Published 10/10/2003

By Molly Abraham

Detroit News

Our public television folks are obviously into food these days. New on Channel 56: Chef/proprietor Eric Villegas of Restaurant Villegas in Okemos, whose entertaining "Fork in the Road with Eric Villegas," airs at 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and on public television stations around the state on a variety of schedules.

Chef Villegas also shoots on location, everywhere from farmers' markets to blueberry patches. The chef has been described as a combination of Julia Child and Emeril Lagasse, and that's not far off. His Okemos restaurant is one of the most interesting in the state, with a focus on fresh ingredients that borders on obsession.

You can reach Molly Abraham at (313) 222-1475 or abraham67@ comcast.net.