FoodieSphere

Monday, October 31, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Monday, October 31st 2005

Halloween dishes to dress up your table - Trick 'O' Treat! Treat your kids, your guests or yourself with these-fun-to-eat snacks that will keep your Halloween party going and a hungry crowd happy.

Posted by Ant @ 17:09 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Wednesday, October 26th 2005

McDonald's to Post Nutrition Info on Food - Make it a burger, fries and nutritional information to go.

Ginseng 'helps to ward off colds' - Taking the herbal remedy ginseng reduces the risk of developing a cold, a Canadian study says.

Advice on raw eggs could hit food products - Processors making products like mayonnaise, mousse and icing will be looking for a consumer reaction to the latest bird flu advice from the EU's food safety regulator, which yesterday called on consumers to avoid eating raw eggs.

Posted by Ant @ 19:29 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Men vs. Women in the Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay annoyed a few female chefs after he claimed young women today "can't cook to save their lives" and are lagging behind the men who are "finding their way into the kitchen in ever-growing numbers". (same article I linked to yesterday) Despite his ignorant comments, I do agree that modern women today cook less and eat more convenience foods but this is due to their increasing workload so less time is spent in the kitchen preparing food. I'm saying this but at the same time in the last few years I've noticed that more and more women are making an effort to eat healthfully and really trying to improve their cooking skills. The truth is we owe this increasing interest in cooking and food to celebrity chefs, the growing number cookbooks published and cooking classes available - for demonstrating recipes that are simple for anyone to try and taste good too. Women are now less afraid to try new things in the kitchen and enjoying every minute of it.

Ok, let's get back to the original topic of this blog: Men vs. Women in the Kitchen.

I believe that both men and women are equally capable of learning the right skills to become great chefs or home cooks. However like many other things in life, women often approach cooking differently from men. This doesn't mean that women are the more accomplished cooks or more passionate about food- they're just different. I think women aim to please people more. They're biggest desire is to share their passion and knowledge of food with others and to create a quality and memorable dining experience. Men are more likely to take the daring approach in the kitchen - they will tackle any recipe and not give up until they've conquered it and might even experiment with the ingredients to create their own tasteful masterpiece. They enjoy the challenge and get their motivation from proving their culinary talents.

It seems so silly to me to be fighting about who's better or worse in the kitchen. The culinary world is a fast-changing and growing industry, today both men and women are found in a professional kitchen and both contributing to wonderful cooking - so no need to bash, we should be celebrating great food instead.

Posted by Ant @ 18:58 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, October 24, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Monday, October 24th 2005

Oliver opens school for dinner ladies - Jamie Oliver cuts a vegetable ribbon to formerly open a new organic training kitchen for dinner ladies in Essex.

Ramsay: Women can't cook to save their lives - The outspoken celebrity chef has claimed that young British women "can't cook to save their lives" and are lagging behind the men who are "finding their way into the kitchen in ever-growing numbers".

Posted by Ant @ 18:38 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, October 24, 2005

Bigger is Not Better.

Students at Windsor High attempted to break the Guinness World record for making the largest pumpkin pie. Despite their best efforts, the 6 foot, 4 inch, 468-pound pie was apparently not the biggest - so probably not big enough to retain the town's title. It seems a small town in Ohio had a much bigger goal - MUCH bigger than Windsor (CA), earlier this month they baked a pumpkin pie that was 12 feet, 4 inches and 1,500 pounds exceeding the weight by more than three times. Official notification from the Guinness Book of World records can take some time, which means that Windsor High School Culinary Arts Department for the moment still holds the title. Although the school is unlikely to win the contest, Marie Ganister, the culinary arts instructor at Windsor High is extremely proud of her students. The pie was made from only premium ingredients and cooked to golden perfection - Ganister points out that their pie used farm fresh milk, while New Bremen's pie was made of condensed milk. The pie was cut into 400 pieces and served at the Windsor Farmers Market on the 16th of October.

Posted by Ant @ 16:54 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Thursday, October 20th 2005

Being Rachael Ray: How Cool Is That? - Ms. Ray, 37, is one of the most influential people cooking today. (you might need to register to view this article)

Ynyshir Hall climbs like Walnut Tree - A WELSH restaurant is just a soupcon away from achieving the celebrity status enjoyed by eateries such as Gordon Ramsay and the Fat Duck after receiving a top food award.

British cuisine thriving, with local ingredients - Modern British cuisine is thriving, with many chefs now favouring locally-sourced ingredients, according to a new guide to the nation's top restaurants.

Trump blames Martha Stewart for ratings slide - Will Donald Trump soon tell Martha Stewart "You're Fired"?

Posted by Ant @ 17:56 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Wednesday, October 19th 2005

Jamie's Great Italian Escape - New TV series called 'Jamie's Great Italian Escape' starting tonight at 8.30pm in the UK, on Channel 4.

More On McDonald's Intranet Blogs - The launch of intranet blogs by McDonald's is significant because it's not a high-tech company.

Five Japanese restaurants on Zagat's top 20 in NYC - Japanese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular among New York City's diners, with five Japanese restaurants -- the most ever -- ranking among the top 20 restaurants in the city, according to a 2006 Zagat survey.

Food industry commits to salt reduction by 2010 in Ireland - The market for salt-reduced food formulations set to rise in Ireland as government and scientists launch campaign to slice the salt from consumer diets.

Why food retailers need a big-screen vision - FACED with the prospect of dealing with a mature commodity market, leading food retailers have been urged to take a leaf out of the cinema industry's book to revive flagging consumer interest.

The scientific chef - Is it safe to eat supermarket meat when it's changing colour?

Posted by Ant @ 18:58 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

These recipes will sweeten things up!

Ann Lovejoy, a gardener and author of several gardening books gives away remarkably simple variations of Italian recipes combining fruit with meat or fish. This combination makes a great dish that isn't overly sweet and adds that extra gourmet touch. For example in her 'Smoked Salmon and Pear Salad' recipe the pear infuses a slight tart sweetness to the salmon, making it a perfect salad with just the right balance of sweet and savory.

Posted by Ant @ 17:00 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipe!

Do you have a favorite family recipe you would like to share with everyone? How about a recipe you discovered by accident when you just threw together some ingredients and it turned out to be a great hit at Holiday parties? Well, it's time to reveal the secret creation for others to try out and enjoy. Submit your recipe to News-Herald Newspapers - they're looking for favorite holiday recipes for the Holiday Cookbook edition Nov. 16. For submission guidelines and entry deadline go to The News Herald website.

Posted by Ant @ 15:51 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Tuesday, October 18th 2005

Food memoirs a tasty trend - Celebrity memoirs fill bookshelves, but food memoirs are a relatively new and growing genre.

Jamie named 'most envied celebrity' - TV chef Jamie Oliver is the most envied celebrity, according to a new survey.

RAMSAY OFF THE TOP - CELEBRITY chef Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant has slipped from the top spot in next year's Good Food Guide.

Top eatery wins mention in latest Michelin food guide - A PUB restaurant is celebrating being featured in a new Michelin food guide.

Americans Look for Health on the Menu - While time, convenience and value remain the main determinants of Americans' choices when they eat out, concerns about healthy food have now moved up to fourth place, according to the results of a new consumer survey.

Nutrition is key to the learning process - It's a proven fact the food students put in their bodies can impact their attention span during the school day.

Posted by Ant @ 17:46 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Wow, that's some cinnamon roll...

Introducing the world's biggest and gooey-est cinnamon roll - weighing a total of 246.5 pounds. I don't even want to think about how many calories are in that roll. The cinnamon roll was baked by The House of Bread specialty bakery in Mill Creek, WA. The officials from the State Department of Agriculture were present during the entire process (kneading, rolling, and baking) to certify its edibility and weight. The public was encouraged to visit the bakery to view and to taste the delicious concoction. It's not an official world record yet until it is officially recognised by Guiness. The bakery donated $1200 to Hopelink, a local charity for homeless and low-income families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Posted by Ant @ 17:18 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, October 14, 2005

And the Award Goes to...

Leah Fellstad!!

Leah Fellstad from Cape Town and head waiter at Rhodes Twenty Four in London won the British Young Chef, Young Waiter of the Year competition. The award was announced and presented to her at the dinner in the House of Commons. The lucky girl has won herself £2000 and a trip to Barbados, but she fully deserved the prize beating off very tough competition. The Young Chef, Young Waiter is a national competition giving young waiters and chefs working in the UK an opportunity to showcase their talent to industry experts. For more details about this story check out the article featured in the Independent Online.

Posted by Ant @ 16:10 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, October 14, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Friday, October 14th 2005

4,000-year-old pasta fuel for foodie debate - The humble noodle is a primary food source for billions of people, but its origins have been buried by the mists of time.

A Goldilocks-esque choice of Guelph brews - It's not just wine-sipping travellers that are getting in on alcohol-based trips, beer guzzlers are getting in on the trend too.

TV chef quits Auberge - Jean-Christophe Novelli left his high-class restaurant after a heated row with the management.

Ramsay's kitchen heaven! - FOUL mouthed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay turned on the charm for two women in Wilmslow when he taught them the secrets of a perfect steak dinner for his new TV show The F-Word.

Food Superstar Rocco Dispirito Cooks Up a Plan to Save Canadian Seals From Slaughter - Celebrity chef Rocco Dispirito is lending his support to The Humane Society of the United States' campaign to end Canada's annual seal hunt.

Tips giving way to service charges? - Customers at a high-end Manhattan restaurant have an extra expense when they get their bill. (you need to REGISTER to view this article)

Boutiques, books, festivals celebrate wine - U.S. wine consumption is at an all-time high, according to an Oct. 5 article on Wine Spectator online.

Recipe for success - Julie Powell was a depressed temp whose life changed forever after she embarked on a year-long Julia Child cook-a-thon.

Esquire critic says Butter melts in mouth - Mariani uses his annual forum to slam two of Chicago's hottest young chefs -- Grant Achatz of Alinea and Homaro Cantu of moto.

Posted by Ant @ 10:18 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Wednesday, October 12th 2005

The puddings, the squirrels, and all things English - Today London is one of the world's great eating towns, acknowledged as such by knowledgeable gastronomes everywhere, including France.

Rich pickings - As the first £100 pizza is pulled out of a London oven, Ed Caesar orders up the most expensive - and excessive - dishes ever served.

Sales Growth in the UK Fast Food & Home Delivery Outlets Market in the Period 2005 to 2009 is Forecast to Be Less Than the Previous Five Years - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c25515) has announced the addition of Fast Food & Home Delivery Outlets Market Report Plus 2005 to their offering.

Will blogging affect your next buy at the store? - "Today" food editor Phil Lempert shares his report on the latest trends in the supermarket and how technology usage will change how we shop.

£9.6m food allergy study begins - A study into why people are allergic to peanuts, and not their close relative peas, could help improve the quality of food allergy tests, scientists believe.

Oprah developing Rachael Ray talk show - Food Network personality Rachael Ray has signed a deal with Oprah Winfrey's production company to host a daytime syndicated talk show targeted to launch in fall 2006.

What You Don't Know Could Make You Sick - Each year 76 million Americans suffer from foodborne illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Posted by Ant @ 15:04 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Tuesday, October 11th 2005

Chefs in child health food plea to Blair - TOP chefs yesterday urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to give his backing to legislation calling for a ban on children being targeted by junk food advertising.

THE PRIDE OF BRITAIN AWARDS: SUCCESS IS ON MENU - LONG before Jamie Oliver's TV campaign, pioneering head teacher Liz Owens decided to improve school meals in an attempt to boost results in the classroom.

The first domestic goddess - "Kathryn Hughes's wonderful new biography, The Short Life and Long Times of Mrs Beeton, reveals how a young housewife helped to transform the lives of Victorian women". Thanks Isabella Beeton!

Posted by Ant @ 15:39 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, October 10, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Monday, October 10th 2005

Experts Seek to Debunk Baby Food Myths - Experts Trying to Debunk Baby Food Myths; Curry, Peppers and Peanut Butter OK, Studies Suggest.

Looking for the next big diet fad - Like boy bands and fashion trends, fad diets come and go.

Salt campaign targets ready meals - A food watchdog is urging people to cut their daily salt intake by choosing healthier ready meals.

World?s eyes on our food sector - IT is little known that South Africa is one of only a few net food-exporting countries in the world.

Posted by Ant @ 12:23 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Friday, October 7, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Friday, October 7th 2005

Most Expensive U.S. Restaurants 2005 - Americans spent $884 per person on eating out in 2003.

Another glorious autumn for gourmets, gastronomes - New York and fine restaurants: Ever a marriage. This fall and winter alone more than 60 are due to open.

Zagat Survey Releases 2006 San Francisco Restaurants Guide - Zagat Survey, the world's leading provider of consumer survey-based leisure content, today released its 2006 San Francisco/Bay Area Restaurants guide.

Brave new grill: Is cloned food destined for menu? - Pregnant cows with clone babies are delivered to a pasture owned by Viagen near Austin, Texas.

Posted by Ant @ 13:33 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday, October 6, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Thursday, October 6th 2005

Oyster illness muscles into Alaska - Alaska's dramatic warming trend seems to be affecting human health.

What women want: exhibition charts 100 years of feminism - The exhibits in the show entitled "What Women Want"', opening today at London Metropolitan University's Women's Library, celebrate what women have fought and longed for from the Victorian era to today.

Melting pot is mixing up menus ... for kids too! - The nation's palate is skewing ethnic, says 'Today' food editor Phil Lempert. Here he shares his report on the latest trends in the supermarket.

Posted by Ant @ 21:50 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Tuesday, October 4th 2005

Tastemakers: Chefs - This fall, Forbes.com undertook the difficult task of identifying ten of the most influential chefs this year in the United States.

Justin and Jamie jumpstart the grocer that had stalled - Multi-million-pound rewards for failure, a decaying market share, empty shelves, a plummeting share price, profit warnings and a City baying for blood.

Waitrose mag rolls out book and paper deals - aitrose Food Illustrated is embarking on a series of promotions during the autumn as it attempts to consolidate its position in an increasingly busy food magazine market.

Is junk food a myth? - Schools have just 12 months to wipe their lunch menus of junk food under a new pledge to improve nutritional standards. But what exactly is junk food? A controversial new book argues there is no such thing. No foods are intrinsically bad, it says.

Posted by Ant @ 18:37 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Monday, October 3, 2005

Links from the Foodiesphere for Monday, October 3rd 2005

Fuji Keizai Releases Report on Specified Health Food Market in Japan - Japanese market researcher Fuji Keizai has published a report on the specified health food market in Japan.

Kraft launches healthy Nabisco snack line - Leading US food manufacturer Kraft Foods has taken another step in the direction of health and wellness, launching a new line of wholegrain snack products under its Nabisco brand.

Processed Foods? Read This, France Says - France is preparing to become the first country to impose mandatory health messages on all television and radio advertisements that promote processed food. (you may need to register to view this article)

Beans and soya beat lung cancer - Mounting evidence suggests eating a diet rich in plant foods such as beans and soya cuts the risk of lung cancer.

JAMIE: GIVE KIDS NO SAY - CHILDREN should not be given a choice when it comes to healthy school meals says Jamie Oliver.

Posted by Ant @ 21:53 | Permalink | Comments (0)