The Culinary Scoop

– Wine Road, Northern Sonoma County presents their 43rd Annual Barrel Tasting, offering two weekends of barrel sampling and the opportunity to purchase “futures” at over 80 wineries. The event takes place in the beautiful Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys, and is the perfect way for visitors to explore much of Sonoma County, March 6 – 8 and March 13 – 15, 2020 from 11am to 4pm.

During the event, weekend wine tasters may purchase “futures,” essentially a chance to buy, often at a discount, a wine that is still aging in the barrel now, then come back to the winery (or have the wine shipped) when the wine is bottled, typically within 12-18 months. Many wines are so limited, buying futures is the only chance to purchase them. In addition to sampling wine from the barrel, most wineries also provide pours of a limited number of current release wines.

By Wilbert Jones

Throughout 2019, plant-based food and beverage products monopolized nearly every segment of the retail and foodservice industry. A simple ingredient such as cauliflower gained lots popularity due to its functional versatility and nutritional value. Rice, mashed potatoes, pizza crust and gnocchi are mainstream products made with 100% cauliflower.

Last May, The National Restaurant Association celebrated its 100^th year which drew over 65,000 food professional attendees and over 2,300 exhibitors. A few of the show’s highlights noted were manufacturer Grecian Delight Foods’ ready carved natural Halal shawarma with meat choices of beef, chicken and lamb. The product line is made without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or MSG. These clean labeled meats are not only for pita sandwiches, they can be used as ingredients for salads, pizzas or appetizers.

The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) announced that it will partner with celebrated Bay Area chef and restaurateur Tanya Holland, founder of Oakland’s Brown Sugar Kitchen and former Top Chef contestant, to create a new café concept for the Museum: Town Fare by Tanya Holland. The new café is expected to open in August 2020. Part of a significant campus enhancement, which began in September 2019 and is now expected to be completed in early 2021, the renovations are focused on providing an increased number of amenities for visitors and the wider public, including updates to its gardens, improved public access to the campus achieved by creating an entrance along 12th Street, and the new café, which will now feature its own entrance and an ADA accessible ramp along 10th Street.

In anticipation of the building of the Museum’s garden entrance–which will be redesigned as part of the creation of the new campus entrance facing Oakland’s Lake Merritt–construction fencing will be installed along 10th Street near Fallon and along the 12th Street corridor. Demolition is expected to begin during the first week of March 2020. At the same time, construction will also begin on the new café. The Museum’s galleries remain open during these renovations.

Spirits Company Pernod Ricard Urges Consumers to Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly

On a day when people around the world have romance top of mind, Absolut is launching Drink Responsibly. #SexResponsibly – a bold new campaign to help spark a conversation on the role of consent in safe, healthy sex.

Using the chronology of a date to break down different stages of consent, the campaign puts a spotlight on how people do (or don’t) address consent in their own lives. From sliding into DMs, to buying someone a drink, to sharing a ride to the next destination, we make it clear that Only a Yes to Sex Is a Yes. Because sex without consent is sexual assault.

The campaign includes out of home, print, digital and social advertising – supported by a roster of influencers and a partnership with RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

Craig Watson, CEO and founder of Baked Cravings, is celebrating his third year in business. Located in New York City, the award-winning bakery focuses on delectable cupcakes, an extensive selection of cupcakes in a jar, a myriad of cookie choices, brownies, baked donuts and custom cakes. All of their products are 100 percent peanut and nut free to accommodate those with food allergies. The kosher sweets are always welcome, and gluten free options are available. In addition, a percentage from the sales can be donated to a charity of the customer’s choice.

The bakery’s alcohol-infused cupcakes in a jar became an overnight sensation and a go-to favorite. Customers can also design their own cupcakes and order custom logo cookies for corporate gifting.

Vegan travel is taking off. Many travelers want to maintain healthy eating habits while exploring new countries. Food has become an important part of a complete travel experience. It’s as crucial to tourists as other aspects of culture and the destination itself.

With the popularity of veganism increasing, travel companies are answering the diet-conscious call for healthier options. Countries with traditionally vegan-friendly cuisine may be welcoming more tourists as well, making vegan travel a big trend for 2020.

FlightHub and JustFly take a closer look at vegan travel below.

Why Vegan Travel?

Veganism is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for millennials. In fact, in the United States and Great Britain the number of consumers who identify as vegan has risen by more than 800 percent collectively since 2014. This plant-based lifestyle has plenty of benefits. Here’s a short but telling list:

• Personal health and well-being
• Can reduce world hunger
• Water conservation
• Soil conservation
• Air purification

Renowned Seattle restauranteur joins esteemed collective of celebrity chefs

To continue diversifying its culinary offerings and bring the best land-based culinary experiences to sea, Holland America Line is adding James Beard Award winner and acclaimed Seattle restaurateur Edouardo Jordan to its Culinary Council — a collection of varied, internationally renowned chefs who bring global influence to the cruise line’s dining experiences. 

Check out the video announcement.

Jordan’s “food with roots” approach will be showcased through signature, classic comfort dishes featured on the menus in the Dining Room and at Lido Market. The uniquely American fare will have Jordan’s own twist and style, with more flavorful options including JuneBaby’s macaroni and cheese with Newsom’s ham; collard greens and ham hocks; smothered fried chicken wings; Momma Jordan’s oxtails with mustard greens; chicken jambalaya; and an Alaska seafood gumbo.

Online program gives women all over the world the support needed to go vegan and get healthy for life

Award-winning author and public health nutritionist Tracye McQuirter, MPH, has been changing the landscape of health and wellness over the course of the last 30 years. Now, McQuirter is bringing her expertise to the world with her new program “10,000 Black Vegan Women.”  

Through a series of online 21-Day Vegan Fresh Starts throughout the year that include cooking videos, meal plans, vegan recipes, grocery shopping lists, meal prep guides, and nutrition tips, vegan expert Tracye McQuirter, MPH, will give black women the support they need to go vegan, get healthy, and feel great for life.

“The 10,000 Black Vegan Women program will help 10,000 African American women go vegan in 2020 to live longer, healthier lives,” says Tracye McQuirter. “Although we have a long history of being plant-based pioneers and activists, including Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Angela Davis and others, we also have the most to gain from the health benefits of eating plant-based foods because we experience the highest rates of preventable, diet-related diseases in the country.”