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GAME, SET MATCH

Eating well, and for charity, at the 2010 US OPEN

Dedicated sports fans have their own satisfying sustenance at the game – baseball has its classic match up of hotdogs and beer; football offers beer and that ice cream in cute little helmets, but only at the US Open will you find serious food that matches the intense level of play on the court. And this year the dining and drinking options got even better.

“The US Open is one of the premier sports and entertainment attractions on the planet, both in the on-court product and in the experience offered to patrons throughout the grounds,” said Danny Zausner, Managing Director, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. “The US Open features culinary offerings that have transcended sports, and with the additions in 2010, including an extraordinary lineup of acclaimed chefs, this year’s US Open will provide both tennis fans and casual visitors alike an experience unparalleled by any other sporting event in the world.”

At the 2010 US Open, which runs August 30-September 12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, NY, the South Plaza Master Chef Café features signature items created for this highly anticipated tennis competition. Top Chef Masters, like Carmen Gonzalez, Rick Moonen, Jonathan Waxman and more are on hand to feed your belly and your soul.

On September 4th chefs will be demo-ing dishes. And the chef who sells the most of their signature dish will receive a $5,000 donation to their favorite charity.

Here’s what you can taste:

South Plaza Master Chef Café
• Master Chef Café: The new Master Chef Café will be accessible to all guests.

o Susan Feniger: Chef and owner of Border Grill restaurants in Santa Monica and Las Vegas and the Border Grill Truck (along with business partner Chef Mary Sue Milliken), Feniger recently launched her first solo venture, Susan Feniger’s STREET in Hollywood. A veteran of Food Network’s Too Hot Tamales, Feniger also co-authored five cookbooks with Milliken, including Mesa Mexicana and Cooking with Too Hot Tamales. For the US Open, she will serve carne asada tacos made with grilled jalapeno lime steak, caramelized onion, grilled corn relish, chipotle salsa and guacamole, and Yucatan pork tacos made with braised achiote pork, Read the full article here »

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September 4th, 2010

SUSTAINABLE FISH BENEFIT DINNER IN BETHLEHEM

If you by chance find yourself in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this evening you’ll want to consider taking your evening meal at Starfish Brasserie (www.starfishbrasserie.com – 51 W. Broad Street) where they’re hosting a fundraiser for the Gulf Coast using sustainable seafood found in that region.

This more landlocked seafood restaurant helmed by Kristofor Sandholm is dedicated to promoting sustainable seafood and, after much conversation with their compassionate patrons, Sandholm and his staff felt compelled to do something for the fishermen on the Gulf Coast and to promote clean and safe fishing in the region. Beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight the $50 four course meal will be served (including: seaweed seared yellow fin tuna, mahi mahi with lobster mushrooms, and drumfish with okra and more) with an option for adding on a wine course at just another $25 per person.

Sandholm says from the kitchen, “We are doing this because of our business being a sustainable seafood restaurant. Not only do I have strong feelings towards what happened in the Gulf but a large majority of our guests feel the same way. They started asking us questions immediately about our impact on seafood choices as soon as the tragic event took place.”

This one night special event has room for just 100 guests with all the proceeds from the dinner, and a silent auction, going to sea conservation organization, Oceana (www.oceana.org). Also on hand will be Sean Dimin, the co-founder of Sea2Table (www.sea2table.com), local musician Dan DeChellis, and guest chef Bun Lai of Miya’s Sushi (www.miyassushi.com – New Haven, CT). Sandholm concludes, “We are hoping to bring in around 6500 to 7000 dollars for a donation to Oceana. Right now we are hoping and waiting to see what happens with the latest shrimp harvest from yesterday.”

To get more information about tonight’s dinner, the restaurant and the causes they support call (610) 332-8888, or email info@starfishbrasserie.com.

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August 23rd, 2010

PLAY WITH ARTICHOKE LIQUEUR, WIN LOTS OF LIRE

Cynar sponsors New York City Cocktail Competition With $1,000 Prize

Dear New York Area Bartenders,

Lemons, limes, oranges, cucumbers all go just fine in cocktails but it’s time to try something new…the artichoke.

Think your palate and mixing skills are up to the challenge of putting together a drink made from Cynar (www.heaven-hill.com)? It’s not tough to love the Italian aperitif made from a blend of artichoke leaves and herbs infused in an alcohol base. People have been loving it since it was introduced in Italy in 1949 and Cynar quickly became a favorite sipped on the rocks, with soda or cola; but it’ll be even more interesting to see what else you can do with it.

Your colleagues will be the judge when they gather at Trump SoHo (www.trumpsohohotel.com) on August 23rd and they’re surely eager to taste test what you’ll bring to Cynar’s cocktail competition, co-sponsored by the USBG NY chapter. So grab a bottle of Cynar, and no more than five other ingredients (including: bitters, syrups, rimmers, garnishes and other toppings) and show us what you’ve got. Your creation could win everyone’s approval, and $1,000 in the process.

Here are the rules and the entry form:
Read the full article here »

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July 27th, 2010

COME OUT AND PLAY

CKTL JAM NYC Is The Center Of New Drink Development
By Francine Cohen

These past few months have been jam packed with spirited events – everything from Japanese bartending techniques, to the blow out MCC, Latin inspired drinks served up at the Gourmet Latino Festival, The Bar and Wine Show, and finally, the crowning jewel of the season’s liquid events calendar – CKTL JAM.

John Henry, PipeLine Partner put this event together at Astor Center (www.astorcenternyc.com) with the intention off offering the tri-state area’s bartenders a no-holds-barred place in which to experiment and learn from their fellow bartenders, all while having a whole lot of fun. For brands it’s an organic and laid back opportunity to get their product into the hands of bartenders who could serve as unofficial ambassadors as they are pouring the things they like for their customers. Henry says, “I want this ‘spring into summer’ cktl jam event to stand out as a fun pre-summer and pre-Tales reunion bash. It’s a place to come out and play with fellow bartenders.”

Bartenders were hosted at Astor Center for this event co-founded by PipeLine Brands which has quickly become a bi-annual showcase of the best artisanal brands. Playing behind the bar gets puts new and favorite brands into the hands of most creative mixologists, giving them a chance to explore Read the full article here »

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July 21st, 2010

COCKTAILS CLEAN UP FOR CHARITY

DonQ Rums Sponsors Benefit Concert in New Orleans Featuring Cowboy Mouth and Rebirth Brass Band
By Francine Cohen

As of July 15th there was a new cap on BP’s MC252 well, effectively (at least for now) stemming the flow of oil that’s been rushing into the Gulf since the well sprung a leak. But that took them a few months to get from crisis to supposed containment and, along the way, thousands of people in the area have lost jobs due to this environmental disaster that still has an untold impact on the region.

So what can you do besides wring your hands and watch those soap commercials about the wildlife covered in oil finally getting a bath and returning to their natural habitat? Well (no pun intended)…you could come out to Tipitina’s (www.tipitinas.com) in the French Quarter on Thursday, July 22nd at 9:30 and have a few drinks ($4 each) made by some of the country’s best mixologists and sip them alongside your friends as you listen to the sounds of Cowboy Mouth (www.cowboymouth.com) and the Rebirth Brass Band (www.rebirthbrassband.com).

Oil is working its way onto the beaches and into the marshes, but hopefully, with money raised from this evening (possibly $25,000 or more), the region will see a rebirth. That’s what the folks at DonQ Rums (www.donq.com) were thinking when they set the wheels in motion for this not to be missed evening that benefits the Greater New Orleans Foundation (www.gnof.org).

John Eason, VP National Sales Manager (and Louisiana native), was inspired Read the full article here »

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July 17th, 2010

VEGGIE U FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

Today’s healthy eaters are tomorrow’s restaurant patrons

It’s that time of year when you should be heading to Milan again. No, not Milan, Italy for the fashion shows; you care about food, so you’re off once again (or, blissfully for the first time) to the Annual VeggieU Food & Wine Celebration in Milan, Ohio.

This delicious event raises funds for VeggieU, the program at The Culinary Vegetable Institute (www.culinaryvegetableinstitute.com) that promotes good eating habits for generations to come. With childhood obesity rising reaching epidemic proportions, Veggie U was created to reconnect kids to food – where it comes from, how it can affect their health, and, more importantly, the role food plays as they grow into healthy adults. Through the development of an educational program geared toward fourth grade classrooms, the Veggie U curriculum teaches students about sustainable agriculture and good nutrition.

Eating well starts at this event with 30 food and wine stations for guests to graze through and explore cuisine from restaurants located around the country. Additionally
demonstrations and presentations throughout the day are offered, along with an auction that includes once-in-a-lifetime culinary and lifestyle experiences.

For more information or to purchase tickets go to www.veggieufoodandwine.com or call 419-499-7500.

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July 13th, 2010

TALES 2010 – WHO TO WATCH

With Tales of the Cocktail a mere nine days away you’ve surely got your schedule all set and your flight booked. But, do you know who you’ll be cheering for at the Spirited Awards dinner on Saturday night, and who you’re counting on to keep those cocktails and things running smoothly throughout the seminars, tasting rooms and various events?

Just in case you don’t know whose hands you are in, or who you could be applauding at the Pernod Ricard sponsored Bartender’s Breakfast, here’s a list of the industry’s best and brightest.
Come back to www.insidefandb.com throughout the year to check out more about these folks. With so many of your friends and family on this list we’re certain you’ll be cheering loudly for all of them.

2010 TALES OF THE COCKTAIL SPIRITED AWARD ® NOMINEES AND JUDGES (Sponsored by Pernod Ricard)

The 2010 Spirited Award® Ceremony has two Judging Committees which is comprised of the following members:
Committee Chairman: Simon Ford, Chairman

USA Judging Committee
Alia Akam
Bridget Albert
Natalie Bovis Nelsen
Wayne Curtis
Dale DeGroff
Camper English
Simon Ford
Robert Hess
Francesco Lafranconi
Ryan Magarian
Jim Meehan
Tal Nadari
Julie Reiner
Aisha Sharpe
Dave Wondrich

International Judging Committee
Stephan Berg
Henry Besant
Jacob Briars
Wayne Collins
Tony Conigliaro
Dale DeGroff
Peter Doreli
Phillip Duff
Simon Ford
Eben Freeman
John Gakuru
Jim Meehan
Sean Muldoon
Linden Pride
Angus Winchester

Award Categories and Criteria and Shortlist
(In no particular order)

• Best American Cocktail Bar
Criteria: This award recognizes the influence on cocktail trends within the United States and seeks to award the country’s best cocktail bar.
• The Clover Club, Brooklyn
• Death & Co, NYC
• Rickhouse, San Francisco
• The Varnish, Los Angeles

• World’s Best Hotel Bar
Criteria: The classic ‘American Bar’ played an important role in the history and development of cocktail culture. The judges are looking for hotel bars, which uphold this tradition (but are not necessarily old) and offer five-star service and consistently well made drinks.
• The Artesian at the Langham, London
• The Bar at The Connaught Hotel, London
• Florida Room at The Delano, Florida
• Hemingway Bar, Paris

• Best Cocktail Writing
Criteria: Great journalism is one of the best ways to communicate to the general public the value and significance of great cocktails and related products. This award is for any non-book journalism (Magazine, Newspaper, Website, etc) which promotes bars, bartender, or cocktails in general.
• CLASS magazine
• Gary Regan
• Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller
• Naren Young

• Best New Product
Criteria: This is awarded to what the judges consider to be the best new cocktail ingredient (spirit, liqueur, syrup or juice) or piece of cocktail equipment (muddler, shaker etc.). To qualify products must be on general retail sale in at least three US states.
• Celery Bitters, The Bitter Truth
• Cocktail Kingdom’s barware
• Crème Yvette by Cooper Spirits
• Meehan Cocktail Bag by Jim Meehan

Read the full article here »

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July 11th, 2010

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

Cherry Heering Vintage Bottlings Make a Fashionable Splash During The Manhattan Cocktail Classic
By Francine Cohen Photos Courtesy of Cherry Heering

Fashion designers often reach to the past to inspire the future, while most distillers are busy producing spirits in the past they look forward to sharing with appreciative patrons in the future. Thanks to Cherry Heering (www.cherryheering.com) the two concepts collided most pleasurably during the Manhattan Cocktail Classic (www.manhattancocktailclassic.com) when vintage 1890 and 1950 bottles of the classic cherry brandy were uncorked to the sounds of jazz age music under the vaulted ceilings of Grand Central Station’s Campbell Apartment (www.hospitalityholdings.com) – formerly the luxurious office and salon of ’20’s mogul John W. Campbell.

Campbell, with his obvious taste for exquisite luxury, would have applauded these two very special pourings. Both had aged to a fine sherry or port-like flavor, pleasing all who were on hand to sip along with the official tasting panel: Jörgen Tilander, owner of the Cherry Heering liqueur brand, Jackson Cannon, famed Boston bar man from Eastern Standard, Akiko Katayama, an established international writer and former Iron Chef judge and Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist and MC/Host of the Cherry Heering liqueur vintage event (www.themodernmixologist.com).

One of the exciting things about exploring the world of spirits is experiencing a variety of expressions, vintages and new products. However, rarely does the chance occur for spirit aficionados to taste something over 100 years old. Adéle Nilsson, CEO of the Xanté & Peter F. Heering Company, was quite delighted that the elixir within the bottles had so beautifully stood the test of time. She commented, “We didn’t know Read the full article here »

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July 9th, 2010

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