This is the first of a series of cooking competitions designed to showcase the regional culinary traditions of Italy.  Chefs from local Italian restaurants will be pitted against each other throughout the summer.  The first event is “Liguria vs. Umbria” Chef Ivo Mazzon from Joey’s Italian Café will cook for Liguria.  He will prepare omelette with [...] » Read more..

I’m excited to be participating as a judge in this year’s Fairchild Challenge.  The Fairchild Challenge is a showcase for the research projects of students of all ages, but this Saturday is the showcase for high school students.  I will be one of the judges in the Green Cuisine contest. High school students have to take [...] » Read more..

I know I talked about this earlier in the year, but I found an article in New York magazine (Feb. 16, 2009) that gave more specific advice about supporting local businesses. It was in a series about how New York small businesses are coping with the downturn. When asked how he is dealing [...] » Read more..

I’m so excited about this brunch, especially because of my recent curiosity about exotic tropical fruit. Just reading the menu inspires me to cook more with these crazy fruits we are lucky enough to have in South Florida. Here is the menu: Amuse Bouche: “a shot” Avocado, “a shake” of Mamey; Tropical Fruit Spritzers; Baked Banana French Toast [...] » Read more..

Last year’s Battle of the Chefs between Cindy Hutson and Jesse Souza Last year’s Battle of the Chefs was novel and entertaining. Advice: You might want to hit one of those Miami Spice preview restaurants afterwards, because all of that fine cuisine made me hungry, and the crudités available to audience members just didn’t cut it. [...] » Read more..

I ate my fill at the Coral Gables Wine and Food Festival on Thursday. This was my second time attending. Bill of tinkering with dinner was not at all impressed. I agree that there were some underwhelming offerings. Overall, I think the samples at this year’s festival were satisfying, but not mind-blowing. I also noticed [...] » Read more..

OK so now that THE weekend’s over, are you in the mood for a food festival that doesn’t require a “survival guide”? How about something that doesn’t necessitate the logistical planning of an international vacation? The Coral Gables Wine & Food Festival will cleanse your palate. On Thursday, March 27, thirty or so Coral Gables [...] » Read more..

There are those among us, myself included, who would love to wander from the dictates of recipes and travel freely in the world of cooking technique. After being drilled in one thousand and one béchamel sauces at culinary school, all chefs know that when you’ve got the technique down, creativity follows. Eleanor Hoh’s cooking classes aim [...] » Read more..