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Top Chef 5.2 - Show Your Craft Recap

partysugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:15:31 -0800

Hot dogs and ostrich eggs were important ingredients on last night's episode of Top Chef. Things heated up in the kitchen of Tom Colicchio's Craft as the cheftestants had to make "new-American" cuisine. To discuss the episode (warning: spoilers ahead), read more.

Is Fabio for real? How can he possibly be every Italian cliché all rolled into one guy? Wasn't it hysterical when he defended his winning dish?
Do you consider hot dogs to be a quintessential New York dish?
Were you surprised by Radhika's quickfire win?
Does your Whole Foods have mini pull carts? Mine doesn't!
Would you have told Ariane her dessert was too sweet?
Do or don't: cooking with canned crab on Top Chef?
Gail was wearing the same dress she wore to the Macy's Culinary Council Party! Fab approves.
Donatella mentioned that many of the dishes were dated in their presentation. Is good presentation as important as delicious flavor?
After watching this video of Jill on the Internet last week, I knew she was headed for the chopping block. Thoughts?
Now that we know the chefs a little better, who do you like/dislike? I'll start: I like Jamie, the Euros, and Richard. I dislike Carla, Alex, and Danny.

To learn how to dress like Padma, check out our new site, CelebStyle.

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Ramsay's Seeing Stars; Tom, Not So Much

YumSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:27:11 -0700

I don't know if there's ever been a rivalry between "Hell's Kitchen" bad boy Gordon Ramsay and "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio, but there might be reason for one now.

The just published 2008 New York Michelin Guide struck a star off of Colicchio's Craft restaurant - bringing it to one star - and gave Ramsay's The London - his first U.S. venture - two stars.

Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret recently told Reuters about the ratings. Here's more:

On The London: "Gordon Ramsay deserved two stars, not because of his name and TV fame, but because of the consistency of the multiple visits by inspectors throughout the year."
On Craft: "It doesn't mean that the chef has less talent. It's just that the consistency was not there."
About the star ratings:One star means "a very good restaurant in its category." Two stars signify "excellent cuisine, worth a detour" and three stars tout "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."

So there you have it. Ramsay's The London, despite lukewarm reviews from critics, is worthy of a detour, while Colicchio's Craft is just "very good."

What do you guys think? Do you even care about star ratings? Which restaurant would you go to?

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Bento of the Week: Anyone For Starbucks?

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:13:31 -0700

Introducing our new feature, bento of the week! Our first find comes from Flickr member Sakurako Kitsa. This bento is absolutely adorable, but be sure to check out her other dazzling creations too. This time her inspiration has come from a Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino. Love it!

Source: Craft

Yummy Link: Sock and Roll Sushi

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:29:18 -0700

If those little cupcake baby socks weren't cute enough for you, try this Sock and Roll Sushi gift box instead. So cute! - Zakka Life via Craft

Yummy Link: Adorable B-Boy Cupcakes

YumSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:03:38 -0700

I think these b-boy cupcakes are officially too cute too eat. You can check out her process from sketchbook to finished cupcakes. - Cooking is My Passion via Craft

Yummy Link: Shaped Pancakes

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:18:51 -0700

Why have a round pancake when you can have one that looks like a giraffe, a puppy or even Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton? - Flickr via Craft

Yummy Link: Make Your Own Lined Apron

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 06:27:31 -0700

If you've been wanting to take a stab at making your own aprons, give this lined apron with pocket a try. There are loads of great pictures to help you along the way. - Lululollylegs via Craft

Yummy Link: Beautiful Handmade Napkins

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 04:48:39 -0700

For the crafty folks out there, here's a lovely tutorial on how to make you own gorgeous handmade napkins. - The Purl Bee via Craft

What's Cooking at Slashfood

partysugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:00:27 -0700

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

Meet Tracy Porter, tabletop's new hero.
Beef terroir: the grassfed difference.
Canning of craft beers is becoming more popular.
The Food Network has launched a new line of kitchenware.
What makes you feel like a real cook?
Tuck an edible note into your kid's lunches with FoodWriters.
The new cocktail shakers are antique pitchers.

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Happy Hour: Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:11 -0700

These days, my street isn't the only thing covered with pumpkins; so is my kitchen. I've been using the gourds in everything from moist pumpkin bread to chicken pumpkin stew, and so I decided it was high time I enjoyed it in ale form, too. Although it's believed early American icons like George Washington and Ben Franklin enjoyed pumpkin ales, one Bay Area craft brewhouse, Buffalo Bill's, brought the beer back into vogue when it became known for its special blend in the 1980s.The whisky-colored amber ale ($7.99 for six), which is brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins and malted barley, possesses only a delicate squash flavor, but has lingering pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg that become more prominent as the beer warms. Because it doesn't have a malty flavor or the bitter taste of hops, Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin a great find for people who aren't that into traditional beer. What's your favorite Fall ale?