Blog Posts by Heather W. at Better Homes and Gardens

There's just something about a chef - maybe it's the commanding knife skills, the epicurean ease with ingredients, the grace under pressure. Or maybe it's just the whole package. As more celebrity chefs have grabbed the limelight in recent years, there's no shortage of ones to crush on. So in celebration of culinary cuteness, we've compiled a list of the 10 most attractive male and female chefs out there (OK, so it's superficial, but it's fun). Did we leave out your favorite? Let us know who you think is the hottest chef!

Do you have chef-ly culinary skills? Enter one of our recipe contests. And for dozens of crowd-pleasers you don't have to be a pro to make, try BHG.com's quick family favorites.

Preparing the Thanksgiving feast is stressful, even if you're a pro in the kitchen. To help this year be as seamless-and delicious-as possible, we're offering a range of quick and easy Thanksgiving classics, with a fresh twist, from Better Homes and Gardens. This way, you'll spend less time in the k

Would you pay $368 for a steak? Believe it or not, a single entrée at a rarefied restaurant can boast a triple-digit price tag. Out of fascination and pure culinary voyeurism, I tracked down the most expensive dishes (including one dessert) at some of the world's priciest restaurants. And, since you might not feel inclined to blow your monthly budget on a main course, I found wallet-friendly alternatives for cooking your own versions at home:


TOKYO
Aragawa is billed as Tokyo's first steakhouse, and its sought-after specialty is Kobe beef-locally raised, hand-fed Wagyu cattle renowned for their succulent flavor and delicate marbled texture. The house preparation is minimal - it's served with just mustard and pepper. The price? $368 for one steak. While the experience is no doubt life-changing, consider grilling up this Sirloin With Mustard and Chives dish at home instead. It might not be Kobe but it will be delish:

PARIS
At Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, the menu is authentic French.

With the economy so tight, I've been cooking at home more and looking for quick and easy ways to get dinner on the table. So when I do go out, I want to make it really count. I've found that where you sit in a restaurant can have as profound of an effect on your night as what you order. Facing a swinging kitchen door, being banished to a desolate back room, getting wedged next to a cougar birthday blowout: a bad table can really put a damper on your dining experience. But I've learned that you don't need to be a big shot to get the best seat in the house. Here are some tips for scoring a coveted table:

Be Your Own Personal Assistant. When you call to make your reservation, say you're making it "On behalf of Mr. or Mrs. (your last name)." Try to sound harried but polite. The reservationist will take note, or, at the very least, relate.

Be a Regular. Instead of bouncing from bistro to grill to cantina, cultivate a relationship with a favorite restaurant. Make a point of telling the