Like Water for Choclate uses Magical Realism to capture the transformative qualities of everyday food and drink into something more. Also consider reading (and enjoying) Joanne Harris' amazing Chocolat.
During dark times, humor always helps. And no one, but no one, does 'dry humor' better than the Brits. So it's hats off to the best sign seen recently in London.
Echoing the World War II designed "Keep Calm and Carry On" signs, it directly honors the brave staff at Ledbury's and several other restaurants (including one owned by Chef Jamie Oliver), who heroically defended their guests and kitchens against looters with rolling pins and frying pans in hand. Bravo, bravo, bravo ladies and gentlemen!
So smile and keep wishing the best for dear London. She's a grand city and her restaurants are, not only some of the best in the world, but also possibly among the most courageous.
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011
Your Culinary World is proud to award a Golden Rolling Pin to Australia's Chef Brett Graham and his staff for their valiant defense of their guests and kitchen during the sadly still occurring London Riots.
Diners were enjoying dinner at The Ledbury in the affluent west London suburb of Notting Hill when 50 to 60 rioters smashed their way into the restaurant with machetes, knives and cricket bats. They demanded that the stunned diners hand over their wallets, cellphones and wedding rings.
As soon as the staff realized what was happening, they charged the looterswith rolling pins and any other lethal-looking culinary tool they could find in the kitchen.
Yelling and screaming they drove the robbers, all 50 plus, from their restaurant back into the street.
They then calmly served glasses of complimentary whisky and champagne to their shaken guests. What style! What composure! For this alone they deserve the Golden Rolling Pin Award.
But the story of their courage and professionalism doesn’t stop there. When it was realized that the front door had been smashed, making the restaurant’s entrance onto the street unsecured, the staff first sheltered their guests in the restrooms and then the wine cellar, urging them each time to lock themselves safely inside.
Their decision was a wise one. The rioters did return, breaking and smashing everything in sight.
When it was all over, the restaurant’s guests emerged safe and sound to a scene of mob destruction few will ever forget. Yet none of those present could doubt that, first and foremost, the staff had thought only of them during the mayhem that wrecked the once elegant restaurant.
Amazed and thankful, the grateful guests offered to pay for the dinners never served as some small way of saying “thank you” for the staff’s brave efforts that evening. In a gracious response worthy of the great Alexis Soyer himself, the staff declined payment.
Professionalism, as you known, requires that one never accept payment for a dinner unserved. That would not be honest. What a difference their attitude was to that of the looters outside. They protected while those outside destroyed.
Bravo, bravo and so well, well done! How truly all those at The Ledbury deserve the Golden Rolling Pin Award for a night of remarkable bravery and professionalism!
One can only hope that one day compassion and hospitality will reign and that all of humanity will feast together at a "table of brotherhood" in mutual peace and understanding.
Post Note, August 26, 2011: Due to the threat of potential harm from the massive approaching Hurricane Irene to the hundreds of thousands expected to attend, the dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorialhas been cancelled.
"It is with a heavy heart and enormous disappointment that we announce that, in the interest of public safety, we are forced to change our plans," Mr. Harry Johnson told a news conference today.
Instead, the historic event will be moved to September or October when the skies have cleared and any damage(hopefully minor) to roads and cell towers has been repaired. After years of effort to make the Memorial a reality, the decision to delay the dedication must have been a hard one, but the right one. Safety always comes first – something every great hotel knows and practices daily.
Post Note, August 22, 2011: As the U.S. begins a week of celebration honoring the memory of Martin Luther King, many visitors to the new King Memorial are delighted that the installation promotes freedom as a universal human right, not merely a singular American occurrence. Congratulations to the Martin Luther King Memorial designers for their personal courage and global perception.
Post Note, August 12, 2011: Many of Washington DC's leading hotels are working hard to make rooms (and tickets) available for the upcoming August 28th dedication of the Martin Luther King Memorial. If you were not present when King made his famous "I have a dream" speech, here is another choice to be present when history is made.
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011
International film festival directors now realize what movie lovers have known since the film Ratatouille made culinary fads of millions – thoughtfully made movies about the essence of cooking can deeply touch the hearts of viewers.
At this year’s Berlinale (Berlin) Film Festival an entire division was created to screen films solely about chefs, cuisine, ingredients and all matters culinary.
Though first shown from February 13th through the 18th, these remarkable films are now moving into distribution worldwide. Here are three of the films shown that are well worth seeing (and discussing) with staff:
This stunning film documents the art of the legendary sushi master Jiro Ono. David Gelb follows this 85 year old culinary star of Tokyo to his famed Sukiyabashi Jiro Restaurant, located in humble subway station. But size (and sometimes even location), does not a restaurant make. Jiro’s esteemed restaurant seats only ten yet it holds three Michelin stars. That’s enough to make any culinary professional want to see this movie.
Further expanding the plot is the stress and struggle experienced by his son Yoshikazu as the younger chef ponders his ability to continue his father’s quest for absolute culinary perfection.
If you are weary of staged ‘reality’ shows culinary or otherwise, you cannot help but be moved by this true life story of Charlie Arturaola, the world famous sommelier. Filmed in a mock documentary style, director Nicolas Carreras traces Arturaola’s struggle to reclaim not only his fading sense of taste but also his personal heritage.
For all those who have dedicated their lives to the profession they love, the film poses the fearful question: “What if suddenly you could no longer do what you Love?” The film suggests one response. Each member of the viewing audience will have to decide if their answer would be the same or different – in short, it’s a film that makes one think and re-think the purpose and value of our professional efforts.
Based on the autobiography of the same name by the English culinary writer Nigel Slater, this film is a coming-of-age story about a family in conflict where food becomes an expression of love and also a struggle for control. With a star rich cast that includes Helena Bonham Carter, Freddie Highmore and Ken Stott, the film counter balances the richness of food with a starvation of true affection often present in the homes of early 1960’s.
The script captures in heart-breaking clarity the struggle to be creative in an environment too narrow to reach a sense of authentic self. Anyone within the industry who has had to make the choice between the fate they were born to and the vocation that fascinates them, will understand this film and value its courage.
Post Note, November 2, 2011: The first ever Napa Valley Film Festival will be held for five days starting November 9th, featuring 75 films including Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Food, wine AND films - what an event! Be there if you can.
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011
Divorce is a sad reality in modern life - one marked by legal closure, yet often one with a lingering emotional need to re-direct and re-focus one’s life.
TheCasa Velas Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta creatively addresses this growing trend in their new “Divorce Package” that invites the new divorcee and five supportive friends to celebrate and commiserate in the Hotel’s elegant Presidential Suite.
While there, the former bride or groom can host a “Farewell Party” to say goodbye to the marriage by placing his' or her's old wedding rings in a miniature coffin.
Later he or she can shift their focus to the future and meet with a skilled local jeweler, who can shape the rings into a new design better suited for happier days ahead.
Also included in the package is a memorable spa treatment (ah – that feels so good), a customized shopping tour and finally, a VIP night on the town.
With transportation to and from the airport to this adult only Resort, thepackage is a steal starting at $350 per person per night now through December 22 (and that includes all taxes and gratuities!).
No one wants to experience a divorce but if going one’s separate way is a emotional must, why not do it in style?
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011
In less than a year, the30th Summer Olympic Gameswill open in London. As the pomp and ceremony begins on July 27, 2012 with the Parade of Nations and the Opening Ceremony, London will no doubt be compared to the last Olympiad held in China in 2008.
No one present there or watching worldwide can ever forget the stunning opening ceremony staged by Zhag Yimou, director of such legendary films as Heroand Curse of the Golden Flower.
Following the theme of “One World One Dream”, Zhag Yimou created a visual tableau that truly left millions of viewers breathless at the sweep of history and the display of beauty presented.
Yet have no fear because London is planning quite a show as well. Danny Boyle has been chosen as the artistic director for London’s opening ceremony. As the Academy Award winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, one can be assured of his sensitivity to an inclusive world view.
Because traditionally the heritage of the host country is highlighted at each Olympic Game’s first gathering, Boyle can draw on centuries of English history. One can only wonder if the Arthurian knights, Lord Nelson or the Tower’s venerated guards will appear in his event design.
But one image sure to appear will be the famed English bowler hat. First crafted in 1849 by the London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler (yes, that’s where the name originated) as a stiff protective hat for country gamekeepers, it was soon adopted by Londoners as a symbol for the composed style that has made London’s financiers (are you listening America?) famous around the world.
And now if hotel guests want some of that flare but aren’t necessarily hat wearers, they can celebrate with a new gin that is getting very popular as excitement over London's Games increases: Broker's Gin.
Distilled in small handmade batches, each bottle of this dry English gin is crafted in a 200 year old Birmingham distillery from an equally old recipe.
In order to follow this classic recipe,ingredients are sourced from around the world including juniper berries (but of course) from Bulgaria and Macedonia, orris roots from Italy, nutmeg from India, cassia bark from China, liquorice from Sri Lanka, coriander seeds from Bulgaria, orange and lemon peels from Spain and angelica root from Belgium and France.
Truly this is a beverage whose ingredients are almost as international as the Olympics and yet it’s the perfect gin to capture all the fun and excitement of the upcoming London Games. It’s so perfect the bottle istopped with an English bowler hatand you just can’t get any more English than that.
So enjoy the fun to come (Broker’s recipe for The Londoner Cocktail is listed below) and let us all hope that as the date for the game comes up, we find a world at peace and in harmony - at least for a few days. Cheers!
Squeeze the lime wedges into a shaker and add the other ingredients. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously until the shaker is freezing. Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011