Ex-TV chef charged with attempted murder in plot to hire homeless people to kill wife

TV chef charged with attempted murder of wife

LOS ANGELES — A former television chef has been charged with trying to hire homeless men to kill his wife.

Juan Carlos Cruz, who hosted the Food Network show “Calorie Commando,” is charged with attempted murder and solicitation of murder. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Los Angeles.

The district attorney’s office says the 48-year-old chef offered money to two homeless men to kill his wife. Santa Monica police arrested Cruz on Thursday after one of the homeless men contacted the department.

Cruz’s show focused on converting fattening dishes to low-calorie versions that retained the same taste.