Francine Austin sat perfectly still in “The Chew” studio audience Wednesday, Jan. 6, as the stars of the ABC show sampled her signature brown sugar and bourbon barbecue spare ribs. As part of a new segment, “Chews Me,” her ribs were up against another audience member’s tortellini soup. Co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Daphne Oz and Carla Hall conferred to choose a favorite.
“The winner is … the ribs!” Oz called out, and Austin, a Connecticut salon owner, leaped from her seat and did a victory dance. She then donned a green apron and joined Hall onstage to demonstrate the recipe….
