| Kitchen provides recipe for tasty team building
The sales force and some managers here at CSBJ participated in an interesting team-building exercise last week at the Paragon Culinary School. The learning lab combines team-building strategies and techniques within a fun and practical hands-on culinary experience. After we all took the DISC (dominance, influence, steadiness, conscientiousness) profile administered by Dick Siever, director of the Paragon Learning Lab, we split up into groups to prepare a gourmet meal. Members of the staff whose test results indicated they are highly dominant were assigned to prepare the entrée; the folks tabbed as high influence prepared the soup and salad. As in real life, some people were given instructions about how to complete their tasks and some people were not. The soup-making team was given complete instructions.
Magazine doesn't look down its nose at everyday cooks
Every foodie has his favorite magazines. Bon Appetit, Saveur, Food Arts and Cook's Illustrated rank highest on my list. Gourmet, Food & Wine, and Martha Stewart Everyday Cooking are must-reads. And though food snobs may scoff, there's one more magazine I routinely review: Taste of Home, because it reflects how most Americans cook. Sophisticates are almost obliged to wring their hands over that. Published six times a year, Taste of Home leans heavily on easy techniques and easier-to-find ingredient staples. Here is a magazine not only not shy about, but downright proud of, its willingness to include condensed soups and biscuit mix among its ingredients. But the proof is in the figurative pudding. Produced by Reiman Publications, based in Greendale, Wis., and recently acquired by Reader's Digest, the magazine resonates with heartland America.
Regis Jesuit High School Students Tackle Hunger
Bene Gourmet Pizza, an award winning fast-casual pizza concept with locations in North Cherry Creek and Greenwood Village, has partnered with Food Bank of the Rockies and Regis Jesuit High School Boys and Girls Divisions to support Denver's hungry population. From March 30 through April 6, 2007, RegisHigh School students will compete in a food drive to benefit Food Bank of the Rockies. Winners will receive a prize trophy and pizza parties from Bene Gourmet Pizza. "The goal of this program is to open the eyes of young people to the hunger problem in the U.S. and specifically in their community," said Bene owners Kevin and Erika Cohen. The program will be modeled after successful drives in Eugene, Ore., where Bene has two additional locations. This is the first food drive co-sponsored by Bene and Food Bank of the Rockies in Colorado.
Place for Pig-alles a Foodie Meet-Up
On Sunday night I had the lovely opportunity to meet a few wonderful food bloggers face to face. From left to right we have Catherine of Food Musings (who was delightful and funny), the secretive couple from BunRab (who's site I didn't know but have since fallen in love with their photos and their wild story about how they were the first couple married at the French Laundry back when it just opened), Kristen of Give Me Some Food (who actually went to college with Adam, proving my theory that foodies somehow attract other foodies), and the visiting Adam of the The Amateur Gourmet (who's working on a book right now). Also present were Sam & Fred of Becks & Posh (who arrived soon after the photo was snapped and were even more charming than I imagined them to be). We ended up at Place Pigalle over in Hayes Valley (a neighborhood here in San Francisco).
Six Super Foods For Inner Beauty
Toss the wrinkle creams, cancel your cosmetic surgery appointment because your mother was right - you are what you eat. Self magazine's Jennifer Iserloh, also referred to as "The Skinny Chef," has a list of groceries that will keep you slim, smooth and smart! For receipes and more nutritional information, check out Self's website.
Here are the double duty foods:
Name: Aji Amarillo
Beauty connection: Loose weight and stay trim! (Capsaicin)
Origin: A "Yellow chili pepper" of Peru's Andes mountains. The high levels of capsaicin, the natural compound in the chili that makes your tongue burn, can help you to burn more calories! Studies show people who eat chilies containing capaiscin burn calories up to 15 minute longer because of all that heat that's produced in the body.
Delightful Springtime Soirees
It was a hopping good time as The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centers Associates Committee celebrated their 16th Annual Bunny Hop Chaired by Lisa Errico, Christina Addison, and Elizabeth Fuller on Tuesday, March 13th. Honorary Chair, Melania Trump was also on hand, escorted by Donald Trump and their son Barron, who was outfitted head to toe by the title sponsor of the evening Susie Hilfiger and Best and Co. Also clad in Best and Co. were the Kids Kick In Committee, made up of The Associates Committees children, who were circulating throughout the store with their Every Penny Counts pails, to collect additional funds for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers Department of Pediatrics. With their help, the 500 children and 700 adults in attendance contributed in the raising of over $380,000.
Bouquet of Easter brunches
Easter is early this year, and brunch on Easter Sunday, April 8, is the name of the game all over town. At 1789 Restaurant (1226 36th St. NW, 202/965-1789), executive chef Nathan Beauchamp's Easter menu includes lamb with Grafton cheddar galette, English pea soup, and eggs galore. Complimentary canapes will be served while the Easter Bunny makes a guest appearance at each table to deliver candy to the children. Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; entree prices, which include a first and second course, range from $22 to $31, with dessert at $9.
In Bethesda, Mon Ami Gabi (7239 Woodmont Ave., 301/654-1234) will offer Easter brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brunch will include eggs Benedict, apple French toast and market fruit salad. Guests can start the festivities with a drink from the make-your-own bloody mary bar.
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