Famous Fathers Tell Us Their Dream Father's Day
Father's Day is quickly approaching, which means you don't have much longer to find the perfect present. It is notoriously difficult to cater to dads. Luckily, most fathers seem to have pretty basic tastes, they like their presents centered around sports themes, alcohol, and they'll always be grateful for a good pair of socks or the odd tie.
What better way to honor and thank your old man than with a cooked meal from or with his offspring? After all, the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
The order of this particular day is for full-flavored, gut-filling, chunky nourishment. Forget chocolate wafers, delicate finger sandwiches, and cream puffs — it's time for the "man-sized" real thing. No messing about. Think steaks, barbeques, burgers, and chops washed down with copious beer and plenty of alcohol on tap. This is not the day for calorie counting — your father deserves a king's banquet.
If finding just the right dish for your pa this Father's Day is a bit of a challenge, we've collected some succulent suggestions from an assortment of celebrity fathers that should give you plenty of food for thought:
Bill Rancic
"I've got the best of both worlds! I don't need to grill on Father's Day because I'm about to open our second restaurant, RPM Steak, in Chicago in a few weeks. I'm busy testing out all the new steaks on the menu like the "Duke" named after our little guy!"— Bill Rancic, star and executive producer of "Giuliana & Bill" on E! @BillRancic
Marc Murphy
"One of my favorite meals for Father's day is BBQ braised pork butt with grilled corn on the cob. My kids help shuck the corn and pull the meat apart when it's done. We also make different toppings for the corn like Aleppo pepper with Parmesan cheese and lime. It's a meal that's great for the whole family!" — Marc Murphy, Owner and Executive Chef of Benchmarc restaurants/Benchmarc Event and judge on Food Network's hit-show Chopped. @chefmarcmurphy *photo by Cedric Angeles
Tony Dovolani
"I would LOVE to be surprised on Father's Day by my wonderful kids and wife by having them grill me an incredible Filet Mignon with my favorite dry rub — chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper — I always love a good filet!" — Tony Dovolani, Health and Wellness Expert and star of Dancing with the Stars, @TonoyDovolani
Johnathon Schaech
"On my first Father's Day, I wish my son Camden and I could go to Oriole Stadium in Baltimore, eat at Dempsey's BBQ, and enjoy a Natty Boh [National Bohemian]. Then when Camden falls asleep, Julie and I will celebrate the Oriole's victory with some Axios Wine at The Black Olive with my mom and dad." — Johnathon Schaech, actor in hit TV series such as Ray Donovan, The Client List, Star-Crossed, and the upcoming, highly anticipated History Channel miniseries Texas Rising with Bill Paxton. @JohnSchaech photo by Alan Mercer
Dirk Vermin
"I am a dad first and I love my girls, Jasmine and TigerLily! They are older now and their palates have certainly evolved so it's good we can have more 'adult' fare. My choice would be to dine at Carla Pellegrino's Bratalian, in my opinion the best Neapolitan cuisine in the valley! I always start with the Insalatina di Mare: a blend of olives, celery, and fresh seafood in a perfectly balanced citronette, followed by Scaloppini Alla Saltimbocca: veal, sage and Parma prosciutto topped with melted mozzarella. Dessert is last and no meal I've ever had there ends without a double espresso and a slice of the award-winning Torta Di Ricotta. This is a ricotta cheesecake unlike any you've ever had. It's light and completely unique. My daughters love it! I can't think of a better way to spend father's day than surrounded by the love of my children with our bellies full of rich food cooked with LOVE!"– Dirk Vermin, star of A and E's Bad Ink, @DirkVermin photo coutesy of A and E
Mark Steines
"There is no better man-meal and more suited for father's day than BBQ ribs... I start with a good seasoned chipotle & brown sugar rub marinating overnight. Toss them on the grill to seal in the juices and then slow cook them for 6 hours. Serve with cold, crisp coleslaw and homemade French fries. Done and done!" — Mark Steines, host of Hallmark's Home & Family, @MarkSteines
Chef James Avery
"I do 99 percent of the cooking in my house, but every year since I became a dad, my wife and my kids serve me breakfast in bed. I love how my children try to impress me by perfectly placing all of the fruit and other toppings on the pancakes in symmetry. I think as my children grow (and they stop waking up before me), I would love to do a backyard clam bake with plenty of cold beer and good music!" — Chef James Avery, sous chef for chef Gordon Ramsay on FOX's popular TV show Hell's Kitchen photo by Corey Frank