Paul McCartney throws a virtual dinner party

Paul McCartney teams up with Jamie Oliver to give a new spin to “Night of a Thousand Dinners.” The annual event benefits McCartney’s pet charity, Adopt-A-Minefield, and encourages people to host dinner parties, wine tastings, cocktail parties — anything that involves food, really — to raise awareness of harmful landmines that kill and maim victims around the world every day.

This year Oliver will offer exclusive recipes via the “Dinners” Web site. As another special treat, registrants will also receive a previously unreleased track via email from the former Beatle.

Registration is open until June 12 on landmines.org and the minimum donation for the goodies is $25.

Rachael Ray scarf heats up iced coffee ad

America’s sweetheart chef and television host, Rachael Ray, was in the center of a controversy this week. Well, not exactly Ray herself. It was more about her stylist and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Ray has been appearing in Dunkin’s advertisements and her most recent one for iced coffee, posted only on the Internet, has the peppy star posed in front of a tree with pink flowers. What spurred the firestorm was what she was wearing.

A black-and-white scarf draped around her neck was a symbol, said a conservative Fox commentator. The symbol was support for Muslim extremism and terrorism.

With the unwanted attention and threat of boycotts, Dunkin’ removed the ad while explaining the scarf had a paisley print and in no way was a political statement.

DVR Alert:

Now that Food Network wrapped up “Grill Week,” it’s marathon mania. Saturday, Alton Brown dons his leather duds and heads out on the open road on his BMW motorcycle to find the best of the best dishes across the country. Think “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” meets “Easy Rider.” The marathon is a run of the show’s second season.

Sunday morning Paula Deen takes over with four episodes of “Paula’s Home Cooking.” The marathon will be followed by a sneak peek of the southern belle’s “Paula’s Best Dishes.”

Saturday, June 7 9:30 a.m. — Jamie Oliver at Home (Food Network) — With onions aplenty in the garden, Oliver demonstrates a crisp and fresh cheese-and-onion salad, an onion and potato al forno with red onions, and onion-and-leek soup with cheddar cheese.

7-11 p.m. — Feasting on Asphalt (Food Network) — Catch up on Season Two with a marathon of Alton Brown traveling the country on his motorcycle looking for the tastiest dishes in the land.

Sunday, June 8 11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Paula’s Home Cooking (Food Network) — Take in the marathon and then check out an episode of Deen’s newest series, “Paula’s Best Dishes.” The inaugural episode’s theme is “Deli Delight.”

10 p.m. — The Next Food Network Star (Food Network) — “Dinner Impossible” host Robert Irvine shakes up the nine finalists with a 2 a.m. wake-up call. The chefs team up to prepare - and serve — a brunch menu on a moving train.

Monday, June 11 10 p.m. — Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (Food Network) — Guy Fieri visits “neighborhood joints” hitting St. Louis, Arizona, Virginia and Philadelphia. The Philadelphia diner is so homey that for some it’s BYOCC - Bring Your Own Coffee Cup.

Tuesday, June 10 9 p.m. — Hell’s Kitchen (Fox) — The five remaining chefs are forced to teach culinarily-challenged housewives how to make a gourmet meal (from the teaser it looks like there is both a lobster and dog debacle). The finalists, now on one kitchen team, continue to struggle with dinner service.

Wednesday, June 11 10 p.m. — Top Chef (Bravo) — Bravo decides to air the finale of the program before the chef reunion this time around. The final three chefs battle it out in Puerto Rico to win cash and prizes. This year’s finale features two female cooks, a first in the series’ history.

Thursday, June 12 Supper Club with Tom Bergeron (Planet Green) — Brand-new network Planet Green is offering up a unique program with “Supper Club,” coaching home cooks on how to have environmentally conscious dinners. Each episode features a number of celebrities from actors to chefs.

Friday, June 13 10 p.m. Paula’s Party (Food Network) — It’s a walk down memory lane this week when Deen reminisces with some of her favorite foods and guest Christopher Knight (Peter Brady of “The Brady Bunch”). Her son Bobby Deen and grandson Jack also make appearances as she makes dishes from her past.