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Summer Reading: Vino Italiano

partysugar — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 10:38:11 -0700

A cross between a dictionary and a coffee table book, this reference guide, Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines Of Italy, is an excellent addition to any wine lover's collection. Written by Mario Batali's business partner, Joseph Bastianich & co author David Lynch, the book introduces each region of Italy detailing not only the wine, but significant wineries, recent successful vintages, and delicious native recipes. The authors write in a highly personal manner making this book as much about wine commentary as it is about living an authentic Italian lifestyle. It also advocates eating and drinking locally, claiming that the best regional wines pair with traditional dishes from that specific region. If you love wine, or have a passion for Italy, this comprehensive book is highly recommended reading.

Who's Going to Win This Year's James Beard Awards?

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:11:51 -0700

A little over a month ago, we tipped you off to the 2008 James Beard Awards Long List, and well the time has come: the long list is now a short list. This morning the official list of nominees was released. There are 52 categories including cookbooks, journalism articles, television, radio, web, restaurant design, and most importantly the restaurants and chefs themselves.

To discover some of the biggest award nominees, just read more.

For the full rundown, be sure to visit the official list of full nominees.

Outstanding Restaurateur Award
Joe Bastianich/Mario Batali, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca; New York, NY
Tom Douglas, Tom Douglas Restaurants; Seattle, WA
Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises; Chicago, Il
Wolfgang Puck, The Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group; Beverly Hills, CA
Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean-Georges Management LLC; New York, NY

Outstanding Chef Award
Grant Achatz, Alinea; Chicago, IL
José Andrés, Minibar; Washington, DC
Dan Barber, Blue Hill; New York, NY
Suzanne Goin, Lucques, Los Angeles, CA
Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar & Grill; Birmingham, AL

Outstanding Restaurant Award
Boulevard, San Francisco, CA; Chef/Owner: Nancy Oakes, Owner: Pat Kuleto
Campanile, Los Angeles, CA; Chef/Owner: Mark Peel
Gramercy Tavern, New York, NY; Owner: Danny Meyer
Jean Georges, New York, NY; Chef/Owner: Jean-Georges Vongerichten
The Slanted Door, San Francisco, CA; Chef/Owner: Charles Phan

Best New Restaurant
Anthos, New York, NY; Chef/Owner: Michael Psilakis, Owner: Donatella Arpaia
Central Michel Richard, Washington, DC; Chef/Owner: Michel Richard
Fearing's at the Ritz Carlton, Dallas, TX; Chef/Owner: Dean Fearing, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles, CA; Chef: Matt Molina; Owners: Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich
Osteria, Philadelphia, PA; Chef/Owners: Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud; Owner: Jeff Benjamin

Rising Star Chef of the Year Award
Nate Appleman, A 16; San Francisco, CA
Sean Brock, McCrady's; Charleston, SC
Gavin Kaysen, Café Boulud, New York, NY
Johnny Monis, Komi; Washington, DC
Matt Molina, Osteria Mozza; Los Angeles, CA
Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon; Portland, OR

Outstanding Pastry Chef Award
Gina DePalma, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca; New York, NY
Pichet Ong, P*ONG; New York, NY
Nicole Plue, Redd; Yountville, CA
Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, Tartine Bakery; San Francisco, CA
Mindy Segal, HotChocolate; Chicago, IL

Outstanding Wine Service Award
Aureole, Las Vegas, NV; Wine Director: Steven Geddes
Bin 36, Chicago, IL; Wine Director: Brian Duncan
Eleven Madison Park, New York, NY; Wine Director: John Ragan
Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN; Wine Director: Andy Chabot
Picasso, Las Vegas, NV; Wine Director: Robert Smith

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award
Dale DeGroff, Dale DeGroff Co., Inc.; New York, NY
Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards Wines; Sebastopol, CA
David Lett, The Eyrie Vineyards; McMinnville, OR
Bobby Stuckey, Frasca Food and Wine; Boulder, CO
Terry Theise, Terry Theise Estate Selections; Silver Spring, MD

Outstanding Service Award
Canlis, Seattle, WA; Owners:The Canlis Family
Gary Danko, San Francisco, CA; Owner: Gary Danko
Spiaggia, Chicago; Owner: Tony Mantuano
Terra, St. Helena, CA; Owners: Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani
Vetri, Philadelphia, PA; Owner: Mark Vetri

Summer Reading Roundup

YumSugar — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 05:12:37 -0700

Can you believe that August is over already? We hope that you all enjoyed August's summer reading month features. We've had thirty-one options that range from vegetarian cooking, shopping list mockery, world history, children's cooking, vacations, fine dining and more. In case you missed any of them, I've compiled them all in one place for easy perusal, or for you to printout and take to the bookstore!

And don't worry, just because summer reading month is over, doesn't mean we'll stop talking about tasty reads! To check out the full list, read more

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone by Deborah Madison
The New Outdoor Kitchen by Deborah Krasner
I'm Just Here For The Food by Alton Brown
Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
The Cuisines of Spain by Teresa Barrenechea
Cupcakes! by Elinor Klivans
French Women For All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Be My Guest by Rena Kirdar Sindi
On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee
The New Basics Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins
Candyfreak by Steve Almond
The Wine Club by Maureen Christian Petrosky
Small-Batch Baking by Debby Maugans Nakos
Barefoot Contessa Parties! by Ina Garten
The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher
The Man Who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten
Milk Eggs Vodka by Bill Keaggy
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
Something Delicious This Way Comes by Joshua Ploeg
The Great American Camping Cookbook by Scott Cookman
Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl
Martha Stewart's Hors D'oeuvres by Martha Stewart
Sweets: A History of Candy by Tim Richardson
Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy by Joseph Bastianich and David Lynch
Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky
Fanny at Chez Panisse by Alice Waters
Cooking with Curtis by Curtis Stone
Sweet Revenge by Diane Mott Davidson
The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Cocktail Parties With a Twist by Alexandra and Elliot Angle

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