What I want for Christmas is good food, Dikembe's autograph and sitting next to Ashanti. I got it! Scott Gries/Getty Images

December 18, 2003 -- Not only can she belt out her platinum hits in front of adoring fans, but Ashanti can also belt out a good "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas." She wowed 20 schoolmates from Harlem's P.S 194 at a Read to Achieve event in Rocco's Restaurant in NYC. Yes, THAT restaurant from the TV show.

While famous chef Rocco DiSpirito cooked up the grub, the lovely Ashanti was joined by the equally lovely Becky Hammon and the not equally as short Dikembe Mutombo in reading the Christmas classic. Everyone was blown away by Rocco’s food, Mutombo’s size, Ashanti’s voice and Becky being her usual sweet Becky. The kids even left with a Knicks goodie-bag, which included Ashanti's new CD, "Ashanti's Christmas.”

The Buzz was hankering for a CD too, but apparently they were only for kids who sat quietly while being read to. We were too busy trying to inch closer to the lovely Ashanti.