Wednesday, February 22, 2012
News The other Big Boi and his sauce
Posted by Stephanie Dazey on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 2:50 PM
For any self-respecting ATLien, the name Big Boi means something. Big Boi is a member of the iconic hip-hop duo, Outkast. He is a Georgia boy that helped put Atlanta's music on the map, and give our city a national voice. Yeah, we claim Big Boi, and yeah, we're proud.
But for all the things that Big Boi is: an A-town icon, dirty South rapper, alleged little blue pill and MDMA dabbler, we for sure know one thing that he is NOT: a weekend barbecue man slingin' sauce from Ft. Meyers, Fla.
That "Big Boi" is actually a dude named Curtis J. Sheard, barbecue enthusiast, and owner of Big Boi's BBQ, a wholesale food manufacturing company who launched their line of specialty BBQ sauces and rubs today. Why the same spelling? Sheard did not comment on the matter, however, he did confirm that he had no ties to our own Daddy Fat Sax/ General Patton/ Sir Lucious L. Leftfoot etc. "No," said Sheard via email, "we're not affliated with the rapper at all."
The company's bio mentions the name, but offers no further enlightenment as to its origins: "There, in my parents' front yard I decided on the name Big Boi's BBQ."
Apparently, the awesome marketing power of achieving alliteration while simultaneously evoking the notoriety of an unrelated celebrity was, in this case, too much to resist.
Travel Willy Wonka & the Tapas Factory: a meal at é by José Andrés
Posted by Brad Kaplan on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 10:39 AM
News Would you eat a test-tube burger?
Posted by Stephanie Dazey on Wed, Feb 22, 2012 at 9:00 AM
Dutch stem cell scientist Dr. Mark Post from the University of Maastricht, plans to unveil the world's first test-tube burger as early as Oct. 2012. That's right, people: in vitro— it's not just for baby-making anymore.
According to Time, here's how the process works:
Scientists biopsy stem or satellite muscle cells from a livestock animal, such as a chicken, cow or pig. The cells are then placed in a nutrient-rich medium where they divide and multiply, and are then attached to a scaffolding structure and put in a bioreactor to grow. In order to achieve the texture of natural muscle, the cells must be physically stretched and flexed, or exercised, regularly. After several weeks, voila, you have a thin layer of muscle tissue that can be harvested and processed into ground beef, chicken or pork, depending on the origin of the cells.
The Guardian reports that as of right now, "Dr. Post is still working with unappetising half-millimetre thick strips of lab-grown meat that are pinky-yellow in colour." Post and his team, however, remain confident that "over the course of this year he will produce a burger virtually indistinguishable" from the real thing. Indistinguishable, that is, except for the in vitro burger's price tag: a staggering 250,000 euros, or approximately $330,000 per sandwich.
The Guardian also reports that once this "virtually indistinguishable" lab meat makes its debut, chef Heston Marc Blumenthal, owner of The Fat Duck, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, will have the honor of cooking the world's first test-tube burger. "The current plan is for Blumenthal to cook it for a mystery guest, to be chosen by the research project's anonymous funder."
What does PETA have to say about all this? In the face of a viable meat product that doesn't come from killing animals, one may be so inclined to inquire where the ubiquitous vegan organization stands on the issue. Interestingly, you may remember that in 2008, PETA launched a competition offering a "$1 million prize to the contest participant able to make the first in vitro chicken meat and sell it to the public by June 30, 2012."
More after the jump
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Restaurants King & I changes hands
Posted by Cliff Bostock on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 12:54 PM
The restaurant changed hands recently. Renowned chef Tyson Wong Ophaso is now associated with it, but exactly how is unclear at this writing. He also had a role in the recently closed Straits.
I was anxious to try the new incarnation, although friends told me that prices had increased substantially. I didn't really find that to be true. My green curry (pictured) was $8.50.
What does seem to have changed a bit is the quality. Our curries were watery to the point that a substantial amount of rice wouldn't absorb the liquid. On the other hand, I liked that the green curry was a bit more spicy-hot than the usual in Thai restaurants that cater to the vanilla of palate. The meat choices include pork, which I ordered. I'd stick with chicken.
Tom Phing, the former owner, is still operating Zen on Ten in the Westside.
News James Beard Award semifinalists announced
Posted by Besha Rodell on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 11:30 AM
- James Camp
- Hugh Acheson is one of the local chefs on the James Beard Awards shortlist
It should be noted that the list of semifinalists is not the list of nominees - the two often get confused, even by the people on the list. The semifinalist list simply gives us the pool from which the judges will be picking the nominees.
On the list this year are:
Both Aaron Russell of Restaurant Eugene and Cynthia Wong of Empire State South, for Outstanding Pastry Chef
Both the Porter Beer Bar and Holeman and Finch Public House for Outstanding Bar Program
Kevin Gillespie for Rising Star Chef
Five and Ten in Athens for Outstanding Wine Program
And for Best Chef in the Southeast, Hugh Acheson of Empire State South and Five and Ten, Billy Allin of Cakes and Ale, and Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene.
You can see the full list of semifinalists here.
UPDATE: Somehow yesterday I missed the fact that Mike Klank and Eddie Hernandez of Taqueria del Sol were also shortlisted in the Outstanding Restaurateur category. Which, I have to say, I find more than a little odd, but apparently this is the second year they've been shortlisted. So. Apologies.
Food media Food Media Roundup, 2/21/12: Atlanta Chef's Expo winners, Sips from Starbucks, Food writing angst, Kessler reviews Latitude
Posted by Vene Franco on Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 10:20 AM
- James Camp
- Latitude, which was reviewed by John Kessler this past week
Nothing gets by the keen eye of shutterbug, bon vivant, and Decatur foodie Carl Black, who recently spotted PHOTAmerica's presence at a Starbucks in Jackson, Miss. — the road trip project is on a year-long mission, capturing a collage of images and opinions about how people feel in modern day America. Speaking of the coffeehouse chain, What Now Atlanta reports Starbucks will replace the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins on Ponce in the Midtown Place shopping center, which also includes a Home Depot store. Soon you'll be able to pick up an espresso macchiato for you and your day laborer friends, some of whom may be wondering how much you can actually spend on one drink at a Starbucks. (The answer: $23.60, according to Eater National's 'Buckswire.)
So, one minute you're drinking tea, the next you're soul searching and contemplating the writing process. If you write about food (or anything, really) you'll appreciate this weekend blog post from Atlanta food stylist Running With Tweezers.
And thanks to Star Provisions cheesemonger Tim the Cheeseman for flagging this WSJ article on selecting cheese with Alain Ducasse.
Finally, last week the AJC's John Kessler gave Latitude restaurant about the nicest one-star review we've ever read. (CL's Besha Rodell gave it two stars the week before in her review, also noting her disappointment with the Phipps Plaza dining experience, with some praise for chef Micah Willix's talents thrown into the mix.) We expect the well-liked and respected chef, formerly of Ecco, will probably file both reviews under "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes."
Monday, February 20, 2012
Food & Life The mark of a great city: neighborhood cafes
Posted by Besha Rodell on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 3:00 PM
- photos.com
- Wants
Atlanta is a whole lot better than Hartford (like, approximately 20,000,000,000 times better), but having just returned from a trip back to Melbourne, I'm again finding myself comparing everything to that city. And the thing that's bugging me the most right now is Atlanta's lack of cafes.
I'm not talking about coffee shops. I mean the neighborhood cafe, that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night. I'm talking about the places in Paris where Parisians sit and drink wine and coffee and look iconically Parisian on the sidewalk. The panini place in my old neighborhood in Brooklyn that served Spanish wines and blood orange bellinis and great coffee and was open from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Or the place just up the street from that, which was basically the same concept except French, or the other place around the corner that was crammed with oversized antiques and had a great beer selection and the best brunch around, and where you'd sit on metal chairs in the leafy back courtyard and eat oysters at 3 p.m. or sausages at 2 a.m.
Events Atlanta Food Events, Feb. 20-23: BATON Supper Series, a wine tasting, and more
Posted by Kelsey Clodfelter on Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 10:31 AM
For Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras events, look here.
Gato Bizco Mon., Feb. 20-Tues., Feb. 22, 6 p.m. BATON Supper Series. The fourth edition of the BATON dinner series will be held on Monday and Tuesday at Gato Bizco. This time, New York chefs Carlo Mirarchi and Brooks Headley will collaborate in the kitchen. The prix fixe dinner is $75, and will be cash only. Reservations are required. Details
Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint Mon., Feb. 20-Fri., Feb. 24. Sweet Georgia's Juke Joint 1-Year Anniversary Celebration. Listen to live music and enjoy the tasty southern cuisine at Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint from Feb. 20-24 in celebration of their one-year anniversary. Guests get a complimentary piece of peach cobbler with the purchase of an entrée. Details
Double Zero Napoletana Tues., Feb. 21, 7 p.m. Terredora di Paolo Wine Dinner. Double Zero Napoletana will be welcoming Lucio Mastroberadino, owner of Terredora di Paolo Winery, for a wine dinner. The dinner costs $59 per person. Guests will have the opportunity to taste some of Terredora's highly rated wines, including their Falanghina, Greco di Tufo, Aglianico d'Irpinia, and Taurasi. Details
Wrecking Bar Brewpub Tues. Feb. 22. Vegan Vegetarian Tuesday. Every Tuesday, Wrecking Bar features a special vegetarian menu. This Tuesday, they will feature a special vegan vegetarian menu, complete with plenty of craft beer. Details
Friday, February 17, 2012
News The Montauk Grifter: How to con your way into the kitchen
Posted by Kelsey Clodfelter on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 3:18 PM
On Wednesday, Gawker posted an article on the "Montauk Grifter," Dan Kaufman. This guy has pulled just about every trick in the book—embezzlement, theft, internet fraud, the whole gambit. But among the myriad of amusing schemes he's gotten away with (and there are many), perhaps the most bizarre is Kaufman's way-too-successful career as celebrity chef. Did I mention that the guy can't even cook?
Kaufman, who started going by Dan Kay after getting busted in 2008, claimed to be besties with Gordon Ramsay, and said that he was a producer on Hell's Kitchen and Chopped. And guess what? These outlandish claims might even be true. Kaufman also managed several restaurants and recently worked as executive chef at Elmo in New York, where he got away with never actually laying a hand on food.
One time, an increasingly suspicious woman Kaufman was dating (and conning) asked him to cook a meal for her. So how did it turn out?
The former Rainbow Room chef and two-time James Beard nominee served her an oven-baked porterhouse steaks that he hadn't bothered to sear and raw Brussels sprouts, thrown haphazardly on a plate.
So there you have it. It is officially possible to make a big name for yourself in the culinary world without even knowing how to prepare a steak.
UPDATE: Gawker put up a post a few minutes ago with an update on the Grifter story.
Events Weekend Food Events, Feb. 17-19: Pet parade dinner, Atlanta Chef's Expo, and more
Posted by Kelsey Clodfelter on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 11:42 AM
For Mardi Gras events this weekend, look here.
Mood Lounge Sat., Feb. 18, 12-6 p.m. Buckhead Barkus Annual Pet Parade. Join Mood Lounge and Safe Haven 4 Pets for the Buckhead Barkus Annual Pet Parade, a pet-friendly fundraising event. The event will feature live music, food and handcrafted cocktails from Mood Lounge. The opening ceremony will begin at 1:45 p.m. as the Barkus King and Queen of the parade will be announced. The parade will follow at 2 p.m. and the festivities will continue with a block celebration until 6 p.m. Details
The Foundry at Puritan Mill Sun., Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m. Atlanta Chef's Expo 2012.The inaugural Atlanta Chef’s Expo is happening this Sunday. General admission tickets are $25 and include menu tastings from some of the city’s most beloved restaurants, cooking demonstration from highly coveted private chefs and caterers plus sweet treats from Atlanta’s best pastry chefs. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Greater Atlanta. Details
Frank Ski's Restaurant and Lounge Sun., Feb. 19, 3 p.m. Sunday WINE Down for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The restaurant is holding an exclusive fundraiser to help build the National Center for Civil and Human Right. It will feature wine tastings from the Skis private collection. Details
BLT Steak Sun., Feb. 19-Sat., Feb. 25, 7:30 p.m. Game Week Boucherie Dinners at BLT Steak Atlanta. The Boucherie Dinner series kicks off Wild Game Week with dishes such as Venison Terrine and Roasted Venison Tenderloin. The first dinner will be held this Sunday, and will be repeated every night until Feb. 25. Each dinner is $65 per person, with wine pairings by sommelier Dorine Buche available for an additional $30. Details
