Enjoy Historic Food and Drink for an Honest Fourth of July This Election Year

Soon the U.S. will be celebrating its Independence Day. No president is more associated with American ideals than George Washington. Yet, similar to the current presidential campaign rhetoric, myths equally abound regarding the nation’s first president and Colonial War hero. Just consider...

Childhood

• Then: George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree.
• Now: Barack Obama was never born in Kenya.

Education

• Then: George Washington left formal education at 14.
• Now: Barack Obama attended Columbia University and Harvard University on work and grant scholarships.

Personal Wealth

• Then: George Washington refused his general’s salary of $48,000 while serving for 8 years as commander of the Continental Army. Instead, he billed Congress only for his expenses, which totaled $447,220!
• Now: Mitt Romney has accepted no public campaign donations, choosing instead to rely on Super PACS funded by millionaires.

Human Rights

• Then: George Washington was the only slave-owning President who ever freed his slaves – all 124 of them.
• Now: Despite current political ads, illegal immigration is down 60% since 2000.

 Religion

• Then: George Washington never knelt at Valley Forge or anywhere else. He occasionally attended the Episcopal Church but was known to never kneel with the Congregation or to receive Communion.
• Now: Barack Obama is a Christian. Period, end of discussion.

Temperance

• Then: Washington operated one of the new nation’s most commercial successful distilleries at Mt Vernon, producing rye whiskey, apple and peach brandies.
• Now: Religious guidelines aside, the White House needs to continue to represent the bounty of America to its many international guests, including California’s wines and Kentucky’s legendary whiskeys and bourbons.

Hospitality

• Then: George Washington hosted a nearly endless stream of guests. He also belonged to many social clubs and service organizations such as the Fish House Club and Masons.
• Now: Mitt Romney often restricts press and public access, limits questioning and won’t release multi-year income tax filings.

As you can see, the U.S. has come a long way, and yet, still has further to go. So, why not skip the patriotically named red-white-and-blue colored cocktails this Fourth, and drink what Washington drank, the famed Fish House Punch, matched with his favorite Colonial Hoe Cakes.

It’s a strong drink, but it’s honest – the way we still long for our politicians to be.

Fish House Punch

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 3 ½ cups water
• 1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons), strained
• 1 (750-ml) bottle Jamaican amber rum
• 12 oz. Cognac (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 oz. peach brandy (1/4 cup)
• Lemon Slices
• Special Equipment: Half Gallon Cardboard Juice or Milk Carton, Top end cut off

Directions

• To make ice block, fill carton with water and freeze until solid, about 8 hours.
• Stir together sugar and 31/2 cups water in a large bowl or pot until sugar is dissolved.
• Add lemon juice, rum, Cognac, and brandy and chill, covered, at least 3 hours.
• Put ice block in a punch bowl and pour punch over it.

Colonial Hoe Cakes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups self-raising cornmeal
• ¼ tsp baking soda
• 1 ¼ cups buttermilk
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 Tbsp melted shortening
• ¼ cup melted shortening

Directions

• Combine cornmeal and baking soda in a medium bowl.
• Add buttermilk, egg and 1 tbsp melted shortening.
• Stir until just moistened.
• Heat ¼ cup of shortening to 365 in large cast iron skillets. (Originally baked on a hoe’s metal surface, hence the name).
• Pour ¼ cup batter into skillet for each hoe cake.
• Fry 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve with butter and honey.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Post Note, June 27, 2012: If you are looking for a great movie to honor the 4th that is historically accurate and entertaining, check out 1776, the Musical. It's a patriotic must.

The Unknown Champions of Wimbledon Are Food Service Staff and Culinary Suppliers

The Games have begun, yet many of the half-million devoted tennis fans who will watch Nadal, Federer and Djokovic on home televisions and office Internet connections are unaware of the massive food service that supports this famous 14 day tournament of strength and skill.

Just consider the most recently released figures which reveal just how hard the 1,700 member FMC Catering staff at Wimbledon will be working for those 14 exciting days of play: 

To Be Served 

• 130,000 Lunches Served
• 40,000 Char-Grilled Meals Served
• 30,000 Fish and Chips Served
• 30,000 Meals for FMC's Own Staff
• 12,000 Kilos (26,455 Pounds) Poached and Smoked Salmon
• 17,000 Bottles of Champagne Lanson
• 150,000 Pimm’s Cocktails
• 100,000 Pints of Beer and Lager
• 300,000 Cups of Tea and Coffee
• 250,000 Bottles of Water
• 190,000 Sandwiches
• 150,000 Bath Buns, Scones, Pasties and Doughnuts
• 135,000 Ice Creams
• 60,000 Sausages
• 30,000 Liters (31,700 Quarts) of Milk
• 23,000 Bananas
• 22,000 Slices of Pizza
• 20,000 Frozen Yoghurt Cups

As you might have noticed, the above list does not include Wimbledon’s famed “Strawberries and Cream” which are a must when attending the Games. Well, they are in a food class all by themselves where tradition meets logistics.

On average Game spectators will consume 28,000 kilos (61,730 pounds) of English strawberries - 2,000 kilos (4,409 pounds) and 7,000 liters (7,397 quarts) of fresh cream every day of play.

When added up, that’s a total of 28,000 kilos (61,726 pounds) of strawberries and 98,000 liters (103,558 quarts) of cream prepared and served in just in 14 days! WOW! 

And these aren't just any generic strawberries. They're Grade 1 English strawberries from Britain’s finest strawberry producing farms such as the Hugh Lowe Family Farms.  Suppliers are working extra hard this year to meet the tournament’s demand as heavy rains and overly long cloudy skies have delayed the usual ripening season.

But with a courageous spirit equal to that of any tournament player, England’s berry growers are working hard to make their 5:30 A.M. delivery date each and every day.

The very same words used in the newest Wimbledon ad should also be used to describe the hard working catering staff and culinary suppliers to the Tournament – Super Human, Tough as Nails, True Champions All!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

Post Note, May 26, 2012: You know you're a star when you're profiled on 60 Miuntues, America's in-depth Sunday News program faithfully watched by millions. This past Sunday Novak Djokovic was so honored.

The resulting story highlights how Djokovic's skill and courage led him from battle torn streets of Belgrade to the emerald green grass of Wimbledon. Impressive and touching. Thank you 60 Minutes!

Starbucks Supports Job Creation in the USA Mug by Mug

Everyone today is aware of the economic struggles that are affecting nearly every country. Concern over stock levels and unemployment headline the nightly news around the world these days.

Yet as we watch, the question that so many of us are pondering is "What can I do?"

Howard Schultz , CEO of Starbucks, the international coffee company based in Seattle, has an answer to suggest – invest in creativity and people where it is most needed, not simply and only where it’s cost-effective.

Starbucks has recently launched an innovative program, Create Jobs for U.S.A. Program, to match talented producers with resources and companies willing to invest in people.

Currently Starbucks is purchasing mugs from American Mug and Stein in East Liverpool, Ohio, which was once called "The Pottery Capital of the Nation.” But that was in happier days when the city was a thriving commercial center. Sadly as the years passed, the jobs in the pottery industry there slipped away, but not the talent that produced them.

With the support (and a large mug order from Starbucks), life is returning this historic community, revitalizing families and raising hopes for a better future.

Some might say that business is only about profit AND profit is important. But it is not the only variable that should be considered when making a business decision, as Howard Schultz knows.

People matter; they are the heart of any company. Without a healthy heart, a company is essentially only on life support, no matter its initial profit level.

Starbucks’ very corporate name reflects this awareness. Captain Ahab of Moby Dick fame is as blindly obsessed with obtaining revenge against a great white whale as many a CEO seeking only profits no matter the human cost. Time and time again he ignores the insightful advice of Starbuck, his first mate, to consider the cost his relentless pursuit requires from all those aboard his doomed ship.

The results of ignoring the concerns of his crew (or one's staff) are always tragic. But they needn't be. If we remember, always, that people come first and profit is merely an indication that value and beneficial services have been successfully rendered, then we can all sail safely into a welcoming harbor and yell joyfully together "LAND-HO!"

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

Matched Cheese and Honey Makes the Perfect Culinary Gift for Father’s Day

What with the financial fears that are currently darkening the skies over Europe and the mindless phrases being spoken by some American politicians, it definitively seems time for a sweeter reference to reality.

And what’s sweeter (and more grounded) than a great cheese and a divinely delightful honey, especially for Dad’s Day.  But the secret to the greatest culinary enjoyment is making the best match – just as in life. 

So consider ‘marrying’ a clover honey with a Swiss Alpine or an Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Another great ‘relationship’ is a hardy buckwheat honey with an earthy Gouda cheese.  In each case, the contrast between the warm broad flavor of the cheese and the nutty character of the cheese is, well, a perfect match.

For those who prefer a closer balance of tone and flavor, there are the often overlooked bright delight of citrus honeys, which go well with a wide range of cheeses, including Camembert, Gruyere, Brie and mild Bleu.

Yet if sweetness is your desire while celebrating Father’s Day, honeys crafted from wildflowers capture an overt sweet taste that seem perfectly matched to Ricotta cheeses.    Its soft spreadable nature makes this duet literally dance across one’s palette, especially if topped with fresh fruit.

Just remember, that no matter which honey and cheese combo you prefer, on Father's Day Dad is the one who is simply matchless!

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Matrix and MADMEN Meet Fast Foods in the New Movie BRANDED

Be sure to watch for the new movie BRANDED, to be released September 7, 2012. It promises to be a dark and mind-altering voyage into a surreal, dystopian society in the near future where corporate brands have unleashed a monstrous global conspiracy to get inside consumers’ minds and keep them dependent, passive and unaware of personal choice.

In true epic form, one man with a passion for the truth of an unaltered reality and the desire to make truly individual choices, rises up and does tectonic battle against the evil of control.

BRANDED is the brain child of two widely respected marketing executives: Jamie Bradshaw and Alexander Doulerain. Using an inside knowledge of the marketing world that would put Don Draper of MADMEN to shame, Bradshaw and Doulerain co-wrote, produced and directed the film.

But the talent doesn’t stop there. Stunning special effects that are worthy of Matrix and hidden QR codes within the film, have drawn such stars as Ed Stoppard, Leelee Sobieski, Jeffrey Tambor and Max Von Sydow to the movie.

Does that spell “Blockbuster”? Almost certainly – so get your tickets in advance. This film is ultimately about a future that the staff of Your Culinary World hopes will never exist – a world where market conformity replaces creative culinary choices for both guests and chefs.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012