Barry Callebaut, a leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, announced that 15 courses at its Chocolate Academy in Chicago have been approved for continuing education hours through the American Culinary Federation (ACF). From introductory courses on the origins of chocolate to specialized classes on molding, enrobing and sculpting techniques, the Chocolate Academy’s one-of-a-kind training is specifically designed to encourage participants to apply and broaden their technical skills under the guidance of trained master chocolatiers. The small classes are taught in a personal setting that encourages participants to share their unique experience and knowledge about the latest chocolate-making trends with other participants.Courses at Barry Callebaut's Chicago Chocolate Academy are also eligible for continuing education credit through the Research Chefs Association.
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The Wisconsin Restaurant Association's Wisconsin Restaurant Expo has launched a new area for the upcoming show March 9 to 11, 2009, called the Go Green! Pavilion. This pavilion makes it easy for foodservice executives to find the tools they need to create environmentally and economically sound operations. The area will include:
  • the Go Green! resource center with service organizations offering advice on incorporating green initiatives into foodservice establishments
  • ongoing quick educational sessions on green topics
  • energy-use evaluations provided from free from Focus on Energy
  • exhibits with green solutions
For more information or to register, visit the Web site.
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The competition was stiff and the eggnog ingredients as diverse as cardamom pods and coconut syrup at the inaugural Northwest Eggnog Competition held at Elephants Delicatessen in Portland. The winning eggnog recipe unanimously chosen by the panel of judges was created by Zorn Matson, the bar manager at Thatch Tiki Bar in Portland. Matson's eggnog recipe included St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram liquor, freshly crushed allspice, cardamom pods, George Dickel Tennessee Whiskey, grated nutmeg, Pampero Anniversario rum, heavy cream, milk and 18 local free-range large chicken eggs.

The Northwest Eggnog Competition was the idea of Elephants manager Nicholas Doughty who wanted to kick off the holiday season with a festive community event.
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The recipe in this news item was mentioned in People & Places
(page 8) of the February 2009 issue of
Chef Magazine.

Members of the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Food and Culinary Professionals (FCP) practice group participated in a 2008 “Fast, Fresh & Flavorful” recipe contest sponsored by CanolaInfo. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three submissions that were both healthy and delicious.

Criteria for the contest recipes were that they must include at least 2 tablespoons of 100-percent pure canola oil, use 12 or fewer ingredients that are readily available and be low in calories, total and saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol per serving.

Linda Simon, personal chef and registered dietitian in Janesville, Wis., won the grand prize with her “White Fish with Herb Duxelle” (recipe below). She received an all-expense paid trip to the ADA annual meeting and $1,000 for her fish and veggie creation made with canola oil. Her award was announced at the FCP reception on Oct. 26 at the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago.

“Canola oil is my go-to oil,” Simon said in a press release. “I use it for baked goods, entrées and even healthy treats. Its neutral flavor easily combines with everything. And since it has a healthy fat profile, I feel great about choosing canola oil.”

Runners up in the contest were registered dietitians Kristina Keilson of The Woodlands, Texas, and Kim Galeaz of Indianapolis, Ind. Keilson won the best vegetarian entrée with her “Barley and Carmelized Veggies” recipes. Galeaz topped the side dish/snack food category with her “Asian Sweet and Sour Bean Salad.” They each received $500. All contest winners had their recipes published in the 2009 CanolaInfo calendar and online.


White Fish with Herbed Duxelle
Linda Simon, RD and personal chef, Janesville, Wis.
Image courtesy of CanolaInfo

Yield: 6 servings

1 package (8 oz.) fresh mushrooms
1 shallot, finely chopped
4 green onions, chopped
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
1 t. chopped fresh thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste
3/4 c. dry breadcrumbs
2 T. canola oil
1 can (14 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 lbs. white fish

Method (1) In a food processor, mince mushrooms until finely chopped. In a large dry saucepan, cook mushrooms over medium heat until the moisture is gone and mushrooms are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. (2) Remove mushrooms from heat, and add shallots, green onions, parsley, thyme, salt, pepper, breadcrumbs and canola oil. Mix well. Set duxelle mixture aside. (3) Spread crushed tomatoes in a lightly oiled 9x13" baking pan. Stir in balsamic vinegar. Place fish fillets on top of tomatoes. Spoon duxelle mixture over fish, covering fillets. (4) Bake in 400°F oven for 15-20 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and the mushroom mixture is lightly browned. Nutritional analysis based on 6 servings: calories 240, total fat 8 g, saturated fat 1.5 g, cholesterol 55 mg, sodium 350 mg, carbohydrate 17 g, fiber 2 g, protein 27 g
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President George W. Bush "pardons" the National Thanksgiving Turkey named "Pumpkin" (a 20-week old, 45-pound tom) in a White House Ceremony, as he and National Turkey Federation chairman Paul Hill (left) and Nathan Hill (right) celebrated the 61st anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation.

"Pumpkin" and his alternate, "Pecan," were raised using normal feeding and other production techniques on Nathan Hill’s farm in Ellsworth, Iowa. After the ceremony, the birds were flown first class on United Airlines to the Disneyland in California, where the National Thanksgiving Turkey will be the grand marshal of "Disney’s Thanksgiving Day Parade." After the parade, guests will be able to visit the turkeys at Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland at Disneyland.
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After a successful nationwide expansion in 2008, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF has announced the return of the Tap Project during World Water Week 2009 (March 22 to 28). The Tap Project, a grassroots initiative to provide clean water to children around the world, invites restaurants to participate by encouraging their customers to donate $1 for the tap water they normally get for free. Now in its third year, the Tap Project will again be a national campaign with additional efforts in Canada and Puerto Rico.

As in years past, participating restaurants will receive a project toolkit containing materials that briefly describe the Tap Project and invite customers to support UNICEF water programs by adding a donation of $1 per person to their bill.

For 2009, UNICEF will now offer varying levels of participation, which restaurants determine in advance based on a minimum pledge commitment. Each level will reflect the restaurant’s goal, the materials they receive in their toolkit and their incentives. Packages include:

Silver:
  • Minimum $50 pledge
  • Restaurant Activation Kit, including a Restaurant User Guide, Point-of-Sale materials (such as posters, window clings, choice of donation cards or table tents) and Server Tip Cards
  • Inclusion on www.tapproject.org “find a participating restaurant” feature
  • Certificate of Recognition
Gold:
  • Minimum $250 pledge
  • All of the above benefits from the Silver package
  • Customizable Tap Project electronic e-mail to send to existing databases to promote involvement in the campaign
  • Three Tap Project t-shirts to use as part of a server incentive program (or other use of choice)
Platinum:
  • Minimum $500 pledge
  • All of the above benefits from the Gold and Silver packages
  • Five Tap Project t-shirts to use as part of a server incentive program (or other use of choice)
  • Inclusion in a national print ad that will run prior to World Water Week in USA Today
For more information or to become involved, visit www.tapproject.org.
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The Massachusetts Restaurant Association honored five people at its 19th Annual Massachusetts Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards Dinner, sponsored by the National Restaurant Association, held at Anthony's Pier 4 in Boston. The individuals were recognized because they have exhibited extraordinary dedication to the hospitality industry in Massachusetts. Hall of Fame honorees are chosen by the people in the foodservice industry to give recognition to their peers.The 2008 honorees are: Steve DiFillippo, Davio’s and Avila; Brian J. McLaughlin, D’Angelo sandwich shops; Robert Murray, Café Escadrille; and Bob and Ted Rubin, Ruby Wines Inc.
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