Columnist Muriel Stevens: As author, Chef Flay really cooks

Wednesday, May 25, 2005 | 8:27 a.m.

Just in time for Father's Day comes a new cookbook from Bobby Flay. "Grilling for Life" (Flay with Stephanie Banyas and Sally Jackson, Scribner, $22) includes "75 healthier ideas for big flavor from the fire" by the boldly creative chef, restaurateur, Food Network celebrity and philanthropist.

This has been a banner year for Flay. In February he married actress Stephanie March. In March, Bon Appetit magazine named his Mesa Grill restaurant at Caesars Palace one of the 50 hottest new restaurants in the nation, and the Conde Nast Traveler named the restaurant as one of two in Las Vegas on its Hot List in its May edition.

On Friday, Flay won his first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Service Show Host on "Boy Meets Grill." You can meet the personable Flay on June 28 when he signs copies of "Grilling for Life" outside Mesa Grill.

I'm crazy about this book. With my grill pan and Bobby's sauces and seasonings, I'm on my way to grilldom.

Retail sales at McCarran: Until my recent trip to Charlotte, N.C., I had not been at the D gates at McCarran International Airport since the opening (I'm happy they removed the tacky carpeting. The floors now match throughout the concourse).

What a pleasant surprise it was to see new dining venues, including Wolfgang Puck Express and Wolfgang Puck To Go. I couldn't get into either one, the lines were so long.

By year's end Chili's, Chili's Too, Flatbreadz, Gourmet Burrito and more will open. Retail operations are undergoing summer renovations, too. Crabtree & Evelyn, Hudson News and Gifts will open in the D gates. Bijoux Terner and Memorabilia World will open in the northeast wing of D gates this year.

Only one problem -- the walks from one gate to another are daunting. But make no mistake, concession outlets bring in much moolah. For a complete list of the food and beverage and retail concessions at McCarran airport, visit www.mccarran.com. What's needed now are more maps and carts.

Meet Alan Cumming at Sephora: Tony award-winning actor and author Alan Cumming will appear at Sephora Venetian on Saturday. Cumming will sign bottles of his new signature scent, Cumming-The Fragrance, which the company calls a "provocative new approach to fragrance."

I'll go for the white truffle, bergamot, Scotch pine and heather, but I don't dig "notes of Highland mud and rubber." Still, the gender-neutral sexy scent sounds interesting.

Join Cumming at 4 p.m. at Sephora Venetian, outside the hotel at 3377 Las Vegas Blvd. South at Suite 1001. For more info call 735-3896. A purchase of the fragrance is required for an autograph.

White Rain revamp: For more than 50 years White Rain products have been a household name. After all these years you can still buy White Rain for $1. The newly revamped White Rain collection is still value priced -- $1 and under.

The collection includes shampoos and conditioners, body wash and extreme-hold styling gel. A round of applause to a company that can still produce a decent product for so little money. White Rain is available nationwide at drugstores, mass-market retailers and supermarkets.