Posts for December 5th 2008

celebrity chefs

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Celebrity Chef Groupie

Their TiVos are filled with old episodes of Emeril Live and Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello.

Their TiVos are filled with old episodes of Emeril Live and Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello. Their kitchen is cluttered with chef-branded tools and while in Vegas, they insist that you eat at Mesa Grill, Delmonico, and Spago. Who am I talking about? The celebrity chef groupie!

If they adore Gordon Ramsay, give them a signed cookbook this year. To season their daily life with celebrity chef, gift them the aforementioned Mesa Grill's spice rubs. Make them laugh with this hilarious Mario toy.

Want more gift ideas? Browse the selection below or check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Quiz

Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

Now that we've put Thanksgiving behind us, PartySugar and I have started gearing up for other Winter holidays this week.

Now that we've put Thanksgiving behind us, PartySugar and I have started gearing up for other Winter holidays this week. (Can you hear the excitement?!)

We drooled over chocolate gingerbread, went shopping for Winter produce, and made citrus spritzers with the seasonal fruit we bought. Did you stick around to pay attention? There's only one way to find out!

Take the Quiz
recipes

Happy (Repeal Day) Hour: Le Coup de Jarnac

Listen up, party people: Today is a big day in the world of drinking.

Listen up, party people: Today is a big day in the world of drinking. It's the 75th anniversary of the repeal of the 18th amendment. On this day in 1933, the 21st amendment was ratified and the celebratory right of drinking was given back to Americans. To commemorate the occasion, I worked with my favorite drinking website, Nirvino, and one of San Francisco's most adorable bartenders, Buffalo, at the Alembic, to bring you this amazing cocktail recipe. Buffalo originally created the concoction for Nirvino's monthly cocktail competition, which I attended at Level III in San Francisco. The drink is made with Canton, apple brandy, and lavender honey. The honey adds subtle body without making it overly sweet. To get the recipe of the le coup de jarnac — which won the people's choice award at the contest — and check out a video of the beloved Buffalo making it, read more

Poll

What's Your Favorite Food Magazine of 2008?

As much as I love looking up recipes online, there's nothing quite like the secret glee that I feel deep down when I see a brand-new issue of a food magazine with an artfully done cover.

As much as I love looking up recipes online, there's nothing quite like the secret glee that I feel deep down when I see a brand-new issue of a food magazine with an artfully done cover. For part of our Best of 2008 coverage, I want to hear your thoughts.
Who has the most stunning food photography, the most useful layout, and the best recipes?

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Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming — The Look

With lights, ornaments, and the tree, Christmas is a busy holiday in terms of decorations, but if you let the tree be your focal point, it's easy to create a clean look for any holiday cocktail party.

With lights, ornaments, and the tree, Christmas is a busy holiday in terms of decorations, but if you let the tree be your focal point, it's easy to create a clean look for any holiday cocktail party. Set a red table runner down the middle of a banquette. Place the appetizers on large gold chargers and arrange on the runner. On another table set out a clear punch bowl, wine, beer, and versatile stemless glasses. The minted brownies look scrumptious when displayed on a three-tiered dessert tray.

Stick the brownies on the bottom two trays and fill the top with candy canes. Stack shiny green appetizer plates and Christmas tree napkins near the food. Gold candles in various shapes and sizes and mini poinsettias are finishing touches to this elegant and sophisticated look.

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recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Triple Tomato Soup

If you're desperately missing tomatoes but are mindful of seasonality, this soup is the answer to your dilemma.

If you're desperately missing tomatoes but are mindful of seasonality, this soup is the answer to your dilemma. The savory, umami flavor of tomato is here in full force, but this slurper doesn't require any fresh tomato produce. By adding toast points and shaved asiago cheese, you can turn this into a meal, and if you just can't live without meat, top it with crispy, fried pieces of prosciutto. You'll be pleasantly surprised by how satisfied you are when you read more

Reality TV

Alex: "I Really Didn't Want to Be on the Show"

Alex was asked to "pack his knives and go" on this week's episode of Top Chef, and I have to admit, I really had no opinion of the Los Angeles-based chef.

Alex was asked to "pack his knives and go" on this week's episode of Top Chef, and I have to admit, I really had no opinion of the Los Angeles-based chef.

However, I spoke to him over the phone yesterday and found out that he is happily enjoying his life as a newlywed. To see what Alex had to say about the Euros, the judges, and his creme brulee, read more

Cocktails

Yummy Links: From Red Velvet Cheesecake to Cocktails

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In Season

In Season or Out?

Since I discussed preparing items out of season with you earlier, I thought it would be interesting to see how many of you actually know what is naturally available during the Winter months.

Since I discussed preparing items out of season with you earlier, I thought it would be interesting to see how many of you actually know what is naturally available during the Winter months. Take my quiz to find out!

Take the Quiz
News

Kid Food Critic Might Become a Movie Star, Too

Last month, when the New York Times wrote an article about David Fishman, a 12-year-old aspiring food critic, readers everywhere were thoroughly amused.

Last month, when the New York Times wrote an article about David Fishman, a 12-year-old aspiring food critic, readers everywhere were thoroughly amused.

Turns out readers weren't the only ones to find the article entertaining. Variety reports that Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to the story, which focuses on Fishman's journal of his fine dining experiences, as well as his friendship with a prominent restaurateur.

Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels will produce the adaptation, along with John Goldwyn, who felt the article "offered a recipe for a youth-themed empowerment film."

The producers are considering securing life rights of Fishman. I wonder if he would play himself in a movie about his life. Do you think the story would translate into a compelling story on film?

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