A great way to keep up with the food world without working in the biz is to read the glossies. Although they rarely reveal any juicy gossip, reasons for chefs leaving restaurants, or any personal information they are quite entertaining for foodies everywhere. As I’ve mentioned before my favorite food porn comes from Bon Appétit and Food & Wine, although this months Food & Wine January’s is a bit light. Other great reads are Saveur and Cooks Illustrated for the more serious readers. And now there’s another one, perhaps my favorite of all. I stumbled onto this while on a recent trip to the UK. Jamie Oliver has launched his own magazine. And there was rejoicing. His launch issue is on newsstands in the UK and it’s quite stunning.

You can tell from the cover it’s an expensive endevour. Glossy and matte paper beautifully printed. Also with this launch issue comes a Jme catalog. Jme is Oliver’s new housewares/kitchenware/food collection available online. The issue is chock full of articles rather than ads for pages and pages which tends to happen with Bon Appétit. However one could argue that the entire magazine is an ad as most of the articles are about purveyors and people involved in supplying the new Jme collection. And after each article there’s a reminder to go online and order the whisky or the platters displayed in the previous pages.

The photography is nothing less than the cookbook standard you see in all of his cookbooks. Rustic, romantic, and simple.  Speaking of, he interviews “bud” Brad Pitt and asks all the prerequisite food questions I assume we’re all dying to know. Although he did give some good restaurant recommendations in New Orleans. There are lots of Jamie- type recipes – simple and rustic. Unlike the other big Brit cooking publication, Delicious. he doesn’t concentrate so much on just British dishes but a wider range of fare.

A couple of highlights for me were:
1. Baby’s First Dozen: Here the writer suggests giving a friends or family’s new baby a case of carefully selected wine. Obviously not meant for the parents post birth but for the child when they grow old enough to appreciate it. They also make a list of wines that will age well as well as two different price lists. I think even just one nice bottle of wine for a newborn to be opened decades later would be a nice keepsake.
2. From India to the East End and Back Again: About an Indian chef who travels all over the world with major stops in London’s East End for more enlightenment and practice of his native cuisine. There are great recipes and traditional dishes to try while traveling as well as a great spice guide complete with pictures.
3. Long Weekend in Stockholm: No food publication seems to be complete without a token travel article with various recommendations. The pictures certainly make you want to hop on the next flight but it does recommend some local spots and shops which is always more useful than the Lonely Planet guide.
4. Monthly Menu: A cool pull out poster of 30 meals that are quick and tasty. Things like this are easy to save in your recipe folder and a good go-to when you need a quick dinner.

So what’s the subscription price? Probably the most expensive magazine you can get stateside – converted from pounds as of 12/12/08 = $67.24, and it’s bi-monthly. Worth it? Only if you’re hard core and are craving a truly different sort of food magazine.

When I was thinking about this subject, I realized I should have been taking notes. In a year, it’s easy to forget the truly great meals you’ve had, and more specifically what those dishes were. I can barely remember what I ate last weekend, although nothing about it was particularly memorable. Most of our life-changing, eye-opening meals are spent with certain special people, or in a special place for a special reason. I had very few great meals that weren’t wrapped up with some other event or special someone. As I write this, I also realize that not all the best meals of this year had the best food. I’ll share a few of these, and hopefully jog your memory of some great time you’ve had spent over food. Don’t forget to write them down, 2009 will be full of some more great times and new food to taste.

* Ladies Poker Night. I had some lovely ladies over from the store I was working at. It was one of those amazing nights where gossip and bickering was put aside for some serious booze and card playing. The different personalities laughed and chatted and we shared classic Trader Joe’s frozen appetizers and a Domino’s Pizza, which I was charged twice for; I never did get my money back. The hangover was also memorable.

* The Rock Pool. One of Sydney’s greatest restaurants, with super fresh seafood and a special Pacific flavor. A friend and I were visiting one of our closest friends who was attending school there. She hadn’t eaten a really good meal the whole time she had been in Sydney, it’s surprisingly expensive. We did the works – Prosecco, appetizers, mains, dessert. I remember boisterous laughter and closing the place down and having the waiters giving us the eye to leave. There was also incredible squid ink pasta and homemade caramels. I also realized how much I missed the three of us getting together and had to travel half way around the world to recreate it.

* Dottie’s True Blue Café, San Francisco. My husband started working for a company in San Francisco and we traveled out there together a couple times. Nothing makes a city feel more like home than when you find “your” place. We rarely go anywhere twice but Dottie’s is special. It’s an amazing breakfast eatery in a shady part of San Fran, which ends up being right behind the hotel we always stay at. They open at 7:30am (late for breakfast in NYC) and we like to be there by 7:10am to get in line and be at one of the first tables. The owner is always behind the grill and he hasn’t advertised for 13 years, no website, no color ads, and there’s a line every morning. One breakfast stands out – black bean cakes with fried eggs, salsa and sour cream. Everything is homemade, and you should always order from the specials board at the back.

* Moto, Brooklyn. It was harder to remember a great meal close to home. My senses are always heightened on a trip or vacation, and eating here in NYC is usually rushed, or I have some much on my mind I don’t pay attention as closely. This place has been mentioned as being “the last bohemian place left in Williamsburg”. It’s off the beaten track, and is really on the border between South Willamsburg and Bushwick, which is close to where we live. It’s walkable from our apartment and we didn’t even see it for over a year. It’s in an old check-cashing store, and there’s not even a sign outside telling you what it is. You have to know. When you step inside, it’s dark, and feels like a Tim Burton movie, but in a great way. You can hear the J train go by overhead but you forget where you are and what decade you’re apart of. The menu is simple, but delicious. The mac&cheese is ordered at almost every table. We’re planning a brunch trip there soon. A great way to end the year.

Early November was a landmark week for America and with the largest American holiday fast approaching, I felt unusually patriotic and nostalgic for some classic American meals. I didn’t feel adventurous to explore anything exotic, I wanted comfort and guaranteed results. These are dishes I’ll be serving my friends and family while creating great memories around the table.

My husband and I hosted some friends on election night to watch the elections results. We celebrated with a tri-color pasta, cheese and tomato bake, which feeds 6 easily and donkey cookies supplied by my favorite person and baker, Adrienne [Pip]. There was much chatting and commentary, and champagne drinking. At 11pm it became a remarkable night shared with great friends and great food. Something that is so important to our family, and my family growing up was the dinner table and especially now, I appreciate that time so much. When my husband and I visit my parents in Atlanta, the best time is still around the table with wine and lots of lively conversation. We don’t have a large family, so I think dinner at the table feels even more important. I was reading an article on the New York Times website which said, “The importance of the family meal has been shown mainly in studies from the University of Minnesota, Harvard and Rutgers that have looked at family eating habits of nearly 40,000 middle-school students and teenagers. The research has shown that those who regularly have meals with their parents eat more fruits, vegetables and calcium-rich foods, ingest more vitamins and nutrients, and consume less junk food. Some of the research has shown that kids who regularly sit down to a family meal are at lower risk for behaviors like smoking and drug and alcohol use.” Neither my husband nor I had trouble with substance abuse, though we did have two very different ideas about how to eat when we got married. He had to choose most of his meals growing up because of parents working late, and how well do you think a 16-year old growing boy is going to choose the right food? Needless to say, there were lots of TV dinners, and fast food stops. While my family was certainly not above quick easy dinner stops we did have as many sit down-TV-off, dinners as possible. I think this drastically changed and shaped my view of why we eat together. It still influences how I cook today – I always prefer to serve as many people as possible around a table. My husband and I still eat dinner while watching Dancing With the Stars, uh, I mean while watching the History Channel…. But nothing satisfies me more than connecting with our favorite people around a great meal. I found this quote on Grist.org and it really sums up our philosophy, “cooking is a vital, spiritual act that should be performed with a certain reverence. After all, we are providing sustenance to the ones we love — can anything be more important?”

Below, you’ll find the recipes we made this week to celebrate our country, our friends, and the awesome changes taking place.

Tyler Florence’s Ultimate Sloppy Joe’s and Butternut Squash Chips

Crispy Hot Wings with Butternut Squash Slaw

Four-Cheese Baked Bow Ties

GRANDMA BOLDI’S sugar cookies:

2 sticks butter
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla *see note from Adrienne
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 375F

2. Mix flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg. In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar, until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs.

3. Combine flour mixture with butter mixture in three stages with electric mixer

4. Roll out and cut into donkeys (or other preferred shape). Bake at 375 for 5-8 minutes

Note from Adrienne:

I use vanilla sugar instead of vanilla, almost exclusively in baking.  One packet works for, I think, 1-3 teaspoons of vanilla.  It is said to give richer flavor than extract because there is no alcohol to burn off during baking….. could be true… who knows.  Either way, its good to feel like you have a secret ingredient when you bake.

Like so many people in America now, I have a love and deep interest in Africa. I had the privilege of going to Uganda last year and had my first taste of African cooking. The hotel we stayed at in Kampala didn’t offer true African cuisine, but when we traveled up North to Kitgum I was introduced to how a lot of rural Africa eats, well at least in Central Africa. After I returned I went to a South African restaurant in Brooklyn and found it not similar at all and eventually went looking for some cookbooks and inspiration to start my own African cooking. What surprised me in this search was a complete lack of resources and well-written African cookbooks. One I found that I really like is The Africa Cookbook by Jessica B. Harris. The only other African cookbook I found in large bookstores was Marcus Samuelsson’s Discovery of a Continent, which was sold at Starbucks for a while. I found it very hard to follow, and more of a travel log and personal journal than a serious cookbook. I also enlisted the help of my friend who also loves to cook and is South African. She had a few recipes and a book about Nelson Mandela with some recipes, but most of her serious cooking was in Afrikaans. As I continue to search for African cuisine outside of Africa, I became curious why there was such a lack of resources and interest in African food. Bookstores are lined with shelves of Italian, French, American, Organic, Spanish, cooking - I could go on and on. When I went looking for African cookbooks I usually found Moroccan and Marcus Samuelsson’s book, which I already owned.  I do recognize that African cooking is not extravagant for the most part nor particularly complex on the palate. It is however earthy, natural, simple, and usually full of protein and nutrients. When I was in Uganda I had no meat – it was not an option outside of the walls of the hotel, and usually wasn’t safe. I deeply enjoyed and savored the vegetarian dishes that were made for me at every meal by Josephine who was studying catering and hospitality. So far, I’ve made a Senegalese Peanut Butter Stew (Mafé), and South African Chicken Sosaties, which I added a great curry couscous for a side. What this quest has left me asking whether there will be a revolution and/or interest in African cooking like there is in French. Who will be the Julia Child to bring African cuisine to the Western palate?

Here’s the link to the South African Chicken Sosaties I made earlier.

So I’ve missed posting about the most important foodie holiday - Thanksgiving. It was a long week. I started prepping on Monday and spent hours cooking every day leading up to it. Was it worth it? The turkey was phenomenal, stuffing I prefer to eat my mom’s recipe, and I have to say this was the BEST gravy I have ever had. I did give myself due credit when I tasted the gravy from the roasting pan - absolute heavenly richness. I also ventured to make my own turkey stock. We ended up having fewer people than I bought a turkey for so I carved that 20 pound sucker up and used the carcass and gizzards to make a lovely stock which I still have extra in the freezer, along with another half of turkey when the mood strikes.

I did splurge on the holiday. I bought a local turkey and special ordered Applewood bacon for the Bacon Dijon butter and stuffing. Having these key quality ingredients made all the difference - worth the couple weeks of pumpkin and veggie meals for this night. We had friend contribute some amazing potatoes and the token green bean casserole. The 6 of us feasted and then tried our hands at Wii tennis and indulged in a pumpkin cheesecake - another hit.

Gordon Ramsay's Theatre - He's making duck breast!

Another excuse for the lack of posting was a trip to the UK for a friends wedding. We did however indulge at Gordon Ramsay’s Taste of Christmas - a brilliant production where Ramsay was not bleeped as on Fox, which made it that much more authentic. We also were able to get a reservation at Fifteen London, Jamie Oliver’s brain child. A very memorable meal where the staff was attentive but not overbearing, and didn’t rush us, even though we were seated next to the busy kitchen.

My wonderful hustband at Fifteen London

Now I”m busy arranging catering type events and gearing up for another week with the family down south. There may not be a whole lot of interesting menus or recipes the next couple weeks but I promise to share my mother’s roast beef and Yorkshire pudding for Christmas as well as any new discoveries. I’m looking forward to the routine of the new year. I was very encouraged by some friends who said they missed my posting and they followed the site. Routine is looking better and better every day.

I’m also going to post some articles I have been keeping up with writing for Blackpower.com. These are a bit more wordy than just recipes but I’m quite proud and still learning the blogging ropes.

I’m debating as a food lover whether we’re in the best of times or the worst of times. As gas and food prices have risen, and Wall Street is sick, people have started talking seriously again about eating and cooking cheaply. This is not a new crisis for a lot of Americans, simply life as usual. For a lot of us, in large cities, and the middle class I think we’ve felt it in different ways. But this week I’ve read some interesting articles that contradict where we’re at as a food loving public long term and short term.

New York Magazine dropped its 40th anniversary issue - pick it up - even if you’re not a New Yorker. This is one of the few issues of the magazine that I’ve read cover to cover, actually really intrested in what the writers had to say. Well, you can’t put out an issue about how New York has changed over the past 40 years without an article involving chefs and the change in New York cuisine. The writers interviewed David Chang of Momofuku and André Soltner of Lutece. Both are institutions of the city and both chefs have changed how we eat here - well mostly how we eat out. They commented on the public’s taste, expectations, and buying habits. As a child of the 80’s, I’ve grown up expecting choices in produce, herbs, and meats. Soltner answers the question, Do people eat better now, saying: “Oh, sure. Forty years ago, they didn’t eat good. When I came to this country, everything had to be big! Just big. Potatoes, they had to be big. Didn’t matter that in the middle there was a hole, as long as the potato was big. And that was the only potato that you could buy. Now you go to a supermarket, you have five or six different potatoes. Not just in the specialty markets or farmers’ markets. Why? Because the people demand this. Why didn’t the farmers grow smaller potatoes? Because there was nobody to sell it to. but now, they know that with small potatoes, they can demand more money, because we chefs told them.” He also makes a similar comment about carrots, herbs, and Fairy Tale Eggplant. I have no generational perspective on this phenomenon, but feel privileged to live in such a “snobby” food culture where I expect 6 different potatoes and get them.

Today, I also received an email from The Kitchn, which was heavy on the cooking cheap/frugal vs. luxury posts. I clicked on an article that challenged people to eat for $25 a week/person, which is what a typical food stamp recipient in Illinois has to spend each week. I champion the awareness, but find it a bit condescending to just take the challenge on for a week (”to see how the other half lives”) and not make a significant change or effort to change how the system works. Before you get all upset, I would imagine, that a lot of people writing and trying this project will find themselves and their food habits changed and more aware. For a moment, I felt bad, like I was spending a crazy amount on food, which comparably I am. However, I thankfully do not have to live on $25 a week, nor do I want to eat peanut butter sandwiches and soup for 4 days. Cooking Broke, for me, is about living well - being healthy (sans most bacon recipes), and coming around a table with friends, serving them with great food and doing it on a realistic budget. Sarah from The Kitchn said, “this is a time to talk to our farmers and grocers. This is a time to plan our meals out ahead of time. This is a time to eat less meat and to use the meat we do in its entirety.”

It’s funny, we’ve never been more obsessed with food and food culture before. How many of us watch hours of Food Network, wait for the best restaurant reservations, and surf Epicurious? It’s so much fun, and has made Johnathan and I so fulfilled. But we also have the highest food prices of the last 40 years. A lot of families can’t afford meat or fresh veggies. This is an interesting time for foodies. We’ll have to see what the report is in another 40 years. Any predictions?

So, I don’t want to make this site about restaurants or travel, but I’m going to interject this sort of thing occasionally, and for noteworthy places. I was in Honolulu for a week, and my palate suffered greatly. It kind of reminded me of being a student in Scotland, and only having fried greasy foods to choose from if I wanted to eat out. And eat out we did - every night, and most lunches. Of course I had some wonderful fresh fruit and coffee (Kona) but after breakfast my stomach did flip flops and I did not really look forward to eating other than eating with good company. So if I wasn’t going home to my kitchen, San Francisco was the next best thing. Johnathan is here for a business trip and I get to do more exploring. When I arrived late into the Bay Area we popped into Jack in the Box. This was my first try of the West Coast fast food chain. It wasn’t horrible, but after airport and Hawaii food, I was topped. So the next morning I went to our favorite breakfast place - probably ever, including New York. Dottie’s is on Jones and O’Farrell Streets, right behind our hotel we always stay at. There’s always a line, but we figured out if we get there about 15 minutes before they open we can get in the first seating and get out in time for Johnathan to walk to work off of Market Street. I wandered over by myself, and waited for about 30 minutes for a single counter seat near the door. The food is so good, I was not deterred by my undesirable seat. While I waited in the 60 degree breezy morning, reading the New York Times like any diligent New Yorker I listened with one ear to a couple of waitresses waiting in front of me chatting. I picked up some new hot spots and listened to the drama that always ensues in the service industry. It took me a while to get through the latest Palin article in the election section, but it makes the time go by. The picture above is what I ordered - Black bean cakes with eggs over medium, grilled cornbread and home fries. Just the rescue my palate needed. And the coffee is great. If you get to this gem, the menu is pretty typical, still yummy, but the greatness lies in the specials on the white board in the back. They also make all their own bread and baked goods. Today, I made my way to the famous Ferry Terminal for the Farmer’s Market. This is where I get choked up about traveling and not having a kitchen. Colorful, abundant, mostly organic produce calling my name! So I settled for the Ferry Terminal cookbook - slightly disappointed. The purveyors inside the terminal are just as exciting as the tents outside. No matter how many times I go here, I’m always excited, and my senses go into overload. I also have the problem of toting heavy goodies home to New York. I’ll admit I did get a bottle of California Olive Oil that was creamy and nutty, and great for dipping bread. There’s also a great selection of restaurants, and great views of the bay. This week, I have another Farmer’s Market at City Hall, and on Thursday it’s up to Marin County - a guaranteed gold mine. Stay tuned….

This game was created by the blog Verygoodtaste. This looks like a good way to reminisce and see what someone under 30 has to contribute. I’m shocked I’ve completed 49. I think I could get through most of this list eventually - except the roadkill really. Please post you’re fave or top 5 here on cookingbroke! This is what Andrew wrote from verygoodtaste:

Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros - here’s the link to the recipe I made the other night
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding - it showed up as a side when we were in the UK - not so bad
7. Cheese fondue - this is a staple for us in the winter - total guilty pleasure
8. Carp
9. Borscht - my Dad LOVES to make this in the summer
10. Baba ghanoush - Our favorite Middle Eastern restaurant in Brooklyn has amazing Baba Ghanoush
11. Calamari - of course - fried calamari is now second to french fries!
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich - I am American and went to public school….
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart - Another guilty pleasure - I always crave these while in Central Park
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle - Does black truffle oil count?
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes - I’ve had pear… mmm….
19. Steamed pork buns - I used to work in Chinatown - it’s unavoidable.
20. Pistachio ice cream - another Chinatown fave
21. Heirloom tomatoes - I haven’t brought myself to spend the money on them.
22. Fresh wild berries - I remember picking blueberries as a kid
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans - a Spanish staple that is also unavoidable in NYC
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche - not my favorite - I’ll always opt for chocolate on menu.
28. Oysters - another dish I enjoy at family seafood night.
29. Baklava - had great Baklava in London
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl - had this in San Fran a couple months ago - LeBoudin had great chowder - although I’m no connoisseur.
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut - I don’t care for it - but my parents used to make us eat it.
35. Root beer float - but of course! Along with yummy variations!
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - this sounds like fun!
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O - I did go to college….
39. Gumbo - in New Orleans, and some other great authentic restaurants elsewhere.
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects - I’m tired of seeing every travel show make a big deal of this - I’d try it!
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk - tried it at a farmer’s market - too sour for me.
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more - some day!
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala - one of my favorite Jamie Oliver recipes to make!
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut - I also lived in Atlanta - these are at every fundraiser you can imagine - a staple really.
50. Sea urchin - isn’t this a bit dangerous?
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone - via a sushi restaurant
54. Paneer - LOVE IT!
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal - no one wants to admit it, but you know you loved it too.
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini - eh -I prefer Gin and Tonic.
58. Beer above 8% ABV- Johnathan and I love trying different strong beers.
59. Poutine - only at Pommes Frites in NYC - oh so good.
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores - again, I am American
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake - uh, yes, yes, yes, and yes. Various places, I have had authentic Coney Island funnel cake I must say!
68. Haggis - well, I didn’t eat the whole thing - but I did live in Scotland for a while, and felt it was a rite of passage.
69. Fried plantain - oh so good from the right place
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette - I’m going to play the Southern card again, it’s unavoidable there.
71. Gazpacho - I keep trying it thinking I’ll like it - but I don’t.
72. Caviar and blini - at a fancy company party at Cipriani’s.
73. Louche absinthe - while living in the UK
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill - uh, is this necessary?
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong - when I used to drink tea and was hungry at the same time, this was the fix.
80. Bellini - at another fancy party.
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict - made just the other night, ordered many times.
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers - not bad, not good, not that tasty.
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab - a favorite when it’s in season, that blissful 2 months a year.
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox - a Brooklyn deli favorite.
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta - I prefer it baked as opposed to the traditional creamy variety.
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - only a cup - it was a special at a coffee shop
100. Snake

*** WARNING!! Movie Spoiler ***

My husband Johnathan, who makes his living building large WordPress based sites, informed me that I must state that this may spoil a movie for you, even though this particular movie does not have a surprise ending or an unpredictable plot. So read on at your own risk….

The other night we saw Bottle Shock the new Alan Rickman (he’s my favorite) film that depicts the rise of California wine onto the international wine stage in the 70s. It was a great foodie/wino movie with dry humor, family struggle, and sure victory for the little guy. I even smelled some red wine being enjoyed in our theatre - people really get into this stuff. Just like Sideways with Paul Giamatti, it moved at a good pace, had great foodie/wine verbage and makes you lust to go to Napa Valley and learn the art of the vine. Bill Pullman, I think, has one facial expression, but plays the disgruntled struggling vineyard owner so well, as well as the disappointed dad. Inevetibaly the son (Chris Pine) saves the day and represents the Napa winemakers at the French tasting that Alan Rickman’s character has conjured up. The Napa Chardonnay tricks the expert French palates and they accidentaly (it was a blind tasting) ruled Chateau Catalena the winner of the tasting. And no one would pay to see the movie if there wasn’t a shallow love interest in the hot blond intern (Rachael Taylor). Very entertaining, with lots of “full bodied” Napa Valley shots, and descriptions of phenomenal wine ingredients I just don’t seem to taste. But, Johnathan and I are quickly planning a pilgramage to Napa as soon as the “Chardonnay clears” (cryptic I know, but this will make sense once you see the film).

Paula Dean and Michael Chiarello

As part of my self assigned food homework, I’ve been watching a lot of Food Network - probably more than a college graduate should be watching. I’ve salivated over Paula Dean’s butter infusions (most of which should not be consumed more than ONCE in a lifetime) and Bobby Flay’s grilling masterpieces. I’ve even begun to appreciate some Rachael Ray 30 Minute Meals (I still can’t get through one of her daytime shows on ABC), as well as newcomers like the Neeleys- also in small doses. The verdict is still out on the new “Ask Aida”, and don’t get me started on Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee and her TJ Maxx/Stein Mart themed monstrosities she calls sets. But, where are the young people? Is the food loving public (and you tell me) only interested in the seasoned experts? Is the Food Network even looking at young people and not finding “the one”?

I would venture to say my younger brother who is in college, and also loves food would enjoy seeing someone closer to his age running their own gig and would not require them to have owned a NYC restaurant or attended Le Cordon Bleu. My husband and I are on a journey to eat what we see the chefs eat, dine where they say to dine, and entertain the way they do, yet on a much smaller budget and scale, and of course add our own flair. It’d be nice to see someone about 2-3 years ahead, rather than a decade plus, doing things 25 year olds do - not wealthy businessmen, soccer moms, or Napa Valley rock stars (I’m talking about you Michael Chiarello). Don’t get me wrong, you gotta be good at what you do: know your kitchen and your food. You have to if you’re going to roll with the foodie giant that is becoming the Food Network. I bet there are some solid 26-28 year old foodies out there, working in an office, cooking on the weekends, with lots to share. With the right personality - I’d probably tune in to a young newcomer and tune out to Cooking for Real with Sonny. Please hurry Food Network!