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T he Smollett family is well-known for acting and musical talent. But a new series on Food Network showcases their abilities in the kitchen. In the Saturday series "Smollett Eats," siblings Jake, Jazz, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee and Jussie demonstrate their cooking and entertaining skills, from throwing the perfect kids birthday party to putting on a midnight barbecue for friends. And for this, the brothers and sisters work together like a well-oiled machine: One makes the entree, another handles the salad, another the salad dressing, another decorates the table, etc. These are people who have cooked since childhood under the tutelage of parents who themselves were aces in the kitchen. There is no sibling rivalry here. Masterminding the menu is fifth Smollett child Jake, 27. who can do everything from Italian to cajun. "Our mom is from New Orleans," he explains, "so personally I like to cook a lot of spicy foods and hearty Southern stuff with like a Cali fresh twist on it. So it's not so rich in heavy sauces and fried stuff, but I do like to fry every now and then. But yeah, I cook a wide variety of stuff. Someone asked me yesterday, if I had to cook for the president, what would I make? I probably would make my smothered chicken. It doesn't sound like it's such a meal you would make for someone so esteemed." The party planner in the family is Jazz, 36 and the second-oldest of the Smollett kids, who also handles the table decorations. "We just did my daughter's second birthday party," she says, "and there was a huge undertaking of decorations and the theme. My husband and I dressed up in costumes for it. Like everyone gets really involved, so parties are a big part of our family in general. And then of course, I put Jake in charge of the food, which everyone loves, and there's always a reason for celebration." "I am very, ver y creative," she continues, "and so I throw everything up in the air, make a big mess and then come out with an artistic something. That's how I party plan." BY GEORGE DICKIE Cooking and entertaining a family affair on 'Smollett Eats' What book are you currently reading? Jake: "A family friend of ours recently bought me 'The Encyclopedia of Cajun and Creole Cuisine' by chef John D. Folse, and it's basically the history of New Orleans cuisine and Louisiana on a whole. It's really interesting. It's like part cookbook, part history of cajun and creole." What did you have for dinner last night? Jake: "I had Tender Greens, salt-and-pepper chicken with butter lettuce salad and cooked carrots and Brussels sprouts. It was delicious." What is your next project? Jake: "I am currently working on my blog and ... I'm actually working on my creole seasoning, launching my creole seasoning right now, so that's what I'm working on." When was the last vacation you took, where and why? Jake: "I went to Jamaica last month. Me and my two brothers, Jesse and Jocqui, we went to Kingston and we went to Montego Bay and we just hung out. And we got a chance to go the Bob Marley museum. It was a great experience. I'm actually going to Palm Springs for the week for my birthday weekend." Jake Smollett Page 8 August 22 - 28, 2016 SATURDAY 1:00 p.m. GOLF The Bar- clays 2016 Golf Tourna- ment Third Round. (N) 3:00 p.m. GOLF Canadian Pacific Open, Third Round. (N) 4:00 p.m. WSBT 6 The Barclays 2016 Golf Tour- nament Third Round. (N) 6:00 p.m. GOLF Champi- ons: Boeing Classic, Sec- ond Round. (N) 8:00 p.m. GOLF Web.com: WinCo Foods Portland Open, Third Round. (N) SUNDAY Noon GOLF The Barclays 2016 Golf Tournament Final Round. (N) 2:00 p.m. WSBT 6 The Barclays 2016 Golf Tour- nament Final Round. (N) 3:00 p.m. GOLF Canadian Pacific Open, Final Round. (N) 6:00 p.m. GOLF Champi- ons: Boeing Classic, Final Round. (N) 8:00 p.m. GOLF Web.com: WinCo Foods Portland Open, Final Round. (N) MARtiAl ARts SATURDAY 6:00 p.m. SBT2 UFC Fight Night - Prelims: Maia vs. Condit Thibault Gouti vs. Chad Laprise; Kevin Ca- sey vs. Sam Alvey. From Vancouver. (N) 8:00 p.m. SBT2 UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Condit Charles Oliveira vs. An- thony Pettis; Carlos Condit vs. Demian Maia. From Vancouver. (N) MotoRcycle RAcing FRIDAY 1:30 p.m. NBCSN Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champi- onship: Unadilla. SATURDAY 6:00 p.m. NBCSN Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Champi- onship: Ironman National. (N Same-day Tape) Rodeo SUNDAY 1:00 p.m. WSBT 6 PBR Bull Riding Express Em- ployment Professionals Classic: 15/15 Bucking Battle. socceR SATURDAY 9:55 a.m. NBCSN English Premier League Soccer Teams TBA. (N) 12:30 p.m. WNDU 0 En- glish Premier League Soccer Hull City AFC vs Manchester United FC. (N) DON'T STAY DON'T STAY … IN THE DARK. CALL 574-533-2151 OR 800-487-2151 ext. 393 TODAY ! Start your newspaper subscription today and see the light. Stay up to date on all the latest business, entertainment, sports, local news and more!

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