Robuchon's Chef Claude Le Tohic, James Beard Foundation 2010 Las Vegas Winner!

Congratulations to Executive Chef, Claude Le Tohic of Joel Robuchon at The Mansion, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for James Beard 2010 Best Southwest Chef Award.

 This award is so well deserved.  Chill the Champagne because I'll toast to you all on Thursday.

Click link for a complete list of 2010 James Beard Foundation Award winners 

Chef Robuchon returns to Las Vegas!

I'll be dining at both L'Atelier and The Mansion (MGM Grand Hotel & Casino) with my friend and culinary mentor, Mr. Robuchon next week.   Mr. Robuchon & his team of extraordinary chefs represent the finest dining experience in the USA & for that matter, the world!   We are so lucky to have this innovative culinary genius in residence.  Bon Appetit Magazine sponsored Vegas Uncork'd events begin May 6-9, a delicious and educational culinary adventure not to be missed!   Look me up and say Bonjour...

Fingers are crossed that Robuchon's executive chef de cuisine, Claude La Tohic and executive pastry chef, Kamel Guichida will be awarded 2010 James Beard Foundation recognition.   We'll know results from New York next week.   Start chilling the champagne.......

National Food Bloggers Bake Sale April 17

The first annual National Food Bloggers Bake Sale, part of the Great American Bake Sale, will be held on April 17. Organized by Gaby Dalkin of WhatsGabyCooking.com, food bloggers from across the country will unite to support the cause by holding bake sales in their states. Readers will have the opportunity to taste the baked goods from their favorite food blogs at each state’s bake sale location.

Funds raised through Great American Bake Sale support Share Our Strength’s efforts to end childhood hunger in America.  Nearly 17 million— almost one in four—children in America face hunger. Despite the good efforts of governments, private-sector institutions and everyday Americans, millions of our children still don’t have daily access to the nutritious meals they need to live active, healthy lives. More information on SOS can be found at http://www.strength.org/

Listed below are the states and cities that are participating. 

Alaska – Laura from What’s for Dinner Mom

Fireside Books (720 Alaska Street. Palmer Alaska) 10:00am – 2:00pm

Arizona – Janet from La Due Crew

Scottsdale 5th and Wine (7051 E. 5th Avenue Scottsdale, AZ 85251) 11am – 3pm

California

Los Angeles

Gaby from Whats Gaby Cooking

Morel’s French Steakhouse and Bistro at The Grove (189 The Grove Dr) 10:30am – 1:30pm

San Francisco

Anita from Dessert First

Omnivore Books (3885a Cesar Chavez Street San Francisco, CA 94131 ) 12pm – 3pm

Colorado – Kate from Treat

Boulder Public Library (1001 Arapahoe Avenue Boulder, CO 80302) 10 am until we run out!

DC – Colleen from Foodie Tots

Historic Eastern Market (7th and C Streets, NE, Washington DC) 9am – 12pm

Florida – Natasha from That’s So Yummy and Renee from Flamingo Musings

Orlando Central Winds Park (1000 E Sr-434, Winter Springs, FL 32708)

Miami Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156) 9:30 till we run out!

Georgia – Tami from Running with Tweezers

Cabbagetown Market (198 Carroll Street) 9am – 1pm

Illinois – Maris from In Good Taste

Cake Smash (2961 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60657) 12pm – 3pm

Kansas – Kristen from Dine and Dish

Kentucky – Melissa from My McDonald Meal

Georgetown Kite and Culture Festival (Georgetown, KY) 10am – 2pm

Massachusetts – Kathyann from Mother May Have 

Savoring East Somerville Celebration (125 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144) 1:00am – 3:00 pm

Michigan – Megan from What’s Megan Making

Kava House in Grand Rapids. (6333 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast) 10:00am – 2:00pm

New Jersey – Carmen from Baking is my Zen

Shop Rite of North Brunswick (400 Renaissance Boulevard East North Brunswick, NJ) 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New York – Jacquie from The JLH Life

Brooklyn Flea in Fort Greene (176 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn) 10:00am – 5:00pm

North Carolina – Shari  from Tickled Red 

Penny from In Mimi’s Kitchen (Central NC)

Oklahoma – Ashley from Vanilla-Cinnamon 

Canadian County Historical Museum (300 S. Grand El Reno, OK 73036) 10:00am – 1:00pm

Oregon – Gina from Change Becomes Change

Virtual Bake Sale – Check it out here

Pennsylvania – Jen from My Kitchen Addiction

Central Pennsylvania – Outlets at Hershey, PA (46 Outlet Square, Hershey, PA 17036) 10am – 3pm

Philadelphia – A Full Plate on Liberties Walk (1009 N. Bodine St Philadelphia, PA 19123) 10am – 2pm

Pittsburgh Giant Eagle in Harrison City, Pa. (2000 Penny Lane Dr, Jeannette, Pa 15644) 10am – 2pm

Rhode Island – Jennifer from Savor the Thyme

Westerly – The Pizza Place Restaurant (43 Broad Street, Westerly, RI 02891) 11 am – 3 pm

Utah – Maria from Two Peas and their Pod

Salt Lake City -at Dan’s Market (1360 S Foothill Blvd) 10:00am – 2:00pm 

Orem - at Shirley J’s (15 East 400 South) 10:00am – 2:00pm

Virginia – Susan from She is Becoming Doughmesstic

C&P Discount, 323 North Main Street. Pearisburg, VA (10 am – 2pm)

Washington – Keren from Frantic Foodie

Metropolitan Market (100 Mercer Street. Seattle, WA 98109)  10am – 12pm

April 12 -Superstar Food Stylists Food Network Challenge

Watch Alice judge Superstar Food Stylists (4.12.10 -TV Food Network Challenge 7:00pm est/6:00c)

Superstar Food Stylists

They make food that makes your mouth water. Now four top food stylists show off the tricks of their trade while competing for $10,000. Over the course of three rounds, these superstar stylists pull out all the stops! They'll make ice cream that doesn't melt, make a mystery recipe look absolutely appetizing and even build an entire wedding spread from scratch. Each plate has to photograph perfectly in a competition where it's really all about eating with your eyes.

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!