The Real Housewives Blog: Kathy Wakile

Showing posts with label Kathy Wakile. Show all posts

Friday, November 30, 2018

Why Melissa Gorga Isn’t Talking To Kathy Wakile Or Rosie Pierri

Monday, September 24, 2018

Kathy and Richard Wakile On How Their 29-Year Marriage Has Survived Reality TV

Friday, February 2, 2018

Siggy Flicker & Dolores Catania Talk Shop with BeckyinBoca

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Kathy Wakile Opening Pizza Restaurant

NBCNewYork.com:

A former “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star has opened a new pizza restaurant in the Garden State.

According to NJ.com, Kathy Wakile has announced the soft opening of Pizza Love, which is opening in Wyckoff on Wyckoff Avenue.

"PizzaLove's kitchen is heating up & testing our menu!" a caption read on a photo of pizza she posted on her verified Instagram account. "Stop in and have a bite during our soft opening!"

The Instagram for the restaurant, shows an abundance of dishes it plans to serve such as pizza, salads, garlic knots and even pistachio gelato.

"This is something I've been wanting to do for a very long time," Wakile told NJ Advance Media in back in May.

Wakile joined the television show’s cast as a regular in 2011, but began appearing less often in 2014, NJ.com reports. She made some appearances last season but will not appear in the show's upcoming eighth season.

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Kathy Wakile Speaks On Her Longtime Friendship with Jill Zarin

PageSix.com:

As Jill Zarin continues to cope with husband Bobby’s cancer diagnosis, the former Bravo star knows she can lean on a fellow “Housewife.”

“Jill and I met about six or seven years ago at an event and we hit it off right away,” “New Jersey” alum Kathy Wakile told Page Six on Friday. “The thing I love about Jill is that she’s a real girlfriend. She gives everything of herself and she wants to help you no matter what.”

Kathy, 51, who was in attendance for Jill’s Luxury Luncheon in the Hamptons late last month, recalled a “bittersweet undertone” as Bobby remained in the hospital battling thyroid cancer. When she connected with Jill days later at a separate event, it appeared Bobby was on the mend.

“I had asked about Bobby, about how he was doing, and she said, ‘You know what, he’s on this experimental medicine and he’s taking a turn around and he’s feeling really great. It’s nothing short of a miracle,'” Kathy revealed.

After making plans to meet up, Kathy and husband Richie were pleased to see Jill and Bobby ahead of dinner at New York eatery Tony Di Napoli’s.

“I had expected to see him in a wheelchair and the wheelchair was there, but Bobby was walking,” Kathy said. “He was feeling great, looking thin, a little weak, but still really good. And it just shows the positivity, the positive thoughts, that don’t-ever-give-up attitude, and Jill’s amazing at his side.”

She continued, “She’s so encouraging, not sitting around, ‘Oh, this is the diagnosis,’ they’re just pushing through each day with whatever they have and knowing not to do too much, but still, you know, living life.”

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Jacqueline Laurita and Kathy Wakile Axed From 'Real Housewives of New Jersey'

PageSix.com:

A cast shake-up is coming for Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New Jersey.” We’re told that original cast member Jacqueline Laurita is out, as well as longtime star Kathy Wakile.

Insiders say that Laurita — who has been a fixture on the show since it premiered back in 2009 — is departing after the network declined to cough up as much per episode as she had hoped for. “She’s really highly paid,” an insider told Page Six.

Meanwhile, sources say Wakile — who had been a member of the main cast for three seasons before becoming a part-timer last season — is disappointed to learn that she won’t be back at all for Season 8, we hear. Laurita’s departure means that Teresa Giudice will be the only member of the team to have appeared in all eight seasons of the hit show — no small feat considering that she spent one of them in prison.

It was recently reported that the series’ controversial star Danielle Staub — who appeared in the first two seasons — is to make a return.

Bravo declined to comment.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Melissa Gorga Takes Teresa Giudice's Side In Feud Against Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri

RadarOnline.com:

Melissa Gorga is taking a stand against Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri!

Gorga, 37, revealed that that she has no intention of being a part of their feud with Teresa Giudice, as she wants to keep the family at peace after their explosive sit-down!

“You have seen throughout the past five seasons, there have been A LOT of ups and downs between all of our families and our friendships,” she began her Bravotv.com blog. “No one’s hands are 100% clean, including my own, but what I have learned is that actions speak louder than words when it comes to finding peace.”

“Our issue with Kathy and Richie is that they are the ones that pulled away from Joe [Gorga] and I, waaay before Teresa went away, and I’m still not even sure why,” she explained. “Now, they all of sudden are ready to come back around and are annoyed that we aren’t dropping everything to make time for them. Even though we hadn’t heard from them in a long time, we still supported them, checked in to make sure Victoria was okay and came to see their new beautiful home.”

“The second we walked into their house, we got thrown into a heated conversation about Teresa,” she said of the most recent episode of RHONJ. “I was pretty clear that I didn’t want to be put in the middle, and I’m glad Joe called Richie out on his unnecessary dig. Teresa, Joe and I agreed that we would put the past in the past, that there would be no more secrets, and that we would shut down any negative conversations about each other when that person was not there to defend themselves. And that is exactly what we did!”

“I am proud of how Joe handled himself throughout this entire episode,” she continued. “He loves his family and does want peace, but he’s right… we all need to be genuine to move forward, and if you’re not ready to do that, then be honest and tell them. When people said we weren’t supporting Kathy and Rosie, I think that’s unfair. If it wasn’t for Joe, Teresa would have never even sat down with her cousins.”

“I can’t speak for Teresa, but I know from my own experience with her that she goes through a process and she’s gotta get over one thing before she can approach the next,” she concluded. ” She said she doesn’t feel that Kathy and Rosie wanting to reconcile is genuine, and I can see both sides. I do believe they want to be back in the family and want to be with us, but I get that Teresa feels it’s not real since they didn’t reach out while she was away. I was not on the visitor list or approved email list, but I still wrote to Teresa to tell her how I felt and send pictures of her girls. I made the effort to let her know that I wanted her to be in my life and that I wanted us to be good.”

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Siggy Flicker Says Kathy Wakile & Sister Rosie Had Bad Timing For Confronting Teresa Giudice

From Siggy's Bravo blog:

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…TIMING IS EVERYTHING! This applies to a lot of the relationship turmoil that’s happening during this season of RHONJ. I’m so happy to offer my relationship expertise to anyone who’s willing to listen, but unfortunately, I’m not a magician! Ideally, I’d love to see everyone back together as one big happy family but I would need both parties to agree to that. Remember, it takes two to tango!

It’s heartbreaking to see relationships not getting back to where and what they used to be, but it’s important to keep in mind that EVERYONE has a lot going on in their own lives that’s more important to them at the moment; Teresa Giudice is trying to get in as much family time as possible in the short time between her arrival home and Joe’s departure. (Can you imagine the stress?) One person can handle only so much emotionally. The timing just isn’t right to work things out.

There is a big difference between making up with a brother and making up with a cousin. I’m sure Teresa and Joe’s parents had a lot to do with bringing them back together -– they undoubtedly encouraged them to get along –- and I’m sure the children know how much it meant to their parents that they works things out. Richie’s comment certainly didn’t help the situation at all, but knowing Richie, he didn’t intend to cause any harm. Sometimes we say things in the heat of the moment that we don’t mean.

Some relationships are easy to fix, some take a little time, some may be past the point of repairing. It all comes down to: is it worth it to you at the moment to put in the effort? Down the road, when and if the timing is just right, I hope that this entire group can get along again. Although it doesn’t look like it’s going to be anytime soon, I’m not counting any of these relationships out yet … and neither should you.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Melissa Gorga Opens Up On Caroline Manzo and Teresa Giudice’s Estrangement From Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri

Inquisitr.com:

Melissa Gorga appeared on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live(WWHL) talk show on Sunday night after the airing of the latest Real Housewives of New Jersey episode. During her appearance, Melissa talked about her current relationship with former co-star Caroline Manzo and her family. Melissa was also asked about her co-star and sister-in-law Teresa Giudice’s bad relationship with her cousins Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri.

Caroline Manzo starred on Real Housewives alongside Teresa from the first through fifth seasons. After Melissa joined on the third season, Caroline got a first-hand view of the family drama that happened between the Gorgas and Giudices. For the most part, Caroline stayed out of whatever was happening between Melissa and Teresa. As the seasons went on, Caroline’s friendship with Teresa deteriorated, but she remained friendly with Melissa. On WWHL, a viewer asked Melissa about her current relationship with Caroline and her family.

“The Manzos. It’s good. You know I don’t get to see them as often as I would like to, um, because I think Lauren’s married now, everybody’s busy and the Manzos have their own show so I don’t get to see them as much as I’d like but I absolutely still love the whole family.”
Caroline and her family have their own spin-off show, Manzo’d with Children. In April 2016, Bravo announced that the spin-off has been renewed for a third season. Caroline’s sister-in-law Jacqueline Laurita, who currently stars on Real Housewives alongside Melissa and Teresa, was frequently shown on the spin-off’s first two seasons.

The season finale of Season 2, which aired in November 2015, featured the wedding of Caroline’s daughter, Lauren Manzo. As the Inquisitr reported, Caroline’s sister Dina Manzo, who starred on Real Housewives for Seasons 1, 2, and 6 and went through a period of estrangement from both Caroline and Jacqueline, attended the wedding. Jacqueline, Melissa, Kathy, and Rosie also attended the wedding.

Speaking of Kathy Wakile and Rosie Pierri, what exactly does Teresa Giudice have against them? After years of bad blood, Melissa Gorga and Teresa were finally able to repair their relationship, and they’re now back to being close family members. The current season has also shown Teresa attempting to fix her friendship with Jacqueline.

Yet, the same can’t be said for Teresa and her cousins. A viewer called into WWHL and asked Melissa why Teresa excludes Kathy and Rosie from family events, such as the Christmas Eve dinner and the New Year’s Eve party. Melissa said that the Christmas Even dinner was meant to be intimate, but as for New Year’s Eve, she’s not sure why they weren’t invited.

“Well for Christmas Eve it was just that we wanted it to be intimate, just with her parents. I mean it was her first day back. For New Year’s Eve I’m not sure, I mean it was her invite.”
When Andy asked Melissa what specifically is the issue that Teresa has with Kathy and Rosie, who are currently “friends” of the housewives, Melissa mentioned that their family drama runs deep and that Teresa didn’t like some things that were said. Kathy and Rosie’s mom is Teresa’s aunt from her dad’s side. On a previous season, it was revealed that Kathy and Rosie’s mom and Teresa’s dad don’t speak to one another.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Jill Zarin and 'Real Housewives' Past and Present Attend Southampton Charity Luncheon

Newsday.com:

This weekend, former "Real Housewives" from around the country gathered at Jill and Bobby Zarin’s Southampton Estate for the annual Luxury Luncheon. The yearly event’s mission is to support The Eric Trump Foundation for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The housewives, who are generally known for their crazy antics on the television screen, came out to support a good cause, and had a "drama-free" day.

In attendance was Cynthia Bailey of Atlanta who got a couple of days off from filming the show to attend the event with her accessories line. Similarly, Kristen Taekman of New York made an appearance with her brand, Pop of Color. Other housewives who came out to show their support included Vicki Gunvalson of Orange County, California, Kathy Wakile from New Jersey and Kelly Bensimon, Cindy Barshop and Ramona Singer of New York.

This was the fourth year that the Zarins hosted the annual event that helps children who are suffering with cancer. Bobby Zarin is a two-time cancer survivor.

“We know what it’s like to have a beautiful life together which we’re so lucky to have but children are innocent, said Jill Zarin. "Anything I can do to raise money -- I know I’m good at socializing, networking and introducing people.

She did just that in bringing together celebrities and brands to fundraise for the important cause.

Zarin also shared her thoughts about being in another reality TV show: "Never say never. People said I was fired, but the truth is Bobby said I was done. It was a great four years but we had enough.”

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Teresa Giudice Makes Peace with Jacqueline Laurita

USWeekly.com:

It looks like post-prison, Teresa Giudice might be a changed woman. A Real Housewives of New Jersey source reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly that the notoriously outspoken, table-flipping mom of four — who returned to her home in Towaco, New Jersey, December 23, after a nearly yearlong prison stint for fraud — is playing nice with frenemy and fellow housewife Jacqueline Laurita.

A year ago, says the insider, “Andy [Cohen] had asked Teresa if she wanted a friendship with Jacqueline. Teresa said no.” But instead of keeping the bad blood going, Giudice decided to make amends at the beginning of taping last month.

“Teresa reached out to Jacqueline, but Jacqueline didn’t think it was genuine,” the source says. "Then they all taped a scene together, hashed everything out and made up."

The ex-con, 43, is also sharing her best self with sister-in-law Melissa Gorga, who Giudice has feuded with on camera over multiple seasons of the hit Bravo show. The former rivals — Gorga is married to Teresa’s brother, Joe — rang in the New Year with their rumored new castmates, couple Robyn Levy and Cristina Flores.

“They were genuinely getting along,” says the source of the in-laws. “So far, it’s legitimately been fine!”

While Bravo has yet to officially confirm a new season of RHONJ, a source tells us that in addition to taping the ladies’ New Year’s Eve celebration, cameras are also expected to be on hand for the opening of Gorga’s Montclair, New Jersey, clothing boutique, Envy, on January 14. Adds the source, “All the housewives are expected to go."

Friday, January 1, 2016

Kathy Wakile's Son Joseph Survives Car Crash 'Without a Scratch'

People.com:

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Kathy Wakile's teenage son is okay after crashing his Jeep into a tree to avoid a deer over Christmas.

"He climbed out and got out, thankfully, without a scratch," Wakile, 50, told Bravo's Daily Dish in an interview Thursday. "And the deer was safe and Joseph was safe. And we met every rescue worker in the neighborhood and they were so wonderful. And they welcomed us to the neighborhood with a quick response and made sure everything is okay and, thankfully, he's okay. What a way to end an old year."

Wakile – who is cousins with RHONJ costar Teresa Giudice – also posted Instagram photos of the accident.

Wakile added that the scare "put everything into perspective" as a reminder to "just slow it down and take a breather and be thankful for all your blessings and your health and the safety of your family."

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Kathy Wakile Lists Wayne, New Jersey Home For $800K, Moving To Franklin Lakes, NJ

NJ.com:

"Real Housewives of New Jersey" stars Kathy Wakile and husband Rich, who have been building a turreted mansion in Franklin Lakes for the last two years, have now put their more modest Wayne home on the market for $799,900.

The couple bought the four-bedroom Colonial, near Point View Reservoir but set back and secluded from its cul de sac, 20 years ago. It features a two-story entrance foyer, formal living room and dining room, an eat-in kitchen, family room and an office now used as a bar. The master bedroom has two closets and a master bath, and the finished basement includes a summer kitchen and full bathroom, according to the listing from Jeff Vander Molen of Terrie O'Connor Realtors. The property includes a portico next to the heated pool.

The couple purchased the house in 1995 for $340,000, according to Zillow.com. Taxes are $17,710 a year.

After joining the cast in the show's third season, Kathy Wakile was demoted to "friend of the Housewives" status for the show's sixth season, which saw the addition of three new castmates from the Colts Neck area. Outside the show, Wakile has pursued a culinary career, with a line of cannolis and a bite-size dessert cookbook called "Indulge," out last year.

The couple purchased the empty lot in Franklin Lakes in 2013 for $675,000 and had the home custom-built. Rich Wakile was spotted at the house on Thursday directing landscaping, and Vander Molen says the couple should be moving in within the next two months.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Kathy Wakile May Return To ‘RHONJ’ As A Starring Housewife

Inquisitr.com:

Will Season 7 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey once again show Kathy Wakile in the opening credits? In an interview with OK! Magazine at its So Sexy Party, posted on Thursday, Kathy, who was a recurring housewife on Season 6, said that her returning to the show as a starring housewife may be a possibility.

“You’ll have to watch and see but there’s been a lot of talk.”
It’s not clear what Kathy meant by “talk.” Does she mean there are a lot of the show’s viewers asking for her return, or does she mean that she and the show’s producers are actually in negotiation for the next season?

Even if Kathy doesn’t return for Season 7, she still has plenty to keep her busy. Besides continuing to build her new home, she’s promoting her dessert cookbook and working on her next cookbook. Kathy still keeps in touch with some of the show’s other cast members. She went to OK! Magazine’s So Sexy party on Wednesday night with Jacqueline Laurita. The night prior, both Kathy and Jacqueline went to The Real Housewives of Miami‘s Lea Black’s book signing event in New Jersey.

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, in March, 2015, executive producer Andy Cohen said that they have yet to officially cast anyone for the new season. He also said that he’s keeping tabs on Kathy Wakile’s cousin, the currently incarcerated Teresa Giudice, who has starred on the show since Season 1, via Dina Manzo. A few weeks later, Andy confirmed that they’re casting for the new season, but that it may take a while to finalize.

“I’m still having signings with my book Indulge. I’m having so much fun meeting everybody and talking about their favorite desserts. And I’m working on my next book!”

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Caroline Manzo Throws Daughter Lauren a Bridal Shower

People.com:

Lauren Manzo is about to put the "wife" in Real Housewives.

But before the Bravo reality star marries fiancé Vito Scalia, mom Caroline Manzo hosted a pre-wedding celebration.

"Today @carolinemmanzo threw me the most beautiful and perfect bridal shower!" Lauren, 27, captioned an Instagram of her wearing a flowing white gown Sunday.

The bride-to-be – who gained fame appearing with her mother in The Real Housewives of New Jersey – will take fans inside the festivities on an episode of her family's spin-off show, Manzo'd with Children.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Melissa Gorga Opts for Silver in Latest HSN Jewelry Collection Set to Debut This Week

USmagazine.com:

Who doesn't love a little bling from time to time?

Melissa Gorga is satisfying our fix to sparkle with the second wave of her jewelry line, The Melissa Gorga Collection for HSN, which debuts on March 26 at Hsn.com. The feisty Real Housewives of New Jersey star, 35, delivers her new 18-piece set of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces galore, which all cost less than $70.

"We had such success with the first collection that I really built upon that, and also listened to the feedback I got from my fans," Gorga told Us Weekly of her signature line.

In an age where diamond and platinum jewels rule on the red carpet, going for more cool-toned jewelry was a no-brainer. "They wanted to see more silver, so I am giving them more silver," Gorga said.

The fashion darling relied on her fans for aesthetic input, but also did her own research for inspiration. "I also like to make sure that my looks are on trend, so I look for inspiration from the high fashion runway shows," Gorga told Us. "I add my own bold twist to the design and aim to make it reasonably priced."

On top of the wallet-friendly price, the fashion-forward accessories come with yet another perk — how does going from a business meeting straight to a hot date sound? "It’s very important to me to make sure the jewelry is versatile and can go from day to night," she said. "I really look for the pieces to fit into a woman’s lifestyle so you can go to the office, drop off the kids, go to a party and still be able to wear it."

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Jacqueline Laurita Updates Fans On Son Nicholas, Possible Return To 'RHONJ'?

Inquisitr.com:

The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jacqueline Laurita has been struggling over the past five years with her son, who was diagnosed with autism. For Laurita, it has been an emotional struggle as she revealed that she felt a tremendous amount of guilt for not giving him everything she felt he deserved. While filming The Real Housewives of New Jersey, fans saw Jacqueline try just about everything to help her son.

Jacqueline Laurita has been out of the spotlight for a while, as she has been taking care of her son and raising her children in New Jersey. Laurita did make an appearance during the last episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, as Teresa Giudice and her husband Joe learned of their sentences. Laurita was clearly heartbroken.

According to a new tweet, The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jacqueline Laurita is now revealing that things are going great since filming that little scene. In fact, when it comes to Nicholas, there are nothing but positive things to say.

“At 5 years old, my son may not be able to hold a conversation yet, but he’s reading & spelling things like MickeyMouse clubhouse & Baby Prodigy,” Jacqueline Laurita revealed about Nicholas’ progress, adding, “Nicholas just looked up the Barber Shape Quartet on his iPad all on his own. Yesterday he typed out Minnie Mouse Bowtique. Incredible memory!”

But just because she isn’t filming the show anymore doesn’t mean that Laurita is completely done with the spotlight. According to the Inquisitr, Jacqueline has been working on making a return to the show. Now that Teresa Giudice is locked up, Bravo has been looking for potential replacements. Since the show didn’t blow ratings out of the water last season, it is possible that it wouldn’t do well without a familiar face.

It is also possible that Kathy Wakile will return, as she and Jacqueline have become good friends. Rumor has it that Melissa Gorga will return as a downgraded housewife, and Dina Manzo won’t return at all.

Even if Jacqueline Laurita doesn’t return to the show, she has plenty in the works. Laurita has been working on two separate books about her journey with autism and personal beauty. It sounds like she has been able to create a balanced life, where she can both take care of her son, and work on her books.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Caroline Manzo Slams Sister Dina, Shuts Down Reconciliation Talk: She "Has to Grow Up"

USmagazine.com:

Dina Manzo may want to keep that olive branch to herself for a bit. After the reality star hinted during the season six Real Housewives of New Jersey reunion that she was open to making nice with her estranged sister Caroline Manzo, Caroline appeared on Watch What Happens Live and basically shut down any hope of a reconciliation.

"Over the past four years, five years, Dina has never attended any family function at all. We've got nieces and nephews that are 3, 4, 5 years old, 9 months old, that she doesn't know," the Manzo'd With Children matriarch told host Andy Cohen of Dina, who's also feuding with brother Chris Laurita and his wife, former Housewives star Jacqueline.

"She didn't go to my brother Jamie's wedding," Caroline continued. "Babies were born, baptisms, graduations, birthdays..."

Dina, for her part, said during the RHONJ reunion that she invited Caroline, Chris, and Jacqueline to her daughter Lexi's high school graduation party, only to have all three reject the invitation. She also claimed that both she and Lexi were excluded from Caroline's daughter Lauren's engagement party earlier this year. "Do you know how hurtful that was?" she asked Cohen, fighting back tears.

Caroline confirmed on WWHL that Dina hadn't been invited, but said there was a good reason for it. "To single that out is insane. When Lauren got engaged, the very first person she called, 10 minutes after the ring was on her finger, was Lexi," the mother of three began. "And she said, 'Lex, I'm engaged.' And Lexi said, 'I'm so happy. My mom says congratulations.' That was in November. The party was in April. From November through April, not a word."

Told that Dina seemed "interested" in doing a cooking show with her, Caroline replied, "No. I'm a package deal. I come with everybody [in our family]. You may have issues with somebody, but you don't dismiss someone in your family."

She went on to address Dina's beef with sister-in-law Jacqueline, telling Cohen that Chris was given an "ultimatum," to choose either his wife or his sister. (Dina herself said on the reunion that she "cannot have exchanges with" Jacqueline and has no interest in a relationship with her.)

"I want you to understand the gravity of that: This is a man that has a son that has special needs, and you're saying for him to leave his wife in order for you to have a relationship with [him]," Caroline said on WWHL, referring to Chris and Jacqueline's son Nicholas, who was diagnosed with autism. She further claimed that Dina just "walked past" Nicholas at a party, saying, "How you cannot take that baby and hug him and tell him you love him, I don't understand that."

"I have to say I don't want the cooking show," she told Cohen. "I don't care about TV, I don't care what the papers say. I want my family back. And I have done everything in my power to make that happen. So have the rest of us. Dina has to grow up."

Somebody needs to get Caroline, Chris and Dina in a room to hash this all out. I get Dina not wanting anything to do with Jacqueline (who too often shows the same immaturity and spitefulness as her daughter Ashlee), but Dina can still use her "zen", take the high road and be civil to Jacqueline (whenever they cross paths) while working on repairing her relationship with her siblings if they can meet her halfway. As an aside, can't help but wonder what Albert and Tommy Manzo think about all this since they're both married to these two.

RELATED: Dina Manzo Isn’t A Fan Of Kathy Wakile, Says She Isn’t As Sweet As She Seems

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Kathy Wakile Speaks on Her #1 Selling Dessert Cookbook: "Indulge: Delicious Little Desserts That Keep Life Real Sweet"

Wetpaint.com:

We haven't seen a ton of Kathy Wakile so far on The Real Housewives of New Jersey Season 6, but that's because the desserts queen was hard at work finishing up her much-anticipated dessert cookbook, Indulge: Delicious Little Desserts That Keep Life Real Sweet.

Indulge, which features Kathy's own recipes for creating mouth-watering mini-desserts that will satisfy your cravings in just a few bites, is currently on pre-order at Amazon (it's released September 2) — and it's already hit the #1 best seller in Dessert Baking spot on Amazon. Talk about impressive!

Wetpaint Entertainment recently caught up with Kathy to talk about what makes her book so irresistible and to get some dish on the most recent RHONJ drama.

Wetpaint Entertainment: Anyone who's watching RHONJ knows you're the dessert expert, but what sets your cookbook apart from all the others out there?
Kathy Wakile: Well, everything is small, bite sized. So I've developed all the recipes, broken them all down, controlled them to make sure everything is right per recipe. It makes it fun. And then it's so pretty. Everything that's small is so cute, you know? So each recipe makes the desserts aesthetically beautiful.
Also, I don't take any of the flavor away. I make everything small, but in that I don't take the sugar out, I don't take any of the extra fat out. So you do feel like you've indulged in dessert. Real dessert instead of a reduced calorie whatever. How I'm reducing the calories is the size, so you do get satisfied with just two bites. That's the key. You go traveling to Europe, you get regular desserts, but they're small, the way that desserts are intended to be. Just little sweet notes, not this supersized anything that doesn't really have any taste, and then you feel guilty afterwards.

And then the other great thing is that my book is broken down by season, because that's the way I cook, and most cooks really do cook that way, using what's readily available at its peak of freshness. And what you're thinking about. You know, in the summer time you're not really thinking about baking, because it's too hot, you don't want to heat up your house, so we're looking for lighter things, like gelato, or we have a section of fruit barbeque. It goes through the seasons, and it's great that way.

What was the hardest part of developing the book?
I think it was testing and re-testing and making sure everything was right. For me, the creative side of my brain is always working, so I don't write things down. I don't think to write things down, and I just assume that other people know. And when you're writing a book, when you're teaching, you have to take people step by step through the recipes. As someone that's been doing it for so long, that's hard to remember. As a teacher, you have to remember you're teaching someone who has never made this before, or maybe has never baked before. So that's a really important factor in writing a cookbook, or specifically a dessert or baking cookbook. I have to remember that I'm teaching someone.

What's your favorite recipe from the book?
I think that any of the lemon desserts are my favorite because they're sweet and tart at the same time, and refreshing. And I have a number of different lemon desserts. The Lemon Dream Cheesecake Cuties, they're so cute, and they're tiny, they're literally three bites. They're decedent, and refreshing and tart, just something so special.

What's your top piece of advice for someone who is new to baking?
Start off with the simplest recipes, and perfect that, and go from there. Don't try and make something that's so complex that you end up getting so confused and discouraged and not wanting to go back to it. If you start off making something simple, and making it really great, that's your foundation for the next thing.

So in my book, I have recipes that start with one element. Like, apple pie, simple right? Very simple. I have a recipe that's simple but small. And then from there I build on other recipes that incorporate apples, some are simple, some make them a little more complicated. So in the fall, when everyone's going apple picking, we have four different apple recipes. And that is the same for, in summer, with tiramisu, I have a traditional tiramisu, and then I have three other recipes for tiramisu, each one that's a little more complex. So I say master the basics, and then build on it.

That sounds like a great way to learn.
I want to encourage people to bake and make desserts, but not discourage them or have them feel guilty afterwards. And the best thing about my recipes is that they break down easily to share. Instead of making one big cake to share, and then you have none left, you can make a dozen little cakes, and bring six over to someone. For me, it makes it easy to share, and sharing is caring. That's the best part of cooking, it's sharing it with people you love.

We've seen you a little on RHONJ Season 6. Will we be seeing more of you?
Yes! During the time when we were filming I was so involved in writing my cookbooks, so I really needed that time to finish up. And also my expanding dessert line, I was on tour, with my desserts, so that kept me busy. But towards the end of the season I had a little bit more time, so you'll start seeing a little bit more of us.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Bravo Cancels Teresa Giudice’s ‘WWHL’ Appearance, Replaces Her With Cousins Kathy Wakile And Rosie Pierri

RadarOnline.com:

Andy vs. Teresa, take two!

Bravo has nixed Teresa Giudice‘s scheduled Sunday night appearance on Andy Cohen‘s Watch What Happens Live, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

“Teresa was notified by Bravo on Friday that her appearance on Sunday’s show was being canceled,” a Bravo insider tells Radar. “No official reason was given, but the network has been upset with Teresa for not doing as many promotional appearances for The Real Housewives of New Jersey.“

In her place, Giudice’s cousins, former RHONJ cast member Kathy Wakile and her sister, show regular Rosie Pierri, will sub as guests.

“See you all in the #WWHL Clubhouse with my sis @RosiePierri @Andy @Bravotv Sunday night after this weeks #RHONJ,” Wakile tweeted on Saturday morning.

The mother of four— who is facing 27 months in prison after pleading guilty with her husband, Joe, to fraud and tax evasion charges— is sure to be livid with the diss.

On the show’s five year anniversary Thursday night, Cohen mocked Giudice’s legal woes— and as Radar previously reported, the disgraced star was furious.

The Bravo head honcho’s comments “pushed Teresa over the edge,” an insider told Radar. “She felt so betrayed by Andy.”

“For someone who has claimed to be one of Teresa’s best friends, Andy has turned his back on her.”