YumSugar

Morimoto to Bring Yakatori to the Traveling Masses

partysugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:50:26 -0700

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto's got a new project in the works. Yesterday the hospitality company Delaware North Cos announced a partnership with the sushi master, with plans to launch Skewers, a new fast-casual airport restaurant chain.

Although no sushi will be on the menu, the concept will offer travelers easily portable meals like soups and salads, as well as a variety of skewered meats and vegetables.

Known as yakitori in Japan, skewers are an incredibly popular street food and Morimoto hopes to introduce the world to his interpretation of it. "Yakitori is the next big wave, I think," Morimoto said, adding confidently, "It will be very popular."

While the rollout dates and details concerning the locations have not been released, I think the idea sounds interesting. I've yet to experience yakitori and am curious to see how Morimoto translates it to the masses. How about you? Have you had yakitori? Will Morimoto's latest endeavor be a success?

How to Prepare For a BBQ Festival

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:50:23 -0700

Over the long weekend, while many of you were hosting barbecues of your own, I headed over to Sparks, NV, for the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, one of the country's largest outdoor barbecue events. I was more than stoked to chomp down on award-winning ribs all day long, but - given the scope of the festival and its four-hour driving distance from my house - I wanted to maximize my first experience there by being as prepared for the event as Michael Phelps was for the Summer Olympics. If you're planning on heading to a major barbecue festival (or any food extravaganza, for that matter), I've got some tips to share with you.

View Slideshow ›

Airlines Aiming Higher With Fancier Coach Meals

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:50:20 -0700

These days, airlines are engaged in new flights of fancy: in an effort to set themselves apart from competitors, many have been upping the ante on food offerings.

Airlines began charging for meals post-9/11, but food-for-purchase replacements never fared well. They came with high price tags, questionable freshness, and inventory challenges. But major players have found a way to tackle these issues, and hope to enhance their brand images with a revamped reputation for good food.

Delta Air Lines serves Ben & Jerry's ice cream, cheese plates, and a new array of dishes created by culinary impresario Todd English that includes grilled chicken gyros and almond butter sandwiches. In May, American Airlines partnered with Boston Market, hoping to levy the rotisserie chain's name recognition. Although Hawaiian Airlines has long kept a focus on high-end food, it, too, has tried to elevate coach sales. While meals are free on Hawaiian, paying an additional $10 buys passengers satay chicken with vermicelli, or a sushi bento box with edamame and teriyaki chicken.

Airlines have found savvy methods of measuring the success of food programs, like using credit card readers to monitor the popularity of foods. Do you think the new tactics work? Has airline food gotten tastier?

A Taste of the Ocean State

YumSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:50:12 -0700

While Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation, there is no shortage of great food. It's known as the Ocean State and after spending a few days exploring it, I can say it definitely lives up to its name! There's a never ending supply of fresh lobster, succulent clams, and much more. The selection from under the sea is out of this world, but that's not all Rhode Island has to offer. There are plenty of other interesting foods, like pizza bread and coffee milk. Take a dip into the Ocean State's fare and check out some of my favorites here.

View Slideshow ›

Ruth Reichl to Star in New Gourmet Travel Show

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:30:53 -0700

Looking forward to Bravo's Top Chef 6, Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, and the rest of Fall's food-focused lineup? Then there's one more show to TiVo. On Oct. 17, Gourmet magazine will debut a series on public television entitled Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth. On the half-hour show, editor Ruth Reichl travels the world visiting cooking schools with the likes of Frances McDormand and Lorraine Bracco. Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth will also air on Gourmet's TiVo channel, as well as the American Airlines in-flight television channel. At least 10 episodes will be backed by the airlines, whose sponsorship includes branding spots, ad pages in the magazine, and a presence on the website.

As Ruth Reichl's number-one fan, I can't wait to see this show - although I'm curious to know how different the point of view will be from its predecessor, Diary of a Foodie. Will you watch Ruth Reichl eat her way around the globe?

Yummy Links: From Hubert Keller to Root Beer

partysugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:50:04 -0700

The hottest chef at last weekend's food festival in San Francisco? DJ Hubert Keller. - Eater SF
How to start your own food truck. - Grub Street
If you love Pop Tarts, you'll enjoy this Pop Tart art. - Eat Me Daily
Taste test: milk chocolate bars. - Serious Eats
Where to taste wine while traveling in Sonoma. - Chow
Are you America's best home cook? Enter this contest and you could win big. - Food & Wine
Kelly Choi just got a little more ridiculous: here she is dressed up as Catwoman. - The Feedbag
The latest trend to hit the beverage scene is old-fashioned root beer. - Bon Appétit

Source

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

Let's Dish: What Foods Do You Look For at The Fair?

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:50:54 -0700

Next month, some of my friends are making the trek out to Sacramento from the Bay Area to hit up the California State Fair, where a number artists - including one of my favorite country music stars - is performing. But the state fair doesn't have to put on an elaborate musical production to get me to show up; I'd be there for the food alone! After all, who can say no to mile-high strawberry daiquiris, elephant ears, garlic fries, and those giant smoked turkey legs?

My personal can't-miss item at any festival or fair is the funnel cake, which I always get because I'll never make it at home. What do you enjoy at Summer fairs?

Source: Flickr User Jamiesrabbits

Would You Eat This Taco Salad?

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:50:10 -0700

While it's true that airlines have recently expanded their food offerings, the airport still dominates the market when it comes to travel meals. But - like Party and I witnessed during last year's trip to Aspen - airport food often falls incredibly flat. During recent travels, I experienced something similar when I ordered what I expected to be a taco salad, only to be greeted by a heaping pile of white rice, stringy chicken, overcooked corn, and wilted cilantro. Although I was starving, I was also completely grossed out, and tossed my takeout after just a few bites. Does this bowl of overcooked matter look like something you'd be willing to eat?

Exploring the Farmers Market of Oahu

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:45:08 -0700

After sampling the tasty treats around Oahu, I had to stop by a farmers market to witness the local food revolution firsthand. Luckily, Kapiolani Community College hosts a weekly market on Saturdays. While the vendors sell everything from tomatoes to abalone, the deliciousness of fresh local pineapple is hard to beat. I arrived around 8 a.m. and found the market already bustling with activity. Here are the highlights.

View Slideshow ›