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CYNTHIA GRAUBART – AUTHOR, SLOW COOKING FOR TWO

New cookbook provides effortless meals for two using a 3 ½-quart slow cooker. A slow cooker is a perfect kitchen appliance for today's fast-paced lifestyle.  For large meals, a slow cooker can be fast and economical.  But what if you are single or there are only two of you?  How can a slow cooker work for you?  Award-winning cookbook author, Cynthia Graubart answers that question with a new cookbook that creates easy and delicious meals designed specifically for two people using a 3 ½ quart slow cooker.  Slow Cooking for Two: Basic, Techniques and Recipes (August 2013 Gibbs-Smith),  is perfect for busy people on the go, newlyweds, empty nesters, small apartment dwellers, and for use in unusual spaces where a slow cooker might be the only appliance available for cooking (i.e., vacation cabin, boat, RV).

This must-have cookbook shows home cooks how to create low maintenance, effortless meals using a smaller slow cooker with recipes running the gamut from soups and appetizers to main meals and desserts. Cynthia’s recipes do not call for browning or other additional preparation steps requiring another appliance such as a stove, oven or microwave. Each recipe is designed for two with a little leftover for lunch or perhaps a second light meal or a third drop-in diner. All of the ingredients can be found in local grocery stores, without an extra trip to a specialty store.  Cynthia has also included basic instructions for slow cooking and creative methods for 100 recipes, plus tips and techniques.

Recipes found in COOKING FOR TWO include: Lime Pot Roast, Cornish Game Hen in Port Wine and Fig Preserves, Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatloaf, Kale and Kielbasa Soup, Foil Pouch Lemon-Dill Salmon, Orange-Glazed Carrots with Tarragon, Spinach Lasagna, Chocolate Soufflé Cake, Banana Bread, Lemon Curd and many more.

And Cynthia debuts a ground-breaking method of recipes using slow cooker liners as cooking bags to cook two different meals in the same slow cooker. She’s calling them Double Dinners – a meal for tonight and a meal for later in the week, or for the freezer.

Meals for two have never been so easy, convenient or delicious. Cynthia Graubart turns a 3 ½-quart slow cooker into a multi-use cooking convenience.

James Beard Award winner Cynthia Graubart is passionate about bringing families together at the table. Co-author of three books, she is also a culinary television producer and cooking teacher. Her previous books include co-authoring Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking (2013 James Beard Award), and Southern Biscuits, both with Nathalie Dupree. Her first book was The One-Armed Cook: Quick and Easy Recipes, Smart Meal Plans, and Savvy Advice for New (and not-so-new) Moms.   Cynthia is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI) and has served on the board of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. She and her husband live in Atlanta, GA, and are now empty nesters and regular users of the smaller 3 ½ quart slow cooker.  For more information, visit her website, http://www.cynthiagraubart.com/.


CHEF CLAUD BELTRAN - "THE EATERY" - THE PASADENA GUMBO FESTIVAL

Noir Food & Wine.  Claud & Co. Catering. Why another endeavor? Why Claud & Co. Eatery?

“Because I’m crazy,” Chef Claud Beltran replies matter-of-factly. He smiles. “It was either that or make it into a storage room for the catering company. So, why not?”

We ask more questions. He answers easily, looks relaxed, not making us feels as though we’re eating up precious time that he doesn’t have, even though it’s already 5 p.m. and the Eatery is officially open. Claud looks to be in his element—in a restaurant, near his kitchen, about to do the thing he loves to do, which is cook.

Once we conclude the interview, Claud moseys into his kitchen, jokes and jibes with his staff, and leisurely gets ready for the evening. Chef de cuisine Eric Rouse is pouring white chocolate with green tea (and other ingredients we’re not allowed to share) into a mold, creating a small treat that will be served with the check. A bit later, we see Chef Claud slicing a watery-white colored block and inquire into its nature. “It’s turnip cake.”

RICHARD PINK – OWNER, PINK'S HOT DOGS

Pink's is probably the most famous hot dog stand in the country... certainly in Los Angeles! Located near the corner of Melrose and La Brea, Pink's can be found by looking for a crowd of people and following the aroma of fresh meaty chili and soft hot dog buns. Pink's is unlike any other hot dog stand in America. For example, it has its own parking lot attendant (parking is free). It has been in the same location for 71 years. It is not unusual to see a Rolls Royce pull up to Pink's (the chili dog ordered will be for the occupant, not the chauffeur!). Movie stars, well-known dignitaries, struggling musicians, businessmen, housewives, school children... all have savored Pink's Famous Chili Dogs. Paul Pink started his hot dog stand in 1939. It was only a large-wheeled pushcart in those days. The depression was on and money was scarce. Pink's chili dogs, complete with a large warm bun, oversized hot dog, mustard, onions and thick chili sold for 10 cents each. His hot dog wagon was located in "the country", rolling hills of weeds and open spaces. That was the corner of La Brea and Melrose seventy-one years ago! Times have changed, but not Pink's. Oh, in 1946 Paul Pink did trade his hot dog wagon in for a small building (constructed on the vary same spot where the wagon had stood). But the stand hasn't changed since those days. Today, Pink's chili dogs sell for $3.30 each (with inflation and the shrinking dollar, they are a better bargain now than in 1939!). Pink's still gives that very same quality now as then... mouth-watering chili, generously topping an all-beef hot dog with mustard and onions. Quality and service (an average Pink's chili dog can be ordered, prepared and delivered to the customer in less than 30 seconds!) have been the two reasons Pink's has not only survived, but become famous. Pink's Hot Dog Stand is a quick lunch, a nostalgic trip into the past, and a delicious experience. It is definitely a landmark in Hollywood! Do you take phone orders? No, but when you come in, our service is pretty fast, and you'll know the food is fresh (and hot) because you can watch us make it. www.pinkshollywood.com


GINA DART – MARKETING & SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER, DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ASSOC. - PROMENADE BEER & WINE FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 21ST

The Downtown Long Beach Associates is presenting the Promenade Beer & Wine Festival in partnership with Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, District Wine, Wine Down Lounge and the Wine Bar, on Saturday, September 21 from 5pm -10pm. The event will celebrate the growth of wine bars and craft beer brewed, sold and savored in Long Beach as well as the diverse culinary options. The event will take place on Downtown Long Beach’s newly completed Promenade, home of Michael's Pizzeria, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Harvelle's, Congregation Ale House, The Stave and Wokcano.

Tickets to the event includes unlimited 3oz beer & wine tastings* (while supplies last), and 10 food tastings, a souvenir tasting glass, a full line-up of live local bands, including Moonsville Collective, and free bike valet.
To purchase tickets or learn more about Promenade Beer and Wine Festival and other DLBA events, please visit www.downtownlongbeach.org or call 562-436-4259.

Christina Fontecchio - The Boss Cigars - Crush & Roll West in Paso Robles

For the 5th year in a row, cigar connoisseurs and wine enthusiasts will gather in Paso Robles for the Central California Coast’s premiere festival, Crush & Roll West. This celebration of premium cigars, premium wine and the good life, takes place Sept. 6-7, 2013 in the heart of the Central Coast wine country. In addition to sampling world-class cigars and wines, attendees will learn the finer points of both from expert vintners and cigar manufacturers.

This year once again, both the Friday evening and Saturday events will be held at the Paso Robles Event Center, which is home to hundreds of events throughout the year, including the yearly California Mid-State Fair. The Event Center is right off the 101 freeway and is easily accessible from any of the fine Paso Robles hotels and motels. Cost for the two-day event is $140 and there are separate prices for Friday-only, Saturday-only and an Early-bird special. Activities include complimentary cigar and wine tasting, cigar rolling demonstrations, seminars, raffles, auctions, poker tourney, music, and much more.

www.crushandrollwest.com

The Boss Cigars and Gifts, was established December of 2007. Inside our small quaint building, we have a lounge with leather furniture and a 10 x 10 walk-in humidor. We carry both mainstream cigars and niche brands that are produced in limited quantities. If you don’t see what you smoke, you can ask us to order it special for you and we would be happy to do that with a deposit. We have lockers to rent for $120.00 a year or for $169.00 with the MOB Membership. We offer our customers free water, soda or coffee and we have a 48” TV for your entertainment. Our lounge is a very comfortable atmosphere where you will meet other, like-minded cigar enthusiasts. We have had many friendships built and many of our customers have become like family.

Over the last four and a half years, we have created a MOB club (Members of the Boss). The MOB is an annual club that starts every year in June. It is $69.00 a year and is prorated depending on the month you join. Each month we will be promoting a new cigar and each member will receive one free cigar a month. The MOB will have an event at the store, or a local wine bar, once a month and will be advertising it through email blasts to our members and our Facebook page.

www.thebosscigars.com


Matt Kepnes (aka Nomadic Matt) – Author, Travel Expert

Matthew Kepnes runs the award winning budget travel site, Nomadic Matt. He got the travel bug after a trip to Costa Rica in 2004, and decided to quit his job, finish his MBA and travel the world. He is also the author of the book, How to Travel the World on $50 a Day, and his advice has appeared on such sites as National Geographic’s, CNN, BBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Nomad, vagabond, and author showing people travel can be inexpensive in hopes of inspiring them to explore their world.

•    How to Save Money on Your Trip
•    Be Prepared for Life on the Road
•    Learn How to Get Cheap Airfare
•    Find Great, Affordable Accommodation
•    Couples Travel Advice
•    How to Plan Your Activities
•    And much more

www.nomadicmatt.com



STEVE EVANS   "THE MOVIE GUY"

GREAT MOVIES OPENING THIS WEEKEND AND BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS AND HOPES. FIND OUT WHAT MOVIES ARE WORTH YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. GET SET FOR THE WEEKEND.

Long Trinh - Sales Manager, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Long is an expert when it comes to kitchen appliances! Trained around the world, directly from their manufactures, Long has worked for Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center in sales and management for 9 years.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, a premier dealer of brand name appliances, carries the most popular and innovative products at its two San Fernando Valley locations and is a one-stop design showroom for all your kitchen needs. Each month Universal offers cooking demonstrations, and on September 7th, from 12 – 4PM is the first ever Universal Discoveries event: The Limitless Kitchen with Celebrity Chef Michael Voltaggio! The Studio City showroom plays host while Voltaggio displays his dazzling culinary expertise and signs copies of his latest book. Cocktails, wine, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, door prizes, hundreds of sale prices on appliance and plumbing fixtures, no-interest financing for 12 month, and much more! Visit www.uakc.com for more information.


LARRY LIPSON - COSTA RICA      

For fifty years Larry Lipson was the food critic for the Los Angeles Daily News and now reports from Costa Rica weekly with his thoughts and favorite picks for Food & Wine.  His lovely Wife Lillian is also on hand at the Lipson Institute for advanced wine studies. 

Tim Foley – Co-Founder of Truxton’s Restaurant

Timothy Foley currently owns Foley Capital & Hospitality Group. Foley Capital & Hospitality owns and operates Truxtons American Bistro, TUX Event Productions, Parkers Restaurant, O's American Kitchen, and consults on various mergers and acquisitions activity in the hospitality space. Prior to founding Foley Capital & Hospitality Group, Timothy worked for over 20 years in hospitality, event producing and marketing specializing in business development and branding.

The Truxton's American Bistro experience is designed to deliver the highest quality and most flavorful dishes, at your place or ours. Our classic and ethnic assortment of healthful to sinful menu items is accompanied by an extensive wine and beverage menu topped off with memorable service.

Truxton’s is thrilled to announce the opening of their new location at 1329 Santa Monica Blvd. With two great locations serving up unique flavors from around the world, you'll never miss out on your favorite dishes. Join us at our original location in Westchester near LAX or now in Santa Monica!

www.truxtonsamericanbistro.com

LARRY VAN AALST - SOMMELIER

LARRY HOSTS A WEEKLY PROGRAM ON CRN AND ALSO IS AN EXPERT ON WINE WHO IS SOUGHT AFTER FOR EVENTS, TASTES AND MAJOR SOMMELIER EVENTS IN  THE SAM FRANCISCO AREA. HE COMMENTS ON THE INDUSTRY AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT WINE.




CHEF MARK ESTEE - 28TH ANNUAL LAKE TAHOE AUTUMN FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

Come enjoy three full days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tastings, and more at the 28th Annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food & Wine Festival in the Village at Northstar™.

Location: The Village at Northstar
From: Friday, September 06, 2013
To: Sunday, September 08, 2013

Kaanapali Fresh - A Culinary Experience - August 30 & 31 2013! Kāʻanapali Beach Resort presents the second annual Kāʻanapali Fresh, a two-day summer event highlighting Kāʻanapali as the premium spot for exquisite cuisine, meaningful experiences, and superb activities, August 30 and 31, 2013. The entire resort comes together to offer visitors exciting opportunities to sample chefs’ menus, learn about Grown on Maui products with Maui’s farmers, savor the beauty of Kāʻanapali, play on the beach, and simply enjoy the rich history of the land. Only Kāʻanapali offers this unique culmination of culinary creativity, memorable experience, and array of choices in land- and ocean adventure. Mark your calendars today!


 
Chef Alan Wong - Hawaii Food & Wine

Warren Shon - Southern Wine & Spirits


Chandra Lam Lucariello, Mixologist Southern Wine & Spirits

Ikaika Manaku - Executive Sous Chef



 














To learn more about Kaanapali Fresh go to kaanapalifresh.com