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By Hadas Kuznits

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Chef Justin Swain of Philadelphia restaurant Rex 1516, at 1516 South Street, is busy preparing sweets for Mardi Gras, this coming Tuesday.

“It’s mostly because ‘Fat Tuesday’ is right before Lent, they want to have anything that has milk, eggs, fat,” he says.  “It’s all about fattening up before you fast for Lent.  So… donuts, beignets, king’s cakes.”

Hear the full “Rex 1516″ interview (runs 5:33)…

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Meanwhile, Eric Gantz of Sullivan’s Steakhouse in King of Prussia is getting ready to help you set the mood for Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14th.

(Eric Gantz, executive chef at Sullivan’s Steakhouse in King of Prussia. Photo provided)

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“Tables for two, small intimate tables, candlelit, nice rose flowers on the table, maybe a split of champagne to share,” he says.  “You know, to keep the mood where it’s supposed to be on that special holiday.”

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Hear the full “Sullivan’s Steakhouse” interview (runs 8:20)…

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And Chef Michael Cappon of  the Mediterranean tapas restaurant Isabella, in Conshohocken, takes the love theme a step further with a ten-course aphrodisiac tasting menu, starting on Valentine’s Day and running through the following weekend.

(Chef Michael Cappon at Isabella. Photo provided)

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(Cappon:)  “Almonds — they say that the aroma is arousing for females and they’re a symbol of fertility.  Honey — the key ingredient.  Other than it being sweet, it’s high in boron, which is a mineral associated with estrogen in the female body.”

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Hear the full “Isabella” interview (runs 9:40)…

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And for this week, that’s “What’s Cooking on 1060!”

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