Chef Report

AP) NEW MILFORD, Conn. Police were trying to determine who tossed a beer keg into an open fire at an outdoor party early Sunday, causing an explosion that sent shards of shrapnel slicing through a crowd of partygoers, killing one.

The explosion, which could be heard miles away, killed Sean M. Caselli, 22, of New Milford. Police say seven other people were taken to New Milford and Danbury hospitals.

Caselli, who lived with his family about a mile away from where the party was being held, died after being struck by a piece of flying metal in the neck, police said.

Sgt. Lee Grabner said investigators focused on taking measurements and gathering evidence. Interviews with witnesses to determine who threw the keg in the fire, and whether criminal charges would be filed, “is something we’re going to start working on,” Grabner said. (more……)

PEARL HARBOR, HI–Three cast members from the ABC drama “Lost” all agreed Naval Submarine Support Command was the winner of the sixth Pearl Harbor Naval Submarine Support Command’s (NSSC) Culinary competition, Saturday, Oct. 14.

Cast-Away cuisine was the theme for this competition. NSSC along with six submarines competed using dishes made with only ingredients that could only be acquired if they were stranded on an island. Dishes ranged from kalua (earth-cooked) pork, macadamia nut-crusted chicken to blackened shark. The winning dish was goat cheese-stuffed pork tenderloin prepared by Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SS) Kelly Mathis.

The four judges were Terry O’Quinn (John Locke), Jorge Garcia (Hugo “Hurley” Reyes), Dominic Monaghan (Charlie Pace) and Nigel a friend of Monaghan. NSSC and COMSUBPAC staff members approached O’Quinn weeks earlier when a relative of O’Quinn was frocked to chief petty officer at the COMSUBPAC Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony.

“I met Mr. O’Quinn at the Chief Pinning ceremony at Sharkey Theatre,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SS) Juan Hernandez, competition organizer. “I thought getting him and some of his friends from the show to judge the competition would be great.”

Locke agreed and word spread quickly. Mathis, a native of Social Circle, Ga. and a fan of the ABC show said he was ecstatic and motivated to win.

“When I heard they were coming, I was beside myself,” he said. “I knew I had to do something extraordinary. I decided on a dish I saw on a television show, but of course I had to add my own touch.” more…

A NEW REALITY-COMPETITION SERIES THAT might have landed on Bravo or the Food Network is coming to PBS. Producers are taking advantage of new ad models emerging on the “noncommercial,” nonprofit network.

“The Wine Makers,” a battle among 12 oenophiles for the chance to launch their own label, is slated to launch in 2007. Producers are promising national distribution on the 350-plus public-television stations, which they will have to secure themselves, since the national PBS arm isn’t involved.

Top-tier sponsors are being offered a five- to 15-second spot before and after the half-hour show. So far, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, which promotes wine produced on California’s central coast, is onboard. Producers are searching for up to three other marketers. A deal with a non-endemic advertiser is near, according to producer J.J. Levine.

The sponsorship model for “The Wine Makers” is reflective of the new PBS. The network has traditionally relied on underwriters and image advertisers, but with funding sources drying up and competition from cable–for viewers and differentiated content–intensified, bottom-line considerations are key. Pre- and post-roll spots are gaining traction as the inveterate “brought to you by” tags may be losing steam.

In addition to the premium-level sponsorships, “Wine Makers” producers–independent Doc City Productions, which has produced multiple wine-oriented shows, and South Carolina Educational Television–are offering branding opportunities on the show’s Web site and other promotional tie-ins. PBS disapproves of paid product placement, a staple of competition reality series such as “Top Chef” on Bravo and “The Apprentice” on NBC. more…

TORONTO — Dan Aykroyd has gone from busting ghosts and singing the blues to promoting Canadian wines.The comedy star announced Tuesday that he’s invested $1 million into a group of Ontario wineries and wants to promote the country’s vintages abroad.

“Everywhere you go in the United States, you see Argentinian, Chilean wine, Australian wine, but you don’t see the Canadian wines on the shelves, and I’d like to try to change that because we have some really worthy, beautiful (wines),” the Ottawa-born actor said in a speech to reporters before excusing himself to go to the bathroom.

“Everything in moderation. I did have three glasses,” the 53-year-old exclaimed after re-entering the room, where a table of wines and spirits was set up.

Aykroyd said he makes investments “very carefully” and spent the summer researching the industry before writing the cheque for Niagara Cellars Inc., which owns several wineries in the Niagara Peninsula including Lakeview Estates, Birchwood Estates, Thomas & Vaughan and EastDell Estates, as well as Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits.

“I’m not really a capitalist — I’m a fan of capitalism, I’m an entertainer,” said Aykroyd, wearing a suit and tie. “So I’m actively looking now to shift out of United States equities, and I’m looking to invest and do something in my home country.” more…

” I grew up with food being an integral part of my home. I take what I know, and ideas from where I’ve been. I incorporate seasonal ingredients with fresh herbs and zesty spices to create unique dishes with a sense of style and bold flavors. “

-Chef Alexandra I. Lopez

Inside Charlie Trotter’s, the celebrated restaurant of arguably Chicago’s most well-known chef, everyone is doing something. They’ve been at it since dawn.

The restaurant usually is closed on Sunday. But tonight, it will open its doors to 104 people, many of them flying in from across the country, each of whom has paid $650 to toast the restaurant’s 19th anniversary.

It’s a dream lineup of guest chefs for the night: Andoni Luis Aduriz of the two-Michelin star Mugaritz in Spain; Wylie Dufresne of New York’s WD-50; Paris pastry chef Pierre Herme, and Chicago’s own Grant Achatz of Alinea.

And this is only the warm-up, Trotter says — kind of like how “Dennis Rodman used to celebrate his birthday for two months.” more…

Deep in concentration, chefs work in tandem as they plate Trotter’s wild salmon dish, one of nine courses guests enjoyed at the Sunday dinner. (TOM CRUZE/SUN-TIMES)

The American hip-hop duo, Andre 3000 and Big Boi, celebrated the release of their new album ‘Idlewild’ with a glitzy party held on a 61-foot cruise liner on Wednesday night (26.07.06).
At the bash they knocked back super-strong Absinthe, an alcoholic drink which was banned in America in 1915.
Big Boi ignored the recommended limit of just two shots and downed a staggering eight.
He said: “This stuff is illegal back home. I can’t get enough of it.” The strong green spirit - portrayed in the film ‘Moulin Rouge’ as a green fairy played by Kylie Minogue - was banned in many countries because of its dangerously addictive nature and high alcohol content. more…

NEW YORK - Rappers have long proclaimed their love for Cristal, frequently mentioning the high-end champagne in songs and popping the corks of the clear, gold-labeled bottles in music videos and at nightclubs.

But the makers of Cristal don’t seem to feel the same way about hip-hop — at least that’s one rapper-turned-record executive Jay-Z sees it.

Now president and chief executive officer of Def Jam Records, the multiplatinum rapper has decided to boycott his once-beloved bubbly over comments from Frederic Rouzaud, managing director of Louis Roederer, the company that produces it.

In The Economist magazine, Rouzaud said the company viewed the affection for his company’s champagne from rappers and their fans with “curiosity and serenity.”

Asked by the magazine if the association between Cristal and the “bling lifestyle” could be detrimental, Rouzaud replied:

“That’s a good question, but what can we do? We can’t forbid people from buying it. I’m sure Dom Perignon or Krug would be delighted to have their business.”

‘I view his comments as racist’
The comments left a bad taste in Jay-Z’s mouth. The rapper said he would pull Cristal from his small chain of popular sports lounges — where bottles of Cristal sell for $450 and $600 — as well as from his personal flutes. more…

Charles Dickens’ hungry hero, Oliver Twist, wasn’t the only individual to cry “Food, glorious food!” Cruise lines have been pandering to our palates for years. And, just when you think “what possibly could be new about food at sea?” up pops something innovative.

Here is a smorgasbord of recent news in the maritime melting pot:

Oceania Cruises (oceaniacruises.com) touts its menu. According to a spokesman, each of the line’s three small vessels offers 200 different dishes-from fusion and nouvelle cuisines to master chef Jacques Pepin’s signature recipes-that change every day. In an initiative dubbed “The Perfect Table,” Oceania now showcases the talents of its chefs and their creations every evening in each ship’s quartet of open-seating gourmet restaurants. In addition to a reprise of such classics as steak au poivre, lobster thermidor and beef tartar, the line highlights its bread makers.

Executive Corporate Chef Franck Garanger creates exceptional French breads and what the line claims are the only “authentic” baguettes at sea. Garanger uses only the finest Viron flour for the baguettes, which are baked in special ovens, notes an announcement. “Star boulangers know that the quality of your bread is dictated by your flour and ovens,” Garanger says. Oceania’s passengers enjoy the bakery’s cornucopia: poulichette, Normandy bread, brioche, bacon bread, chestnut rolls and olive bread-prepared fresh every day. more…

If you are tired of drinking the same old beverage when you dine out, you might want to try a Coca-Cola Hot Tamale or a Fresca Pomegranate.

Coca-Cola has been working with The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park to develop creative drink recipes that could be offered at restaurants such as Chili’s and T.G.I. Friday’s.

Chili’s, which recently opened a restaurant at 2016 South Road, said it had nothing to announce at this point.

CIA’s Industry Solutions Group has developed “Coca-Cola Specialty Beverage” mixtures such as the Coca-Cola Hot Tamale — a drink made with Coke, lime, black pepper, Worcestershire and hot sauce —and other variations using the foundation beverage.

Ron DeSantis, the director of Industrial Solutions Group, described the partnerships as “two world-class organizations looking toward each other to collaborate to find the best, the newest and the most innovative things for the dining public.”

Photo courtesy of Michael Nelson/CIA
Certified Master Chef Rudy Speckamp of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park develops a recipe using Coca-Cola.

It’s no surprise that red wine makes you sleepy, but Italian scientists have discovered the reason - high levels of the sleep hormone melatonin.

According to University of Milan lead researcher Iriti Marcello, the melatonin content in wine grapes could help regulate human sleep-wake patterns, known as the circadian rhythm, just like the melatonin produced by the pineal gland in mammals.

Melatonin, which is believed to have antioxidant properties, is naturally secreted by the brain’s light-sensitive pineal gland at night, and informs the body when it is time to sleep. more…

Suspects accused of trying to pass drink recipes to rival company PepsiCo

Coca-Cola and Pepsi are usually bitter enemies, but when PepsiCo Inc. got a letter offering to sell Coke trade secrets, it went straight to its corporate rival.

Six weeks later, three people face federal charges of stealing confidential information, including a sample of a new drink, from The Coca-Cola Co. and trying to sell it to PepsiCo Inc.

“Competition can sometimes be fierce, but also must be fair and legal,” Pepsi spokesman Dave DeCecco said. “We’re pleased the authorities and the FBI have identified the people responsible for this.” more…

Three people face federal charges of stealing confidential data — including a sample of a new drink — from Coca-Cola and trying to sell it to rival PepsiCo.

SONOMA - Richard Childress was quite pleased when a NASCAR Nextel Cup race was placed in Sonoma back in 1989.

Sure, it exposed the sport to an untapped market. But what really got the team owner fired up was the annual stop he’d be making in wine country.

Childress is a wine fanatic, so much so that he started up Richard Childress Vineyards in 2004. It’s based in Lexington, North Carolina.

“I got interested in it when I was a driver in the 70’s, going to Ontario and Riverside,” said Childress, who has won six Cup titles as an owner, all with the legendary Dale Earnhardt behind the wheel. “I thought if I ever get the opportunity I would love to have my own winery and vineyards. I was going to do it on a small scale. Now we’re a major player in North Carolina.” more…

Infineon Raceway, Sonoma

Drive through certain parts of eastern Minnesota this summer, and you just might feel like you’re in Napa Valley. At least some businesses in the area are hoping you get that impression. Six Minnesota wineries are trying to garner attention by linking together in a wine trail. It may come as a surprise that Minnesota even has vineyards, given a climate that can be fatal for wine grapes. But a wine industry is emerging in a state that’s better known for producing corn and soybeans. more…

The seventh annual Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival, Saturday and Sunday at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert St. NW, will feature more than 280 wineries from 14 countries; demonstrations from such celebrity TV chefs as Michael Chiarello (”NapaStyle” and “Easy Entertaining”) and Ted Allen (”Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”); and seminars on the wines of Uruguay, Australia, Portugal and South Africa. more…

Sun, sand and … corkscrews?

Oh, I think not. In this season of road trips and outdoor concerts, trips to the shore or the woods, no corkscrew means one less item to haul. Winemakers have bent over backwards to find new alternatives to corks. Quality wine is getting as easy to open as beer.

Screwcaps, a curiosity just three years ago, are now commonplace. Caps for white wines are still more common than ones for reds, but for a quick-drinking bottle, you can find no shortage of options. more…

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne mini bottles: Wait, is blue putting the moves on pink?

Are you a wine enthusiast? Are you a beginner seeking to learn more about wines? In either case PDA Sommelier can help. PDA Sommelier is a program for your handheld that gives you access to everything you ever wanted to know about wine. Designed by iConcepts, Inc. in partnership with Charles Gill, a 23 year wine industry veteran, PDA Sommelier contains a searchable database of 53,000 Wines and Ratings, Vintage Ratings, Best Values, Best Producers, and even a section on Food and Wine Pairing. more…

If you could bottle summer, it would look like limoncello. And taste like it, too. Sweet. Sunny. Vibrant. No wonder chefs are using this Italian liqueur to brighten their menus and get diners’ attention. In Italy, limoncello is adored as a digestif, served in small glasses to top off a fine meal. In the U.S., including here in Houston, chefs also are discovering its potential as an ingredient in summery desserts. more…

BRUSSELS (AFX) - The EU will tomorrow present plans for a radical shake-up of Europe’s wine industry to stem over-production and counter the threat of imports from the New World.

Europe is still the world’s biggest wine producer — France, Italy and Spain make up some 50 pct of global output alone — but imports from countries like Australia, South Africa and the US are diluting its market share. more…

Hail the size of quail eggs fell on crops in the councils of Alijo, Sao Joao da Pesqueira and Sabrosa, destroying more than 2,470 acres of vineyard in the major port-wine producing region, local authorities said. more…

Students celebrated graduation by revisiting the raucous revelry of “Animal House” at a restaurant and volleyball sandpit owned by an actor from the 1978 movie. But the celebration got them in trouble when police were called and 18 teenagers were cited for underage drinking.

A police report said the party at the Libby Montana restaurant owned by Mark Metcalf, who played the campus ROTC commander in the movie, was hosted by parents of a student from University School of Milwaukee. more…