Who doesn't love comfort food with a twist? I certainly do, so naturally I was thrilled to experiment with this hearty version of the American classic: butternut squash mac and cheese. Although the finished dish is the vibrant color of the classic Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, this variation is substantially more flavorful. With the exception of peeling the butternut squash, the recipe is simple. This creamy, crunchy side dish has a mild, nutty flavor from the butternut squash that perfectly complements the sharp cheddar cheese. I plan to make this scrumptious side dish again for Thanksgiving. Both kids and adults are bound to love it! Get started on your own butternut squash mac and cheese and read more

Earlier today, at 1 p.m. PST to be exact, history was made at the Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco. Irish coffee making champion Frank Silletti, in conjecture with the staff of the Buena Vista, made the world's largest Irish coffee. I was there to witness them break the Guinness World Record.

To check out my firsthand account and a bunch of pictures from the event, read more

A recent UK poll indicates that Gordon Ramsay Holdings is the most admired restaurant brand in Great Britain. The restaurant group of the famed chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay topped the list of restaurant chain operators in a survey by consulting firm Allegra Strategies, beating McDonald's, which ranked number three, by two spots.

Ramsay owns 11 restaurants in the UK alone, plus three pubs, as well dining spots in New York, Los Angeles, Prague, Versailles, Dubai, and Tokyo, among others.

I must admit that I wonder how Gordon Ramsay can keep it together with so many ventures on his plate. I also have to question how the upscale dining mogul's company can be put in the same category as a fast-food chain like McDonald's. Given how many dining brands he has to manage, do you think Ramsay's reputation for excellence is well deserved?

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This weekend, GustOrganics, an all-organic restaurant in Manhattan, became the world's first 100 percent USDA certified organic bar. The sleek, eco-conscious bar and restaurant is located in Greenwich Village. The bar is stocked with certified organic wine, beer, fresh fruit, and spirits such as rum, vodka, whiskey, and tequila. According to owner Alberto Gonzalez, all of the drinks are free of chemicals, artificial substances, hormones, and pesticides. GustOrganics serves standards cocktails like martinis and mojitos, and fruit concoctions such as Fresquitos, made with mangoes, orange juice, and vodka.

Other aspects of the bar are eco-friendly: there's a wind turbine on the roof that generates renewable energy and the menus are printed with soy ink on 100-percent recycled paper. I'd love to stop by this bar to try the fresh-made drinks and test out the theory that organic drinks prevent hangovers. What about you? Does the organic drink movement interest you, and do you think GustOrganics will (pardon the pun) set the bar for other nightspots?

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Thanksgiving is the biggest food holiday of the year; the entire celebration revolves around the meal. Thus, I'm planning a Thanksgiving dinner for foodies — those who love to cook and eat. From the invite to the decor I've got you covered. Take my ideas to make your own memorable and scrumptious Thanksgiving. Let's start by sending elegant, homemade invitations. To see how I made the invites shown here, read more

Last week I was asked to make a sweet contribution to BabySugar's baby shower. Since the shower was a surprise, I decided what kind of cake to make. Filled with Fall flavors, this pumpkin cake with pecan brittle and whipped cream-cheese frosting is to die for. The cake is moist, rich, and delicious. The crisp pecan brittle provides a snappy texture while the creamy frosting is not overly sugary. This cake was a huge success at the party and it was devoured in mere minutes. On a Thanksgiving table it would be a festive alternative to the classic pumpkin pie. To look at the recipe, read more

With Thanksgiving a couple of weeks away now is a good time to plan your menu. I planned mine over the weekend. Here are some things one should take into consideration when deciding what dishes to serve on the big day.

• Start by choosing a theme. Traditional to modern, Italian to Southern, the possibilities for a menu's theme are endless.
• Search a wide range of sources for recipes that match your theme.
• Know your guests. If one friend is allergic to peanuts and another is a vegetarian, respect these dietary needs by serving dishes that everyone can enjoy.
• Several vegetarians in attendance? Think about serving a vegetable entree that's a hearty alternative to turkey.

For the rest of my tips, read more

The meal known as arroz con pollo is popular around the world. With tender chicken, tomato-tinged vegetables, and savory rice, it happens to be well-balanced and delectable,

While the name may sound sophisticated, all you really need are some leftover chicken breasts and thighs, combined with other staples that you likely have on hand. To learn how easy it is to make this Latin favorite, read more

Although pie making is a year round activity, I find myself more particular about pies in the Fall. Because they are the sweet accompaniment to holiday dinners, a pie's presentation is incredibly important. A homemade pumpkin meringue pie just doesn't look as special in a disposable, foil pie tin. To ensure that all of our pies are pretty, let's head off to market in search of the perfect pie pan.

Look for decorative, festive pie pans that are also functional and dishwasher safe. Bookmark the pans in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Pie Pan. I can't wait to look at your finds!

Please read geeksugar's explanation for more on how to bookmark.

If you don't know where to start searching check out a list of my favorite online shops when you read more