Ex-TV chef charged with attempted murder in plot to hire homeless people to do killing

Prosecutors charge TV chef with attempted murder

LOS ANGELES — A former television chef has been charged with attempted murder in connection with an alleged plot to hire homeless men to carry out a killing.

Juan Carlos Cruz, who hosted the Food Network show “Calorie Commando,” is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on the charge.

Santa Monica police say the 48-year-old chef offered money to several homeless men to kill an unspecified person.

Cruz had his own show on Food Network that focused on converting fattening dishes to low-calorie versions that retained the same taste.