Amanda Hesser

How Popular Is Google's Recipe View?
Love It or Hate It

Have You Been Using Google Recipe View?

Google recently made headlines for launching Recipe View, a new way to search for and see online recipes.
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Google recently made headlines for launching Recipe View, a new way to search for and see online recipes. A month in, Food52 founder and New York Times writer Amanda Hesser shares her two cents, commenting that the "misguided" new search is "robotic rather than thoughtful."

Hesser goes on to explain how the engine's search algorithm — and its options for the ways in which results are refined — give vast advantage to large, established recipe websites that focus on quick, easy, and low-calorie recipes. In doing this, "Google unwittingly — but damagingly — promotes a cooking culture focused on speed and diets." It doesn't prioritize other crucial factors, such as comments, number of shares, and Facebook "likes."

Although I use Google a ton, I've spent little time with this new technology; I'd rather go directly to my trusted sources. What's been your experience with it?

Announcing the 2011 IACP Cookbook Awards Finalists
Food News

Rick Bayless, Michael Chiarello Nominated For IACP Cookbook Awards

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) has just announced the list of finalists for their 2011 Cookbook Awards.
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The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) has just announced the list of finalists for their 2011 Cookbook Awards. Like the James Beards, the IACP winners are regarded as the best of the best in the food world. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the cookbook honors and finalists include Michael Chiarello, Rick Bayless, and Amanda Hesser.

The IACP awards have the following categories: American; Baking: Savory or Sweet; Chefs & Restaurants; Children, Youth, and Family; Compilations; Culinary History; First Book; Food Photography and Styling; Food Reference; General; Health and Special Diet; International; Library Food Writing; Professional Kitchens; Single Subject; and Wine, Beer & Spirits. To find out which notable cookbooks have been included and to share your favorite cookbook, read more.

How to Jazz Up Boxed Cake Mix and Other Food Stuff From the Web
Link Time

Yummy Links: From Boxed Cake Mix to Spanish Potato Salad

  • 11 ways to jazz up baked goods from a box.
by partysugar

Source: Flickr User trekkyandy

Yummy Links: From Julia Child to Grilled Cheese
Link Time

Yummy Links: From Julia Child to Grilled Cheese

by partysugar

First Couple Faces Criticism For Dining Decisions
Politics

First Couple Faces Criticism For Dining Decisions

The first couple have continued to convey political messages about food with their recent dining choices.
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The first couple have continued to convey political messages about food with their recent dining choices. The Obamas spent Saturday evening in Manhattan, where they dined at James Beard Award-winning chef Dan Barber's restaurant Blue Hill before catching a Broadway show.

Within hours, news sites were awash with commentary on the first couple's romantic dinner. "Is it possible to be too political at mealtime?" the Washington Post posited, noting the couple has adopted a pattern of choosing eateries with strong local ties and sustainable food agendas. The Times' Frank Bruni called the decision "too pat and controlled," portraying the president as overly somber and self-restrained when it comes to enjoying food.

Ironically, the same day the Obamas were chided for overthinking dinner, the Times also criticized the First Lady for not going far enough in her message about food. Writer Amanda Hesser lauded Michelle Obama for bringing attention to the local foods movement, then criticized her for stopping short of promoting cooking. Wrote Hesser: "Terrific local ingredients aren't of much use if people aren't cooking them . . . Just as she highlighted American fashion by wearing the clothes of young designers, she could call attention to cooking by bringing America's talented young chefs to the White House for a food summit meeting."

Shouldn't the Obamas be commended for making educated dining choices? Is the media coming down too hard on the presidential couple? How do you feel about the food selections the Obamas have made thus far?

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