Real Time Web Analytics Foodie Gossip: June 2013

Monday, June 24, 2013

Does Paula Deen Deserve to be Sacked?

On Friday, The Food Network announced that they had decided not to renew Paula Deen’s contract at the end of this month. And it was rumored that her deal with QVC was on the rocks.  However, is Paula Deen being sacked too soon?

Let’s remember that she wasn’t “caught” using the “n” word in recent casual conversation over lunch with the girls last week. She was honest and admitted to spewing racist remarks on her own. She could have lied, like most people would do. While she did admit to using racial slurs years ago, she’s also a white person who grew up in the deep South, where in her youth (1950’s and 60’s), ignorance and racism ran deep.  Don’t know what I’m talking about? Watch “The Help” (dummies guide to Southern racism).

I’m not defending her past actions, but if someone behaved like the biggest ignoramus the world has ever seen a few years back, does that mean that person is incapable of growth or perception change? Look at how much our awareness as an American culture has grown over the last few decades, from the 60’s (when Deen was in her teens/early 20’s) to the 80’s – and look how much we have evolved from the 80’s to the present.

Nobody (including Paula Deen) is excusing her past behavior, but could it be possible that Deen’s perspective on racial discrimination could have changed over the last 20 years?

Friday, June 21, 2013

Paula Deen On Racist Slurs and Law Suit

As a fan of Paula Deen, it's disheartening to learn about her latest scandal. The "N" word should never be used by anyone, in any context. Even if you're in the privacy of your own home. That word symbolizes hate and ugliness and it has no place in the modern English language.

However, it still remains to be proven whether or not Deen is guilty of the charges that have been brought against her and her brother, Earl “Bubba” Hiers, in the law suit files by former Paula Deen Enterprises employee Lisa Jackson. Jackson alleges several instances of sexual and racial workplace discrimination. 



Apparently, the pressure and humiliation got the best of Paula Deen. According to Eater.com, Deen snubbed a scheduled appearance on The Today Show. But she did release a 48 second apology, addressing her mistakes and the scandal. Was this a heart-felt apology? I'll let you be the judge.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Watch Harry Potter Like a Grownup

What’s the best way for us “big kids” to watch our favorite magical movies series? Put a glass in your hand and make a little magic juice of your own!
We found some wonderfully magical cocktails on SheKnows.com that anyone (over the age of 21) can try at home. And our favorite? The Moaning Myrtle, of course!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Gordon Ramsay's Suit Collection is Ever Growing

Let's face it, even with the over abundance of celebrity chefs, all pale in the entertainment factor when Chef Gordon Ramsay takes stage. And even though it's clear that's he's taken strides to tone down his image quite a bit over the past couple of years, this British bugger can't seem to avoid legal catastrophe.

This time, according to Radar Online,Chef Ramsay is facing a class action law suit filed by his current and former employees of his Fat Cow restaurant. Their claiming "failure to pay minimum wage for hours worked, failure to provide meal periods, failure to pay overtime wages and more..."

Most people like to collect shot glasses, shoes, etc. In Ramsay's case, suits seem to be his fortay. So, in honor of Ramsay's latest suit, I'd like to dedicate this song just to him.

A few minutes with Amy Sherman, of “Cooking with Amy”

Amy Sherman is a San Francisco-based cookbook Author, food writer, and recipe developer. And back in 2003, when blogging was still young, she started “Cooking with Amy,” a food blog that quickly grew and won accolades like one of the top five food blogs, according to Forbes Magazine.
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So when I chatted with Amy, I wanted to know what inspired her to create the blog, and understand how it all began.
“I came from a family that  was always looking forward to their next meal,” Amy said. And because she was always thinking and talking about food, her husband suggested it might be a good outlet for her to get out all of her foodie energy. And since 2003, her blog has evolved and grown in audience, but has remained authentic to her own voice and style, never accepting advertising or guest posting.
On top of writing blog posts, Amy also written and created hundred of recipes, including a cookbook for William Sonoma. She can’t pick a favorite, but she is “somewhat crazy about pasta” and is always looking to try something new.
“What inspires me most is to play with new ingredients,” she said, and then went on to describe an ...

Thursday, June 13, 2013

The World’s Top 5 Most Expensive Wines: A List to Remember

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We love wine any way we can get it! 
Table wine, vintage wine, red wine, bubbly wine. Wine in a glass; wine en masse. Wine in Rome and wine at home. Wine with family and wine with friends - we’ll even drink wine from a straw that bends. Nothing is better than nectar from vines, but have you checked out these pricey and worldly wines?
In case you win the lottery or you’re the heir to a distant and über wealthy uncle and you’re looking to blow some cash on rare vintage, take a look at the ‘Top 5 Most Expensive Wines’ by Wine-Searcher.com:

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Scramble’s Aviva Goldfarb’s Strata Recipe

With a blog named “The Scramble,” we knew Aviva Goldfarb would be a great person to chat with about brunch. Aviva shared some of her brunch picks, noting how she sees brunch as a special meal.
“With our family’s crazy weekend schedule, brunch is a rare treat so when we get a chance to have people over or go out for brunch it feels like an extra special occasion.,” she said.
And while most of us think of omelets or frittatas as brunchy egg dishes, Aviva goes for the Strata. She’s been striving to create the perfect strata since she tasted a fabulous one at her friend’s annual Yom Kippur breakfast. Check out her recipe below.
“One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s a hearty crowd pleaser but you can make it entirely in advance and then bake it in the morning so it tastes fresh but you aren’t slaving away all morning and can focus on getting yourself and the house ready instead,” Aviva said.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

“Price is No Option for Good Sushi!”: Challenge Accepted!

One of the most innovative chefs in the world creates the most expensive sushi in the world: Sushi Del Oriente.
Filipino chef Angelito Araneta Jr. introduced himself to the world at the age of 20 years old by being innovative and an outside the box thinker. Nicknaming himself the Karat Chef, he has been outdoing himself every chance he gets, making each dish more extravagant than the last. Known for his unusual works of food art, his dishes are mainly used as gifts in marriage proposals or during courtship.
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Above is the Gold Dragon that he made in Manila, the Philippines for the Lunar New Year.His edible water-dragon sculpture made of gum-paste icing, coated with 24k gold leaf and adorned with 17 Mikimoto pearls and two diamonds on the eyeballs. Angelito made the sculpture, which costs about ...

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Source:  http://blendabout.tumblr.com/post/48930062997/price-is-no-option-for-good-sushi-challenge

Monday, June 10, 2013

Chef Nikki Martin's Recipe for Grilled Summer Salad

Chef Nikki Martin, otherwise known as the “Grill Next Door” on Next Food Network Star Season 8, has created some of her best meals out on her grill. But rather than sticking to classics like burgers and dogs, she’s kicking it up a bit with a refreshing Grilled Summer Salad. 
“This is one of my favorite salads on a hot summer day,” said Nikki. “It goes perfect with a glass of sangria. I love grilling fruit because it brings out the juicy sweetness of fresh summer produce!”
Give her recipe a try for a lighter (but equally delicious) grilled meal.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Top 5 BBQ Recipes from your Favorite Chefs

Friday is the time for indulging a little bit—or maybe more than a little bit. And because it’s the end of the official BlendAbout BBQ week, we pulled together five of our favorite and most indulgent recipes from some of our favorite chefs and food bloggers.
Eat up!
1.   Molly’s Dry-Rubbed Ribs from Smitten Kitchen
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This recipe makes us think of summer. It’s the perfect dish to create for a Memorial Day BBQ or Saturday afternoon gathering. Get the recipe »
2.   Beer Braised BBQ Pork Butt from David Lieberman
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Any BBQ recipe that includes beer makes us ... Continue reading full article >>

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Top Food Festivals for Summer 2013!

If you’re anything like us, then you must love to eat! And eat you shall, at these upcoming summer food festivals. From BBQ to Lobster these are some of the best food festivals around the country and are not to be missed!
This huge public party takes place in New York City’s Madison Square Park, from 11am until 6 pm. While you are able to attend this incredible BBQ festival for free, the amazing and award-winning barbecue food is not. It only costs $9/plate to try some of the tastiest BBQ food by some of the country’s top pitmasters.
Big Apple BBQ Ribs
Since this festival is free to the public, lines can get long. To bypass the long wait for some mouthwatering BBQ you can buy a “FastPass” for $125.  A FastPass has a $100 value redeemable for food and beverage and it allows the holder and one guest exclusive access to express lines for any food at the block party. While you are enjoying some of the country’s greatest BBQ you can also enjoy free music, seminars and demonstrations. Proceeds of Big Apple Barbecue Block Party help support the Madison Square Park Conservancy, to help maintain this historic park.  
This will be the 35th annual Garlic Festival also known as the “Ultimate Summer Food Fair” held in Christmas Hill Park of Gilroy, CA. Here you will be able to enjoy three days of incredible food, beverages, arts & crafts and live entertainment.
Garlic fries
Open each day from ...                           Continue reading full article >>

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Chef Dave Martin on Cooking, Dining & Food Trends




“I’m a simple food guy,” said Chef Dave Martin. “I want real food with good seasoning.” His passion for simplicity and high quality ingredients can be seen in his cooking style, favorite food trends, and his restaurant picks.
Chef Dave Martin's Black Truffle Mac and Cheese
You may know Dave best from his days as a finalist on the first season of Bravo TV’s Top Chef where you saw him serving his take on old classics, like his signature Black Truffle Mac and Cheese. He’s been busy since then. He moved to New York City, (specifically Long Island City in Queens) where he worked on several restaurant projects, wrote two ... Read full article >>