Celebrity Chef, Sandra Lee
Semi-Homemade Cooking on
The Food Network

Dine Out Los Angeles' 2008 Honorary Chefs

Sandra Lee is a popular television host and internationally-acclaimed Life & Style expert who has revolutionized the way people think about creating from scratch. With her trademark 70/30 Semi-Homemade^® philosophy, which combines 70% ready-made products with 30% fresh and creative touches, Sandra is recognized as the foremost advocate to the over-extended homemaker. She created the foundation and continually supplies fresh information that allows anyone and everyone to take 100% of the credit for something that looks, feels or tastes as if it were completely made from scratch.  

Sandra’s philosophy was born out of necessity and the challenges she faced throughout her childhood. The oldest of five children, Sandra was responsible for caring for her four younger siblings and managing the household finances.  Forced to live on welfare and food stamps, Sandra quickly learned how to turn budget-friendly packaged foods into delicious and special meals for her family while stretching every dollar.  These early experiences laid the foundation for what would eventually become Semi-Homemade^®.

In 1989, after attending the University of Wisconsin, Sandra was faced with her own home decorating dilemma: How to decorate her home with style and flair on a limited budget? She invented a quick, easy way to re-create her home from the inside out. Sandra realized that others could use the same solutions.  She invented her own line of patented home, garden and craft products, and launched her first company, Kurtain Kraft.  By 1993 she was taking these products on-air for QVC Shopping Network-USA.  They were so successful that she was asked to spearhead and anchor the on-air launch of the craft and home decorating categories for QVC-United Kingdom and QVC-Germany. This success catapulted Sandra to produce one of the first DIY home improvement video series.  Continue reading.

Honorary Commitee

Thomas Schoos
Owner, Thomas Schoos Design & O-bar

Michael Berman
CEO, Thomas Schoos Design & O-bar

Sandy Sachs
Owner, Murano Restaurant

Robin Gans
Owner, Murano Restaurant

Nina del Campo
Owner, Casita del Campo

Tom Kaplan
CEO, Hugos

Bill Kohne
CFO, Hugos

Chris Diamond
Co-Owner, Marks & Crumble Catering

Meredith May
Publisher, Tasting Panel Magazine

Larry Maiman
Founder, Mani's Bakery-Cafe

Andrew Andrianos
Owner, Astro Burger

Honorary Chef Wayne Elias
Marks Restaurant/Crumble Catering

Chef Wayne Elias is co-owner of Crumble Inc., founded in  2000, and has also been co-owner of Mark's Restaurant in Los Angeles since 1995. Together with partner Chris Diamond, Elias has been instrumental in making both of these companies successful and profitable.  Unlike many other Executive Chefs, Elias takes a very hands-on management approach, and is totally involved in every food related function at both Mark's Restaurant and Crumble Inc. Catering.

Crumble Inc. has been under contract to operate the NBC commissary for a number of years, handles food operations at the John Anson Ford Theatre for the County of Los Angeles, and has a number of loyal blue-chip catering clients including ATT, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, Neiman Marcus, The Elton John Oscar Party, Prada, and The Tonight Show among many others including a number of private individuals.       Continue Reading.