Chocolate Show kicks off with a Halloween themed chocolate fashion show in New York City

I was up before the crack of dawn, 3:25 a.m so I could make sure I would get to New York City in time for the press conference and unveiling of the Halloween chocolate fashion show. Four designers from around the world created edible, chocolate clothing - many painstaking hours of work. Of course there was a chocolate reward at the end of the fashion show, lots of chocolate, wonderful chocolate.

Watch the chocolate fashion show slide show:

Chocolate Show kicks off with a Halloween themed chocolate fashion show in New York City

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Women chefs gather for annual gala and awards-you are invited

Women Chefs and Restaurateurs are holding their annual conference in Washington DC starting Sunday, November 1st. What is unique about the conference is the women chefs preapre all the food as opposed to the hotel staff. This means awesome food by the country's leading women chefs. This year you have an opportunity to enjoy the Women Who Inspire Awards Reception and Dinner. If you are a foodie at heart and want to mingle with the creme de la creme of women chefs then you must attend. This is the first time they are opening the gala dinner and awards to the general public.

For details on the chefs participating and attending:

Women chefs gather for annual gala and awards-you are invited

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Bel-Loc Diner makes it to the South's Best Diners with recipe links

Check out the complete story and link to recipes:

Bel-Loc Diner makes it to the South's Best Diners with recipe links

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Man versus Food Baltimore episode premieres tonight on the Travel Channel

For a short, previously svelte person, I have a “healthy” appetite. My late mother-in-law used to say I ate like a stevedore. It was never an appetite large enough that I would enter an eating contest and make money, nor do I think I would admit it here if I did. Eating contests brings me to Adam Richman host, star and glutton of Man Vs. Food on the Travel Channel. Here is a man with an appetite who takes eating challenges seriously enough to tackle a 10 lb burger, a pizza the size of a conference table or the omelet that ate the world. “HUGE man,” I say and “HOT too” with habanero and scotch bonnet peppers, heat off the Richter scale.

Read the full story and watch the video

Man versus Food Baltimore episode premieres tonight on the Travel Channel

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Anthony Bourdain gets animated about the Food Network

You just have to love Anthony Bourdain. He has NEVER been shy about his feelings and his first animated episode of his Alternative Universe Robo-Chef doesn't hesitate to cut up the Food Network stars.

Read the full story and watch the video:

Anthony Bourdain gets animated about the Food Network

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FREE Black Jack Taco on Halloween at Taco Bell

FREE Black Jack Taco on Halloween at Taco Bell

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My pick for celebrating Halloween is Hallowine 09

Is Halloween becoming the biggest holiday next to Christmas? I do believe so. In sorting through the many events for Halloween, I have chosen to promote Hallowine 2009 because if offers great Horror D’Oeuvres (you know there has to be food involved for me), wine bar and never ending cocktails, music (DJ WHO & Knowledge Featuring Live Percussion by Keith Meyer), costume contest BUT most importantly it benefits the Living Classroom – learning by doing.

Check out menu and the details:
My pick for celebrating Halloween is Hallowine 09

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Papa Bello signs letter to purchase local deli, restaurant bakery and create a franchise concept

Papa Bello signs letter to purchase local deli, restaurant bakery and create a franchise concept

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Taste of Emeril cooking competition debuts in Atlantic City - you can be a contestant

Are you the one who sits at home making snarky remarks about how lame the cooking contestants are on the reality show? You think you can do better? I just heard of an opportunity that might be of interest to you.

Taste of Emeril cooking competition debuts in Atlantic City - you can be a contestant

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Lollipop lollipop oh lolli lolli Ra-llipop

The title is not a new language just my own take on the Chordettes song in 1958, Lollipop – my way of introducing the NEW Ra Sushi Ra-llipop (see photo). If you are fond of sushi but watching the carb intake this is the dish to try on the new spiced up menu. Wrapped in Asian radish (lobok) instead of rice you will find tuna, salmon, yellowtail, spicy tuna mix, lettuce, asparagus and cucumber, skewered (lollipop fashion) with a garlic ponzu sauce for dipping.

Read the complete post:

Lollipop lollipop oh lolli lolli Ra-llipop

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FREE cookie and hot cocoa at Barnes and Noble cafes

On Saturday, October 24th go to any Barnes & Noble book stores that have a café and present the coupon for a FREE small cookie and hot chocolate. Check out the Maryland locations and while you are at it, here is a link to all the coupons being offered this week on adult and children's Halloween books.

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FREE cookie and hot cocoa at Barnes & Noble cafes

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Top four list on the best rotisserie chicken

My stories, rants or reviews appear here at the Dining Examiner, at my Dining Dish blog and my Facebook page so the readers' comments appear a couple places. Here are your suggested places for the best rotisserie chicken that came from my story “Looking for the best rotisserie chicken” I had three responses. If you have other suggestions, please add them, let’s make this a top ten list.

For the list and complete story:

Top four list on the best rotisserie chicken

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What is your experience with dirty restaurant bathrooms?

I've seen some pretty bad restaurant bathrooms in my day. The ones with no towels, no hand driers and you look around the room looking for anything to dry your hands. At last you settle for the toilet paper that crumbles in to snow like pieces of air and half stick to your hand that you can't shake off. The partially flushing toilet and the trash can overflowing with paper, real turn offs.

Read the full story:

What is your experience wih dirty restaurant bathrooms?

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Seven personal and entertaining stories about food at Stoop Storytelling

Mark you calendars for Monday, November 2nd to go to Center Stage for Stoop Storytelling on cooking, eating and assorted food issues. Seven speakers get up and for seven minutes tell their personal stories centered on food. We all can talk about food; I know I’m good for at least eight minutes.

Read the whole story:

Seven personal and entertaining stories about food at Stoop Storytelling

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Tidbits-old and new stories - Pama cooking contest, cooking classes and new cocktails

Tidbits is always a collection of foodie news, today we take a look back at this week's most popular stories with new foodie news.

Cooking contest with Pama Liqueur: If you are a creative cook this might be the cooking contest you can win. Grand Prize, a trip for two to The Food and Wine Classic in Aspen.

B & O Brasserie, in the Hotel Monaco at 2 N. Charles Street is launching their fall cocktail menu. Master mixologist, Brendan Dorr, never fails. Here is a sampling of the new cocktails:

Read the complete story:

Tidbits-old and newstories - Pama cooking contest, cooking classes and new cocktails

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Maryland State House taking a stand on the hunger problem

Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown along with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) volunteers will be at Maryland Food Bank today to bring awareness to the hunger problem in Maryland. They will help package food items for needy Marylanders. Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor will address the staff and volunteers on the issue of hunger in the state. The goal is to end childhood hunger in Maryland by 2015.

Read the complete story:
Maryland State House taking a stand on the hunger problem

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Baltimore cooking and baking classes for Fall 2009

Bringing family and friends to the table and sharing food is what separates us from other life forms; it creates bonds, feelings of love and acceptance. To aid in the ritual of creating meals and breaking bread, I have put together an updated list of cooking and baking classes in the Baltimore and surrounding areas. This time I have set them up by area: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County. If you know of other classes being offered in the area please share and I will update this list.

Get the list of Baltimore area cooking and baking classes below:

Baltimore cooking and baking classes for Fall 2009

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Picture by Dara Bunjon - Pierpoint Restaurant Cooking Class

Looking for the best rotisserie chicken

At this time and place, Chicken Out has the best rotisserie chicken. My favorite all-time rotisserie chicken was at Poulet, which was located on Reisterstown Road in the heart of Pikesville. They used an incredible spice blend; the aroma drove me to distraction. My boss and I would drive from Lansdowne just to get the chicken for lunch. Eventually it seemed to change but was still the best ever for flavor.

Click below for the complete story
Looking for the best rotisserie chicken

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Cook your way to the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen

Before the South Beach, Atlantic City, New York City Food and Wine Festivals there was The Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, the mother of all food and wine festivals. The Aspen/Snowmass International Wine Classic started in 1983 and Food and Wine Magazine became the host in 1986. I’ve been reading about it for years and wishing it was within my budget. More of you have heard of it as part of the grand prize for Top Chef Winners. It is a foodie’s dream vacation.

Read more:

Cook your way to the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen

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How old is all this stuff in my refrigerator?

The article in Serious Eats about taste testing mustards inspired me to go look at all the mustards I have in my refrigerator. I remember having numerous mustard jars: Dijon, horseradish, creole, honey, the key word is remember, because they weren’t there anymore. They probably disappeared in one of my fits of tossing out food products that have been sitting in the refrigerator since recipe testing for the Yum cookbook three years ago.

Read my full rant:

How old is all this stuff in my refrigerator?

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12th Annual Chocolate Show and you can go

Oooh be still my heart, chocolate, lots of chocolate, to see and taste from far-and-wide under one roof with celebrity pastry chefs the likes of Jacques Torres, Nick Malgieri and more and you can go! Yes, you can - grab a friend and make a day of it.

The 12th annual Chocolate Show , the world's largest exhibition of chocolate, is returning to New York City Friday, October 30th, Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1st at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Since the show started in Paris 15 years ago it has grown to become the world’s largest event dedicated entirely to chocolate.

Read the complete story and get all the details:
12th Annual Chocolate Show and you can go

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Dining Dish wins Mobbie for Best Foodie Blog

Thank you to everyone who voted and sent me over the top to win Baltimore's Best Foodie Blog. It is official. There is a gathering at Metro Gallery tomorrow night starting at 7 p.m. for bloggers, friends and fans. Hope you can join us. I believe I ended up 3rd as best overall blog which is an added bonus. Come join the party

All nominees, bloggers, fans and guests are invited to an open party Wednesday, Oct. 14, celebrating the winners — and all the nominees and local blogs. The celebration will start at 7 p.m. at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore.

Asian harvest moon festival at Grace Garden

There are many like me that are food curious: who want to try new foods, new restaurants, new cuisines, authentic cuisines and will travel many a mile for the lightest gnocchi, Korean BBQ or the perfect Bahn Mi. When I got the invitation to go to Grace Garden restaurant in Odenton for a traditional and not so traditional Harvest Moon Festival multi-course Chinese dinner, I jumped at the opportunity.

Read the entire story and look at the slide show:
Asian harvest moon festival at Grace Garden

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2010 New York City Michelin restaurant ratings are out

Michelin Guide awards stars to the crème de la crème of restaurants worldwide. Restaurants in Europe live and die by their Michelin stars and Chef Loiseau of La Côte d’Or is theorized to have committed suicide after hearing the rumor he was losing a Michelin star

Read the full story for the list of 3, 2 and 1 star winners:
2010 New York City Michelin restaurant ratings are out

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Rumor mill has Top Cheftestant leaving her job

This morning I heard that Chef Jesse Sandlin was leaving Abacrombie and supposedly going to work for a large restaurant group in the East Harbor.

Read the complete story:
Rumor mill has Top Cheftestant leaving her job

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H1N1, restaurants and Elmo

I’m in a line at a fast food restaurant when the cashier opens up the top of her shirt puts her face in it and sneezes. What I thought was disgusting was really much better than her sneezing out into the public space. I guess she never watched Elmo on where one should sneeze. Now with concerns running high with the Swine flu pandemic, restaurateurs are reinforcing the proper way of washing hands in hot water for 20 seconds, to sneeze into the crook of their arms and if you are sick-don’t come to work.

Read the full story and watch videos:
H1N1, restaurants and Elmo

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Baltimore’s Party in the Park, fun for the whole family

Here is a great reason to pack up the family tomorrow, Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m and go to Padonia Park, enjoy a festival in the beauty of a park with live musical performances, crafts, art, games, shows and help the Nikki Perlow Foundation, which benefits young adults struggling with the disease of addiction.

Get all the details and come to the party:
Baltimore’s Party in the Park, fun for the whole family


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The scoop on Suburban House Restaurant, Dangerously Delicious Pies and more

My day at the Mid Atlantic Restaurant Expo proved fruitful in many ways. From tasting premium farm raised Chesapeake oysters from Choptank Oyster Company to Solid Health Drink, foie gras from Fells Point Wholesale Meats to crab cakes from The Great Gourmet it was a day of great flavor and food. I especially liked Bell's Famous Chili which is made with turkey. The convention center housed the Restaurant Association’s annual exposition. New products and old staples filled the hall.

Read the full story:
The scoop on Suburban House Restaurant, Dangerously Delicious Pies and more

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Zagat names number one New York City restaurant

When planning your trips to New York City are you like me and plan exactly where you are going to dine as well as shop or go to a show? Well the famous restaurant survey company which is based on consumer reviews and votes, Zagat, has just posted the 2010 results on their on-line website.

Who is the best? Read the complete story:

Zagat names number one New York City restaurant

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Killer linguini and clams at Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

A number of media folks were invited to enjoy a dinner and learn more about Pizzazz Tuscan Grille.

I had attended the opening party at Pizzazz and remember remarking about the fresh taste of the marinara sauce. On this evening it was ideal to sit on their deck enjoying the company of my friends. We tasted assorted appetizers: bruschetta, fried calamari and a caprese salad umami rich with the tail-end of the season tomatoes.

Read the complete story:
Killer linguini and clams at Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

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Gourmet Magazine to close

Gourmet Magazine is shutting down. As a subscriber and collector of Gourmet, I am sadden to see it go. It has been around since 1940 making it the oldest food magazine. I have shelves filled with this magazine that offer beautiful food photographs and delicious recipes. I'm not sure how this will effect Conde Nast's Epicurious website though I still see the links for the magazine and subscriptions.

Read more details:
Gourmet Magazine to close

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Tid Bits – Café Hon’s Flamingo, Mari Luna Latin, cooking classes and more

The Baltimore Area Convention and Visitor Bureau recently renamed Visit Baltimore has been tooting their own horn as to inroads in promoting the city. I am sure their recent media blitz precipitated the New York Times article 36 Hours in Baltimore appearing today. Stick with me, I am laying ground work here. The article featured a picture of Café Hon and the two story large pink flamingo on her building façade.The article's photo stirred recent Facebook chatter from Café Hon owner, Denise Whiting

Read this story and all my tasty food news morsels in the Tid Bits:
Tid Bits – Café Hon’s Flamingo, Mari Luna Latin, cooking classes and more


You'll find me on Facebook, @daracooks on Twitter or email me at examiner@diningdish.otherinbox.com

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Cooking under pressure, frozen to perfectly cooked in 30 minutes

You have all done it before, gone to the fridge for something to eat and there is nothing there. Plenty in the freezer: steaks, shrimp, sausage, chicken. Chicken is what I craved yesterday for lunch but it was a rock hard, frozen brick. I didn’t have the patience to wait for it to thaw even with the help of a microwave and then baking it.

Read the complete story: Cooking under pressure, frozen to perfectly cooked in 30 minutes


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FREE cooking demonstrations by Baltimore's leading chefs

Baltimore’s leading chefs will be giving free cooking demonstrations Sunday, October 4, at the Baltimore Farmers Market and Bazaar located underneath the Jones Falls Expressway at Holiday and Saratoga Street. The chefs will be partnered with local farmers sharing the beauty and wisdom of buying fresh, buying local. Starting at 8:00 a.m. through noon there will be staggered cooking demonstrations and recipe samplings from 12 of the cities leading chefs. Come meet and greet your farmers and chefs who both embrace what mother earth can create.

Click here for full story and cooking demonstration schedule:
FREE cooking demonstrations by Baltimore's leading chefs


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