They were made famous by gossip website TMZ and likely helped him land a GQ spread, and now Rep. Aaron Schock’s abs have made the New York Times.

The Illinois Republican is profiled by the old gray lady in an article largely dedicated to his sex appeal over his legislative accomplishments. Noting the 29-year-old lawmaker is the “youngest — and arguably the buffest — member of Congress,” writer Ashley Parker tells about that infamous photo of a topless Schock posing in a red swimsuit and a more recent photo of Schock in “a pink-checked shirt, turquoise belt and white jeans at a White House picnic … [that] was ‘jamming up the gay staff listserv’ on Capitol Hill.”

“Obviously, it was what I thought was a sporty outfit,” Schock admits of his picnic attire. “It was probably a little too bright, in retrospect.”

The article also touches on Schock’s personal life, noting that the Congressman says he’s single and has denied rumors that he’s gay … although Schock does comment on his growing status as a gay icon (“joining the ranks of Liza Minnelli and Lady Gaga,” Parker notes).

“He was quick to dismiss the frenzy, saying the pictures were just a distraction,” Parker writes. “As for those who admire his physique, ‘If they’re in my district, I’ll take votes wherever I can get them,’ he said. ‘Who knew I could get this much attention with my shirt on?'”

Spike’s Big Return

Capitol Hill celebrity chef Spike Mendelsohn (and that famous fedora) made a triumphant return to Bravo’s “Top Chef” on Wednesday night. Mendelsohn, who participated in the show’s second season, came to judge an elimination challenge alongside fellow local “Top Chef” alumni Mike Isabella of Zaytinya and Bryan Voltaggio of Volt in Frederick, Md.

Wednesday was a big night for Mendelsohn: Not only did he appear on “Top Chef,” he also held a swanky opening party for his new Capitol Hill eatery, We, the Pizza. Our friends over at Hot Plate caught up with Mendelsohn, who talked about his most recent “Top Chef” appearance in between tossing pies.

“It went really well. … It was the best feeling in the world,” Mendelsohn said about returning to the show as a judge. He added that he is rooting for another D.C.-area contestant, chef Tamesha Warren of the Oval Room.

While Mendelsohn may have been on the other side of the judges’ table Wednesday night, he says he still sympathized with the contestants as they waited for feedback on their dishes. “I felt for them,” he says.

Alison McSherry contributed to this report.
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