FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com JANUARY 15, 2015 • THE COURIER SUN 3 RIDGEWOOD PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF LIAO MAGICIAN COMPETES ON ‘WORST COOKS IN AMERICA’ BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] @CristabelleT A Ridgewood magician is trying to make his disastrous cooking skills disappear LEROY COMRIE SWORN IN AS NEW STATE SENATOR FOR SOUTHEAST QUEENS BY SALVATORE LICATA [email protected]/@Sal_Licata1 Newly elected state Sen. Leroy Comrie was joined by many of his friends, family and other members of government as he was sworn in to his new duties on Jan. 11. The ceremony was held at York College and bought together a small army of elected officials, including U.S. Sen Charles Schumer, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Leticia James and Borough President Melinda Katz, among others. They praised Comrie for his work as a city councilman and as deputy borough president in the past, and wished him well in the Senate. “Leroy Comrie is an exceptional public servant with a tireless work ethic and a proven track record of working on behalf of the interests of his constituents,” Katz said. “I know Senator Comrie will do an outstanding job in Albany because he always puts the concerns of his constituents first. I congratulate Senator Comrie on his inauguration today and wish him all the best as he represents the people of southeastern Queens.” The state Senate opens its first Legislative session of the year in Albany today. Comrie will join his fellow Democrats in Albany, where Republicans this year retook the Senate majority. He left his position as deputy borough president in April of 2014 as he was making his bid for state Senate against his democratic primary opponent Malcolm Smith. Comrie defeated Smith, who is battling federal charges connected with his alleged attempt to bribe his way onto the ballot as a Republican candidate. Smith’s first federal prosecution ended in mistrial. His new trial started last week in a federal court in White Plains. Comrie now takes over the Senate seat in District 14 and is looking forward to his new role. “Thank you to all of my colleagues in government, clergy and faith leaders, community leaders, my great friends in the labor movement, family, friends and community members that came out to my inauguration ceremony,” he said in a post on his Facebook page. “It was truly a blessing to share time with you this evening and I am always humbled by the overwhelming support and encouragement as I begin my new role as state Senator representing the 14th District in Queens.” — and he’s turned to the Food Network for help. Michael “Six” Muldoon, 26, is a contestant on “Worst Cooks in America,” which kicked off its sixth season on Jan. 4. The show takes 14 abysmal home cooks and divides them into two teams — one led by returning Chef Anne Burrell and the second by firsttime opponent Chef Tyler Florence. The contestants go through a culinary boot camp, during which two of them are eliminated each week. Two finalists, one from each team, will face off in the finale, where they will prepare a three-course menu. The winner will receive $25,000 and bragging rights for their chef. Just how bad are these cooks? Some admit to starting kitchen fires and even poisoning friends and family. When the contestants are told to create their signature dish in the first episode so the chefs can choose their teams, one contestant substitutes gummy bears for goose fat, then tries to cut the candy with the wrong end of a knife. Another woman cooks a baked potato by microwaving it in a plastic bag. But Muldoon is just as clueless. “I try to make meals that look like one thing and taste like something else, and it just never seems to work,” the magician says as he tries to explain his spaghetti and meatball cake, which looks like a cake but taste like spaghetti and meatballs. Florence is not impressed. “Surprise, it’s burnt,” he says. And Burrell ends up picking Muldoon for her team. Muldoon’s magic skills are better left for the stage, not the kitchen. At a young age, Muldoon coped with having a sixth finger and weight issues. His Maspeth house burned down when he was 11 and his parents separated around that time. Muldoon found magic at about age 13, which helped give him the confidence he needed. He later turned the hobby into a career. In addition to performing, he started System 6 Magic, a company that produces playing cards and DVDs. He is also vice president of Magicians Without Borders, which travels to more than 30 countries “using magic to entertain, educate and empower.” Muldoon, who was 25 when he appeared on “Worst Cooks,” was nominated to be a contestant by his brother for his magic-inspired food that constantly missed the mark. The two have a bet that if Muldoon learns to cook, then his brother will learn some magic tricks. “I wasn’t cooking bad. I was cooking over the top more than anything else, ” Muldoon said. He only heard of the show in passing before being nominated, and after watching past episodes he wasn’t sure he could take the humiliation. But he ultimately decided the challenge was worth it. “This is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. You are learning and you’re memorizing and there are a lot steps,” he said. Muldoon also wanted to appear on the competition so he could learn to cook for his girlfriend. With his new skills, he says it’s nice to give her a break from making meals. Though Muldoon says the biggest lesson he’s learned from the show is simplicity, it doesn’t mean he has given up on his magic dishes. “It’s in the back of my head,” he said. “Knowing what I know, I wonder if I can pull off a good one now.” To see Muldoon compete in the next episode of “Worst Cooks in America,” watch Sunday, Jan. 18, at 9 p.m. on the Food Network. Photo courtesy of Food Network Michael “Six” Muldoon
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