2010 Winter Olympics Vancouver, Canada

I love the Winter Olympics!   Was privileged to attend all events at 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.  Was competing and judging figure skating at the time, had connections thru L.A. Figure Skating Club to go with my mom.    A trip of a lifetime!   My pro was Robert Paul, 1960 Canadian Pairs Figure Skating Gold Medalist.   He coached Peggy Fleming & Dorothy Hamill.  Hopefully Bob and his skating partner, Barbara Wagner will be recognized at the games as Canada's past champions.

VEGAS UNCORKED! May 2010

Back again for the 4th Annual Vegas Uncork'd.   Here's the promo:

Vegas Uncork’d Presented byBon Appétit, one of the fastest-growing epicurean events in the United States, will be held May 6-9 in Las Vegas, coinciding with this year’s Mother’s Day weekend. The four-day fête features new events, new chefs and a diverse and richly enhanced program with the ultimate who’s who in the food world, celebrating the status of Las Vegas as an international gastronomic destination.

In 2009, Vegas Uncork’d Presented by Bon Appétit experienced record attendance across the board—featuring an increase in participating chefs, new business partners and sponsors, and a 17 percent spike in ticket sales year over year. Building on that momentum, this year will feature more than 30 events blending the worlds of food, gaming and entertainment in the distinct way that makes Las Vegas so memorable.

The playground for Vegas Uncork’d Presented by Bon Appétit is destination wide and features this year’s anchor partner resorts, each of which offers an enviable roster of on-site restaurants and in-house chefs: Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and Wynn | Encore. Joining the lineup for the first time this year as an associate partner is The Venetian | The Palazzo. The event’s charitable partner is the Three Square Food Bank, which is dedicated to providing wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community.

  That's me (center) in the Red Jacket next to Chef Joel Robuchon at Celeb Blackjack Event

Food Safety News Website

Berry Salad,  Ryan Beck Photography

Greetings and Happy 2010!    I thought I'd start off the new year with my favorite website, Food Safety News.  When I worked at Lawry's Foods in the mid 70's as their international research & development person, I learned all about food manufacturing and compliance, quality control and assurance.

Food safety back then was assumed and a given when we bought a convenience product off the shelf at our local supermarket.   We trusted our suppliers of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, & poultry.    We never questioned restaurant kitchen cleanliness, food handler's hygiene, let alone what happens behind the scenes in fast food joints!    Except..... when we got sick from a food-borne pathogen.  

Anyway, this site is really good in alerting & informing us about food illness outbreaks, recalls, cooking temperatures and cross contamination guidelines.  I love the Obama Foodorama & food politics topics.
An intelligent, daily updated food website to check out.    Information = power.     Eat clean food, whole food, nature made food = a Happy & HEALTHY New Year!

Mrs. Cubbison's Stuffing New Packaging!!

Check out the new packaging (food styling by me, photography by Ryan Beck Photography) on boxes of the famous California Stuffing, Mrs. Cubbison's.   Learn about Sophie Cubbison and her famous recipes for your Thanksgiving and holiday table.

My Yuzu tree is ripe with fruit!

We all like to go to a Japanese sushi restaurant and sometimes order a dish that come with ponzu sauce. Well Yuzu is the ingredient that makes soy into ponzu! It's a citrus that originated in East Asia. The fruit looks like a small grapefruit, goes from lime green color to bright yellow when ripe. Either use the juice or zest/grate the skin for a different citrus taste to dishes.

Mine is a dwarf tree in a 15-gal. container which I transplanted in May from a 5-gal pot. The fruit started out lime green and finally last week turned yellow signaling their ripeness. This first crop is about the size of a tennis ball, with bumpy textured skin. I'm so excited and looking forward to cooking with this exotic citrus variety.

Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant-Santa Barbara

This Saturday I needed a day-trip so I drove up the coast to my favorite lunch spot before hitting the beach in Santa Barbara. Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant is just moments off the 101 freeway/Garden off-ramp. This gourmet deli counter has wonderful sandwiches, soups and salads. Great cheese, charcuteries, wine, beer and a separate wine room. Terrific gourmet food items from olive oils to slab salts to eclectic pastas all top drawer! Eat in or on the patio, or make up a picnic box and take it to the beach and enjoy! It's such a delightful and relaxing place. Great owners and staff.

Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant

216 East Yanonali Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805.899.2300

M-F 8:30am-6:00pm

Sat. 10am-4pm

Never on Sunday

Petrossian Paris Boutique & Cafe

Cool evening at Petrossian Paris Boutique & Cafe in West Hollywood. Guest of Executive Chef, Ben Bailly (formally of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon-Las Vegas). Handful of "think they know-it-all" food bloggers (snipie-chickie blew me off-no excuse for bad manners, honey!), West Hollywood sous chefs and waiter friends of Ben. Stylishly tasty bites, drinks & gracious staff. Look forward to experiencing new seasonal menu. Thanks Ben, for your hospitality. Great location and vibe for lunch, dinner. A definite go-go!

Address: 321 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048
310.271.0576
lunch & dinner