"In many cases it's worse than anybody thought in New Jersey, " said Deann Muzikar, a spokeswoman for Public Service Electric and Gas Co.

WSJ: Power Outages May Last Over a Week

That led to a cookbook and Frontera Grill, a Mexican eatery he and his wife, Deann, opened in Chicago's Near North neighborhood, and within a couple of years to the more upscale Topolobampo, where Bayless spends 40 minutes a day before the lunch rush tasting sauces.

FORBES: The Odd Couple