Famous Food

Oprah flew all the way to Italy to search for the world’s most expensive, and perhaps over hyped fungus -- yes, we're talking white truffles! Go ahead and lose your mind, everyone.

Important side issue: What the hell are white truffles?

If you don't know (you're not alone) ... watch this for a quick lesson -- and also to see Oprah’s ass.

It's shocking ... NBC News has dug an even deeper hole for itself in it's self-created Ebola scandal. Brian Williams just read Dr. Nancy Snyderman's tepid, vague mea culpa in which she never takes personal responsibility for violating the quarantine after being exposed to the Ebola virus.

As TMZ reported ... Snyderman and 2 members of her crew -- all under quarantine -- made a food run to Peasant Grill near Princeton University. Sources say New Jersey health officials investigated and concluded based on witness accounts that Snyderman was in the car while a crew member got the grub.

Williams just read Snyderman's statement on "NBC Nightly News," in which she says, "While under voluntary quarantine guidelines, which called for our team to avoid public contact for 21 days, members of our group violated those guidelines and understand that our quarantine is now mandatory until 21 days have passed. We remain healthy and our temperatures are normal."

She's kidding, right? SHE violated the quarantine, yet never took personal responsibility.

We have repeatedly called and emailed NBC News for comment but they have gone radio silent, saying there were "privacy concerns."

NBC News has taken what could have been a 1 day blip and turned it into a major story.

Amazing.

The "Grey's Anatomy" cast and crew have no time for fatties ... and based on their daily menu it seems like they're vying for the title of healthiest prime time drama.

Our production sources tell us Dr. McDreamy and co. don't chow down on the usual craft services junk food found on most TV show sets. Instead they feast on natural foods, fruits, veggies, and other healthy options. A typical offering includes:

-egg whites with zucchini
-turkey bacon
-vegetable sausage
-gluten-free banana oatmeal
-greek yogurt
-berries and other fresh fruit for juicing

Dr. Nancy Snyderman may have gone all home remedy to prevent Ebola ... because she may have made a very secret run Thursday to a New Jersey restaurant known for its soup ... thus violating her voluntary quarantine.

The NBC doc and her news team were placed on a 21-day voluntary quarantine as a precaution because one of the cameramen they worked with tested positive for Ebola.

But Snyderman reportedly violated the quarantine by going to the Peasant Grill in Hopewell Boro, New Jersey Thursday afternoon. Several people say they saw Snyderman in her Mercedes with shades and a ponytail as a man walked inside the restaurant to pick up some grub ... this according to Planet Princeton.

We're told the owners of the restaurant did not see Snyderman there.

The risk of Ebola for Snyderman and her crew is low ... nonetheless, the New Jersey Department of Health has now issued a mandatory quarantine for the group.

Someone connected to the restaurant tells TMZ ... the Peasant Grill is one of Nancy's favorite restaurants ... so much so she sometimes uses them to cater dinner parties.

NBC News will not discuss the matter, telling TMZ there are privacy concerns. We also left messages for Snyderman and her rep ... so far no response.

Renegade street artist Alec Monopoly's bad boy rep just took a serious hit ... 'cause he did something really nice ... involving a sick kid, a sweet whip and legendary meat.

Monopoly hit the town with 19-year-old cancer survivor Zachary Elliott ... first, picking him up at LAX in a white Rolls-Royce Phantom ... then whisking him off to the nearest In-N-Out Burger for his first Double-Double.

Elliott -- who's from Greenville, SC -- lost a leg to bone cancer and says Monopoly's art inspired him while he was fighting for survival ... so the Children's Wish Foundation hooked them up.

Monopoly also showed off his skills ... taking Elliott to a graffiti project in Santa Monica, where he covered a wall with his signature piece ... the rich dude from Monopoly.

McDonald's is being sued because the manager of one of its NYC stores beat the crap out of a customer, but there's no doubt ... the customer is leaving out a crucial detail.

Joel Roach says he went to the 24-hour burger joint in June, 2013 at around 5 AM. We're guessing the 5 AM thing may prove significant.

Roach's lawyer tells us a very friendly manager groused, Soup Nazi style, "We don't have any food."

We're told Roach was indignant, pointing out there was lots of food displayed right in front of him, under the heat lamps.

So Roach goes on ... saying the manager fired back that all the food was earmarked for another customer. He says they started arguing and the manager allegedly said, "Let's take it outside and I'm gonna kick your ass."

Roach says the manager made good on his threat and sucker punched him ... causing him to fall to the ground, breaking his fibula.

You having trouble with this one too? Yeah, we think the 5 AM hankerin' is important too.

Jordin Sparks is throwing shade on Jason Derulo for saying he ended their 3-year relationship because she was pressuring him to marry her.

Jordan made it clear to our photog Wednesday ... words come cheap.

She then turned all gracious on us ... telling us she wants nothing but the best for her ex ... despite the fact he trashed her on Ryan Seacrest's radio show.

She talks about break-up comfort food, and of course ... our camera guy wanted to know if she's up for Tinder.

The cooking couple that starred in "Down Home With The Neelys" hated each other FOR YEARS ... enduring 11 seasons of mutual contempt before calling it quits.

Sources close to both Pat and Gina Neely tell TMZ ... the marriage was doomed even before the show fired up in 2009 ... and the pressures of TV made things a lot worse.

We're told the Neelys had no idea the show would endure but they rode the fame train when it became a hit ... with each accusing the other of having an unquenchable thirst for the spotlight.

Now that they've thrown in the towel ... he's splintered off by himself and believes Gina will fail without him. The reason ... his family owns the famous recipes and he's the master chef. As for her ... she thinks she can trump him because she's a bigger TV personality.

They will still be tied at the hip in NYC ... where they co-own Neely's Barbecue Parlor. They have no plans to sell it.

Gina filed the divorce papers earlier this month.

Danny Trejo’s new restaurant SOUNDS like a great idea -- except for the fact he's opening it up just down the street from one of L.A.'s landmark locations ... Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles!

And that means it's time for -- soul food vs. Mexican food!! It's about to get freakin’ delicious up in here.

*** WARNING -- DO NOT WATCH THIS VIDEO WHILE EATING ***

Gene Simmons believes in the five-second rule a little too much, because Monday he ate a piece of his hamburger -- AFTER IT FELL ON THE GROUND! AT LAX!!!!!

Simmons was chatting up a photog while eating a burger -- most likely from his restaurant, Rock & Brews, at LAX. Not only did Simmons snarf down the floor meat ... he flaunted it before throwing it down.

No burger can be THAT good.

The "Kitchen Nightmares" star who appeared to threaten a customer with a knife says the patron was drunk and threatening -- inciting Samy Bouzaglo by calling him a "piece of s**t."

The video we posted -- showing Samy wielding a weapon at the guy -- tells only part of the story ... so says Amy Bouzaglo.

Amy tells us the customer was falling down drunk inside their Scottsdale restaurant and became belligerent when Samy asked him to leave.

Amy says the man got in Samy's face and began cussing him out, saying, "you're a f***ing piece of s**t, I saw you on that show."

She says Samy smelled an attack coming, so he grabbed what was handy to defend the 2 of them -- and she insists the weapon was a pen, NOT a knife.

Cops tell us ... witnesses said it was a knife ... and it sure looks like one from the video.

Before Samy walked outside, we're told he waived the weapon around and called the customer a "c**t."

Check out the 911 for the full play-by-play from another customer.

It might be the most special of all the Derek Jeter tributes -- TMZ Sports has learned the legendary Carnegie Deli in NYC will now offer a $28 sandwich to honor the Yankees captain.

So, what does one get for $28?

A rep for the deli tells us ... the "Derek Jeter Triple Club Sandwich" comes piled high with 2 classic meats (because he's #2) -- turkey and bacon.

Plus, several slices of American cheese -- with tomato and lettuce ... served on toasted white bread.

Mmmmmmmm.

The deli rep adds, "We chose American Cheese because nothing is more American than baseball."

Amy's Baking Company founder Samy Bouzaglo -- who appeared on "Kitchen Nightmares" -- attacked someone with a knife outside his restaurant Saturday ... and the footage is CRAZY!

The person who shot the video says a drunk guy was eating at the Scottsdale restaurant when Samy's wife Amy Bouzaglo became enraged and ordered him to leave -- and he did.

But Samy wasn't done with him. The video shows him outside -- waving a knife  -- going after the guy. You hear him scream to his wife, "Let me!"

Samy eventually backed off, the guy left.

We called the Bouzaglo's ... and they INSIST Samy was holding a pen -- not a knife.

Rod Stewart has been getting free drinks and partying his face off in NYC ... but wait ... Rod's rep says it's not him.

Faux Rod has been spotted partying in the Meatpacking District, crashing World Cup parties and for some reason loitering around a schoolyard ... according to Page Six.

The man reportedly has been showered with free drinks and meals -- ya know ... shop owners trying to impress a celeb.

A dude who looks A LOT like the 69-year old singer was recently pictured on the subway -- it's unclear if this is the same person claiming rock royalty.

The husband-wife chefs from "Down Home With The Neelys" have officially made mince meat of their 19-year marriage -- Gina Neely's filed for divorce.

Gina and her estranged husband Pat Neely became household names with a long-running Food Network show. According to the docs, they've been separated for 2 years ... though you'd never be able to tell from their show ... which they've continued to shoot all along.

Gina cites irreconcilable differences in the papers -- but according to a joint statement ... they're splitting on good terms, and will continue to run their NYC barbecue restaurant together. They also say they'll be focusing on their "individual brands" ... which sounds like the show might be cooked.

They have 2 daughters, but both are over 18 -- so, no child support. The biggest issue for them might be ... who gets the delicious wing recipe!

If you want to go to Hulk Hogan’s Tampa restaurant you better follow the strict dress code -- NO baggy pants, NO excessive jewelry and NO do-rags.

Hmm … could there be an easier -- yet slightly more racist -- way to say this?