Romney's Hurricane Sandy Relief Rally Was a Fake Food Drive

Mitt Romney and Party have treated us to false coal miner rallies where the workers were required to attend by their employer and not even paid their regular wages for doing so. Then there was the phony charity dish washing event staged by Paul Ryan, the Republican vice president candidate.

NOW, we must endure a false Hurricane Sandy Aid Rally.

Unable to continue campaigning as usual during the worst storm to hit New York, New Jersey and surrounding East coast area in a century, Romney needed to find another way to keep his face before the voting public.

Why not stage a political rally but call it a relief rally instead? Need a photo opp? That's easy. Just send your staff to the nearby Walmart to buy $5,000 worth of canned food and then heavily stocked the tables in front of the candidate, least he look bad.

Attendees without a food donation were given one by Romney's staff, enabling them to give 'their' (Romney's) food gift back to the Republican candidate when he shook their hand in front of the waiting cameras.

Prearranged, phony, fake, staged!!! Are there words negative enough to comment on the character of someone willing to exploit the suffering of millions of citizens suddenly without homes, lights, heat, food? We are at a loss to find them.

Crafting a self-serving event complete with illusionary donations and then adding childhood stories about one's own generosity, it NOT a presidential response worthy of any individual seeking to one of the world's most powerful positions.

The correct response is to donate cash to the American Red Cross. Cash enables them to purchase the resources most needed by the disaster victims and avoid the costly and time-consuming process of sorting, delivery and even finding a heat source to prepare food donations. 

Perhaps Romney, one of the wealthiest men to ever run for president, might consider this well known fact and write a check to the Red Cross equal to say the price of his wife's show horse, instead of focusing on obtaining PR photos of himself.

Post Note, November 1, 2012: The staff at Your Culinary World has voted unanimously to award Lindsay Lohan the BURNT COOKIE AWARD for absolutely stupid statements.

With an almost unbelievable careless disregard for the safety of others, she twitted, "WHY is everyone in SUCH a panic about hurricane (i'm calling it Sally)..? Stop projecting negativity! Think positive and pray for peace." 

Dear Miss Lohan, hurricanes and the loss of life that they bring is no joke. You should know better or be silent. Being a celebrity is a responsiblity, not a platform for spreading dangerous misinformation!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

New York Health Department Plays Grinch to Algonquin Hotel Beloved Cat

‘Tis the holiday season, a time for fun and good cheer when all are friends and kindness fills the air.

Or should be…

In what can only be called a ‘cat-astrophe’, the New York City Health Department apparently forgot to refer to their calendar when they recently banned the Algonquin's ‘direcfurr of guest relations’, the beautiful kitty Matilda III from many sections of this historic hotel.

Now certainly the Health Department has a valuable job to do but perhaps this is an overreaction to a tradition that since the 1930s has harmed no one.

Matilda, the Algonquin's famed cat, is part of a proud line of feline greeters who have been delighting guests since the first kitty was welcomed, cold and hungry, out of a stormy night by the hotel's compassionate owner Frank Case.

Honored by no less than the actor John Barrymore with the names “Hamlet” or “Matilda”, depending on their sex, the current kitty can now only grace the registration area – and only while on a leash.

All these restrictions are thanks to the NYC Health Department’s grumpy ‘grinch-y’ attitude during a season of supposed cheer and good well.

Surely the ghosts of such legendary literarties as Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Mark Conley, Edna Ferber and George F. Kaufman, all members of the Hotel’s famed Round Table, would object to such an injustice against a noble kitty who is dedicated to the very spirit of a warm welcome and a gentle purr. 

One can hope that amidst all the glorious sparkle and glitter that typifies New York City during the winter holidays, the New York City's Health Department will perhaps review their decision and adopt a more objective perspective that honors both the values of the Season and the traditions of welcome that are the hallmark of our Industry all year round.

Post Note, November 28, 2011 - If you're interested in learning more about the Round Table of Literary Greats that gathered during the 1920's at the Algonquin Hotel, be sure to check out the film, Mrs. Parker and Her Vicious Circle. 

The hotel's insightful owner Frank Case often sent complimentary popover rolls and celery to their corner table as those gathered there tended to talk first, drink second (whiskey sours were a favorite) and eat last - a combination that anyone in the Industry knows is not the best for any guest no matter their talent or the season. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

New York’s Kitano Hotel Hosts International Jazz Gathering to Support Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund

It is often easy to remember suffering and need when the images of those who are injured flicker across our television screens at night. Yet no disaster area is made whole again in merely a week or month or a year.

There is no better example of this then the tragedy of the recent earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck Japan’s western coast where the need is still very high after a month. 

And there is also no better example of an enduring attention to compassion within the industry then the Jazz Benefit to be held at New York’s Kitano Hotel on Monday, May 9^th. 

Surely every jazz lover able to attend will be there as 100% of the very reasonable $50 attendance fee will go directly to the Japan Earthquake Relief Fund. And in return those present will get to hear many international jazz greats including Joanne Brackeen, Kyoto Ogawa, Barry Harris, Helio Alves, Toshiko Akuyoshi and Soren Molber in two outstanding sets!

Yet all this is just a reflection of the Japanese philosophy of hospitality that has made the Kitano Hotel unique in all of Manhattan.

Opened in 1995 after $55 million in renovation by Tsuguto Kitano, the directing owner of one of Japan’s largest construction companies, elegant yet subtle service has always been the hallmark of the Kitano Hotel – just as in Japan. 

For you see, a hotel is just a building if it is without service, without insightful staff, without an indepth attention to their guests' needs. Kindness matters. Caring matters.

That is what makes a hotel truly memorable, truly great. Enjoy the Jazz!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

NYC Food Trucks Go Big Time with a Union and a Lobbyist

We recently shared with our readers that upscale food trucks were one of the elements currently influencing emerging food trends. Proof that these rolling ethnic kitchens are here to stay (and increasing in popularity) is the fact that in New York City food truck owners have formed a representative trade group and hired a lobbyist.

A total of thirty-two culinary entrepreneurs, who street market everything from uniquely flavored ice creams to the very popular Korean tacos, have contracted with Cacalino and Company to represent their concerns from quicker food licensing to street parking rights.

David Weber, president and a co-owner of the Rickshaw Dumpling Trucks, believes the move is necessary as there is a negative stigma from former eras that doesn’t fairly apply to contemporary gourmet food trucks.

Disregarding any past negative marketing images, currently even some established restaurants are currently investing in this hot new food outlet format. 

Some food trucks have, indeed, become so popular they’ve “lost their wheels” and become a traditional brick-and- mortar restaurant.  

Changes can’t come too soon as the daily increase in the number of trucks intensifies the struggle for parking places between vendors. Added to the mix is the decision by New York City to ban the trucks from metered parking areas, all the while adding more car-only meters daily to increase the city's declining revenue funds.

Let’s hope it all works out and that there’s space and a place in the Industry for everyone willing to create and care about quality and innovation. 

Post Note, November 2, 2011: As they say there's an app for everything soon or later and now that's true regarding your favorite food truck.

Tweat.it has just launched their new app which will enable hurried hungry diners to find the location of their favorite NYC food truck quickly. Hopefully the app will soon expand to other cities worldwide so we can all catch our favorite eat on the run.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011