The Culinary Scoop

Smirnoff Party Pitch Will Make Consumers’ Fourth of July Party Dreams an Epic Reality with Smirnoff Red, White & Berry

It’s your Party (Pitch) – and you can do it up how you want to! To celebrate the return of the summer fan favorite Smirnoff Red, White & Berry, the brand is launching Smirnoff Party Pitch featuring a panel of fun experts to review consumers’ ideas for the ultimate red, white & blue Fourth of July bash. With the help of the party panel, Smirnoff hopes to find the most exciting, outrageous, silly and wild ideas to celebrate America where the possibilities for fun are limitless – all with responsible drinking in mind, of course. Contestant finalists 25 years and older will get the chance to pitch their patriotic party to a panel comprised of some of the most fun-loving people around:

• LGBTQ reality television star and dancing queen, Alyssa Edwards  
• Comedian, actor and life of the party, Nicole Byer 
• Reality television star, real estate mogul and party-thrower extraordinaire, Ryan Serhant
• Digital creator, dance aficionado and host, Megan Batoon

Smirnoff Party Pitch is the latest extension of Smirnoff’s “Welcome to the Fun%” campaign and is redefining what typical exclusive summer parties look like by asking consumers to think of creative party concepts that bring everyone together with Smirnoff Red, White & Berry at the center.

Join fellow wine lovers for an opportunity to journey through the region’s diverse showcase of fine wines, artisanal foods, enchanting destinations, and unique experiences. Take a deep dive into epic pinot noirs, robust reds, crisp whites, and bring-it-on bubbles. Pack home a cache of
collectibles at this intimate celebration of the people and products that define the Mendocino difference.

More than 30 Mendocino County wineries, both large and small, will be pouring their best wines paired with the region’s top toques and artisanal food producers serving up delicious samples of the county’s legendary agricultural bounty. Browse the outdoor mercantile for fresh fish, cheeses, vegetable starts, woolen products, and more.

Tickets now on sale for starry constellation of wine, food and music

Tickets are now available for the 39th annual Auction Napa Valley, the American Wine Classic. Hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) nonprofit association to raise funds for community health and children’s education, this year’s Auction Napa Valley takes place May 30-June 2, 2019. Details, including ticket package options, can be found at auctionnapavalley.org.

The one and only Katy Perry will launch spirited bidding at Saturday’s Live Auction Celebration with a selection of her biggest hits.

The main event of the weekend, the Live Auction Celebration is held on the verdant grounds at Meadowood Napa Valley. This is the big show under the big tent where bidders vie for Napa Valley’s finest wines, far-flung adventures and treasures of the rarest kind.

 QuirkyCruise.com co-founders Heidi Sarna and Ted Scull have 50 years combined experience as travel writers. Their journeys have taken them to the far corners of the globe in the pursuit of adventure, enlightenment, and good old-fashioned fun. It’s no surprise that fans, friends, and family have been just a wee bit envious of their gig.

“I’m grateful to enjoy a career that allows me to do what I love so much — writing, traveling and meeting new people,” Heidi says.

Yes, it’s true, travel writing can be glamorous, thrilling, and a great way to see the world. And it’s also true there are pesky deadlines, persnickety editors and writers’ block to contend with, but alas, travel writers persevere in the name of “research!”

If you are into health and wellness, it is really hard not to hear the word kombucha.  Within the last five years or so, I would say the fermented tea drink has really gained mainstream attention with various brands now sold at most retailers and coffee shops.  For some, the taste may take a minute to get used to as you tell yourself how good it is for you. After all, with each sip, you’re consuming a rich dose of probiotics and antioxidants. Other benefits noted but not medically proven include the possibiity that it “may” help with the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes.

From what history tells us, kombucha has been consumed for thousands of years and thought to originate in either China or Japan. Today, there are more than 10 brands on the shelves with more waiting to introduce themselves in the future.  I have personally tried at least five of them with Revive Kombucha being one of my favorites for the smoothness and flavor. I am especially hooked on the Hibiscus Refresher.

The Low Carb Lifestyle Show brings Toronto’s low carb community together celebrating the popular low carb lifestyle. Low carb, paleo, diabetic and keto enthusiasts can sample foods, drinks and products that will satisfy their cravings.

The quest for creative ways to reduce carbs and sugar continues in 2019.  The Low Carb Lifestyle Show gives consumers a chance to see, sip and sample what’s new in the low carb marketplace.  Local vendors showcase delicious eats and treats, everything from snacks, cookies, chocolate, donuts, drinks, non-alcoholic beer, pizza, buns, pies, food delivery to name a few.

“This event will help connect people, get questions answered and provide education so their specific issues can be tackled and health goals achieved.” Eoin Carroll, Founder Phat Nutrition.

Tourists planning to visit the new Museum of Black Civilization in Dakar, Senegal should also take a moment to check out Chez Alpha Books, an English bookstore committed to writers from The Diaspora, fiction /non–Wfiction stories related to the history, and experiences of people from The Diaspora along with other world literature.

Chez Alpha Books is an African-American/Senegalese venture led by Angela Franklin-Faye, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio living in Dakar. Historically Senegal is a Francophone country, yet several years ago Franklin started selling books in English. She comments, “It was never about one language having priority over another. At that time, there was a growing interest in English, and we wanted to be able to provide a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction books to that audience as all the bookstores in Dakar were selling books in French. Also, the diverse and empowering stories we wanted to share were more easily accessible in English. At present, Chez Alpha Books is adding more titles in Wolof, French, Arabic and other languages that reflect the stories and images we want to share with our reading community.”

Slush Naturals® kicks off its 6th anniversary at Whole Foods with a new part owner

The Slush Naturals Company, Inc., a purveyor of vegan certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, all-natural beverages infused with fruit/vegetable juices and plant essence, is happy to announce that GRAMMY^® Award-winning producer, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, recording artist, TV star and So So Def’s founder, Jermaine Dupri has become a minority shareholder.

“Slush Naturals^® proudly creates healthy beverages, said Slush Naturals^® founder Avis Prince.  “Jermaine is committed to a clean vegan lifestyle and was eager to learn more about the natural beverage industry after falling in love with our products.  We connected.” 

“After watching Food, Inc., I cleansed for 25 days and never felt better,” said Dupri.  “As a result, I became vegan and have continued the lifestyle for 14 years.  I realized the incredible opportunity with Slush Naturals^® to put a deliciously wholesome, vegan certified drink in every person’s hands. I want the world to have the mental clarity and energy to live their best life, and Slush Naturals^® can be a tasty component.” said the living legend.