busy practicing with his Pats teammates yesterday, wife Gisele Bundchen, Brady's boy John, and another woman enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Barking Crab. John had a burger and chowder and Bundchen ordered the baked scrod. (They shared the Key lime pie for dessert.) We're told the generous Gi left a big tip.

Peter Wolf and a posse that included hedge fund honcho Jim Pallotta, Dace Ventures's David Andonian, and Phoenix Media man David Bieber caught up with Chickenfoot after the supergroup's show at the Middle East the other night. (Courtesy of club owner Joe Sater, the J. Geils singer watched from the side of the stage.) Wolf goes way back with Chickenfoot singer Sammy Hagar, and was label mates on EMI with drummer Chad Smith, who's on hiatus from the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Ciara, who gets frisky with Justin Timberlake on the song "Love Sex Magic," is partnering with Framingham-based company Staples for a school supply drive. But the singer's new Metrowest connection doesn't mean she's coming to visit. "Unfortunately not," said Joy Errico, director of Staples' community relations. Even though Ciara won't be coming to town, her project is a local one. You can drop off school supplies for her drive at any local Staples.

Last night was the Home for Little Wanderers Voices & Visions Gala to honor State Street exec and philanthropist Ron Logue. Other VIP guests included Paul Epstein and his wife, Saskia, and Dennis and Jennifer Eckersley. The Home's party, which was held at the Seaport World Trade Center, featured "Landscapes of Massachusetts," an exhibition of artwork made by children involved in the Wanderers art program.

Names can be reached at names@globe.com or at 617-929-8253.