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Titanic Tomato Fight Takes Over Valencia, Spain

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:00:58 -0700

For many, corn boils and clambakes are the highlights of the season. But others look forward to very different Summer festivities - like the La Tomatina in Valencia, Spain. Yesterday, the town of Buñol, Spain (population: 9,000), held its annual world-famous tomato food fight. The event, which is on the last Wednesday in August, is an all-out escapade that involves more than 100 tons of overripe tomatoes, draws over 40,000 visitors from around the world, and spares absolutely no one.

To learn more about it and check out a gallery of images, read more.

It's part of a weeklong festival that includes music, parades, dancing, fireworks, and a massive paella cooking contest. The hourlong exchange, which takes place in Buñol's Plaza del Pueblo, dates back to the mid-1940s. Legend has it that the fight either began as a spat between local merchants, or when disgruntled citizens started throwing tomatoes at politicians. Après-argument, participants hose one another off and jump in the Buñol River, while fire trucks hose down the plaza.

This looks disgusting yet fun, so I'm adding it to my bucket list of things to do. Can you imagine how much tomato pulp the photographer must've been covered in?! Would you participate in La Tomatina?

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What Would You Do?

partysugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:15:46 -0700

We've all been in crazy situations, and I want to know how you handle entertaining fiascoes and bad restaurant behavior. I'll present a situation and you tell me what you would do. Here's today's scenario:

You've spent a lot of time planning a fantastic birthday party at your favorite bar. Although the party starts at 9, you made a bunch of small snacks - spiced nuts, truffled popcorn, caramelized peanuts, etc. - for your guests to enjoy with cocktails.

The snacks are prettily set up on a table near an open window that overlooks the street. The party is going fabulously when you look up to see three unidentified guests throwing your homemade goodies out the window! They are trying to hit people outside! What would you do?

To find out what I did - this very thing happened at my birthday party on Saturday night! - read more.

First, I rapidly determined if the food-throwers were random people at the bar or friends of friends. Since they happened to be the cousins of a friend, they were technically a part of my party. I made the food for everyone, but for everyone to eat, not launch at other guests. I walked over to the offenders and said, "Excuse me, that food is not for throwing. Please stop." Then I turned on my heel and left as quickly as possible.

How would you handle the situation? What do you think of my reaction? Did I overreact?

Source

Food Fight!

YumSugar — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:03:18 -0800

I saw this video earlier this week and thought it would make a nice weekend distraction. In Food Fight, a video by Stefan Nadelman, various modern battles are recreated using food from the regions of the world engaged in the conflict. It begins at WWII, but if you're not that well versed in war, don't worry, the folks at Boing Boing have kindly edited the video to include subtitles. It's really a captivating video, and if you haven't already seen it, then check it out, just read more.

This version has been edited down, check out the official website to see the full version. And if you're confused as to which country is what, take a glance at the food fight cheat sheet.

Fooooood Fight!

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:27:18 -0700

If you've ever wished you could throw a big plate of food at one of your friends, but social norms wouldn't let you go through with it, head over to The Good Food Fight where you can start a virtual food fight. It's part of the Eat Better America site which encourages folks to "eat better."

You choose from one of three healthy dishes, and one of three opponents. Then while you read about the recipe, your opponent pops out and throws food at you. You can then pick up the food on the screen and throw it back. Sadly I kept losing, as did the folks at Spluch, where I found this story, but maybe you'll have better luck.

Oh and when you're done fighting, you're supposed to head over to their main site and get some tasty, healthy recipes.

You Say Tomato, I Say Fooood Fight!

YumSugar — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:45:37 -0700

Every year, on the last Wednesday in August (which happens to be today), the folks of the Spanish town of Bunol get together for the annual tomato throwing festival. That's right, the town citizens, along with tens of thousands of tourists, get together for a giant tomato food fight called La Tomatina.

For exactly one hour (11am-noon), 117 tons of plum tomatoes were hurled into the air, at folks, into the streets, everywhere. At noon a rocket was shot into the air signaling the end of the fight. Once it was over, residents used garden hoses to spray down the town.

There were no reports of injuries this year, mostly because everyone seemed to respect the rules: Only throw tomatoes, don't throw tomatoes that are green (meaning that they're hard), squeeze the tomatoes first to make them burst easier (easing the sting).

So how did the event begin?

Local legend claims the event began in the mid-1940s after a group of youngsters waged a food fight near a vegetable stand on the town square. They met again the next year and pelted each other - and passers-by - creating the annual tradition.

Sounds pretty wild, but from the look of things, it sounds like a lot of fun. Maybe I should book a hotel for next year...

Source: International Herald Tribune
Image Source

Kim Kardashian Is Latest Face of Carl's Jr.

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:27 -0800

Guess who's joining the ranks of Paris Hilton, Padma Lakshmi, and Audrina Patridge as Carl's Jr. spokesperson? None other than reality show temptress Kim Kardashian.

Kardashian is teaming up with the burger chain - known for its risqué commercials - to promote its new premium salads. It'll be the first commercial spot the company has done for a menu item that's not a burger. The reality TV star tells People that while she's a healthy eater today, she has a number of fond memories involving Carl's Jr.

"Driving to Las Vegas, my dad would take the family and we'd stay at Circus Circus and we always stopped at Carl's Jr," she says.

"I remember this food fight my sisters and I all had in the back of the van – it was so funny. We got in so much trouble!" Do you think Kim Kardashian and Carl's Jr. will make for fun viewing?

Source

Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 30-Oct.6

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:04 -0700

Across the country this month Oktoberfest celebrations are in full force. There's something for you, whether you want to savor the last of the Summer with a seafood festival or switch your mindset to Fall by enjoying one of the many harvest celebrations. Have a tip for another event? Leave it in the comments below!

Santa Clarita, CA: Loose Goose Wine Festival - Oct. 1-5
Corinth, MS: Kansas City Hog Wild BBQ Festival - Oct. 2-4
San Francisco, CA: Oktoberfest by the Bay - Oct. 2-5
Kansas City, MO: American Royal Barbecue - Oct. 2-5
Napa, CA: Domaine Chandon Pink Party - Oc. 2
New York, NY: Plate by Plate New York - Oct. 3
Carpinteria, CA: California Avocado Festival - Oct. 3-5

To see the rest, read more.

Lincoln, AR: Arkansas Apple Festival - Oct. 3-5
Fredericksburg, TX: Oktoberfest - Oct. 3-5
Long Grove, IL: Long Grove Apple Festival -Oct. 3-5
Puyallup, WA: Oktoberfest NW - Oct. 3-5
Destin, FL: Destin Seafood Festival - Oct. 3-5
Bayfield, WI: Bayfield Apple Festival - Oct. 3-5
Doylestown, PA: Oktoberfest - Oct. 3-5
Fort Bragg, CA: Abalone Cook-off & Festival - Oct. 4
Germantown, MD: Germantown Oktoberfest - Oct. 4
Charlotte, NC: Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Food Festival - Oct. 4
Napa, CA: Wine Country Cajun Food and Music Festival - Oct. 4
Springfield, MO: Taste of Springfield - Oct. 4
Atlanta, GA : Harvest Midtown Festival - Oct. 4
Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Irish Festival - Oct. 4
Chattanooga, TN: Wine Over Water - Oct. 4
Montrose, CA: Montrose Oktoberfest - Oct. 4
Beach Haven, NJ: Chowder Cook-Off Classic - Oct. 5
Shelton, WA: Oysterfest - Oct. 4-5
Allardt, TN: Great Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 4-5
Redwood City, CA: Arts & Olive Festival - Oct. 5
Rochester, NY: Rochester Food Fight - Oct. 6

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How Foodie Are You?

partysugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 03:00:41 -0800

I had such a fabulous time putting together my last food trivia quiz that I decided to do another one.

It's jam packed with fun facts from the trivia game Foodie Fight. What are you waiting for? Test your foodie knowledge now!

Take the quiz

Yummy Links: From Club Sandwiches to Street Food

partysugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:50:00 -0700

There's nothing quite as delicious as the classic club sandwich.- Serious Eats
Stressed? Here are 10 nutrients that can help relieve the tension. - Chow
Paula Deen's beauty advice is featured in next month's Allure. - Eat Me Daily
What you need to remember when dining outdoors with your pet. - OpenTable
Learn how Corton's chef Paul Liebrandt makes rabbit and scallop duo. - The Feedbag
If you love street food, be sure to check out this extensive guide to the nation's best. - Gourmet

Source: Flickr User Geoff604

Photo Gallery: La Tomatina 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:13:04 -0700

View Slideshow ›