Today's Entertainment

In Cooking Channel's Tuesday unscripted series "Restaurant Redemption," host Ching-He Huang acomes to the rescue of Asian restaurants in need of a new menu, new decor or even a new personality. Which means dealing with the old personalities in charge. And since most of these are mom-and-pop establishments with family members who can have long-entrenched viewpoints and resentments, Huang can often find herself in the role of family counselor, something the London-based chef and food entrepreneur finds difficult but essential. "Family dynamics and politics are the most difficult part of the process," Huang says. "Sometimes the restaurant owners have trouble communicating and speaking the truth about each other and resentment builds, making for a fragile relationship. It is easier for the restauranteurs to get their views across by going through a middle person – me. I tell them the truth and what I see – whether they like it or not – but most of them feel a sense of relief and feel lighter after the hard truth. This is because deep down they know what I am saying is true; they were just afraid of facing it." Still, even knowing change must happen, restaurant owners will put up resistance. "Most of these establishments have produced food in the same way over the years," Huang says. "However sometimes what was once popular has gone out of fashion. Inherently, home- cooked Chinese food is rather healthy and restaurant owners become complacent or tired and don't look to innovate until it's too late." 'RESTAURANT REDEMPTION' often a family affair for host What are you currently reading? "I'm reading Cameron Diaz's 'The Body Book.' I love the whole philosophy of looking after one's body with good food and good nutrition." What did you have for dinner last night? "I had Cantonese roast duck and rice with steamed pak choy from my local favorite Chinese restaurant." What is your next project? "I've just finished shooting a series for The Food Network UK called 'The Big Eat,' where I cook with other world chefs and we share our love for Chinese ingredients and Chinese food. I have a book coming out next February, so am excited about that, too." When was the last vacation you took – where and why? "It wasn't a vacation as such. Earlier in March this year, my husband and I had our Chinese wedding with all my extended family in Taiwan. We then had another celebration in London in May with all our family and friends in the UK. We are looking forward to going away on our honeymoon soon hopefully." Ching-He Huang BY GEORGE DICKIE BEST DAREDEVIL STUNTS Evel Knievel attempts to jump Snake River Canyon (1974) To that point known primarily for his motorcycle jumps, the artist otherwise known as Robert Craig Knievel climbed aboard a steam-powered rocket and took flight. The craft actually would have made it to the other side had a strong wind not blown it back into the canyon and just feet from the water, where the well-restrained Knievel would have almost certainly drowned. The failed event was broadcast to movie theaters nationwide via closed-circuit television. Investors never made their money back. Philippe Petit walks high wire between World Trade Center towers (1974) Most remember the French high-wire artist's crossing between the Twin Towers in August 1974 but few recall that he actually made the trip eight times in 45 minutes, dancing, laying down and waving to onlookers as he performed. Just as neat a trick was the stringing of the cable between the two 1,350-foot buildings in the cover of night using a bow and arrow, fishing line and rope. Even the famously jaded New York City police were impressed. The feat was the subject of the 2008 documentary "Man on a Wire." Wingsuited Jeb Corliss' "flying dagger" jump through China's Tianmen Hole (2011) Chances are, you've seen the video of this stunt – from many different angles, in fact – in which Corliss jumped from a helicopter and sailed through a 20-foot-wide fissure in China's Mount Jianglang before deploying a parachute and floating gently to earth. In fact, video taken from Corliss' wrist cam, complete with wind blast, shows how truly scary – and exhiliarating – this jump was. No surprise that Corliss cried afterward and called it "the single gnarliest thing I've ever done." Felix Baumgartner skydives 24 miles and breaks sound barrier (2012) Many records fell with this skydive, including highest jump (127,852 feet), highest manned balloon flight and fastest speed of free fall (843.6 mph), making Baumgartner the first human to break the sound barrier outside a vehicle. Ironically, there was some question as to whether he would be able to do it, as the pressurized suit he was required to wear at that altitude gave him a case of claustrophia. BY GEORGE DICKIE Evel Knievel Jeb Corliss Philippe Petit 8 The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • November 3 - 9, 2014

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