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Why Open a Restaurant When There's Bling to Be Had?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:59:12 -0800

Okay, now what's wrong with this picture from the South Beach Wine and Food Festival party? Go on take a good look.
Here we have Top Chef winner Ilan Hall, Gail Simmons, Sam Talbot and Tom Colicchio hanging out at the Food & Wine magazine after party. Have you figured it out? I'll give you a hint it has to do with attire. No it's not that Sam is looking under-dressed (although you have to admit that he is), it's that Ilan looks like he's spending his Top Chef winnings on fancy suits and bling!

In fact the folks over at snack spotted Ilan getting on to the plane for Miami and have put together their breakdown of Ilan's attire choices, including a $12,000 diamond encrusted watch.

Moncler black vest: $375
Pink shoe laces for white Nikes: $4
Louis Vuitton duffel bag: $1,100
Louis Vuitton white belt with candy-colored logo:$350
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce watch in pure white (with diamonds): $11,950

To check out more pictures of our favorite Top Chef crew partying the night away, read more

In other Ilan news, looks like I missed Ilan's swoonworthy Orzo in one of the latest issues of Life & Style magazine. I absolutely love orzo, but the comments the folks have left definitely aren't too kind.

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South Beach Wine & Food - Food Network Chefs en Masse

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:26:31 -0800

While the Oscars may have been the event that was on everyone's mind this weekend, over in Miami Beach, the focus was on food instead of fashion. At the South Beach Wine and Food Festival's Culinary and Lifestyle Seminar, some of Food Network's hottest TV stars were on hand to show off their techniques, answer audience questions and sputter off a lot of other useful tips.

And can I just get a little girly here and say that I love Nigella's style? She is in the kitchen, but still so glam... I need to get me a little black cooking dress!

To see more photos of Nigella, Paula and Alton cooking up a storm (as well as some of Robin Miller, Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence), read more

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South Beach Wine & Food Festival Kicks Off

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 15:25:33 -0800

As I mentioned last week, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a big deal in the foodie world. So naturally the event kicked off yesterday with a big bash (make that a burger bash), hosted by our 30 minute meal maven, Rachael Ray. Sadly, I am thousands of miles away on the other coast and wasn't able to attend it, nor will I be able to attend any of the appetite-whetting events (like the Food Network Awards Show, a panel featuring Anthony Bourdain & Tom Colicchio, Al Roker's BubbleQ, Rachael Ray & Giada's Kidz Kitchen, Martha's (and the Mondavi's) tribute brunch, wine-tastings, food-tastings, and other celebrity chef hob-knobbery)... *sigh* oh well... The event (which is expecting over 18,000 people) is mostly sold-out anyway.

Maybe next year, eh?

Until then, I, like most of you (unless you're lucky and if you are, please do share photos and stories with the rest of us!!), will have to settle for images and anecdotes.

To check out some more pictures from last night's Amstel Light's Burger Bash hosted by Rachael Ray (who, in case you're wondering, is getting groped by Lee B. Schrager - a prominent "event planner and public relations expert"), read more

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Food Network Awards

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:58:32 -0800

For the last six years, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a big deal in the foodie world. It's a "star-studded" event that keeps growing year after year. This year the event, which is sponsored by the Food Network, has a new feature to offer: the "first-ever Food Network Awards." The event, which takes place on February 23, will be hosted by Emeril Lagasse and will honor "achievements in the world of food and entertaining."

Some of the presenters include Catherine Zeta Jones & Aaron Eckhart (they're in an upcoming film called "No Reservations" a remake of "Mostly Martha," a European film about a chef) as well as all the usual Food Network stars (Rachael, Giada, Bobby, Paula, Alton, and everyone's favorite Sandra Lee).

To learn more, including what kind of awards they're giving - and surprisingly they're actually food awards and not just Food Network based awards - read more

Some of the awards include:

Favorite Comfort Food Combo (Viewers’ Choice)
Most Delicious Destination, highlighting a rising locale not to be
missed
Best Ball Park Eats (Viewers’ Choice)
Play With Your Food: Artwork With an Edible Twist, recognizing one
remarkable artist who incorporates food into their work
Icy Innovations, awarded to innovators in the world of frozen treats
Tasty Technology, new kitchen appliances that will change the way we
cook
“Professional Grade” Kitchen Appliance You Can’t Live Without (Viewers’
Choice)
“Hot” Chocolate List, recognizing the hottest chocolatier in the country
Food Hall of Fame: Tribute to Julia Child, television and food pioneer
Share Our Strength Food Humanitarian Award, a person who makes the world a better place through food
Culinary Dreams Can Come True: Culinary Institute of America Scholarship and Food Network Mentorship of a Lifetime
Favorite Childhood Classics (Viewers’ Choice), awarded to the favorite
children’s book about food
Not Your Grandmother’s Food of the Month Club, given to the most unique
food of the month club
SUPER Market, presented to the grocery chain who has changed the way we
shop
Best Better Burger, recognizing a burger company with a mindful approach to their product and operation
Favorite Coolest Cocktail (Viewers’ Choice), celebrating Food Network
viewers’ favorite classic drink
Edible Entrepreneurs, acknowledging individuals with a passion for food
and an entrepreneurial spirit
Funniest Food Festival, honoring the wackiest food festival in the
country

If you want to check out the awards for yourself, the event is in Miami next Friday (February 23) at 9:30pm (tickets are $77.50 a piece). But don't worry, if you can't make it, the event will air on Food Network on April 25.

Sure it will be neat to see who wins what, but what I want to know is, what do you think the statuette will look like? A bottle of EVOO?

Source: Well Fed

Yummy Links: From German Beer to Healthful Holiday Eating

partysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:15:47 -0800

Five German beers worth trying. - The Atlantic
Do you live in Miami or Portland? Get excited because Eater has expanded to those cities. - Eater
Frank Bruni's memoir Born Round may be turned into a television show. - Grub Street NY
Learn what Josh Ozersky will be up to now that he has bid the Feedbag adieu. - The Feedbag
Scripps Networks has acquired the Travel Channel, meaning that the Food Network is back in bed with Anthony Bourdain. - Eat Me Daily
Must make: creamy corn soup with roasted poblano chili. - Serious Eats
Everything you need to know about stuffing. - The Epi-Log
How to stay healthy during the holidays. - Chow

Source: Flickr User Maggie Hoffman

Bravo Announces Seventh Season of Top Chef, Chef Academy

partysugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:50:23 -0700

While the sixth season of Bravo's hit reality cooking competition, Top Chef, is hardly half over, the television network has announced plans to shoot a seventh season. Casting calls begin on Sunday, Oct. 18, in San Francisco and end less than a month later in Los Angeles with stops in Miami, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and Dallas along the way.

There's no news yet as to which judges and guest chefs are attached to the project, but chances are, filming may overlap with Padma Lakshmi's pregnancy.

Besides Top Chef 7, Bravo will also premiere a new docu-series, Chef Academy, on Nov. 16 at 11 p.m. The show follows chef Jean Christophe Novelli as he opens his first US cooking school. Will you tune in for Chef Academy and another season of Top Chef? Or are you over culinary reality TV?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Noteworthy Nibbles - July 28-Aug. 4

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:00:27 -0700

Although I can't make it to the official celebration in Wisconsin, I'll be observing National Mustard Day this weekend. But I'm really salivating over the photos from the Maine Lobster Festival, and I'm curious to try a so-called Rocky Mountain oyster at the appropriately-dubbed Testy Festy. What looks most appetizing to you? Here's what's going on between now and next Tuesday in the food festival world.

Rockland, ME: Maine Lobster Festival - July 29-Aug. 2
Clinton, MT: Rock Creek Lodge Testicle Festival - July 29-Aug. 2
Seattle, WA: Taste of the Nation Seattle - July 30
Miami, FL: Taste of the Nation Miami - July 30
Atlantic City, NJ: Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival - July 30-Aug. 2
Norfolk, VA: 20th Annual Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival - July 31-Aug. 2
Mammoth Lakes, CA: Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza - July 31-Aug. 2

To see the rest, read more.

Natchez, MS: Natchez Food and Wine Festival - July 31-Aug. 2
Deerfield Valley, VT: Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival - July 31-Aug. 9
Mt. Horeb, WI: National Mustard Day Festival - Aug. 1
Vincennes, IN: Watermelon Festival & Jack Daniels Great American Grill-Off - Aug. 1
Loveland, CA: Gnarly Barley Brew Festival - Aug. 1
Cortland, NY: Cortland Arts and Wine Festival - Aug. 1
Penn Yan, NY: Fox Run Garlic Festival - Aug. 1-2
San Pedro, CA: Taste in San Pedro - Aug. 1-2
Kenosha, WI: Taste of Wisconsin - Aug. 1-2
Boulder, CO: Rocky Mountain Tea Festival - Aug. 1-2
New Orleans, LA: Taste of the Nation New Orleans - Aug. 2
Salt Lake City, UT: Taste of the Nation Utah - Aug. 2

Source

Would You Rather Attend Aspen or South Beach?

partysugar — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:30:53 -0700

I've been lucky enough to attend the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen twice now, but I've never been to the Food Network's annual bash in Miami's South Beach. One's in the mountains, and the other is at the beach: if you could attend only one festival, which would you prefer?

Noteworthy Nibbles - May 26-June 2, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:30:35 -0700

If you didn't get your fill of celebrations and libations over Memorial Day weekend, there's plenty more going on, from craft beer tastings to Champagne parties. What will you be attending this week? Feel free to share any other events you're looking forward to below!

The Woodlands, TX: Wine & Food Week - May 26-31
Houston, TX: Tour de Champagne - May 28
Augusta, NJ: Crawfish Fest - May 29-31
Vashon Island, WA: Slow Food Seattle Spring With Seabreeze Farm - May 30
Washington DC: Savor Craft Beer - May 30
Miami, FL: Slow Food Miami Picnic & Pie Contest - May 30
Toms River, NJ: New Jersey State Chili & Salsa Cookoff - May 30
Franklin, AL: Franklin Food & Spirits Festival - May 30-31

To see the rest, read more.

Richmond, VA: Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival - May 30
York, PA: Taste of Pennsylvania - May 30-31
San Francisco, CA: Top Chef Dinner at Scala's Bistro - May 31
Santa Barbara, CA: Taste of Santa Barbara - May 31
Temecula, CA: Field to the Fork - May 31
Cape Cod, MA: Cape Cod Life Food & Wine Festival - May 31-June 6
Palm Springs, CA: Palm Springs Restaurant Week - May 31-June 9
New Orleans, LA: The Global Cocktail Bar Phenomenon - June 1
New York, NY: Wine & Spirits Magazine's Top of the List - June 2

Source

Happy Hour: 2007 Schloss Schönborn Estate Riesling

partysugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:15:28 -0700

It's National Riesling week and while you could enjoy a discount on European Riesling at a number of restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Las Vegas, you can just as easily celebrate by sipping a bottle in the comforts of your own home. I highly recommend my current Riesling of choice, the 2007 Schloss Schönborn Estate Riesling. It's a juicy, drinkable white with a slight sweetness. The aroma is peachy, the taste minerally, and the finish crisp and light. Riesling is an excellent between season wine because it pairs with light salads and heartier dishes. I enjoyed Schloss Schönborn on a warm day at the park and was surprised at how smooth and friendly it was. How do you feel about Rieslings? What will you drink to toast Riesling week?