italianchef

Sometime soon, possibly next week, our esteemed web master Aaron will unveil a new and exciting web format for PKIUnlimited. I don't know all the details, but rumor has it there'll be a column from an internationally famous author and even a new PC game! WOW! I think that we should all appreciate and respect out fearless leader. Aaron sacrifices much of his personal time and resources to keep this site operational. Therefore, I would like to publically express gratitude to Aaron and I hope that other people will too. Sincerely, Italian Chef

That is funny! I've never seen you and your friends do the chicken dance - but I would surely enjoy a good laugh if I did. When I lived in Japan and had too much to drink I would walk home and say to ladies "SUMIMASEN BOKU WA IROOTOKO!!!!" in the intonation of a sumo wrestling announcer and stretch like a sumo wrestler. That was as humorous as your chicken dance tale and made them laugh. One thing that PKI could really benefit from is a comedy show. Make people laugh! How about a Italian Chef cooking show with background dancers who do the chicken dance and two beautiful women assistants to help me with comedy skits in the kitchen. Just a thought.

Amen Brother Brad!

I too must vote for Rivertown because: 1. My favorite roller coaster in the park and in the world - The Beast is there. 2. Mrs. Chef's favorite ride in the park - White Water Canyon is there. 3. The Kings Island Miami Valley Railroad, which is relaxing and a great way to spend time after a meal, is there. Italian Chef

Siam Orchid in Alexandria, Kentucky. The food is great and cheap. The owner-chef and his wife are actually from Thailand and they are the nicest people you'll ever meet. That's why I agreed to appear on their TV show as an assistant chef instead of the star. Additionally, I am writing the entire script for the show and directing it too. However, I'm not the producer this time. Italian Chef

Ryan, I might have told you that I used to produce, write, and star in my own public access TV Cooking show called Home Cooking with Charles. In it we combined comedy skits with cooking. So, quite frankly I REALLY can produce, write, and star in a cooking-comedy show at PKI. Thanks for your kind words. Sincerely, Italian Chef PS - In case people were wondering why I call myself Italian Chef - it's because I was a TV Chef in Northern Kentucky until February this year. And I will be back on public access TV as an assistant Chef in the latter part of this year.

I don't think that anybody blames the performers per se. However, I'll point out the following: 1. A poorly written/produced show is poor no matter what. Even if you have a very talented cast...they won't be able to make a bad show good. 2. Sometimes a performer can be good at one genre, but inappropriate for another. Dolly Parton is an exception Country music singer. But would anyone take her serious as a soprano trying to hit high notes and breaking glass in Italian or German like Kathleen Battle or the late Maria Callis? Probably not. It's not the fault of the performer per se - but the performer's specialty may not match the kind of music or show he/she is appearing in. Hey, I'm a great Italian Chef - but I would be lost in a Thai cooking contest. Sincerely, Italian Chef PS - Next weekend I will actually fill in as an "assistant chef" at a Thai restaurant to film a cooking show for Kentucky public access TV. That will be quite an experience.

I agree with Boddah (aka Ryan) that The International Street Restaurant must've been closed due to financial reasons. PKI would've discontinue a restaurant/attraction if it was very profitable. Additionally, I agree that most of PKI's dining facilities are not the most romantic in the world to take a date to. However, I also agree that Bubba Gump's is a MAJOR step in the right direction. As of this year it is Mrs. Chef's favorite restaurant at PKI. And I think that it makes a great place to take a date. I've taken my wife there several times. And for those of you who are single, you can still date your spouse. Buying roses for your wife, asking her out on a date, and little things like that help keep a marriage romantic. Furthermore, I would like to commend Mandarin Cuisine as a GREAT leap forward in the right direction. As of this year it is MY favorite restaurant at PKI, surpassing Festhaus. The food is great and decently priced. Additionally, I grew up in a part of NYC that was largely Chinese - and the staff at Mandarin Cuisine is Chinese - or Asian anyway. Hence, I kind of feel at home there though I'm ethnically Italian. Under David Zellner's culinary stewardship, PKI is making great strides to improving its culinary offerings at PKI. Anyway, that's my opinion and advice. Have a groovy weekend. Sincerely, Italian Chef

As always, I respect your opinion. However, I'd like to point several things out: 1. PKI need not return the same performers for the show. A different cast can do it just as different casts around the world perform Cats, Les Misarables, 42nd Street (a joke if you lived in NYC), Phantom of the Opera, etc. 2. I have seen the performer who played Patch last year at Vibe this year - and I believe that the lady who played Medusa is also in Vibe. Additionally, I have heard that the performer who played Dr. Frankenstein is also performing at PKI this year. And I'm not sure about the whereabouts of the lady who played the Bride of Frankenstein - I think her name was Scream. Getting an ensemble of background dancers shouldn't be too hard. There was one of the lady dancers I admired very much, but since I am a public figure on this site, I shall decline to describe her. Otherwise, folks might tease her saying "Italian Chef thinks you're attractive. Too bad for you he's already happily married. Ha ha ha." Anyway, she wasn't the epitomy of my taste, but close to it. 3. Graveyard Shift was in my humble opinion - the greatest show PKI has put on since the year 2000. Sincerley, Italian Chef

So.....the magician's lady assistant is his wife! I figured they were at least dating as I saw the chesmistry between them. I'm glad that I was correct. Thanks Shaggy! You are truly the expert on all things PKI. Sincerely, Italian Chef PS - Look for my column to premier here HOPEFULLY next week. There will be one commentary article and one fictitious story - all based on PKI.

Should they ever re-open the International Street Restaurant, I will take Mrs. Chef there. It sounded like a classier place than Taco Bell.

Were you in the show by chance...? No I wasn't in Graveyard Shift - but my dancing abilities are good enough for me to be one of the Background dancers. And as for my singing - it is nothing less than horrible. Italian Chef

I did like last year's shows better. And I especially miss Graveyard Shift. That show was totally awesome and I wish that PKI would've had an encore presentation this season.

I've yet to dine at the International Street restaurant, but I hope tp within the next year. I heard that it was very nice.

I agree with you 100%!

I see plenty of teens eating metts and brats at Oktoberfest and Maifest celebrations in Covington & Cincinnati. Don't forget that Mason is in an area with a large German-American population and metts aren't all that different from hot dogs.

Nope. I can't. Was it only in Oktoberfest or in other parts of PKI too?

Both my parents are 75 years old and not in great shape. So I couldn't take either one of them with me to PKI.....not if I wanted to have fun anyway.

If memory serves me right, Jeff told me that he used to work for Disney Sports - The Mighty Ducks in Cincinnati. Since the Mighty Ducks and the Cyclones are both hockey teams, I can see why someone could easily get confused. Italian Chef

What does that have to do with Knowing Jeff Siebert? A quote from Jeff Siebert, "THE GOD AMONG MEN" is in my book. If you worship Jeff Siebert, then you should buy a book that has an actual written quote from him. To my knowledge, mine is the only book with a quote from Jeff Siebert. Additionally, my book praises Jeff in the Acknowledgements. Also, if Jeff is a "GOD AMONG MEN" and my book praises him and is exclusively about PKI - does that not make me a PKI prophet? Praise PKI! Hallelujah! Amen! Italian Chef

Here's an idea . Why not SPLIT OKTOBERFEST between International Street and Paramount Action Zone? The Festhaus and Viking Fury are right next to International Street and would enhance the "international" flair of International Street. Additionally, the Remote Control Boats & Cars, the Age & Weight Game Guessing Game, Airbrushed Shirts, and Woodworks can all be annexed by International Street as they too are next to it. Bubba Gump Shrimp Shack is VERY close to Paramout's Action Zone and is themed after a Paramount movie - it'd be at home in Paramount Action Zone. And Adventure Express, Sling Shot, and Kareoske would also fit nicely in Paramount Action Zone. And since Jumpin Jack Splash and Cyber says are right next to Coney Mall - they ought to be annexed by it. In my opinion, with only one German attraction left (Festhaus), Oktoberfest is no longer necessary as a separate area and should be divided the way I suggested. And while we're talking international.........Festhaus should offer German beer, metts, brats, and cole slaw. Have a groovy day, Italian Chef

The Tomb Raider show is being held at the International Showplace and lasts approximately 25 minutes. Tomb Raider will end on July 27th....so if you want to see it, you haven't much time left. Here is the schedule: Sunday-Friday: 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM, 7:30 PM Saturday: 2:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM And get to the show early. I got on line 20 minutes early to beat the crowd - and a huge crowd was already there! Live long and prosper, Italian Chef

I thought that the Tomb Raider show was cute. The "fighting" scenes looked too fake for my taste, but the stunts and special effects were quite impressive. I've seen Vibe 3 times and think it's okay - but not my taste. The reason I saw it as often as I have (and will see it again) is because Mrs. Chef is quite fond of the show. Given a choice, I'd rather see Graveyard Shift. Unfortunately...it's gone. And as I've said in other posts, Graveyard Shift was the greatest show I have EVER seen at PKI. And I'm sure my friend Blondie would agree with me. Italian Chef

Thursday is better than Friday or Saturday. Personally, I prefer a Wednesday. No matter what day you go.............wake up early and get to the park early! This way, you beat the crowds. Italian Chef

Personally I would recommend that everyone buy a copy (or more) of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island. It is the only book ever written exclusively about PKI. I checked out the Jeff Siebert fan page and thought it was cool. However, I thought that it might have more information about Jeff such as how be climbed the corporate ladder, his notable TV appearances on the Travel Channel, etc. Italian Chef