Other happenings

Odds ‘n ends posts about things happening in NYC area , plus leftover posts from original BIte of the Best site

The 125 Best Foods for Men

In the current economy, everyone is eating out less and shopping more.  Of course we all want to know that the products we're putting into our shopping carts have positive nutritional benefits. Bite of the Best is committed to showcasing quality food products on a daily basis and it's great to see others doing the same. Editors created the list by comparing the labels of competing brands in each category. Bonus points were given to products with more protein and fiber, and less added sugar and sodium. Calories per serving was taken into consideration, though products were not penalized for fat content—since it adds flavor and is part of a [...]

Win An Escape to Paradise, A Trip to Hawaii

Kings's Hawaiian — makers of the delicious large round Portuguese sweet bread that's so moist it needs no added butter  — has launched an "Escape to Paradise" sweepstakes. Three (yes, 3) Grand-Prize winners: Three lucky families — with up to 4 people per family will be flown to the Big Island of Hawaii for seven (7) days and six (6) nights at the  Hilton Waikoloa Village for an Ocean View Suite, including resort meals and round trip transportation. Twenty-five first-prize winners receive a beach bag full of goodies including: an iPod shuffle®, iTunes® gift card, beach towel, visor, sun lotion kit, beach ball, plus a $200 gift certificate for free [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:41-04:00June 9th, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|6 Comments

100-Calorie Packs, Not So Hot Anymore

The mini 100-calorie pack craze is now waning. These packs are becoming less popular as consumers  become more concerned about budget and sustainability, according to a report by market research firm Mintel— plus the packs did not work for weight control. Kraft introduced of the first 100-calorie packs in 2004 with a line that included Oreo Thin Crisps, Wheat Thin Minis and Nabisco Mixed Berry Fruit Snacks. Copy-cats Kellogg and General Mills, followed suit later that year. Last year, there were 190 100-calorie pack product introductions. The mini-pack business had been booming — until recently. According to the Mintel report, consumers have figured out how to measure 100-calories worth of [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:42-04:00June 4th, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|0 Comments

No thanks, I’ll just try the WiFi..

The infamous question... "Chicken or fish", the most recent answer... "No thanks, I'll just have the Wifi". According to a new survey from American Airlines and HP, air passengers would rather go online than eat. More than 47 percent of business travelers surveyed in the study indicated that WiFi was the most important airport amenity, outscoring basic travel needs such as food by nearly 30 percentage points!! I know the food is bad, but America would rather get online than eat... Daily Candy is not an actual source of sustenance people! I feel like Apple should take note here.. Combine the two apparent necessities into one super device. [...]

A CSA Variation — A Prepaid Debit Card

Even CSA's — community supported agriculture — are modernizing. Until recently the only way to participate in a CSA was to purchase a "share" (AKA a membership or subscription). In return, you would receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season, filled with whatever was harvested. CSAs are good for everyone. They help the farmer's cash flow, connect consumers to the farmers, provide consumers with ultra fresh food and reduce the carbon footprint. (A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced through burning fossil fuels for [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:42-04:00May 29th, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|0 Comments

Economist’s Food for Thought Dinner

It's hard to ignore something so bold; So I must let you know about an event where two of my favorite things collide (The Economist magazine and French cooking). The Economist has paired with Chef David Bouley for an exclusive dinner party called 'Food for Thought'; an event to celebrate the release of the book 'An Edible History of Humanity' by the magazine's business editor, Tom Standage. The evening will feature a customized three-course menu, cocktails and conversation between Bouley and Standage.  The menu will explore many of the themes in the newly released book. Tom Standage (www.tomstandage.com) Tom Standage is business editor at The Economist, he is also the [...]

Win A Trip to Paris: But Hurry, Contest Closes May 31

Only one week remains to enter the 2009 “Springtime in Paris” sweepstakes. Just complete the five-question Parlez-vous Fromage? quiz, testing your knowledge of French cheeses. Don't worry if you're not a cheese expert, as next to each question is a "hint" button that provides you the correct answer. What do you win? You and your guest will enjoy round-trip airfare for two to Paris, France; a five-day, four-night stay in the heart of the St-Germain-des-Pres district of Paris; a tailored wine and cheese tasting and dinner at a fine Parisian restaurant; an artisanal cheesemaking experience; and, plus $500 USD spending money, or €357 at today's exchange rate. To enter visit [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:42-04:00May 25th, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|1 Comment

Our Shop is Now Open! Yes, We Are Listening

We are listening! We continually received your requests to purchase the items we've recommended as FeaturedBites.  Our store — highlighting most of the non-perishable items we've recommended — is now open. Keep those suggestions coming, as we aim to please!  Click here to shop!

By |2017-08-31T16:20:42-04:00May 22nd, 2009|Food & Drinks, Other happenings, xyz misc|Comments Off on Our Shop is Now Open! Yes, We Are Listening

Jamie Oliver says you’re too fat

If you are not aware of Jamie Oliver, you will likely to soon be. Chef Oliver is a staple of British culinary entertainment and has has slowly been making inroads in U.S. markets. He will certainly further his recognition on this side of the pond after recently completing a deal with ABC for a series seeking to persuade Americans to swap hamburgers for home-cooked food (Join the club Mr. Oliver!). The program will be a combination of Oliver's two British television series, Jamie's School Dinners and Jamie's Ministry Of Food. The 33 year old chef plans to visit unhealthy American cities to try and improve eating habits by using local [...]

Best Fried Chicken…This Time San Antonio’s

This year gathering of food editors and chicken industry people took place in San Antonio (TX) in conjunction with the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest. (The winner Brigitte Nguyen won $50,000 for her Chinese Chicken Bugers with Rainbow Sesame Slaw). Again we indulged in fried chicken -- not for a meal -- but for a mid-morning snack along with coconut cream pie!  (I keep telling you it's a tough job eating for a living ... but someone's gotta do it!)  The chicken was good, but -- in my humble opinion -- Willie Mae's Scotch House fried chicken that we sampled last year at our  "chicken" meeting in New Orleans was [...]

Taste of the Nation

I had the extraordinary experience of attending Taste of the Nation this month. The event was held at the breathtaking ballroom of the Georgia Aquarium and showcased many of the city's top culinary talents slinging their wares from their restaurant's booths, in a trade show, buffet-style format. A carnival atmosphere prevailed as we meandered through the aromas and colors of the various foodie samplings flying in ever direction. This is an event that is not to be missed if you have the opportunity. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation has brought together the most creative culinary minds from across the country; key figures of modern cuisine and national culinary celebrities [...]

Double Accolades for WineWise: Your Complete Guide To Understanding, Selecting, and Enjoying Wine

Last month WineWise: Your Complete Guide To Understanding, Selecting, and Enjoying Wine by Steven Kolpan, Brian H. Smith and Michael A. Weiss (John Wiley & Sons; Hardcover $29.95) was named the 2009 Georges Duboeuf Wine Book of the Year. That prestigious award was established to recognize authors whose books help promote and advance wine appreciation and education. But that's not all the accolades this illustrated book won. This month WineWise also received  the 2009 James Beard Foundation Book Award for the best book in the Beverage category. The three authors have been wine professors  at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York for more than two decades. [...]

James Beard Foundation Awards

The place to be and be seen last Monday, May 4 was at Avery Fisher Hall (NYC), where the so-called "oscars" of the food world were awarded to top culinary professionals. Some sightings included Emeril, Martha, Lydia, Jacques Pepin, Stanley Tucci, Richard Gere, Ted Allen, Nora Ephron and so, so many more... Some highlights of that evening's James Beard Foundation Awards include: OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD - (A working restaurateur who sets high national standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Candidates must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past 10 years.) [...]

Elise Lalor Won The Judge’s Choice Award of $10K for her Butterflied Chicken with Herbs and Sticky Lemon

Elise Lalor of Issaquah (WA) cooks like most cooks do. "I just happened to have lemons so I used them," she responded when asked why she topped her butterflied chicken with thinly sliced lemons. Elise added the lemons, then brushed them with a blend of honey and chipotle as a final touch to her chicken, resulting in a sweet, but spicy topping. Elise's Butterflied Chicken with Herbs and Sticky Lemon was the Judge's Choice at the finals of the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest in San Antonio (TX) earlier this month. Here's her $10,000 winning recipe for you to try at home: Butterflied Chicken with Herbs and Sticky Lemon Sprinkle [...]

$5000 Recipe Contest

Did that get your interest? Fishing for frugal recipes - Winner catches $5000!! Regal Springs Tilapia (the world’s largest producer) is searching for recipes. The goal is to come up with the best 'family-friendly' tilapia meal, made for no more than $15.  Six finalists will receive cash prizes with the grand prize winner receiving $5,000.  The contest begins May 1 and ends August 1, 2009. Anyone in the 50 contiguous United States and District of Columbia who is over 18 can enter. Recipes must be original and meals must include a tilapia entrée, salad and vegetable or fruit to feed a family of four for no more than $15.  Contest [...]

Brigitte Nguyen won $50K for her Chinese Chicken Burgers with Rainbow Sesame Slaw

This past weekend in San Antonio (TX) 28-year-old Brigitte Nguyen won first prize of $50K in the 48th National Chicken Cooking Contest for her Chinese Chicken Burgers with Rainbow Sesame Slaw. And, the $50K wasn't the only exciting thing to happen to Bridget this month.  Her beau (now fiancé) Michael Prather asked her to marry him by spelling out "Will you marry me?" on a Scrabble board. Micheal (who was in tears at the press conference) had told her to follow her dreams — which is exactly what's she now doing. Bridget was recently also in a Food Network competition When asked how she'd spend her prize money, Bridget responded, [...]

General Mills to Introduce More Gluten-Free Cereals

Great news for those needing gluten-free foods. Chex is expanding its line of cereals with five new  gluten-free flavors: corn, honey nut, chocolate, cinnamon and strawberry.These cereals will be widely available this summer. Just look for the words "Gluten-Free" on the packaging. Last year General Mills introduced gluten-free Rice Chex. Take note: Both Wheat Chex and Multi-Bran Chex are not gluten-free.

By |2017-08-31T16:20:44-04:00May 5th, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|2 Comments

The Last Case of Tim Tams – Charity Auction

A Tim Tam is a bit of an odd cookie, and one rarely seen in the United States. They're chocolate biscuits, originally made by Arnott's Biscuits, an Australian company; composed of two layers of chocolate malted biscuit, separated by a light chocolate cream filling, and coated in a thin layer of melted chocolate. Arnott’s is now owned by Campbells. which also owns Pepperidge Farm, who released their own short-lived line of Tim Tams late last year. The cookies are no longer available (I don't exactly know why), and cookie cravers are actually posting their 'stories of want' online (http://www.ilovetimtamcookies.com). For most Americans, Tim Tams are now nowhere to be found. [...]

Food Horrorshow – Squeez Bacon

Sorry, but I couldn't think of a better title for one of the most bizarre food creations I've seen to-date. Though I've certainly seen some food in restaurants that could be labeled 'molecular gastronomy', this is one of the first commercially produced food product I've seen in a long time that awed me... and not in a good way. What is it you ask? It's bacon in a squeeze-tube. Yes, it's Squeez Bacon. This miracle of modern science was apparently the brainchild of a young man working in a small restaurant in Sweden. Shortly after WWII ended, with all types of developments on the horizon, Vilhelm Lillefläsk developed a truly [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:45-04:00April 21st, 2009|Other happenings, xyz misc|1 Comment

New Haven’s Restaurant Week Just Commenced

It's back!  New Haven Restaurant week is a sure-fire way to make everyone happy: Restaurants are filled to capacity and diners get an economical chance to sample a taste of the city. Once announced, the popular restaurant were filled almost immediately. But there's always cancelations -- so do call ahead to see if you can get in. The celebration runs through April 24. The week-long epicurean celebration began yesterday. It  features about 25 of New Haven's restaurants, each serving prix fixe menus for lunch ($16.38 - the year New Haven was founded) and dinner ($29). Tax and gratuity not included. For a listing of the restaurants, their cuisines and the [...]

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