Famous Food

Flav's joint is set to open today in Clinton, IA -- the first of a planned chain of restaurants. But the new place just happens to be next to a KFC -- which just seems like awful planning, doesn't it?

Anyway, the guy who owns that KFC tells TMZ, "We've been in business since 1963, we always welcomed competition. We have competed with six or seven brands over that time and as long as we take care of The Colonel's chicken, we will be just fine."

TV Land and the cast of "Hot in Cleveland" are throwing the soiree in Betty's honor Tuesday night (her actual birthday is Monday) at Le Cirque in Manhattan. TMZ snuck a peak at the menu for the evening -- which includes pigs in a blanket, mini crab cakes, and a shrimp display.

Outside the Staples Center in L.A. yesterday, Dyan confessed the type of brownies she makes for the guys: "The good kind. The kind that'll help the Lakers win today."

For the record, the Miami Heat cooked the Lakers' collective geese ... 98 - 80.

Goodwin claimed yesterday she started WW 23 years ago, back when she was 9 -- but there was a big policy change in 2003 ... The company line now is that it's potentially dangerous for kids under 10 to join the program.

Dr. Suparna Jain -- a pediatric endocrinologist -- tells us WW is wise not to give its stamp of approval to anyone under 10, because the diet does not provide enough calcium and protein for a growing body. The Weight Watchers program is predicated on calories, fiber and fat, not fundamental nutrients.

Chestnut tongue-lashed the competition at the second annual Martorano’s Masters Meatball Eating Championship ... finishing 6 balls ahead of his closest competitor, Rich "The Locust" LeFevre.

Holly Madison was also on hand to check out the ball gobblers ... but only as a spectator.

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Sources connected to the show tell TMZ the cast will load up on a well choreographed dinner before tonight's live elimination show ... consisting of shrimp scampi, chicken steak, a pasta bar, a salad bar, basmati rice, steamed broccoli and glazed carrots.

And just so the loser (we're taking bets on Bolton) can leave with a good taste in his mouth, the gang will be treated to a red velvet cake for dessert.

Police in Barrington, Illinois confirm Kristin's mom -- Judith Spies (that's her mug shot above) -- was pulled over at a DUI checkpoint at 2:15 AM late last month. Law enforcement sources tell us Kristin was riding shotgun at the time, and apparently she was a pretty hungry passenger.

We're told Kristin insisted on fleeing to a nearby Subway and yelled at cops to get her water while Mom went through field sobriety testing with officers. As one source put it, "Subway might be open in 'The Hills' but not here in Barrington at 2 AM."

Judith was arrested for DUI. Police say her car was impounded since Kristin admitted being drunk and couldn't drive.

We're told Kristin did not play the "do you know who I am?" card ... impressive since she's rumored to be dating Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler -- and we know how much Chicago loves Da Bears.

In the photos -- taken during the last week of June -- Mel shot a bothered look at the camera as a group of "fans" who recognized the star at the restaurant swarm him. Mel was at the restaurant because it's near the set of a movie he was shooting ... and really, who can resist their signature babyback ribs?

We're told Mel was "being really nice at first" ... but then "started to get a little annoyed" after several autograph and photo requests.

Days after these photos were taken, news broke that baby mama Oksana Grigoieva had secret recordings which allegedly captured Mel spewing racial and sexist hate towards her.

With Snooki supervising, Paula felt up Sitch's shaved smooth chest backstage at a rehearsal for the CMT Music Awards in Nashville on Wednesday.

Law enforcement sources tell us the D.A. and the cops are well aware of the Shakespearean drama between Juan-Carlos and his wife, Jennifer Campbell. TMZ broke the story that Campbell has been despondent for years over the couple's inability to have kids -- and she told members of her church and others she wanted to end her life, but her religion views suicide as a mortal sin.

Sources say Juan-Carlos was making a feeble attempt to end his wife's life and then kill himself, by trying to hire 3 homeless men to murder his wife. We're told the cops and prosecutors believe this was Cruz's MO.

We're told because of the circumstances ... in a plea bargain the D.A. would be inclined to dismiss the attempted murder charge. In return, we're told, the D.A. would be open to a guilty or no contest plea to solicitation to commit murder, which carries a 3 to 9-year sentence.

Denver Broncos defensive lineman Jamal Williams will drop hundreds of dollars to go where the buffalo roam ... as in chicken.

Last weekend Williams and 5 friends rolled into Maryjane's Coffee Shop in the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego at 3 AM ... closing time.

Our poultry spies say Williams -- who just signed a $16 million contract -- promised the staff he'd make it worth their while if they keep the joint hopping so his crew could chow down on burgers, buffalo wings and fries.

Jamal left each of the 6 employees a crispy $100 bill.

Paula Deen's good name has been slandered, and she's filthy rich -- this is what TMZ has learned from a lawsuit filed by Paula Deen Enterprises.

It seems the Food Network star made a deal with Celebrity Chefs Tour to do cooking demonstrations before live audiences in various cities. Short story: Paula's company claims the $150,000 advance she was supposed to get bounced, and after waiting for full payment she walked away, claiming Celeb Chefs Tour breached the agreement.

Paula claims Celeb Chefs Tour defamed her by making it seem she bailed for no good reason.

But here's what's interesting: Aside from the $150,000 advance, Paula's deal would have guaranteed her $130,000 for each event which featured her in two culinary performances.