‘Food Network’ chef, Juan-Carlos Cruz arrested for weird death plot

[HMG] – In an as yet unproven but far from rare case of a former celebrity’s fall from the stars, former Food Network host Juan-Carlos Cruz is now facing jail time on allegations of soliciting murder.

Police say Cruz, 48, approached three homeless men at the Third Street Promenade in Los Angeles and asked them to kill someone. One of those men told police, and after a month-long undercover operation the former food host was arrested on Thursday at Cheviot Hills Park, a local dog-walking venue.

The intended target of the alleged plot [thought to be his wife, Jennifer Campbell, an attorney, whom Cruz met in High School] has been informed of the scheme, but authorities have not yet named a motive.

“He’s a fine guy,” a neighbor told People. “I find this hard to believe.”

Cruz’s swift rise to fame began in 1996 as a Sous-chef at the Hotel Bel Air, where he prepared meals for such notable diners as Jack Nicholson, Will Smith, Jim Carrey, Julia Roberts and Oprah.

His Food Network show ‘Calorie Commando,’ in which Cruz was challenged to create diet versions of beloved comfort food bowed on the network in 2006 and ran for two years.

Juan-Carlos is currently in custody at the LA County jailhouse on $5-million bail, and is due to face arraignment tomorrow. We’ll update you on how this pans out…