The Culinary Scoop

In response to a growing demand for information and application of a plant-based diet, St. Louis, MO will be home to the nation’s first fully plant-based nutrition and culinary education center – the Center for Plant-based Living (CPBL) which opened on August 13.

Caryn Dugan, AKA STL Veg Girl, (http://stlveggirl.com/) adopted the diet in 2008 in response to both her father’s untimely passing from cancer and her own diagnosis exactly 10 weeks later. She soon became St. Louis’s official plant-based nutrition, culinary and lifestyle go-to gal.

Over the years Dugan earned her spurs as she sought out the gold standard in plant-based nutrition and culinary education. She shares this information with the St. Louis community through in-person classes in several venues; presentations, including collaborations with Washington University physicians; hosting a plant-based nutrition summit at Washington University; and though regular morning television show segments.

All-star panelists include series host Andrew Zimmern and chefs Rick Bayless, Traci Des Jardins, Dan Giusti, and Kwame Onwuachi

The Culinary Institute of America announces celebrity chef speakers and programming for Conversations at Copia, hosted by four-time James Beard award-winning TV personality, author and chef Andrew Zimmern. Held at The CIA at Copia in downtown Napa, this new live talk series brings together pioneers and innovators within the world of food to share their stories of positive change.

The topic kicking off the 2019 series on September 7 is Culture & Cuisine.

Chefs will come together to discuss the question, “What does it mean to be authentic and who gets to cook what?” Featuring Mexican cuisine expert Rick Bayless from Frontera, modern soul food trailblazer Tanya Holland from Brown Sugar Kitchen, Emiliana Puyana, program manager at La Cocina, and Michael Twitty, author of The Cooking Gene, the conversation will center on how chefs prove their authority around a specific cuisine and how they are adopting, embracing, and immersing themselves in the cultures that have inspired their cooking.

Earlier this month I had a chance to hang out with the Francis Ford Coppola Winery team for a day of food, wine and baseball.  Although I am not much of a baseball fan, it has always been the food and company that tend to get me out to a ball game. As some of my favorite wines, I couldn’t pass this opportunity up.

Adorned in co-branded baseball paraphernalia, the private suite was fit for a special occasion such as this with offerings that included two of my favorites, the Diamond Collection and Sofia. Wings, mac and cheese, sliders, salads, fruits and a dessert bar to die for, I couldn’t help but mumble to myself, “Now this is how you watch a game.”

But there was another reason why the team came all the way down from Geyserville.  It was also to celebrate the winery’s partnership with the Oakland A’s and the launch of the Batter’s Box that gives those who are fans of both more to love.  Now through September, fans can subscribe to have the box sent directly to their home.  Inside the debut box is a wine and baseball lover’s dream that includes:

There are several reasons why 25.8 million tourists came to San Francisco in 2018, and I can place a safe bet that food is one of them.  On any given day or weekend, tourists, as well as all of us who call the Bay Area home, are lured by tastemakers who are redefining creativity with their dining concepts, some of the best farmers’ markets in the country and of course the weather.  And if you want to know where all of the city’s foodies will be this coming Saturday, that is easy to answer too; Eat Drink SF organized by the Golden Gate Restaurant Association.

Going into its eleventh year, Eat Drink SF presented by JetBlue is set to once again celebrate world-class chefs and restaurants from San Francisco and neighboring communities on Saturday, August 24 with two grand tastings.  As San Francisco’s premier food and drink festival, it is absolutely the best time to make a list and then check off restaurants you have been trying to get to so far this year.

Avocados from Peru hosts classes at Bin 37 at the ShopRite of Greater Morristown and debut with a special Avocados from Peru themed class

Fans can cook alongside Jets Legends and Learn from Bin 37’s All-Pro Chefs

Throughout the 2019 season, the New York Jets will host the seventh annual Jets Cooking School, beginning with the Jets’ favorite superfood, Avocados from Peru, themed class on Thursday, August 15. Jets Cooking School is supported by Calandra’s, Clorox, Green Giant, and Victorinox Swiss Army and are only open to Jets season ticket holders and partners.  

For the second season, Jets Cooking School will be located at Bin 37 within the ShopRite of Greater Morristown. Jets season ticket holders can cook, drink and eat alongside Bin 37’s all-pro chefs and Jets Legend Tony Richardson, while also watching the team play their preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Embark on a Culinary Tour of Miami Beach with Specialty Menu Offerings from Destination Restaurants in August and September

It’s the most delicious time of the year on Miami Beach with the return of Miami Spice. Now through September 30, foodies are invited to dig in to Miami Beach’s eclectic and global culinary style at participating Miami Beach restaurants that are offering pre-fix menus for lunch ($23) and dinner ($39). Visitors can taste their way through a collection of restaurants including iconic destinations and award-winning newcomers bringing bold flavors and experiences to the table.

“Miami Beach is without a doubt a culinary destination and a melting pot of cultures, traditions and cooking styles,” says Steve Adkins, Chairman of The Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA). “Visitors can expect travel-worthy meals and experiences rooted in regional influences.”

Two Kids Dine Free With One Adult Dinner Purchase At Domestic Texas de Brazil Locations

Families squeezing last-minute summer fun into the schedule are invited to enjoy the lively rodizio-style dining available at Texas de Brazil Churrascarias at a delicious savings. From Monday, August 12through Thursday, August 15, Churrasco for Kids evenings at Texas de Brazil’s domestic locations offer two complimentary dinners for children 12 and under with one adult full dinner purchase.

“Churrasco is meant to be enjoyed by groups of family and friends and we always look forward to offering this back-to-school offer each year,” says Salim Asrawi, president and chief operating officer for the family-owned Texas de Brazil brand. “It’s a great way to connect with one another before school schedules take over, and fun to watch the kids’ enthusiastic reactions to our costumed gauchos carving freshly-grilled meats at each table,” he adds.

Texas de Brazil treats every guest to a full rodizio-style dining experience that begins at the expansive salad area filled with chef-made salads, artisan breads, imported cheeses, fresh buffalo mozzarella, steamed asparagus with marmalade sauce, Brazilian hearts of palm, spicy shrimp salad, sushi, sautéed mushrooms, feijoada (black beans), jasmine rice, Moqueca (Brazilian coconut fish stew), lobster bisque and much more. It’s a steakhouse even vegetarians love.™

Nature, Beaches, Food & Drink, Landmarks and Culture are the five top global reasons to travel, according to new research from Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing digital travel companies.

Whether travelers are looking for nature or attractions, gastronomy or culture, now with Agoda Travel Guides they can easily research and explore destinations on their mobile or desktop. The initial launch includes guides to five popular cities including Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, Osaka, and Paris, with plans to significantly extend the number of travel guides by the end of 2019.

The in-depth Agoda Travel Guides are a veritable goldmine of insider information, featuring insights catered to helping different types of travelers plan their trips. In the 2019 Usage and Attitude Survey from Agoda, Food & Drink was cited the most popular reason to travel for North Asians (67%) and Southeast Asians (61%), with Japan, South Korea and Singapore choosing Food & Drink as their leading reason to take a trip. Gourmands will find the Agoda Travel Guides especially handy, whether they are looking for the best restaurant in Seoul, essential must-try Japanese food in Tokyo or family-friendly gastronomy in Taipei.