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Why Be Famous When You Can Be Almost Famous?

YumSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:13:31 -0800

Before you can be famous, you need to be almost famous. The folks at S.Pellegrino understand this concept and are giving more than 60 culinary students the opportunity to claim their fame. In the 6th Annual S.Pellegrino Almost Famous Competition, students work their way to the finals by competing in regional contests. More than 30 top culinary schools in the US and Canada are participating and students will be given the opportunity to go head-to-head against each other in front of a panel of judges.

Once they've excelled in their region, they are able to proceed to the final event at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. The event takes place March 7–10 and consists of three categories: Harvest Mystery Basket, Signature Dish, and People's Choice. This year the event will be hosted by Top Chef season-one-winner Harold Dieterle and Sopranos star Lorraine Bracco.

When asked about the competition Harold said:

"The restaurant industry has all the qualities of a real-life competition. Almost Famous sets up these young
chefs to feel comfortable and thrive in these high-pressure situations, which is why so many of the students leave the competition and go on to work for some of the best restaurants in the country."

This indeed may be true. Last year's winner, Ranbir Batra, was able to experience work opportunities he never would have had otherwise, including working alongside Sara Moulton. In addition to new culinary adventures, the overall winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Source

Summer of Salads: Garden Salad

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:43:56 -0700

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Must-Read: The Balthazar Cookbook

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:30:51 -0700

Even for those of us who don't live in New York, it's hard to ignore the accolades of Balthazar, Keith McNally's world-famous SoHo brasserie that's been perennially packed since it opened over a decade ago.

New Yorkers may think it's still hard to book a rez, but those of us on the West Coast really can't snag a seat for brunch. That's why I was psyched to get my hands on a copy of The Balthazar Cookbook ($24.75). Find out if the book deserves the same reputation as its namesake restaurant when you read more.
Pros:

A comprehensive anthology of France's seminal dishes, from bouillabaisse to cassoulet.
Elegant layout and stunning action shots make this a gorgeous coffee table tome.
Sidebar notes include techniques and suggestions for locating obscure products.

Cons:

With its beautiful red binding, elegant typography, and stylish photos, this compilation of recipes is almost too attractive to use.
Many recipes, such as potato gnocchi or cod with lobster, are not for the beginner cook.
Labor-intensive dishes (like Koulibiac - seared salmon with spinach, lettuce, rice, and mushrooms, all wrapped in puff pastry) seem better off ordered at a restaurant.

Recipes: The book includes all of the classic, national dishes of France. These dishes caught my eye:

Balthazar salad
Salt Cod Brandade
Onion Soup Gratinée
Duck Confit
Côte de Boeuf
Spaetzle
Banana Tarte Tatin

Imagery: More often than not, the recipes include vivid and luscious corresponding photos.

Overall Rating: While not the most practical of cookbooks, this book would be a great purchase for die-hard Balthazar fans, or experienced home cooks looking for a go-to for classic French favorites.

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Shoe Coasters: Love It Or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 00:01:12 -0700

I first saw the flip-flop coasters at my sister's friend's house. I thought she bought them specifically for the beach party, and was horrified to learn that they were in fact her everyday coasters. I quickly forgot about the crazy coasters, but was reminded when I saw the tennis shoes in the Yum Market on TeamSugar! Almost famous bookmarked these coasters, and sorry, but I'm not a fan. How about you? Shoe coasters: love it or hate it?

Zipper Martini Glasses: Love It Or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:58:39 -0700

I ran across these glasses when I was browsing for Yum Market Finds, they were found by reader almost famous. She points out that women love creative things and that although these wouldn't be used on a daily basis, whipping them out for that special someone during an intimate dinner could be a very inticing message. I personally hate these glasses, I think they are tacky and totally not worth the $90 price tag. They also come in wine glasses which I hate even more than the bachelorette party-ish martini glasses. Do you agree?

Happy Birthday Shakespeare!

partysugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 00:08:13 -0700

Today is one of my favorite great literary author's birthday: William Shakespeare actually was born and died on the same day, April 23. I've read almost all of his works but it wasn't until today that I surprisingly realized how often his lines reference food! The most famous of course, is when the witches in Macbeth make a bubbling soup but there are tons of quotes about apples, barley, cheese, duck, eggs, leeks, veal, mushrooms, and much more. In most cases, the characters that express themselves in terms of appetite are of lower class such as Falstaff in Henry IV. Wine has an even bigger role in his plays with mentions of it in 26 out of 37 works. My current favorite Shakespeare quote (from Twelfth Night) mentions food but uses it more metaphorically: If music be the food of love, play on.

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Yum Market Finds: Cocktail Time

partysugar — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:28:39 -0700

You know I am a fan of specialty cocktails served in specialty glasses. Like the right outfit for a certain occasion, the right glass is necessary for a certain drink. Not just for aesthetic appeal, but because the drink actually tastes different, better. With that said, I ran across some pretty cool cocktail glasses recently in the Yum Market on TeamSugar. Take this beautiful blue champagne glass for example. I take one look at it and I instantly crave a bellini or mimosa. I wonder if atkoester thought the same thing when she found this flute?

Two more distinctive glasses so read more

Rubialala saved this golden goblet that would be ideal for a tall glass of beer or a refreshing mixed drink that includes ice like a lime rickey or pomtea spritzer.

I love these stemless martini glasses so much that I'm thinking about ordering a set! They set an immediate cool and tranquil mood and can make any martini from the manhattan to a limelight seem sophisticated and appetizing. Great find almost famous!

Please keep on sharing your kitchen-y bookmarks in the Yum Market!

South Beach Wine & Food - Celebrity Chef Book Signings

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:57:51 -0800

During the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, many celebrity chefs were on hand to chat with fans while signing copies of their books. On hand were the usuals (like Rachael and Giada), however there was one particular Food Network bashing chef on hand as well. Yep that's right, our favorite celebrity chef bad-boy, Anthony Bourdain, was there too. On one hand I'm sort of surprised, I thought he hated these guys, but on the other I'm not surprised at all. I mean he is a celebrity chef, so why wouldn't he be there?

Here's what Charles Passy of the Palm Beach Post had to say about the "Howard Stern of the food world":

Of course, in the process of espousing such a philosophy, Bourdain made note of everything from Giada de Laurentiis’ oversized head to Al Roker’s stomach stapling (Bourdain’s point with the latter: Do you really want to bask in the culinary wisdom of a guy who can’t eat?). I laughed so hard, it almost made up for the five numbingly dull hours I spent at the Food Network Awards the night earlier.

But here’s the thing: Just an hour or so before the talk, Bourdain was doing a book-signing session, sitting in the same seat that Giada had occupied moments earlier. Can he have it both ways - mock the famous and bask in fame at the same time?

So what do you guys think, can he have it both ways or is it hypocritical?

Source: Palm Beach Post

For more pictures of celebrity chefs signing books, read more

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Yum Market Finds: Beautiful Colorful Glasses

partysugar — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 10:11:52 -0800

Just as we fill our closets with shoes and handbags for each and every occasion we should fill our cabinets with the perfect glasses for each and every drink. Every time I show up with a new box of glasses it drives my father a little more crazy. After seeing Marie Antoinette I ran out in search of fabulous dainty little champagne glasses. We already have champagne glasses my dad grumbled. My response: we have champagne flutes and these are champagne saucers. As I was looking through the Yum Market, I realized that you recognize the importance of having a variety of glasses in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of my favorite finds (that you found!):

almost famous found these gorgeous little brocade glasses. She says she is going to use them for decoration in her apartment or to pot tiny flowers (great idea!) but I would serve super hot tea or really cold beer in these glasses like they do in Spain.

There's more so read more

atkoester discovered these fabulous stemless martini glasses. I would use these to serve whiskey on the rocks or a classic vodka/gin martini. Thanks for finding these babies atkoester!

For everyday juices, milks, iced teas, and lemonades these functional, classic glasses saved by DesignRchic are ideal. Their tinted purple glass adds a touch of color to an otherwise ordinary day. Get them now because a set of 4 is on sale!

Keep on saving your amazing foodie finds in the Yum Market! Don't know what the Yum Market is all about? Read geeksugar's informative explanation.

Twice Fried French Fries

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 11:13:11 -0800

Although I am not lucky enough to have personally eaten at Balthazar (one of New York City's hottest restaurants), I am lucky enough to have received the gorgeous cookbook of the same name. The Balthazar Cookbook is a perfectly bound simple red book with 100 luscious color pictures and 40 b&w. In fact, the book is so gorgeous you will almost want to keep it out of the kitchen in fear that it will be ruined. However, if you did so, it would be a huge mistake. Nearly every recipe inside captures the energy and style of a French cafe - from goat cheese tarts to braised lamb shoulder, the recipes in this book are mouthwatering and tasty (if not a bit intensive). To learn how to make Balthazar's famous french fries (they serve more than 750 pounds of them each day), read more

This recipe is a bit intensive, you'll need to plan in advance and it requires frying everything twice, but the results are WORTH it.

French Fries
From Balthazar

6 Idaho Potatoes
2 Quarts Peanut Oil
Good-quality Sea Salt

This recipe will result in fries that are about 4 to 5 inches long and 1/4-inch-thick.

Peel potatoes and cut each one lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Stack a few slices and cut lengthwise every 1/4 inch.

Transfer sliced potatoes to a large bowl and cover with water.

Refrigerate and soak overnight (at least 12 hours)

Drain fries at least 20 minutes before cooking. Dry thoroughly on kitchen towels.

Pour peanut oil into Dutch oven or large saucepan.

Attach a candy thermometer to the pot to gauge oil's temperature and put pan over medium flame.

When oil reaches a temperature of 370°F, add a third of the cut potatoes. The oil will drop to about 280°F.

Cook for 3 minutes, remove with a slotted spoon, and set aside on a baking sheet.

Return oil to 370°F and add next batch. - Repeat until all fries are done.

For the second fry, heat the same oil to 380°F. Add half the fries and cook for 3 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown.

Remove from the oil and drain on absorbent paper while you fry the rest.

Sprinkle with sea salt on a baking sheet and serve as soon as possible.

Note: They're soaked overnight to remove excess starch. The first fry cooks the potatoes thoroughly. The second fry crisps the exterior.

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