The Culinary Scoop

Culinaria Travel Program Offers Chef’s-Eye View Where Food and Culture Meet in Portugal and Italy’s Emilia Romagna, Sicily and Campania. 

Oldways, the nonprofit that made the Mediterranean Diet famous, today announces its upcoming Culinaria Travel program. Led by renowned chefs, cookbook authors and other culinary luminaries, the Culinaria Travel program’s 2020 schedule offers a unique insider’s experience at four foodie ‘bucket list’ destinations: Portugal and Italy’s Emlia Romagna, Sicily and Campania.

Based on the Oldways mission to inspire people to embrace the healthy, sustainable joys of the old ways of eating, the Culinaria Travel program provides travelers with once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the kitchens, farms, wineries, and at the artisanal olive oil, pasta, and cheese producers that define the areas’ culinary and cultural heritage.  

 Visit Santa Maria Valley announces its $500 Wine Country Getaway where visitors can uncork a two-day trip for $500 or less and drink award-winning wines paired with iconic Santa Maria Style Barbecue, a 150-year-old tradition that started when ranchers cooked beef over a red-oak fire.

With 15 beaches and 34 tasting rooms all within a 30-minute drive, Santa Maria Valley is the perfect home base to get more for less.

Create your own weekend itinerary by packaging together your desired list of amenities. An example two-day itinerary for two people can consist of:

●      Hotel accommodations for approximately $125/night at properties such as the Historic Santa Maria Inn, Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn & Suites, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Radisson Hotel Santa Maria and Best Western Big America.

Culinary and Cultural Event Returns to Streets of Historic Christiansted

Taste of St. Croix is gearing up to launch its 20-year celebration on April 2, 2020. The 2020 culinary tasting event will be returning to the historic town of Christiansted, St. Croix. More than 50 local chefs, restaurants, farmers, caterers, brewers, distillers, wineries and more will line the streets offering tastes and sips to attendees. Purveyors will be showcasing the diverse and delectable cuisine and culture of St. Croix with its influences from all over the Caribbean and the world. Proceeds support many great local programs that promote the island’s hospitality industry and youth education in the culinary arts year-round. Attending this year’s event will help the Taste of St. Croix raise funds that support the local community, tickets are $95 per person and $150 for a VIP ticket. Learn more about the grand 20-year celebration at http://www.tasteofstcroix.com/.

Sade Meeks, Registered Dietitian and founder of the nonprofit GRITS Inc. (Growing Resilience In the South), recently announced the launch of the GRITS’ Resilience Box. The Resilience Box is a subscription box that will include local food products, healthy grocery store picks, and original recipe cards. This box not only supports local businesses, healthy eating, and food literacy skills, but it will also support the GRITS Nutrition Program.

The GRITS Nutrition Program will provide nutrition counseling by Registered Dietitians, healthcare practitioners formally trained and licensed to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy and nutrition counseling. GRITS will serve clients who cannot afford current private practice rates for Nutrition Counseling ($100 – $200 for an initial nutrition consult). GRITS will offer its services free of charge. GRITS Inc. is currently accepting clients in Nashville, TN, and plans to launch its program in Jackson MS soon. In the future, GRITS hopes to expand its support for diversity within the field of dietetics by connecting clients with dietitians of color nationwide.

Introducing a Young Lady to Cooking for the Holidays Too: Keeping the Family Legacy Alive by Michelle Marts-Shannon starts with an amazing introduction from the author discussing traditions, family and preserving family recipes. Almost everyone has memories of the smell and taste of a favorite food but never thought about asking for the recipe until it’s too late. This cookbook is a delightful book for young ladies of all ages. It helps give them a sense of identity and makes them aware of preserving family recipes, family traditions and family stories. Food often has the ability to bring families together and strengthen families. This informative cookbook has simple holiday recipes that anyone can follow, including cooking suggestions any aspiring cook can benefit from.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2020

Goya Foods, America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, offers $20,000 Culinary Arts and Food Science Scholarships, granted annually, to four students nationwide entering their freshman year of college with an undergraduate degree in culinary arts and/or a food science.

Goya’s Culinary Arts Scholarship is available on a competitive basis to students entering an accredited two-year or four-year institution. Scholarships are in the amount of $5,000 awarded per academic year starting in Fall 2020 and are renewable for up to three additional years provided the student remains eligible to receive funding, totaling $20,000.

“Goya has a long-standing history of giving back to the community and implementing educational programs to help strengthen the development and growth of our youth and educational systems,” says Peter Unanue, Executive Vice President of Goya Foods. “The Goya Scholarship Fund acts, not only as a symbol of our appreciation to our community, but helps promote the importance of higher education.”

Chef Michael Mina and Restaurateur Ayesha Curry Ignite Palates in Las Vegas with Globally Inspired Cuisine and Family-Style Cooking

Chef Michael Mina and restaurateur Ayesha Curry bring the heat from the kitchen to the table with their wildly popular dining concept International Smoke, now open at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. With family customs and global cooking techniques at its foundation, International Smoke celebrates culture and tradition with creative smoke-infused and wood-fired dishes.

Food
Curry and Mina have created dishes that embrace barbecue and cooking styles from around the world. Offering an array of roasted shellfish, starters and entrées designed for sharing, the menu accommodates groups celebrating any occasion. From large family gatherings, to girls’ night or date night, to catching a bite before the game, International Smoke is a place to gather for exceptional food and everlasting memories.

Snoop takes the starring role in Dunkin’s new national TV spot for the Beyond Sausage® Sandwich; Launch of The Beyond Collection by Dunkin’ x Snoop later this month.

It’s a Beyond Bash as Dunkin’ invites guests to enjoy free samples of the Beyond Sausage Sandwich at Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide January 24 and 25.

Dunkin’ is welcoming the new decade by shining the spotlight on one of its most significant menu introductions in recent brand history, the Beyond Sausage® Sandwich. In the starring role is none other than Beyond Meat® Ambassador/Investor Snoop Dogg, collaborating with Dunkin’ on a limited-time only menu hack and an online pop-up shop, and appearing in a new national TV spot. Dunkin’ is also throwing a Beyond Bash, welcoming guests to enjoy a complimentary sample of the Beyond Sausage® Sandwich on January 24 and January 25.