Switzerland Welcomes a New and Amazing Wine Museum

The famed Lavaux Vineyard Terraces on the shores of Switzerland’s Lake Geneva will soon have an addition.

Mauro Turin, one of the world's leading architects, is currently building a stunning new wine museum that soars out from the mountainside into open space.  This innovative project was initially only an imaginary architectural submission for a Swiss design magazine.

But now it is becoming a reality that will soon give visitors not only a breath-taking view of the beautiful wine terraces below but also Lake Geneva and the Alps in a unique panorama.

And why not – grapes have been grown here since Roman times with the present vines dating back to the skilled Benedictine and Cistercian monks who planted them there in the 11^th century.

This fine vine heritage will continue as the museum would be a part of a new World Heritage Site when completed. Fantastic – it will be a must-see destination!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

When Coffee Becomes Art

Many years ago, while in a small Italian cafe, I had a cup of coffee so delicious I had, like a tourist, to ask the name. With a smile, the waiter soon brought a small silver can to my table, enscribed with bold red lettering, labeled "Illy".

It has been my favorite coffee ever since. To my delight, this fine coffee is now enjoyed around the world. For you see, Illy has made enjoying a cup of coffee as memorable as this elegant ad aired in Hong Kong.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012  

Peanut Butter Goes High Fashion Thanks to Diana Vreeland

Peanut butter is generally thought of as ideal for children’s school sandwiches or as a key ingredient in after school snack cookies.

Actually peanut butter was first savored in 1890 when a St Louis doctor thought a high protein peanut paste would be a nutritious treat for his elderly patients with poor teeth.

By the turn of the century Dr. George Washington Carver had identified over 300 uses for the humble peanut, including a much improved peanut butter spread.

In 1908 the Krema Products Company in Columbus, Ohio produced the first commercial peanut butter, followed in 1928 by Swift & Company (a company that later became Peter Pan).

But least you think all peanut butter is restricted to primary school lunches or the home cookie jar, a new documentary, entitled The Eye Has to Travel, has revealed that Vogue’s legendary editor Diana Vreeland’s favorite daily lunch in her elegant red New York office was, yes, you guessed it – a peanut butter sandwich!

But a peanut butter sandwich with flair. The peanut butter had to have enough flavor to prompt Vreeland to declare that peanut butter was the best invention since Christianity.

Her sandwich bread had to be equally unique - cut from a freshly baked loaf of whole wheat bread. Vreeland disliked bland commercial white bread so much she was known to remark that it would make better glue than bread.

Last but not least, she regularly finished off her peanut butter sandwich with a tablespoon of her favorite marmalade jam, made from Spanish oranges.  

Being a powerful arbiter of fashion, her lunch time beverage of choice was a long shot of memorable scotch. Wow! – definitely not for Johnny or Mary at school, but so elegantly Vreeland: a healthy, classy peanut butter sandwich with Highland scotch! (No wonder she defined style as the editor of Vogue for over 30 years and later as the esteemed director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute!)

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Usain Bolt Celebrates Close of London Olympics with Gold Champagne

The final week of the 2012 Summer Games have come, sadly, to an end.

And while the final fireworks fired from the Olympic Stadium (truly the best use for gunpowder), millions of people worldwide have been inspired by the breathtaking feats of the athletes and thankful that no acts of senseless violence have marred the Games.

There have been so many unforgettable moments – the fact that every nation’s team included women for the first time, the breathtaking soccer games, the sleek and speedy swimming champions, and, of course, the high flying courage of the gymnasts.

But certainly one of the greatest memories from the games was when Usain Bolt ran, winning gold in the 100 meters, the 200 meters and anchoring Jamaica's world-record gold medal performance in the 400-meter relay.

The speed, the elegance of form, his supportive gesture of the first physically challenged runner marked him as a modern athlete in the true tradition of the classic Olympic spirit.

So how does one celebrate winning triple Olympic gold in London?

Bolt chose to celebrate by enjoying a large Nebuchadnezzar size bottle of Armand de Brignac Champagne (also known as the Ace of Spades Champagne) at the very hip club Movida. 

Don't worry that his future endorsements will have to cover the final tab for the bottle – £80,000 (US $125,496)! It was comped - thank goodness! But lest you think fame has gone to his head, he shared the fun and this world-famous gold toned bottle of champagne with his assembled fellow medal winners. Well done Bolt!

And well done London! It's been a great two weeks! What fantastic Olympic Games! Rio, the selected site for the 2016 Games, will have to work very hard to top the 2012 London Olympic Summer Games, that’s for sure. Bravo Britain!

Post Note, August 14, 2012: The Olympic flag has been transferred to Rio de Janeiro, which will host the 2016 Summer Games. Considering that Rio will also host the 2014 World Cup Soccer Games, all things Latin American are sure to be an emerging culinary trend. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

Charlie Trotter Moves on to New Horizons

At his New Year’s Eve gala last Saturday Chef Charlie Trotter officially announced to guests and staff that in eight months he retiring (at least for a while) from his famed Chicago restaurant.

As word of his decision spread, many stories have appeared listing his many contributions to the improvement of the dining experience in America. Charlie Trotter was one of the first chefs to introduce a degustation or European style tasting menu, vegetarian menu choices and an increased awareness of local seasonal products including raw foods as well as a chef’s kitchen-side table.

And while few can doubt his impact on the front of the house, it must also be acknowledged that his influence on the back of the house was even greater.

Chef Trotter set a high standard of both professionalism and creativity for his staff. The young chefs lucky enough to have trained with him call his kitchen and his methods nothing short of perfection.

His belief in the combination of classical techniques and daily innovation created a passionate atmosphere that would become the hallmark of an entire generation of chefs who proudly list him on their resume as their mentor.

For those not fortunate enough to have worked with him, Trotter leaves a legacy of books that capture his desire for the best - be that the floor service, the wine offered or the cuisine presented.

He also sponsored many youth training programs that exposed hundreds of talented young people to opportunities within the hospitality industry 

Trotter’s future plans include travel and time to study philosophy and political history. Will he open another restaurant? He hasn’t ruled that out – but not at least at this point. While he travels and studies, we'll just have to wait to see the results (and the directions) of his new efforts take. 

Let’s wish him well. He is a great chef who made a profound difference – a difference that not only delighted his fortunate guests but made our industry a more creative and professional place for us all!

Thank You Charlie Trotter!

 Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011