New PUSS IN BOOTS Movie Will Make All Things Spanish So HOT!

All things Spanish will only get hotter with the premiere of DreamWorks new movie Puss in Boots, starring Antonio Banderas as the elegant voice of the utterly unforgettable feline purrr-fect hero.

With lines like "I smell something familiar. Something dangerous. Something - breakfasty" and "I hate Mondays", what chef can't relate to this noble gato?

Add in magic beans and golden eggs and, well, this movie is sure to be a big hit worldwide with everyone be they child, parent or chef.

That said, innovative chefs everywhere know a great theme when they see it. And this year (and next), it is going to be all things Spanish but with flare and surprise (Puss would so approve).

And speaking of breakfast and golden eggs, why not create exactly that with the amazing edible food spray from The Deli Garage. Applied with style (oh so Spanish), it's sure to create a never to be forgotten a la Ferran meal worthy of any chef's knowing smile.

Shouldn't we all then say "Ole!" and tip our hats to a great (and very funny) new DreamWorks film. Just don't forget your toque and BOOTS!

Post Note, October 28, 2011: Here are several additional great lines from Puss in Boots that are truly worth of Chef and supportive staff...

"Is it hot in here? Or is just ME?"

"Fear me, if you dare."

"You made the cat (substitute the word 'chef' here) angry. You do not want to make the cat (chef) angry." - followed by a swip by something sharp and great personal embarrassment.

Post Note, October 30, 2011: If you still doubt that things Hispanic will be a hot trend in the coming year, check out the well dressed Japanese business men dancing their away across Mexico in Genki Sudo's World Order viral music video. The tightly choreographed moves are almost equal to any performed by the staff of a well run kitchen. Bravo gentlemen!

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Salt and Sugar Shapes May Replace Ice Sculptures as a New Trend

In a case of art imitating life, London’s GV Art Gallery is currently hosting a unique exhibition by Ken and Julia Yonetani featuring sculptures made from salt and sugar.  

Entitled Sense of Taste, the show has delighted visitors as they marvel at an underwater world crafted from sugar and at an elegant feast carved from salt.

Ken, who was born in Tokyo and studied under the Asian pottery master Toshio Kinjo (son of Jiro Kinjo, honored as a National Living Treasure of Japan), met his wife Julia in Australia where they now live and work.

Their joint creations mirror the art heritage of Kyoto as well as an appreciation for the natural beauty of Australia and also a deep understanding of classic European art. In “Sweet Barrier Reef” echoes of Japan’s famed Zen rock gardens can be seen. While “Still Life: The Food Bowl” captures the heart of a Dutch still life painting, all in detailed salt sculpture.

And though beautiful, each piece is also designed to ask gallery viewers to consider both the wonder of food and the environmental destruction that results from improper harvesting. Currently many Australian irrigation systems are dramatically increasing the salt level of ground water while the run off from sugar production centers are endangering the coral reefs.

The stunning appearance of the displays are now prompting many chefs worldwide to consider carving in salt or sugar as an alternative to ice, which melts and has to be replaced and replaced and replaced. A single sugar or salt sculpture not only will stand the test of time, it also offers the carver an opportunity to share both values and beauty with the property's guests. 

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Patrón Spirits International to Spend $8 Million to Promote Ultimat Vodka

Four years ago Patron Spirits bought Ultimat Vodka.  Initially introduced in 2008 (just before our current economic ups-and-downs) in Boston, San Francisco, Chicago, New Jersey and New York, it is currently available in all 50 U.S. States. Yet last year just 23,000 cases were sold. Ouch!!!

Considering the volume of vodka sold by others (think multi-million cases here), Patrón Spirits has decided to launch a new 8 million dollar marketing campaign for their new vodka, using the tag line “Find Balance, Find Ultimat”.

All the resulting publicity will highlight achieving a needed balance between work and fun.

The “Balance” theme is perfect for Ultimat as it is the only vodka currently crafted that balances a blend of wheat, rye and potato that creates a singularly unique beverage.

Extensions of the theme also include “Live Ultimately” and “Good, Better, Ultimat”.

Even the bottle captures the theme as a small glass bubble is suspended in the base of the bottle like an expectation of the enjoyment to come once open and shared.

Given the marketing success of Patrón Tequila (currently ranked as the number one ultra-premium tequila in the world), Ultimat is sure to soon be, well, an ultimat- ly popular vodka in a world seeking balance (and comfort) in these troubled times.

Post Note - October 4, 2011

While the marketing of Ultimat Vodka is focused on “balance”, Marriott Hotels & Resorts are launching a US $6 million global advertising campaign emphasizing that guests will “Experience More at Marriott”.

Highlighting the theme of “more” are six custom illustrations created by the world famous artist Kareem Iliva (who has created art for the likes of Chanel No. 5 and Champagne Perrier-Jouet, to name only a few). The eye-catching art will be featured in 26 gateway airports and feature watercolor silhouettes on background images of Marriott hotels in London, Beijing, Aruba and Pune, India.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

How to Float Like an Angel While Working Like a Demon

President Barak Obama and his elegant wife, First Lady Michelle Obama, celebrated their 19^th wedding anniversary this past weekend.  

It only takes a look at the photographs that captured their evening out at the Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, Virginia to see that this is a couple dedicated to each other.

That mutual commitment is mirrored by the restaurant's owner Chef Cathal Armstrong and his beautiful wife and professional partner Meshelle, both hailing from Ireland.  Their esteemed 50 seat restaurant is named after their first child, Eve.

Chef Armstrong trained in France but has always maintained his commitment to source and quality that reaches back to his Irish childhood.

With multiple stars awarded for excellent as well as a deep loyalty to sustainability, Chef Armstrong’s Restaurant Eve was a perfect choice for the First Couple who have provided to the nation an active role model for healthy eating.

Yet as every professional in our industry knows, style, elegance and stars-awarded don’t just happen, just as great marriages don’t just happen.

It takes work, commitment, dedication and skill. When it’s done well, it only looks easy – a lovely picture, a dinner served with grace and charm.

Perhaps there is no more perfect example of the ease of expert expression than the new Air France ad airing global. The dancers are subtle and graceful, gently hinting at a mystery only revealed at the end, yet always capturing the elegant essence of the Air France experience.   

But before the dance (or dinner) comes the endless and very necessary preparation. In an amazing double release, Air France has also documented the efforts involved in the “staging” of the magic.

And while many of the televised foods shows have opened a window for consumers to glimpse the working wonder of a professional kitchen, it is only a brief image of the steam and strain.

What is not captured are the years of training prior to mastery, the untiring eye seeking perfection, the effort to discover the ever new while never forgetting the richness of the past.  

Like any great marriage, it requires that one focus every day on the values expressed through medium of everyday life. It requires caring; it requires simply truly Loving what we do and deeply respecting all those we share our day with.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Thomas Keller Uncorked in Insightful New Documentary Film

Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25 KCET TV in Los Angeles will air a new documentary film entitled Thomas Killer: Uncorked.

Correspondent Michael Okwu follows Keller from his award-winning Bouchon Restaurant in Beverly Hills to The French Laundry, Keller’s original fame-making Napa Valley restaurant.

Along the way you’ll see why Keller has won so many multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation (among a long list of others) as well as high praise for almost every international food critic visiting his two legendary restaurants in California.

Key to his success is his respect for every staff member (he knows them all by name) as well as an appreciation for each ingredient and product in his kitchens. (Be sure to check out how and why he stores fish in a certain way).

The film also includes glimpses of his home kitchen, the perfect reflection of a very busy professional chef as well as many childhood images that document his amazing career path.

All in all, a not to be missed film that captures the heart of the industry as well as its everyday creative pulse.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011