France Premieres New Culinary Film LES SAVEURS DU PALASIS

Opening in European film festivals (and soon we hope in the U.S.) is a stunning new food film, Les Saveurs du Palasis, based on Daniele Delpeuch’s experiences as Francois Mitterrand’s personal palace chef. 

We should say loosely based, for as always, there are additions and subtracts from the actual story. But be that as it may, you will surely be intrigued by the female lead.  

We first meet Hortense Laborie, (the character based on Ms. Depeche’s amazing life) in Antarctica. Yes, Antarctica, not Paris, where she is cooking for a group of appreciative but very isolated scientists. At first glance it does not seem she could possibly have walked the glided corridors of French presidential power.

But she did and often (at least initially) without support. She was a woman unwelcomed in a professional world of men. She did not wear a towering toque nor a chef's white jacket. Yet she worked, created and finally won the respect of her many male colleagues.

It is a marvelous film - a visual feast for the eyes and with good reason. The film’s culinary presentations were created by top professionals - Chef Gérard Besson (formerly at Le Coq Héron), Chef Guy Leguay (previously at The Ritz) and Culinary Stylist/Chef Elisabeth Scotto (of Elle Magazine).

From the beginning the film’s director Christian Vincent wanted the French actress Catherine Frot to play the role of Hortense, knowing she was perfect for the role.

She was exactly the same age as the character, with a genuine, practical side that suited the role perfectly. Her persona is natural, believable in either a country market or a palace kitchen. 

Today Daniele Delpeuch lives and teaches in her beloved Périgord region, where she promotes traditional cuisine and indigenous ingredients including truffles, truffles, truffles – oh, how we love them.

If you are in France, consider studying with her – you will marvel at the dishes you create and the conversations you will have.

But whether or not, your feet land on French soil, be sure to see this film when it comes to your neighborhood. It truly captures the spirit, the flame and flavor that is the craft and magic of French cuisine.  

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012  

You Can’t Have a Derby Day Horse Racing Party without Great Food and Cocktails

Soon it will be time for the running of the Kentucky Derby where fine food and memorable drinks (not to mention unforgettable hats) will mix with the thunder of some of the world’s  greatest racing horses.

In Louisville the most popular drink on Saturday’s Derby Day will be the Mint Julep. You simply can’t do Derby Day without one:

Mint Julep

Yield: 1 (12 ounce) cocktail
Preparation time: 10 minutes. Start mixing at least by 4:30 for 5:00 post time. 

Ingredients

• 8 to 10 mint leaves
• 1 sprig of mint for garnish
• 1 tablespoon of sugar, more or less to taste
• 1 1/2 ounce clean fresh Kentucky spring water
• 3 ounces premium Bourbon (try Woodford Reserve) 
• Crushed ice

 Directions

Rinse the mint but don’t dry.

Put the leaves in a 12 ounce cocktail glass & pour the sugar on top.

Muddle them together with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon.

When the leaves & wet sugar begin to turn to a mushy paste, add the water & the bourbon

Stir with a fork until the sugar dissolves.

Top with crushed ice, garnish with the sprig of mint.

Serve, if possible, in a silver tumbler.

Now that you have a drink in hand, it’s time to add a food to the fun as legendary as your drink – Hot Browns from, but of course, the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky by Chef Fred K. Schmidt in 1926. It is a creative variation of the traditional brunch classic the Welsh rarebit. Your guests will love it:

Derby Hot Browns

Yield: 35 appetizers

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1⁄8 tsp. white pepper
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sherry or additional chicken broth
• 1⁄3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• 35 slices snack pumpernickel bread, toasted
• 1 1/2 lbs. sliced cooked turkey
• 4 medium tomatoes, halved and sliced
• 12 cooked bacon strips, crumbled

Directions

In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat.

Stir in flour, salt & pepper until smooth; gradually add the milk, broth & sherry.

Bring to a boil; cook & stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in the cheddar cheese & 1⁄3 cup Parmesan until cheese is melted.

Remove from the heat.

Place toast slices on a baking sheet.

Top each with turkey, sauce mixture, tomatoes and bacon.

Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.

Broil 3-4 in. from the heat for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Have fun with both and may the best horse win!

Post Note: If you want to expand your celebration to include all the cuisine made famous at the two other racces that complete the Triple Crown in racing, be sure to enjoy:

From the Preakness Stakes Race in Baltimore, Maryland - The Black Eyed Susan Cocktail (named after the state flower) and Preakness Crab Cakes.

From the Belmont Park Race in Elmont, New York - The Belmont Breeze Cocktail (just watch those horses wizz by) and Manhattan Clam Chowder

Post Note, April 5, 2012: “I’ll Have Another”, the horse purchased for a mere $11,000, just beat the other million dollar horses in this year’s Running of the Roses, i.e., the Kentucky Derby.

Ridden by an almost unknown jockey, “I’ll Have Another” bided his time in the middle of the pack and then blazed past the leaders in the final furlong to win to the roar of thousands.

It was an amazing feat – one not equaled in any of the 138 runnings of the race of race. So, if your day is hard, prepare yourself one of these famous racing cocktails and then raise your glass to toast the little horse that came from behind and remember we can all do the same. Have a great day!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Discover Hollywood's Favorite Foods and Champagne Cocktail at the 2012 Governors Oscar Ball

Sunday, February 26^th is Oscar Night in Hollywood this year. And while the stars and artists of all things cinema will be watching the award ceremony at the L.A.’s Kodak Theater, chefs and event designers around the world will be analyzing the cuisine and décor at the offical post-gala Governors Ball.

Once again Cheryl Cecchetto will produce the must-be-at event with Wolfgang Puck overseeing the cuisine along with pastry chef Sherry Yard. This is the 18^th year that Chef Wolfgang has directed his Spago staff to cheer the winners and comfort the losers, all with his hallmark flare and creativity.

And this year is no different with some exciting changes in store. Unlike past evenings, this year’s event is no longer a formal sit-down dinner. Surprise-surprise. There will also be no buffet tables or long lines straining to grab a bite from crowded tables. Even bigger surprise.

Instead 550 pieces of customized furniture will be brought in to create a dazzling lounge, created with a welcoming open floor plan that will surely say ‘You can NOW relax and have some fun” to all with that sought after invitation card as all the food will be directly tray-offered to the lucky guests.

Yet soft suede, red roses, sparkling crystals and purple drapes still mark the event as one with classic Hollywood glamour.

And then there will be the food as only Tinsel Town can do it – 1450 pounds of Maine lobster for petit tacos for starters and finally dessert mouse served in golden hued eggs. Ah Hollywood!

But what’s a party without a cocktail – the Governors Ball has always had its very own signature one, thanks to the very elegant champagne of Moet & Chandon. So without further delay, card please – recipe card, that is…Enjoy!  

RED CARPET GLAMOUR COCKTAIL 

• Fill a chilled champagne flute ½ way with ice.
• Stir 1 ounce of fresh-squeezed sour mix (see below) and Hum Botanical Spirit with fresh ice.
• Strain into flute to fill ½ way.
• Top with Moët & Chandon Imperial.
• Garnish with a single rose petal.
• Continually refresh as needed with champagne.

Sour Mix: Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water until sugar is completely dissolved. Add 1 cup fresh lime juice and 1 cup fresh lemon juice and refrigerate.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

Quebec’s ITHQ Create Royal Menu for Kate and William's Canadian Cooking Class

Before Prince William and his lovely bride, now the Princess Kate, left eastern Canada for the stunning beauty of the Pacific Northwest, they visited Quebec’s prestigious culinary school - the ITHQ or Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie to take a cooking class featuring some of Canada’s best ingredients and finest young chefs-in-training.

The Institut’s esteemed instructors, Chefs Pasquale Vari and Jean-Louis Themis, and 24 of their talented students worked together for many weeks to also prepare a menu customized to accommodate the lifestyle of a unique celebrity couple, just started married life together, without any servants.

Working side by side with this skilled staff, the Prince and Princess helped create this delightful menu crafted with a wealth of wonderful “Quebecois” ingredients: 

Canapes 

• Foie Gras on Brioche with Apple Cider Jelly
• Eastern Townships Goat Cheese with Baby Cucumbers and Elderberry Jam
• Brome Lake Duck Confit
• Mini Bagels with Cream Cheese and Smoked Atlantic Salmon

Entrée 

• Herb-Crusted Loin of Charlevoix Lamb with Cranberries and Seasonal Vegetables from Jean Talon Market
• A Couple Requested Escoffier-Inspired Souffle Featuring Isles de la Madeleine Lobster  

 Dessert 

• Iced Cheesecake Filled with a Maple Caramel Topped with Meringue, Served with Granite of Fresh Regional Starberries and Blueberries

Wines and Beverages

• L’Orpanilleur
• Les Pervenches
• Carone
• La Face Cachee de la Pomme

Delightful, no? Wish you could have joined in the tasting?

Well, have no fear – you can, if when visiting Quebec, you call the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hotellerie (514-282-5161) and request luncheon or dinner reservations at the Center’s demonstration restaurant.

The cost is more than reasonable, $55-$90 with wine pairings, depending on the seating time chosen. 

Any chef would agree that’s more than fair and you will, of course, also be supporting one of North America’s great culinary schools – all with an amazing glass of great Canadian wine in your hand.  Bon Appetit! 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Great Dad Day Gifts for Chef Dads

Father's Day is fast approaching and that makes it time to ask "What the best gift for a Chef Dad?"

Well have no fear - here are fifteen great gifts for that busy professional whose also a devoted dad who needs to be honored and appreciated on Father's Day (and all year long). 

Handpresso Portable Expresso Machine: An incredible new device that lets the lucky Dad make expresso anywhere at anytime at work or at play.

PolyScience's Smoking Gun: A great new kitchen tool that enables the Chef Dad to smoke meats as well as cheese and salad greens inside without the use of an outdoor grill.  Way to go Super Dad!

Ceiva Digital Picture Frame: This is the perfect oh-so modern updated version of the framed family picture that every loving Dad has on his desk - but with a great twist. Thanks to digital technology the loving Dad can now easily transfer pictures from his iphone or computer to this frame. The images can be viewed in a still or slideshow format.      

Taylor Digital Measuring Cup & Scale: European or Stateside measurements? Weight or ounces? Measuring cup or scale? Now the Chef Dad can easily have both with the very useful Taylor combination cup-scale. Any recipe can now easily be used AND enjoyed! 

Vacu Vin Instant Marinator: This is an ideal time and flavor saver for the Chef Dad whose days involve long hours. Simply put the meat and marinade in the container and remove the air with the attachable vacuum pump. The resulting effect is one that opens the meat's pores deeper, quicker and so enables the marinate to enter faster and deeper. The flavor (and ease) is something Dad will enjoy all year long.  

Niki Segnit's The Flavor Theasurus: Subtitled "A Compendium of Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook", this remarkable book is a great idea-generator for the Chef Dad who enjoys the new and the creative. It's a must-have for any Chef Dad's library.

Joseph Joseph Index Chopping Boards: As they say, safe is better then sorry. And that's as true at home as in the professional kitchen. Joseph Joseph (yes, that is the real design firm's name) has crafted the solution to the problem of cross-contamination while preparing food - just use the correct index cutting board. What a great idea AND gift! 

The Big Green Egg: Nothing cooks like the Big Green Egg. Originally imported from Japan, it now sports a space age finish and wealth of amazing accessories that will enable the Chef Dad to do just about any form of cooking outside. And the flavor - unmatchable. (P.S. - be sure to check out the public Egg cookouts in your area.  They're 'egg-citing' events for the whole family! 

Berti Knives with Individualized Magnetized Insieme Wooden Blocks: Technology is great, but let's not forget the value (and resulting skill) that tradition honors. Berti Knives, crafted by Italian masters for over a hundred years, are a perfect example of why the best often comes with a legacy of craft and tradition. These are elegant knives, beloved by many major chefs. and each has an individual wooden holder that easily snaps to the next holder's magnetized side. Now that's a great design that works!    

Teroforma Whiskey Rocks: Many a Chef Dad enjoys a glass of premiere whiskey or scotch on the rocks at the end of a long day. But as the beverage chills, the ice melts and that expensive whiskey is slow but surely getting deluted. Now there's an answer - whiskey rocks!  Just chill, add and enjoy - now that's a great idea (and gift)!   

Aeropress Coffee Maker: A traditional cup of joe can be a mess to make what with a hot pot, messy coffee grounds and lots of leftover wasted brew. But have no fear, science (or rather a thoughtful scientist) has an answer: the easy to use Aeropress Cofee Maker. Simply measure the small amount of coffee neede for a single cup, add water and press the plunger down. The result is a cup of gourmet coffee that any Chef Dad will cheer. 

Cuisipro Ice Cream Scoop & Stack Scoop: There are those Chef Dads who love a dessert but were not, well, ever cut out to be a pastry chef. Yet they love a sweet at the end of the day (or evening). Ice cream's a perfect solution but why not make it more than a melting mess in a bowl. With Cuisipro's Scoop and Stack, it's easy to cut picture-perfect circles. Just drizzle with syrup and life's great no matter the hour or the day.      

Bamboo Bowls from MOMA: Tableware has become a statement of style these days as evidenced by the fact that many museum gift shops sell it as a kitchen collectable. Some of the loveliest bowls are those available from the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. Their bowls are stunning, support sustainablity and make an unforgettable Dad's Day Gift.  

SodaStream Soda Maker: Want a soda at the end of the day but suddenly find that you're out? No Chef Dad will ever have that problem if he has a Soda Stream.  Just add water to the bottle, charge the liquid, remove and then add a favorite soda syrup (or leave plain). The flavor's outstanding and resulting beverage costs only pennies to make. Fantastic bargain all year long and there're no endless supply of empty soda bottles for the busy Chef Dad to drag out to the recycling bend! Hurray for easier days!

Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewers: Cooking on skewers is great fun but often a tiesome task if the rods are too long or stiff to comfortably fit on the grill or in the pan. Fire Wire solves this problem for any Chef Dad who enjoys this cooking method. Just load the flexible wires with meats and vegetables then loop and bend to easily fit the cooking surface. This a gift that will get appreciate all year long - just as every Chef Dad should be!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011