Archive for August, 2009
Top 10 Mexican Haute Cuisine Hotspots
The culinary art of haute cuisine, or “high cooking”, may officially have its roots in France but don’t tell that to master chefs in Latin America. True Mexican food is not chalupas and tacos; it consist of dishes made with seafood, natillas, nopalitos and incredibly varied ingredients that will leave the most demanding palates salivating.
We’ve [...]
Landmark NY Restaurant Changes Owners
Someone once said the only thing that’s permanent are memories. And so it goes for Tavern on the Green. The landmark Manhattan restaurant in Central Park at 67th Street on the Upper West Side will be taken over by Dean Poll on Jan. 1. Poll, who operates Loeb Central Park Boathouse, was awarded a 20-year [...]
Full StoryAsparagus Pegged as New Hangover Helper
If researchers in Korea are right, then there’s another good reason to eat your veggies, especially asparagus. According to a study done at the Institute of Medical Science and Jeju National University, asparagus extract contains amino acids and minerals that may ease alcohol hangovers and protect liver cells against toxins.
Asparagus has long been used as [...]
“Leading Hotels of the World” Host Gourmet Events
Travelers who have some extra time and some extra cash might think about checking into one of the following gourmet events that will be hosted by members of what  is considered the ultimate luxury hotel group, The Leading Hotels of the World.  The company has put together an exciting series of haute cuisine dining events at [...]
Full StoryWorld’s Largest Food Fight Turns Town Red
Even though we’ve been taught it’s impolite to play with our food, sometimes there’s nothing as satisfying as a good food fight. For those who might like to take their aggressions out by pelting food at friends and foe, a trip to La Tomatino Festival in Buňol, Spain might be in order.
Pegged as the world’s largest food [...]
2009 Chicago Gourmet Dine Around
Now in its second year, the world-class Chicago Gourmet event showcases the talent of Chicago’s culinary community through two days of high-end food and wine tastings, informative demonstrations and educational seminars. This year’s event features offerings from more than 50 chefs, 300 wine makers and 65 spirits providers.
From September 26-27, 2009, guests will enjoy celebrity [...]
Wrappers Feature Candy in Suggestive Positions
What’s more wholesome than hard sour candy? Well, apparently it’s not so wholesome any more.
Haribo MAOAM sour candies are the current subject of complaints, after a father purchasing the product for his two young children was appalled to find what he described as “pornographic” images of limes, lemons and cherries romping with each other, in [...]
The Whole Foods Boycott – What Gives?
Whole Foods co-founder and CEO John Mackey isn’t such a bad guy. Granted, he’s not immune to controversy. Do you remember his online campaign using the assumed name of Rahodeb, attacking former competitor Wild Oats – possibly to lower stock prices prior to Whole Foods’ takeover? It certainly was not one of his best or [...]
Full StoryFrank Bruni Removes His Critic’s Cap For Good
Frank Bruni, restaurant critic for The New York Times and author of Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-time Eater, has written his last article for the Times as food critic. Bruni will be replaced by Sam Sifton, but will continue as a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine.
I, for one, am [...]
Bon Appétit Crowns Top Ten New Restaurants
For those of us who don’t have enough cash to go jet setting around the country, trying the newest or trendiest restaurants, it’s nice to know that others are able and willing to do it for us. The September 2009 issue of Bon Appétit, available on newsstands now, contains their list of recommendations and reviews [...]
Full StoryMystery Dinner at Spina
If you’ve never attended a Mystery Dinner, you should make it a priority to attend the next event. This year’s Mystery Dinner was held at Spina Restaurant.
What is the Mystery? you ask.
In these hurried times, most people do not have the time to stop, taste and truly enjoy what they are eating. Mystery Dinners force [...]
Chefs offer culinary training to homeless, unemployed
Chef Jeff Bacon, who is on the board of directors for the American Culinary Federation, an organization of professional chefs and cooks, told USA Today’s Nanci Hellmich that hundreds of skilled chefs across the nation are offering culinary training to the homeless, unemployed and underemployed by teaching free culinary arts courses at homeless shelters and [...]
Full StoryLAFS Latin American Chef 2009 Contest
The LAFS (Latin American Food Show) will be hosting the LACH (Latin American Chef) Contest from September 2-4 in Cancun Mexico at the Hilton Convention Center. The contest is tied into the largest food service show for Latin America where companies from the southern hemisphere will be coming together to show the world Latin America’s [...]
Full StoryCreate Your Very Own Virtual Restaurant
Launched five months, Restaurant City was created by Playfish, a company that specializes in social games for platforms including Facebook, MySpace, Google and iPhone. The virtual restaurant game Restaurant City draws more than 10 million users a month on Facebook, where 10 million virtual restaurants have been created and more than 200 billion virtual [...]
Full StoryHoward Gardner, Chicago Gastronome, Dead at 89
Howard Gardner was not a household name, but when he died earlier this month, he left behind hundreds of foodie friends who will miss his organizational touch at the monthly black tie dinners held by the Chicago chapter of the Chaîne des Rotisseurs, of which Gardner was a longtime member.
The Chaîne des Rotisseurs is a gastronomic society [...]
Food Scraps Used to Generate Electricity
San Francisco Bay restaurateurs and supermarket managers are doing their part to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gases, while contributing to a major renewable energy project. Leftover food scraps from more than 2,300 establishments are helping fuel a new program that will generate power from the methane gas produced as the waste materials decompose.
Participating groceries [...]
Secret Dining Societies
Some call these secretive supper events underground dinner parties, others call them anti-restaurants, or an alternative “speak-easy” dining experience, while still others call it guerrilla gourmet. Whatever these cryptic gatherings are called, Misty Harris with Canwest claims “some of the nation’s top culinary names are making it as difficult as possible to get in the [...]
Full StoryNew Japanese Fusion – eat sushi off naked models
In a move that may redefine Japanese Fusion cuisine, two British entrepreneurs, Nigel Carlos and Japanese-raised Nick Hepburn, have decided to bring a unique Japanese event known as the Nyotaimori experience — translated as ‘female body presentation’ — to London.
For a charge of £250 per head, reports The Telegraph, patrons can eat a 10-course authentic [...]
Rick Bayless Wins “Top Chef Masters”
Rick Bayless, the popular Chicago chef who creates some of the most memorable Mexican meals at Frontera Grill and Topolobampo, squeaked past fellow competitors Michael Chiarello of Bottega and Hubert Keller of Fleur de Lys to win Top Chef Masters on the Bravo Network Wednesday night.
Bayless, the quiet, unassuming and generally unflappable chef, calmly outcooked [...]
Boitano Turns in Skate Blades for Knife Blades
Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic gold medalist in men’s figure skating, is taking a veer in his career. The 45-year old self-proclaimed foodie is hosting a new Food Network series called What Would Brian Boitano Make?
My question is …. who cares?
Although Boitano might have been a great skater in his day (and may still be able to [...]
