Entertainment

Ted Allen spreads his gospel, that everyone can enjoy fine dining and wines, through television (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Uncorked: Wine Made Simple), his cookbook (The Food You Want to Eat: 100 Smart, Simple Recipes) and as a judge on Top Chef and Iron Chef America. On Sunday, he brings his message in person to Taste Addison, a part of his role as food and wine ambassador for Robert Mondavi Private Selection. He discussed this weekend's event as well as the upcoming Top Chef finale from Puerto Rico, where he was filming the show's final episodes.

What brings you to Taste Addison on Sunday?

The tour is called Discover Wine, and we're taking it to all sorts of food festivals, art fairs and jazz fests around the country. And we'll talk about ways to match wine with food on a very introductory level. Anybody will understand. I'm more interested in talking to regular people about wine than I am to wine experts about it. I find it more exciting, and there are so many people in this country who never drink wine who are really missing out on what I think makes the eating experience so much more spectacular.

What will people learn from your program?

I'm going to do a cooking demonstration. I think I'm doing some sort of chicken with rosemary and olives, which is a dish that anybody can cook. And then I'll talk a little bit about what wines go with that, and then I'll probably make a side dish, too.

What lessons do you want people to learn about wine?

The two things that I think are most important in developing a taste in wine are drinking a lot of it and being unafraid of asking for help. So try new things, and if you're uncertain of what to order, ask.

I know you can't give any Top Chef spoilers, but are you surprised who made it to the finale?

There are some fantastic surprises going into the finale. Whatever you may think or however you might want to handicap it, remember it doesn't matter who the best chef is. There are front-runners in this cast. But it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, you have to win the last battle or you don't win. I'm stealing [Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio's] analogy: You could be the New York Yankees and be undefeated the entire year, but if you lose the wrong game in the World Series, you're not the champ.

So you'll be taping the finale the night before your Taste Addison appearance.

By the time I fly into Dallas, I will know who won Top Chef, and no, I'm not going to tell you when I get there.