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Thomas Keller is one of those chefs people speak of with awe. His restaurant, the cheap rings Laundry, is a place where people dream about going. All of which inspires a few to make the trek to the little town of Yountville, in Napa Valley, and spend hundreds of dollars to dine there.

But down the street is Keller's homier eatery called Ad Hoc. It offers family style meals - no choices - whatever they're putting on the table that night.

We traveled to Ad Hoc to sample recipes from Thomas Keller's new cookbook, "Ad Hoc at Home."

Mr. THOMAS KELLER (Chef, Owner, The French Laundry, Ad Hoc): Did you guys get some water, coffee, tea?

MONTAGNE: That would be Chef Keller, showing the way into the kitchen where he's going to prepare us a meal.

Mr. KELLER: Cooks always love to be in the kitchen. I can't go to cheap tiffany house and not help in the kitchen. I don't care if it's chopping parsley or peeling onions or whatever. I mean, it's just, it's part of my nature. I want to be in the kitchen.

MONTAGNE: Ad Hoc celebrates the foods Thomas Keller would have eaten as a kid. For a man made famous for dishes that are more like high art, Keller appreciates the power of the humblest of flavors.

Mr. KELLER: Take ketchup, for example. The benchmark for ketchup in America is really Heinz. I remember years ago, when chefs thought that they wanted to make their own ketchups in their restaurants and you had all these different ketchups that you had in restaurants. Nobody really liked it, everybody wanted to get a bottle of Heinz. It's because we grew up on those flavors.

Peanut butter - I mean, Skippy, to me is what peanut butter should taste like. I know that maybe naturally ground peanuts into peanut silver bracelets may be better for me, but Skippy's really that flavor that I'm looking for. So, we have to really kind of respect some of those flavor profiles that we're dealing with.

We just did a piece for my Black Ball - beautiful dog tags with the quote: "The cheap money clips way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." It's from Gandhi. We're gearing up now for the formal launch of our first collaborative line in 2010.

My other AKW venture is an idea I've had for a little while now, an online inspirational site called IAmASuperwoman.com. It will launch Dec. 15 along with my album. It's going to be a great lifestyle place for people to visit . . . ultimately, in essence, an online magazine. A place where you can get overall advice on financial matters, beauty and fitness as well as tips and thoughts on other subjects. I want to engage wonderful women from all walks of life to share their experiences, who can bring specialized knowledge to different areas on the site. It will be a place where people can commune and talk about what's on their minds, what's going on in the world politically and socially.

Any movie or TV projects on your horizon?

On the acting side, there is one main role that 1 very much want to tell you about, but I can't. I know that sucks [laughs]. I can say it's an action film. But if it all comes together, that would really, really be my goal of the year.

Outside of that, my manager/partner Jeff Robinson and 1 are working on a TV show for N BC that's coming along well. And we're working on a film with Miramax about a female DJ. I personally want to get involved with Broadway. I have some great ideas in terms of developing new pieces as well as helping to bring other strong cheap necklaces to Broadway.

If you weren't in music, what would you be doing?

I definitely love people and being a part of people's lives. I guess I'd be of service to people in some way. Still on my list of things I want to accomplish is creating charter schools.

Looking back on your career, has the journey been what you thought it would be?

This industry is difficult to break into. Like anything you want to do, you have to love it and be completely focused on it. Nothing can divert or distract you. It's not going to happen quick, it's not going to be real easy. It's not going to be the answer to all your problems or like some Cinderella story. There's no such thing.

I look back and see where 1 started from and, in my cheap pendants, I'm just starting. Honestly, all of it is one big surprise. The many accomplishments that I've been able to be a part of . . . I feel extremely humble, grateful and excited to continue on that path. It's all one big "wow."

I don't really have a desire to do my own label, to be honest with you. It's like a pain in the ass [cheap earrings], because you've got to deal with so much irrelevant stuff. To do like me times six or seven other people, I don't know. I might totally lose it. I have more of a desire to bring talented people to the forefront and help support them. That's why 1 see myself doing more of the writer/producer thing. But not necessarily running a label because labels are dying. It's a whole different world.

You could feel the fun you were having performing "Empire State of Mind" with Jay-Z during the World Series. What jazzes you about being onstage?

One of my favorite things is experiencing the spontaneous moment that only happens once. No matter how many times you perform, you never have the same moment twice, And I love that. I love the magic ofthat one moment in that one place shared only by myself and all the people who attended that night. It's our special connection. There's nothing like the energy, communication and unity that happens through music. Even if you don't speak the same language, you understand music.

In the meantime, you've established a new company called AK Worldwide. How did you come up with its slogan: "The business of inspiration"?

AKW is the home base for everything I'm involved in presently and cheap jewelry to become involved with in the future. [Her AKW team includes managing director Erika Rose and director of operations DJ Walton.] And its slogan means a lot to me. When I first started in this business, I was really young and trying to figure out' how to balance and make everything work. It wasn't until about 18 months ago that it all made sense to me. That for me - through my music and the various ventures I've done so far - there's a certain inspiration aspect that goes along with the kind of businesses I want to be involved in.

I'd always wondered why I was so attracted to the model of Oprah Winfrey, and 1 realized it's because she's able to do things in an incredible way that somehow touches your life and makes you think about things in a whole new way. There's a lot of inspiration in what she does and gives to the world.

And that's where I feel comfortable, working with what feels natural and authentic. There's enough in the world that focuses on the other side. I'd like to focus on what can lift us up as a people, help us learn and be open to new things.

Besides your philanthropic endeavor, Keep a Child Alive, what other AKW ventures are being planned?

A new partnership I'm involved with is a jewelry tine called the Barber's Daughters. I met a designer [Gisèle Theriault] in Toronto who makes gorgeous jewelry. I was just so shocked and stunned by her work. Not only is it all done by hand but it's also handengraved with beautiful words and phrases. Being a lyricist, I love cheap key rings. And every word written on this jewelry gives you something to think about, to strive for or lift you up in your journey. You can feel the words on your skin as if it's your own personal mantra. [Keys will debut the collection Nov. 23-24 at a public event at Collette Blanchard Gallery in New York.]

It was just a natura] progression. While we were mixing the last couple of songs, it felt like we cheap bangles have been rushing for no reason to put the finishing touches on songs that deserved one more week or so to do properly. So we gently moved the album back.

You've now released two singles, "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart." What other sonic hints can you share about the new album?

This album is really just about growth and freedom. Sonically, the sound is grand and massive. It feels emotional and vulnerable but there's also a kind of freedom in it. 1 can't quite find a better word than freedom to really describe it. Even though every song has touches of different textures and sounds, the overall [sense of] freedom is the thing that grounds it. It's definitely the theme of where I am in my life.

Another song example is the track "Love Is Blind." Some people say the piano on it sounds like something from Marvin Gaye or Bob Marley. We've been using a lot of different keyboard sounds on this album. This particular song uses the CP 70 keyboard. It looks just like a piano but has a cheap bracelets tone; more of an electric sound. The song has a darker tone to it and the beats get real heavy. But then the vocals are very soulful and bluesy.

Who is the producer on that track?

On "Love Is Blind" and "Try," I worked with Jeff Bhasker. He plays beautiful keyboards and piano. We definitely had a great time playing together.

You worked again with longtime collaborator Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Who else are you collaborating with on "Freedom"?

The album mainly features me. There are one or two more songs I'm working on now that it would be really cheap cufflinks to tell you about. But I'd like to finalize everything before I start spreading the word.

An unseasonal gust of wind greets Alicia Keys as she steps out of a thanksgiving necklaces behind a Beverly Hills hotel on a lateOctober afternoon. Decked out in a black leather vest and black leggings brightly accented by turquoise suede knee-high boots and a hint of matching eyeliner, the Grammy Award-winning artist gets surprised by the chilly blast as she ducks into a waiting black sport utility vehicle. Commenting on the wind's force, the singer laughs when it's suggested the quick dust-up is a forecast of the whirlwind activity cranking up on behalf of her latest studio album, "The Element of Freedom."

On this particular afternoon, the singer/songwriter/producer/musician is being whisked off to CBS Studios to perform her second single, "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart," for an episode of "Dancing With the Stars" that will air Nov. 17. From there, she hopped on the freeway- in rush hour traffic -to neighboring Long Beach, Calif., where she spoke and closed California first lady Maria Shriver's annual Women's Conference with a rendition of her hit "Superwoman."

Super woman, indeed. That same night Keys boarded a plane back home to New York to prepare for her and JayZ's rocking Yankee Stadium thanksgiving pendants of "Empire State of Mind" during Game 2 of the World Series. Just two weeks prior, Keys hosted her sixth annual Black Ball at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom, where among the 1,000 guests were Chris Martin, John Mayer and David Bowie. The benefit was for the nonprofit AIDS organization the singer cofounded, Keep a Child Alive, which helps families in Africa and India- and it raised $2.4 million. In between all of this, the indefatigable artist launched a new company, AK Worldwide- prepping a new Web site and jewelry line as part of that endeavor- and began recording more music for her fifth album, "The Element of Freedom."

Originally slated for Dec. 1 (World AIDS Day), the MBK Entertainment/J Records project is now set for a simultaneous worldwide release Dec. 15. "She had a couple of more things in the oven and she wants this to be right," says Carolyn Williams, senior VP of urban marketing for J. "So we gave her the additional time she needed. We also get a second look into the market to build a stronger awareness campaign."

Using more viral marketing this time, J Records alerted fans to the project's lost-love lead single, "Doesn't Mean Anything," through announcements on "Live With Regis and Kelly," MTV, BET and various blogs including PerezHilton.com. "Doesn't" is No. 14 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On its heels is the aforementioned "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart." Keys performed both songs during her "The Element of Freedom: The Lecture & Performance Series" Oct. 21 at New York University's Skirball Center.

Keys' live NYU performance is airing on "thanksgiving rings Pepsi Smash" this week. After a Nov. 5 appearance at the Latin Grammy Awards, upcoming performances by the singer include the American Music Awards (Nov. 22), the "Today" show's outdoor concert series (Nov. 24), the U.K. program "The X Factor" (Nov. 29), the "Christmas at Rockefeller Center" special (airing Dec. 2), a headlining stint at the 2009 Cayman Jazz Festival (Dec. 3-5), "Late Show With David Letterman" (Dec. 14) and "The View" (Dec. 16).

Jelly Belly Candy Company is recalling 7.5-ounce cylinder-style packages of 49 Flavors thanksgiving cufflinks Belly jelly beans because the package is incorrectly labeled. The mislabeled packages failed to list peanut butter and peanut flour in the ingredient statement. People who have an allergy to peanuts or a severe sensitivity to peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these ingredients.

The Jelly Belly 49 Flavors cylinder packages were shipped to approximately 200 independent stores nationwide from September 29 to October 30, 2009. Product was packaged in a clear 7.5-ounce acetate cylinder with white label on the bottom of the package with lot codes 090925, 090928, 090929 or 091001. UPC code 071567989398

The recall was initiated after the company's thanksgiving earrings control efforts identified the incorrect ingredient statement. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other candies or packaged candies from Jelly Belly are a part of this recall, and there is no health risk for consumers who are not allergic to peanuts.

Consumers who have a peanut allergy and purchased this product in the last five weeks are urged to return it to Jelly Belly Candy Company, One Jelly Belly Lane, Fairfield, Calif., 94533. Consumers and retailers with questions about the recall should call the Jelly Belly Hotline at 800-522-3267 Monday-Friday 7 am to 5 pm thanksgiving key rings.

The people of North Bengal and Sikkim have a great aesthetic sense. Be it thanksgiving gifts or fashion, people here are quick to adapt and adopt. NINE FM Siliguri and International Institute of Fashion Design INIFD organized STYLE AND TRENDS 2009 which was a real feast for the fashion lovers of this part of the world.

The theme of the show was 48 Degree Celsius. This show was not any regular fashion show; it was a show with a social message spreading awareness on the effects of Global Warming and how to adapt oneself to it.

Dazzling models from Mumbai, Kolkata & North Bengal walked down the runway with a lot of flamboyance displaying creations by students of INIFD that had natural fibers like jute and khadi yet with a modern outlook.

Sharbari Dutta, nationally and internationally acclaimed fashion designer of Kolkata, graced the occasion with her presence as the esteemed judge. The categories of excellence on which the creation of students were judged were

1.Avant Garde

2.Most Stylish thanksgiving gift ideas

3.Most Saleable Childrens wear.

Dermatologists, botanists and horticulturists were invited to speak on the benefits of natural fibers.

Mr. Bobby Gupta, Chief Executive of NINE on 91.9FM who was present at the event said NINE FM is a station which thinks globally and act locally. This show was an initiative to spread awareness on the effects of global warming. NINE FM is a Young and Contemporary Station which is why it believes in thanksgiving bracelets the youth on social issues through such shows.

As the media partner, NINE on 91.9FM promoted the show on-air. Live links from the venue was broadcast on-air on NINE FM. NINE representative hosted the entire show. Interviews of the delegates present were aired on NINE FM who conversed on the effects of Global Warming.

CEO and director of the interior design factory, La Sarogeeka, Anjali thanksgiving crafts gifts, 44, dreams of changing the living style of every Indian. A natural fashionista, who had stints with Paco Rabbanne and Christian Dior as a designer before she turned entrepreneur, is a woman who knows how to get what she wants. What's more, she looks good.

"I have worked hard to be where I am and have gone through every kind of challenge imaginable, but I survived because I never lost my ability to dream. I was so sure of the fact that I was going to get somewhere in life."

White kurta and capri pants with dull gold accents by Suroor Goel and matching open toed wedges by Nine West.

A quick tip for your living room. Keep the furniture simple and uncluttered. Add contrast with one statement piece that makes the difference like the pebbled sette which adds a dash of colour to the white overall.

"We are not interior decorators. My business is an industry. 90 per cent of my clients are from places like Aurangabad and Amritsar. I love them because they have worked hard to achieve their success and they deserve it."

Black empire waisted dress by Ann Taylor and shoes by Nine West.

One always expects a boardroom to be dull and dreary, snazz it up with thanksgiving day 2010 and interesting lamps.

"I love the sari. It's my favourite outfit. It's elegant and suits almost every occasion."

Red and black cocktail saree by Suroor Goel, jewellery her own design. Watch by Cartier.

Even though a bar is such a western concept, do it up with some Indian accents, in the form of motifs and colours used.

"I knew I had to get married by 21, I had no choice, and therefore I worked around it. I guess I was driven by my urge to be a successful working woman by the time I got married and knew that I did not have time."

Black chequered jacket by Zara, jeans by Armani and boots by Nine West.

A study is the perfect place to sit and relax. Do it up in Thanksgiving surprise gift colours with classic strong designs to get that old world Raj feel

Congressman Spencer Bachus (AL-6) said a federal watchdog report on the tiffany engagement rings bailout shows why the government should never again ask taxpayers to save failing firms.

Bachus, Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee, commented on a report by the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) that detailed how the insurance giant's largest counterparties received "backdoor bailouts" while others were left holding the bag and taxpayers assumed massive liabilities. Bachus raised the issue in March when he questioned Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner at a committee hearing.

Bachus is the author of financial reform legislation that would end government bailouts. He issued the following statement on the report.

"This report paints a devastating picture of a Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) that was ill-prepared to deal with the problems at AIG, and failed to fight for what was in the best interest of the taxpayers.

"Even more troubling is the fact that the FRBNY, then under the leadership of Tim Geithner, failed to receive any voluntary concessions by using a strategy that was doomed to fail. thanksgiving day celebration resulted was nothing more than a backdoor bailout of AIG's largest counterparties, both foreign and domestic, at the expense of taxpayers.

"While the Democrats are seeking to codify AIG-style bailouts, the SIGTARP's report confirms that Americans deserve better. That is why Republicans have proposed a solution that protects taxpayers and ends the bailouts. By directing all failed non-banks to an enhanced bankruptcy proceeding, Republicans are ensuring that taxpayers will never again be asked to pay for mistakes on Wall Street."

NOTE: Ranking Member Spencer Bachus sent this letter to Chairman Barney Frank on March 25, 2009 urging Committee hearings to examine the disparity among AIG's counterparty payments.

Bachus also questioned Secretary Tim Geithner during a Committee hearing on March 24, 2009 on whether the FRBNY attempted to obtain "haircuts" from counterparties. During the exchange Geithner informs Bachus that the FRBNY explored "every possible means to reduce the drain on their [thanksgiving teacher gifts] resources." However, the SIGTARP audit report concludes that the New York Fed's policy decisions "came with a cost - they led directly to a negotiating strategy with the counterparties that even then-FRBNY President Geithner acknowledged had little likelihood of success."

Congressman Spencer Bachus, the top Republican on the Financial Services money clips, made the following statement regarding the report on AIG's counterparty payments by the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP):

"This report paints a devastating picture of a Federal Reserve Bank of New York (FRBNY) that was ill-prepared to deal with the problems at AIG, and failed to fight for what was in the best interest of the taxpayers.

"Even more troubling is the fact that the FRBNY, then under the leadership of Tim Geithner, failed to receive any voluntary concessions by using a strategy that was doomed to fail. What resulted was nothing more than a backdoor bailout of AIG's largest counterparties, both foreign and domestic, at the expense of taxpayers.

"While the Democrats are seeking to codify AIG-style bailouts, the SIGTARP's report confirms that Americans deserve better. That is why Republicans have proposed a solution tiffany sets protects taxpayers and ends the bailouts. By directing all failed non-banks to an enhanced bankruptcy proceeding, Republicans are ensuring that taxpayers will never again be asked to pay for mistakes on Wall Street."

NOTE: Ranking Member Spencer Bachus sent this letter to Chairman Barney Frank on March 25, 2009 urging Committee hearings to examine the disparity among AIG's counterparty payments.

Bachus also questioned Secretary Tim Geithner during a Committee hearing on March 24, 2009 on whether the FRBNY attempted to obtain "haircuts" from counterparties. During the exchange Geithner informs Bachus that the FRBNY explored "every possible means to reduce the drain on their [AIG's] resources." However, the SIGTARP audit report concludes that the New York Fed's policy decisions "came with a cost - they led directly to a negotiating strategy with the counterparties that tiffany watches then-FRBNY President Geithner acknowledged had little likelihood of success."