Cordon Bleu London Releases YouTube Tour

Many members of the Hospitality Industry are familiar with the Cordon Bleu in Paris but have not had time to tour the school's newly refurbished London center.

Happily you can now visually walk through the renovated British center thanks to a new YouTube video just released that not only highlights the center's outstanding new features but also reviews the history of the famed culinary school itself.  

But be warned in advanced, after viewing this informative clip, you'll want to visit in person - and why not: London is one of the world's great culinary cities. 

You will enjoy your trip and be inspirited by your visit.

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

American Royals Become Baby Food Tasters for Baby Cambridge

As the world rejoices at some positive news for a change (what a change from reports of war, bombings, poverty and cruelty), three Americans have self-appointed themselves as baby food tasters for Kate and William's new baby boy.

That might seem shocking, but they are "royals" as well - well, at least members of the Kansas City Royals Baseball Team. And while the following video is, in fact, a gentle p.r. filming, it does catch the difference between bland commercially produced baby food and "real" baby food.

Modern mothers, and that certainly includes Kate, now use either organic or create their own fresh baby food. Bookmakers in London, who will take a bet on almost anything it seems, are even taking wagers on whether Kate will make her baby's food fresh or buy off the shelf.  

Will it be real or commercial? Either way, it represents a major break from the turn-the-baby-over-to-the nanny-because-she-knows-best royal English tradition and a boost to modern organic farmers worldwide AND health focused modern mothers. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

QR Bananas Are Newest Link in Marketing Culinary Tourism

What’s a country to do when it’s local scenery is breath-taking but it's national media budget to attract international visitors is rather small?

One simply looks for another form of communication. And that’s just what the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism has done with the assistance of the Zimmerman Agency (absolutely NO connection to the sad George Zimmerman trial case in Florida).

Ever year Ecuador exports 24,000,000 top grade bananas to the rest of the world. Why pay for expensive full page ads in the New York Times or launch a series multi city gala events when millions of those humble bananas could carry Ecuador’s tourist information instead?

Just attach a QR (short for “quick response”) label to each banana and prompt the curious consumer to scan the label with their mobile phone ap. Once scan, an attractive and informative YouTube video will appear to entice the banana purchaser to experience the wonders of Ecuador in person.

Simple, easy, inexpensive, creative, informative and successful – Bravo to the staff of the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism and the Zimmerman Agency.  Well done! 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Amish Rocket Science Ice Cream Is a Truly Great American Dessert

Sometimes when you combine tradition with innovation, the result can remind us all about the true nature of insightful creativity.

One such example is the Rocket Science Ice Cream Company located in rural Nappanee, Indiana.

Situated in the heart of Amish country, the store’s welcoming male and female staff wears long beards and longer dresses.

And why not? They are Amish, members of a devoted religious community that emigrated from Switzerland to the United States during the early 1700’s seeking religious freedom.

Known for their purposeful life choices, the Amish choose to step back from many of the tools that set the pace of modern life, such as cars, phones, faxes, fashion – even electricity. They feel such intrusions come at the cost of community, family life and personal peace.

As a result, many Amish men and women work (and own) businesses that focus on adding sincere value to life be it in the form of well-made furniture or quality food products.

Rocket Science Ice Cream follows in this latter tradition BUT with a twist. Their ice cream is made from the finest fresh ingredients BUT frozen right before the purchaser’s eye using liquid nitrogen, set to 320 degrees below zero.

Least you think this constitutes a revolt against Amish principles, nitrogen is a natural ingredient and is purchased in tanks by the Amish – no electricity required.

The result is outstanding, the products used are local and so is the employment. And there are NO PLANS to franchise or build a Dairy-Queen sized empire. That’s not the Amish way.

If at this point, you are curious to learn more about the unique and value-driven business practices of the Amish, consider reading - Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive. 

And thrive they do. While many Amish farmers and business owners arrive to work by a horse-drawn buggy or on bike, their businesses rarely fail!

Surprised? Don’t be. The Amish deeply believe in staying small enough to maintain quality, keeping a low overhead, treating both employees and customers with kindness and practicing ethical frugality.

What chef wouldn’t agree with that – especially when the ice cream produced is, pardon the pun, simply out of this world! 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013

Jeremy Irons Asked Why Our World is TRASHED

We buy it, we bury it, we burn it and then we ignore it. That is how the world deals with trash - all those wrappers, papers, bottles, medical supplies, cans, car pairs, broken parts, TVs, computers, plastic bags and the pile grows higher and higher and higher and higher...until

 

"Ignore it" is the key phrase, the convenient phrase, that action that makes it seemingly easier until we start to count the overwhelming cost, a cost that the award winning actor and activist, Jeremy Irons, explores in the new film TRASHED.

No matter where you live or where you work, take seriously our responsible for this planet: Recycle/Reuse. It is our choice to make - shall we live in a garden or a dump? Where do you wish to dine, to work - among mounting heaps of garbage? Where will your children (and your children's children) play?

We decide, we define our world, with each choice, with each item we so carlessly toss OR thoughtfully recycle!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2013