Kosher News

The Huffington Post reported on Tuesday that a Grand Central Pizza, a restaurant in Georgia, had enacted a new “no noisy children” rule in the establishment. Grand Central Pizza has added a note on the bottom of their menu stating:

“Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.”

While the owner insisted that he has nothing against kids and still hopes parents will bring their children to the restaurant, the overwhelming number of complaints led him to introduce this new, formal rule requiring parents to take noisy children outside when dealing with them, instead of in the presence of the other diners.

GCP is not, and probably will not be, the first or last restaurant to institute a rule like this. In late 2010, Olde Salty’s seafood restaurant in North Carolina added a sign to their front window, right next to their menu, stating “Screaming children will not be tolerated!” Owner Brenda Armes explained that she got tired of customers complaining about children who treated the restaurant like their personal playground. Despite her questionably harsh use of language in addressing the issue, Armes has no intention of kicking parents with noisy children out of the restaurant entirely; rather, an employee will tell the parents of noisy children to take them outside to calm them down.

In a more daring move, a Pennsylvania restaurant has instituted a full-on ban on children under the age of six starting last July. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, “Beginning July 16, 2011 McDain’s Restaurant will no longer admit children under 6 years of age,” wrote the restaurant in an email to patrons. “We feel that McDain’s is not a place for young children. Their volume can’t be controlled and many, many times they have disturbed other customers.” McDain’s is an upscale restaurant connected to a golf course, with most of the seating near or at the bar, and no children’s menu.

While both GCP and Olde Salty’s has gotten mixed reviews from customers and the media, the numbers say it all: both restaurants have had increased business since instituting their new policy on noisy children. Many patrons at restaurants now have the same attitude towards noisy children in restaurants as they have towards cell phone use and cigarette smoking, according to blogger Ronald Huereca and Yahoo!’s Women’s Lifestyle blog, Shine. While there was once a tolerance for noisy children, people now do not have the patience nor feel it is necessary for their dining experience to be disturbed by parents who do not tend to their children outside of the general dining area. They feel that parents should use their discretion when deciding to take their kids with them to eat, as well as where they choose to eat.

The rise of self-titled “DINK”’s (dual-income-no-kids) can account for this shift as well. Childless couples with sizeable incomes desiring to go out for lunch or dinner have a decreased tolerance for parents who bring their children out to restaurants if their children are at an age where they will be unable to abstain from having a temper tantrum for the duration of a meal.

These reports raise many questions. Will more restaurants institute policies like McDain’s, Olde Salty’s, and GCP? Will the government step in to make an official policy regarding children in restaurants? (There is a law against banning senior citizens from restaurants.) Will other establishments like museums and movie theaters institute policies like this? Will Jewish and Kosher establishments consider these policies despite the larger families it would impact?

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/grant-central-georgia-crying-kids_n_1291446.html?ref=food

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1310652/Olde-Saltys-restaurant-banned-screaming-children-says-business-booming.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/restaurant-bans-children_n_894548.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11193/1159804-56.stm

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/oct/06/children-restaurants/print

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/the-no-kids-allowed-movement-is-spreading-2516110.html

Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST, we will showcase the best food / kitchen deals of the day. We hope you find them useful. We present to you today’s round up of deals from across the web including a grill, a portable coffee mug and a food prep station.

Deal Genius: 3-Quart Dishwasher Safe Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl w/ Resin Shell. Reduced from $25 to $9.99 Plus Free Shipping. Deal Ends Midnight Tonight EST! If you’re in the market for a great-looking, useful, and perfectly sized mixing bowl, then rest easy because this is everything you want! This bowl features a sturdy 18/8 stainless steel bowl that is perfect for whisking up a batter, serving some tortilla chips, or cutting your kids’ hair. Encasing the stainless steel is an exterior coating of melamine, a heat-resistant organic resin that not only gives the bowl a unique look, but also allows you to mix both things warm and cold without feeling any discomfort. What’s more this bowl is dishwasher safe, making clean up a cinch! Mix, serve, snip. This multi-purpose bowl will do whatever you ask. Get your Zak! Stainless Steel/Resin Mixing Bowl today!

Crate and Barrel: Bodum® Fyrkat Grill. Reduced from $49.95 to $39.95. Compact portable grill with a fiery orange enameled finish rests securely above surfaces in its contoured steel base. Generous 13.4″ grill grate accommodates whole fish, burgers, steaks and more. Grill is outfitted with stay-cool red silicone grip, lid clips and vented top plate. Perfect for picnic or campsite, terrace or tailgate party.

Moshells: Stainless Steel Travel Mug. Reduced from $6.99 to $2.69!! Perfect for coffee on the go. Double Wall Travel Mug. Suitable for Car Travel. Made from high quality stainless steel for durability. Weight 2 lbs.

Yugster: Nesco® 6-Quart Roaster Oven. Reduced from $59.99 to $34.97. The Nesco® 6-Quart Roaster Oven is the most popular size in portable ovens. The attractive, contemporary styling provides an eye-appealing presentation enabling you to serve your food, buffet-style or at the table, directly from your oven. It has a traditional oval shape with durable porcelain enamel finish and metal lid, and is constructed with top quality components and preferred product features to enhance your cooking experience. The roaster’s extra-high domed, self-basting cover ensures moist cooking, and the exclusive “Circle of Heat” heating element wraps around for moist, even cooking, too. There is a removable cooking well for easy cleaning, plus a removable roasting/baking rack for better baking and fat-free roasting. The temperature control is also automatic and convenient — adjustable between 125° – 425° to get you exactly the temperature you need!

Price Plunge: Kitchen King Pro 11-piece Ultimate Food Preparation Station. Reduced from $39.99 to $12.99. Deal Ends Midnight Tonight EST.   It chops, slices, juliennes, mixes, whips, blends, and more – and you won’t have to get out your heavy, hard to clean kitchen appliances. With the Kitchen King Pro 11-Piece Ultimate Food Preparation Station, you can prepare delicious, all natural homemade meals quickly and easily. Chop all your ingredients in one step to make everything from salsa to egg-salad – while keeping your fingers safely away from the blade. Kitchen King Pro does all the work for you and keeps the clean up fast and easy as well.

The Mets have banned Kosher Sports Inc from selling their glatt kosher hot dogs, burgers, peanuts, pretzels and knishes at their games on Friday night and Saturday home games. Kosher Sports Inc are able to sell their products at other times, but not over the Jewish Sabbath. This move has lost Kosher Sports Inc well over hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The issue? According to papers filed officials were worried that there would be “undermined credibility with Sabbath observing [fans]”. JoK Rabbi Lawrence Hajioff weighed in on whether food prepared on the Sabbath would be kosher or not . “If food is cooked from raw on Shabbat it may not be eaten on Shabbat. Warming food and preparing it is okay when certain precautions are added.”

Kosher Sports Inc hired a renowned law firm to fight this in the courts. Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP have represented Al Gore and also the NFL.

The contract that Kosher Sports Inc has with the ball field does not guarantee sales – over the weekend or any time. However, Kosher Sports Inc claim that they were never told that they couldn’t sell their kosher goods over the Sabbath until after they had signed a ten year contract. Since then, they have stopped making the necessary annual payments to the ball club – a move which could leave them liable for damages.

Judge Jack Weinstein ruled yesterday that the contract that was signed did not give Kosher Sports Inc the right to sell its products at all events during the ten year term of the agreement. His ruling also stated that the terms were laid out in the contract.

We’d like to know what you think – would it bother you if a Kosher vendor sold its kosher products on the Sabbath? Or would that negate its kosher status for you?

Sources:
NY Daily News 2/20 /2012   
NY Daily News 2/21/ 2012  

Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST, we will showcase the best food / kitchen deals of the day. We hope you find them useful. We present to you today’s round up of deals from across the web including a pasta boat, fine dining and a George Foreman grill.

Jdeal: $12 for $20 Worth of Products from Allergy Free Kosher. As if keeping Kosher doesn’t have enough challenges, many are faced with having to deal with mild to severe food allergies these days. Well, with today’s jdeal, your solution is in sight….and on site ,as you can get $20 worth of fabulous food at AllergyFreeKosher.com for only $12! Discover the all-Kosher site, where prices are consistently below retail. Here you’ll find so many delicious foods from challah to cupcakes, pasta to entrees, all allergy-free. We warn you…your mouth will water as you search this fabulous, all-inclusive site. Search by allergy, by product, by special sale items. And you must check out their totally Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Nut Free selection of festively packaged Shaloach Manos baskets (will be shipped the week before Purim to ensure arrival on or before Purim day). They are beautiful and will show how much you care. Let AllergyFreeKosher.com solve all your needs, including for Pesach with their complete line of chometz-free delights, which will make your Seder table more special than ever…for EVERYONE. There are fabulous allergy-free recipes and educational articles on the site plus so much more. So, get to know AllergyFreeKosher.com with today’s jdeal and receive $20 worth of foods for only $12. We think you will go back again and again. We do.

Kohls: George Foreman® Jumbo-Sized Grill. Regular $59.99 Sale $53.99!! This George Foreman jumbo-sized grill will knock your socks off. The large grilling surface allows you to cook food for the whole family at one time. For a healthier take on your favorite meals, use this George Foreman grill. Extra-large surface fits up to six burgers. Nonstick coating provides easy food release and quick cleanup. Floating hinge automatically adjusts to the food’s thickness. Heating elements offer fast temperature recovery and even heat distribution. Gradual 8° slope drains grease and oil away from your food.

Sur La Table: Sur La Table® Bordeaux Round French Oven, 3 qt. Now: $39.99 Was: $79.95 Designed for dishes requiring long, slow cooking, our distinctive French oven enables you to prepare everything from pasta sauce to pot roast with ease. Also great for soups, stews, chili, casseroles, and a wide variety of other delicious one-pot dishes.  A remarkable value, Sur La Table cookware is designed to exceed the expectations of both accomplished and novice cooks. Capitalizing on our familiarity with the world’s top cookware, we selected the best features for this versatile French oven. Durable cast iron offers superior heat retention, and chip-resistant enamel surface cleans up easily. Spikes on the underside of the lid allow food to continuously baste as it cooks, for consistently tender and delicious results. Extra-large handles ensure easy transport from stovetop or oven to dining table for a beautiful presentation. Oven safe to 425°F. Hand wash. 3-quart capacity. Limited lifetime warranty.

Jewpon: Only $65 for a Prix Fixe 3-Course Dinner for 2 at El Gaucho Glatt Argentinean Steakhouse ($105 Value)!!! Money’s tight for many people these days, but that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped enjoying dining out. And it definitely doesn’t mean you want to pass up on a three-course dinner at El Gaucho Glatt, Brooklyn’s only kosher, authentic Argentinean steakhouse! Brooklyn is known for its great kosher restaurants, but El Gaucho Glatt is one to top all others. The meat is of the highest quality and it’s cooked in the traditional Argentinean style: with a state-of-the-art radiant grill so that the meat remains untouched by the flames. We serve our asado (barbeque) on individual, small table grills to keep your meat warm and sizzling. And how, exactly, is this going to be affordable? Easy! This Jewpon deal offers you a prix fixe three-course dinner for 2 at El Gaucho for only $65! Appetizer: Empanada – Homemade turnover served with criolla sauce, corn or vegetable. Soup: Soup of the Day. Main Course: El Gaucho Rib Steak — Grilled to perfection, served with side dish of your choice OR Chicken Breast — Grilled chicken cutlet served with side dish of your choice. Glass of House Wine. With this sumptuous prix fixe dinner, you can dream about your steak and eat it, too! Your juicy, sizzling Argentenian steak awaits you at El Gaucho Glatt!

13 deals.com: Microwave Pasta Boat Deluxe. Reduced from $14.99 to $5.99!! Cooks, drains, serves and stores. Cooking pasta can be a hassle. The amazing pasta boat makes it faster and easier to make perfect pasta every time right in your microwave oven. It’s soooo easy. Just put in the pasta, add water to the serving line, then pop it in the microwave. It’s that easy. Pasta boat keeps water at the perfect temperature- it actually does a better job than a pot on a stove. When finished, place on the strainer lid, drain out the water and you’re ready to serve. The stay-cool handles are also designed to measure portion sizes of spaghetti and the steamer rack can be used to steam potatoes or vegetables right in your microwave. Pasta boat is one of the most useful cooking products you’ll ever own. Take yours home today.

If you don’t know who Jeremy Lin is you must be living under a rock.  On Shabbat, the Rabbi (at my shul) referenced him in the Dvar Torah and Saturday Night Live’s opening sketch was all about the New York Knicks new super star basket ball player.  Now, I find out his name is being used to name sandwiches and drinks.

Jeremy Lin graduated Harvard in 2010 and after being dumped by two teams, Golden State and Houston, was picked up by New York in December.  In the last two weeks he went from bench-warmer to super star and from sleeping on his brother’s couch to living in his own Trump Tower apartment with his $800,000 contract with the Knicks.

He also happens to have a “Lintastic” name to play with and restaurants and bars all around Madison Square Garden are having some fun.  They are honoring the Taiwanese-American player with items like Lin-burgers and “Lings” — Asian-spiced chicken wings. Several bars have concocted “Lintinis,” while the Shake Shack chain is offering a “Jeremy Lin-Mint,” a chocolate and mint cookie milkshake.

Arctica Bar and Grill in the Murray Hill neighborhood colors their “Lintini” blue and orange — Knicks colors — with a dash of blue Curacao and an orange garnish. Ditto for their Lin and Tonic. Feile, a restaurant near Madison Square Garden, concocts a Lintini with Absolut Wild Tea Vodka. At the outskirts of Greenwich Village, Snap Sports Bar hosts an hour-long open bar — read free drinks — after every Knicks win.

I have a friend who’s a bit of a “free spirit.” The other day, she had a sip of my Maxwell House coffee and remarked, somewhat wistfully, “I wish you had some rich fair-trade coffee.”

Umm, rude. But more than it was rude, it was awkward that I didn’t know what fair trade really meant (hence my offense; I couldn’t care less what my coffee drip made). Never one to be shy of learning new things, I asked her what fair trade was. “It’s uh…you know…like not store brands I think?”

Ok, so she got some of it right. After some research, I discovered that Fair trade goods, ranging from coffee to sugar, are products that come from farmers who were justly compensated for their goods to be sold in our local supermarkets. The business they get from selling their goods in America’s free trade market helps sustain their [often impoverished] communities.

According to Fair Trade USA, “’Fair Trade’ helps ‘Free Trade’ work for the poor.” This ideal is what provides developing nations the tools they need to be competitors in the international economy. They provide farmers with fair prices and a large proportion of the retail price of their goods; workers with safe conditions; and the communities with resources for healthy and sustainable lives. This market-based approach is in an effort to eliminate exploitation of farmers as well as help their communities.

Rodney North of Equal Exchange (a Fair Trade goods distributor) describes the Fair Trade movement as “an alternative approach to the import and export of agricultural commodities that consciously addresses the chronic economic vulnerability and poverty of small-scale farmers in developing countries.”

In 2010, Equal Exchange teamed up with American Jewish World Service (AJWS) to create a Kosher line of Fair Trade products, called Better Beans, certified by the Orthodox Union (OU). AJWS encourages individuals who observe the laws of Kashrut to live their Jewish ethics and advance social justice around the world, as well as allows them to enjoy artisan coffees and chocolates from around the world. Additionally, a portion of Better Beans’ proceeds go to AJWS’s Fighting Hunger from the Ground Up campaign.

Equal Exchange has recently launched a campaign to support the authentic fair trade movement. This is in response to Fair Trade’s Fair Trade for All initiative, which aims to allow commodities from plantations into the Fair Trade system. This strategy of allowing goods from large producers into the Fair Trade system creates more competition for the small farmers for whom the movement was created. See the link below to join the Fair Trade campaign.

Although the eligibility for the Fair Trade system is now being challenged, we are still fortunate to have access to global commodities for low prices. It is incumbent upon us to take advantage of this boon and taste the world, while simultaneously promoting global justice and the vision of a just society.

Sources:

http://fairtradeusa.org/what-is-fair-trade

http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-deal-7-10229

http://ajws.org/who_we_are/news/archives/press_releases/ajws_launches_new_line_of_fair_trade_kosher_products.html

http://www.equalexchange.coop/fair-trade-campaign

Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST, we will showcase the best food / kitchen deals of the day. We hope you find them useful. We present to you today’s round up of deals from across the web including hamantashen, a hand blender and a rice cooker.

Roast of the Day: 3 Cup French Press. Sale $17.99. Enjoy your gourmet coffee at work or home with this affordable and stylish french press. Press pots are the best way to enjoy your gourmet coffee. A press pot maintains the essential oils and the antioxidants that come from drinking coffee. We suggest a larger grind to keep from clogging the screen. Get yours today.

Jdeal: $28 for $48 Worth of Hamantashen from Lilly’s Homestyle Bake Shop. Making Hamantashen takes time and effort. Rolling the dough, cutting the circles, folding the triangles–who has the time? Well, you might not, but the expert bakers at Lilly’s do. Buy this deal for $28 and you’ll get $48 worth of hamantashen from www.LillysBakeryShop.com (flat-rate shipping or free pickup in Brooklyn). Even if your busy life doesn’t slow down long enough for you to buy the apricot filling, much less spoon teaspoons of it carefully into the center of cookie circles, that doesn’t mean you and your family can’t enjoy the traditional taste of Purim. This deal will get you Six 10 oz packs of delicious Hamantashen, which includes 2 packs of each classic flavor: Apricot, Raspberry, and Poppy. Buy this deal, and you’ll have plenty of homestyle hamantashen to fill your mishloach manot and serve at your seudah. Lilly’s Bake Shop is Pas Yisroel & Yoshon.

Williams Sonoma: Granite Pizza Stone with Stand. Sugg. Price: $74.95 Sale $29.99. Make restaurant-worthy pizzas on your outdoor grill or in your indoor oven. Ideal for parties, our granite baking stone retains heat beautifully, so you can create pizza after pizza with perfect crisp crusts – without waiting for the stone to reheat. Turn your outdoor grill or indoor oven into a pizza oven with this versatile baking stone. The grill-top granite slab transfers the heat flawlessly, so you’re guaranteed a crackling golden crust and perfectly cooked toppings. To give pizzas the rich, smoky flavor achieved in a wood-fired oven, use the stone with your smoker box and favorite smoking chips on the grill. This versatile stone is also great for baking flatbreads – or use it to sear strips of meat or your favorite vegetables. A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

Buy.com: Cuisinart CSB-77 Smart Stick® Hand Blender. Reduced from $110.95 to $49.95 plus free shipping. Cuisinart makes it quick, clean, and easy to blend, prep and whip a variety of ingredients. Our SmartStick® Hand Blender includes Whisk and Chopper attachments to extend this blender’s performance. Blends or whips right in the bowl, pitcher or pot, to eliminate extra dishes, and with the Chopper attached, it turns into a handy mini food prep tool. The look is commercial, the performance is professional, and the ease of use is pure Cuisinart!

Amazon: Black & Decker 3 Cups Uncooked Yields 6 Cups Cooked, Rice Cooker. Reduced from $24.99 to $13.64. Enjoy up to 6 cups of perfectly cooked rice in the Black & Decker RC3406. The non-stick pot and tempered glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. When cooking is done, the unit automatically switches from cook to warm. In addition to cooking rice, you can also steam vegetables in the included plastic steamer basket. You’ll enjoy the convenience of the included rice scoop and measuring cup. Makes 6-Cups of cooked rice from up to 3 cups of dry rice.

There is a new winner of the hottest chile on the market title. It is the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion. Even its name makes you shake! The experts at New Mexico State University’s Chile Pepper Institute have classified the Scorpion as the hottest pepper.

Heat from chile peppers are measured in Scoville heat units. A regular jalapeno pepper rates between 2,500 and 8,000 on the Scoville scale, whilst a Habanero is between 100,000 to 350,000 SHU. This Trinidad Moruga Scorpion pepper rates more than 1.2 million on the Scoville heat scale – and some of these peppers can reach higher, over 2 million!

The Chile Pepper Institute was charged with scientifically establishing which pepper is the hottest by manufacturers of hot sauce and spicy foods. It is very difficult to definitively say which pepper is hottest as each individual pepper has a different heat level that its plant mate.

The researchers planted 125 plants of a variety of the hottest peppers – the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, the Trinidad Scorpion, the 7-pot, the chocolate 7-pot and the Bhut Jolokia. Mature fruits from each plant were randomly selected , harvested, dried and were ground up into powder. Each pepper has a compound that produces heat called a capsaicinoid. These compounds were extracted and the levels tested.

The researchers did not actually taste the peppers – they are leaving that to the daredevils who are willing to set their mouths and taste buds aflame. But they did say that during the picking of the peppers the capsaicinoids burned right through the latex gloves they were using – something that had never happened to them before during their hot pepper research.

Are you a hot pepper eater? What is the hottest pepper you have ever tasted? Would you be willing to taste this Trinidad Moruga Pepper?

Check out these Spicy Recipes and check out this post on Hot and Spicy food.

Source:

Yahoo 

The banana tree is not a true fruit at all but a giant herb and the banana is actually its berry. A banana plant produces only one bunch or “hand” in its life, but that bunch may have between 100 to 400 bananas. Despite its phallic shape, the banana is sterile and no fertilization takes place in the banana flowers. A banana plant grows when one of its shoots is planted.

Toussaint-Samat, Maguelonne. 1993. A History of Food. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers.

In the past little while we have been eating a lot of chocolate so that we could bring you a plethora of posts devoted to that subject. It’s been a hard job, but we were willing to make the sacrifice. Click to read all about our chocolate  adventures. 

Tamar traveled to Thailand and wrote about an inspiring trip.

We brought you tips on how best to navigate your local Asian market in search of kosher products.

Tali Simon took us step by step through making a galette – so much fun to do with the kids.

Nechama Cohen helps us reduce our carb intake over Purim.

Jamie showed us how to make elegant pink rimmed gefilte fish. Who said gefilte fish had to be boring?

Our Favorites from Around The Web:

Amy shares a recipe for iced chocolate chip oatmeal cupcakes, and explains the difference between cupcakes and muffins.

Marshmallow Cream Fantasy Fudge – need I say more?

Did you know a German pancake is also called a Dutch Baby? Now you do!

This has to be the most inventive Brownie I have ever come across and it is so easy and I am sure tastes just divine – Glazed Donut Hole Brownies.

This soup is healthy and filling – Fava Bean Soup with Chili and Mint. (Have it before all those desserts I linked to above and you will have no guilt!)

On Monday, February 13, 2012 Jamie Geller, Hadassah Sabo-Milner and I joined 1300 other Jewish food and kosher wine lovers at the 6th Annual Kosher Food and & Wine Experience at Pier 60 in New York. We had the chance to sample over 200 wines from 20 wineries from all over the world, although I lost track after about 50! Some of the best known kosher wineries were featured, like Herzog, Castel, Covenant, HaGafen, Teal Lake and Bartenura.  There was food samplings from 20 kosher restaurant and caterers.

Royal Wine introduced several new wines, including a new Herzog single vineyard wine from Napa’s Mt. Veeder and an “Old Vine” Cabernet from The Cave in Israel. With preparations for Purim and Passover a little over a month away, kosher consumers were able to experience the most comprehensive tasting of kosher wines in North America and meet wine makers and oenophiles from all around the globe.

Among the more interesting wines I enjoyed during the trade and press showcase, was a new Rose from Castel that will be available later this year and the first kosher effort from Flam, another venerable Israeli winery that recently became kosher.

As always, I love Covenant wines and enjoy talking with the wine makers and owners. This year, Covenant will debut their first Sauvignon Blanc. The Covenant Red C Sauvignon Blanc Dry Creek Valley is delicious and will be a perfect addition to a Spring or Summer Shabbat table.

This year we got to sample new wines from Oregon and Washington — the first kosher wines from this region. Pacifica Evan’s Collection Oregon Pinot Noir features grapes sourced from the Hood River Valley and Willamette Valley, where some of the best Pinot Noir in America are grown. Pacifica Evan’s Collection Washington Meritage, is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes sourced from vineyards located in the Walla Walla Valley area of Washington.

In addition to wine, this year the spirits were flowing. Not just for everyday, but Passover too. Distillery No. 209, a micro distillery in San Francisco already has kosher for Passover gin. This year they are introducing a kosher for Passover vodka. There will be many L’Chaims this Passover.

As for the food during the press and trade portion of the evening, Pomegranate, the upscale Brooklyn supermarket catered a variety of amazing hors d’oeuvres, including my new favorite, kosher beef prosciutto as well as these little cups of sweet breads.  Not to mention the carving station of pastrami and corned beef and the never ending dips, sauces and spreads to taste.

Gemstone Caterers followed up on their triumphant KFWE debut last year with a carved turkey breast appetizer that Chef Ari White smoked using a Herzog wine barrel. Chef White also cleverly served smoked beef brisket atop a miniature cornmeal “Johnny cake” plated with a pickled watermelon rind to cleanse the palate.

Silverleaf Caterers showcased a Duck Confit “Meatball” with a garlic demi pipette over a wild mushroom ragout and cremini chips.  Guests were instructed to squeeze the pipette into their mouths, and then eat the meatball.  It was a popular item, both for the novelty of the pipette, and the tastiness of the duck.

Finchi by Box Chef is a new company preparing great tasting desserts for all, including those with allergies.  Their products are nut-free, dairy-free and gluten-free and you would never know it.

The 2012 Kosher Food and Wine Experience was another great success and I look forward to returning next year to see everything that is new and exciting in the world of kosher food and wine.

Photo Credit: Tzvi S. Cohen.

Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST, we will showcase the best food / kitchen deals of the day. We hope you find them useful. We present to you today’s round up of deals from across the web including cookware, knives and a blender.

Housewares Deals: Sabatier® 6 Piece Aluminized Steel Bakeware Set. Reduced from $82 to $35. This Sabatier Aluminized Steel 6 Piece Bakeware Set is designed to conduct heat quickly and evenly for consistent baking. The round cake pans and square cake pans are great for transporting cakes directly to bake sales, parties, or potlucks after baking. The baking sheets are ideal for turning out delicious cookies, with a nonstick surface for easy removal of cookies. 6 piece set includes: two 9 inch round cake pans, two 9 inch square cake pans, and two 17 inch baking sheets. Dishwasher safe.

Pfaltzgraff: Farberware® 15 Piece Forged Natural Knife Block Set, Red. Reduced from $59.99 to $39.99. This Farberware 15 Piece Forged Natural Knife Block Set features high-carbon stainless steel blades that have been heat tempered for superior strength and durability. Each knife boasts a precision tapered ground blade that narrows gradually to an extremely sharp edge. Additionally, the durable, extra-wide safety bolster provides perfect balance and control. 15 piece set includes: 8 inch chef knife, 7 inch Santoku knife, 8 inch slicing knife, 5 inch Santoku knife, 5 inch utility knife, 3 inch paring knife, 6 steak knives, sharpening steel, universal shears, and storage block. Hand-wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse and dry immediately.

Hayneedle: Granite Top Kitchen Cart with Wenge Base. Reduced from $149.99 to $99.99. You’ll be surprised how much work space and storage can come in such a small package. The Granite Top Kitchen Cart with Wenge Finish is versatile, portable, and won’t hog all the open space in your kitchen – but still gives you plenty of much-needed room for food preparation and more. This cart is made from pine wood and MDF (medium density fiberboard), and has a rich Wenge finish and a natural granite top. A built-in drawer, large bottom shelf, and pull-out wire basket let you keep utensils, towels, and supplies nearby. The built-in wine rack holds four bottles, and four heavy duty locking rubber casters make it simple to put the cart wherever you need it. In fact, the cart (unlike many similar models), is finished on all sides, so you can use it in the middle of the room if you’d like. Measures 22.8W x 15.625D x 33.875H inches.

1saleaday: Euro-Pro Ninja Professional Blender With 6 Blades, 3 Blending Speeds + Pulse Action and 72oz. Pitcher! Reduced from $149.99 to $49.99. Deals Ends Midnight Tonight EST. Whip up your morning smoothies with a 6-blade Ninja technology Euro-Pro Blender. Capable of crushing ice into a fine powder, the NJ600 offers a 1000 watt motor with three blender speeds and a pulse action. Measurement markings on the 72 ounce pitcher help accurately prepare recipes. Made of BPA free materials, the Euro-Pro Blender sports a double-lock safety feature that guards against accidental startup. A non-slip base with convenient cord storage securely locks onto the pitcher. The vacuum sealed lid prevents liquid from spilling out while blending. Pour out those smoothies and daiquiris with the easy pour spout and grip handle, and enjoy the blending, pureeing and processing capabilities of the Ninja Professional Blender.

Macy’s: Farberware Cookware, 11 Piece Set Nonstick Dishwasher Safe. Now you’re cooking – it’s that simple with this fully-stocked collection of versatile nonstick pieces that effortlessly handle and release food and then slip right into the dishwasher for a hassle-free cleanup. Including the basic pots, pans and tools that put a kitchen into business, this budget-friendly collection cooks up flavorful, nutrient rich dishes. Includes: 1-qt. covered saucepan, 2-qt. covered saucepan, 2.75-qt. covered sauté, 6.5-qt. covered stockpot, Prestige® slotted turner, slotted spoon and solid spoon. Glass lids let you watch the cooking process and trap in nutrients, flavor and moisture. Heavy-gauge construction for even heat distribution. Comfort, rubberized handles are oven safe to 350ºF. Dishwasher safe.

What do Frosted Flakes, Keebler, Cheez-It, and Special K chips have in common? They are all a part of the Kellogg family, which will soon include the Pringle brand as well. Originally, Procter and Gamble Co. were going to sell the Pringles brand to Diamond Food Inc. for $1.5 billion. However, an investigation into Diamond Foods Inc. showed that there had been improper payments to walnut growers. The CEO and CFO were thus replaced, and Diamond stock slid considerably, impeding the company’s ability to finance the deal. The sale would have made Diamond, which produces Emerald nuts and Pop Secret popcorn, the second largest snack-maker in America.

In its stead, Kellogg will be purchasing the Pringles brand for $2.7 billion, a deal Kellogg expects to complete by June 30. The reason for this expensive acquisition is that Kellogg wants to “become as big globally in snacks as it is in cereal,” according to CBS news. I can personally attest to Kellogg’s popularity when I see Israelis purchasing 36 NIS (shekel) boxes of Special K and Froot Loops. Their goal is to have that same foothold in the global snack arena. With the attainment of the savory Pringles brand, they hope to accomplish this.

Upon completion of the purchase, CEO of Kellogg John Bryant anticipates that Kellogg’s debt will increase by $2 billion. To allow them to reduce their debt, Kellogg will limit stock buybacks for 2 years.

So, what did I learn from these current events? (1) The importance of a good accounting team. (2) Nuts are a lot more popular than I had originally thought. (3) Kellogg is more than just cereal; it is a way of life. Well, maybe it’s more like a way of snacking throughout the day. Nevertheless, I’m sure Kellogg will hold a much greater presence in most of our lives than it previously had. For $2.7 billion, it had better.

Mondays through Thursdays at 5:00 PM EST, we will showcase the best food / kitchen deals of the day. We hope you find them useful. We present to you today’s round up of deals from across the web – including a blender, a coffee maker and a pastry decorating set.

Jdeal: $100 for a 96-Piece Kitchen Set for Meat, Dairy & Parve from the Israeli Source, a $285 value, including free shipping. Tired of your broken, worn out kitchen set which never has enough of what you need? It may be time for a new set of kitchenware. Prepping for Pesach & you’re either buying all new kitchenware or you can’t seem to remember which are your meat & which are your dairy utensils? Scoop up today’s jdeal and get a 96 piece Kitchen Set for only $100 ($285 value!), including FREE SHIPPING, from The Israeli Source! It’s the perfect gift to yourself, or to the new bride and groom in your life. Make your (and their) culinary life so much easier with this complete set, which includes:
15 kitchen knives (5 assorted, in each color); 3 kitchen scissors (1 in each color); 6 cutting boards (2 in each color); 3 dishwashing brushes (1 in each color); 9 dishwashing sponges (3 in each color); 3 peelers (1 in each color); 15 measuring cups (5 assorted in each color); 15 measuring spoons (5 assorted in each color); 3 oven mitts (1 in each color); 3 pot holders (1 in each color); and 21 kitchen utensils (7 assorted in each color). So, throw out those broken knives and scissors, those dirty boards and mitts, and make cooking easier and healthier with today’s jdeal from the Israeli Source. For only $100, get this 96-piece kitchen set shipped FREE to your door (save $185!!!).

Overstock: Oster Beehive Blender. Reduced from $76.79 to $53.99. The Oster Classic Series Beehive Blender has a 2-speed easy toggle speed control for continuous smooth blending or pulse option for precisely chopped food. A 6-cup scratch resistant and dishwasher safe round glass jar offers durability and easy cleaning.

Roast of the Day: Viking Professional 12-Cup Coffeemaker. Reduced from $299.99 to $239.99! If you are looking for a beautiful coffee maker to match the gorgeous cabinets and appliances in your kitchen then look no further than this beautiful Viking Professional coffee maker. Made from the same company that makes those beautiful stainless steal ranges, designed to look good and work great! Sure-Temp brewing system. 4-12 cup select. Programmable display with clock. Stainless thermal carafe. Removable water reservoir. Permanent stainless coffee filter. Brew Break. Carbon water filter. Hot water bypass. Stainless mesh tea basket.

Woot: Vintage Vac Wine Saver – 2 Pack. $9.99.This set of two wine savers uses a hands-free motorized process to apply a vacuum seal to opened wine bottles. These savers keep your wine fresh, fragrant, and, most importantly, deliciously drinkable. Automatic vacuum pump provides a vacuum seal that reduces oxidation and spoilage, protecting the flavor of wine with no handpump necessary. Just place and twist to activate. An LED indicator light also alerts you to when air is leaving the bottle, causing the flavor to deteriorate. Cordless power makes it convenient and portable. Automatic tilt shutoff features stops the vacuum process when bottle is tilted beyond 35° in order to avoid spills. Includes two wine savers—one burgundy and one dijon. Requires (2) AA batteries, not included. Fits on a variety of wine bottle necks. Dimensions: 2-1/2”Diam x 4”H. Made of ABS plastic; seal gasket is made of silicone.

HSN: Orka by Mastrad Pastry Bag Set with 6 Nozzles. Reduced from $24.90 to $10.00!! Decorate cakes and cupcakes, make macaroons and fill pastries with ease. This kit provides everything you need to create swirls and roses or delicate piping. Just add icing! What You Get: (2) 17 oz. pastry bags; 8.5 oz. pastry bag; Stand; 6 nozzles; Cap; Clamp; Cleaning brush; Instructions for use with recipes. Orka by Mastrad Pastry Bag Set with 6 Nozzles Features: Place pastry bags inside the vertical stand to easily fill them; Vertical stand provides storage space for the nozzles, clamp and cleaning brush; Clamp and airtight cap let you keep your preparation in the pastry bag until needed.

Your Vote Will Determine One Finalist in the 6th Annual Man-O-Manischewitz® Cook Off

Vote online at www.manischewitz.com from February 13-24, 2012.

SECAUCUS, NJ (February 2012)- For the 6th year, the nationally esteemed cooking contest, Man-O-Manischewitz, had home cooks nationwide entering their favorite family friendly recipe for a chance to compete in the live Cook-Off to be held at the JCC in New York City on March 28, 2012. The contest encourages home chefs to experiment with kosher products while preparing delicious recipes that could become either a new family favorite or that have been shared from generation to generation. The contest produced thousands of great recipe entries and now it’s time to vote for your favorite one!

From February 13-24, 2012, voting will be available online by logging onto www.manischewitz.com. The contestant receiving the most online votes will join four others, selected by an independent judging panel, to compete live in NYC at the JCC in Manhattan on March 28th.

The live Cook Off happens in front of an esteemed panel of judges consisting of food media and other culinary experts, for the grand prize worth $25,000 which includes Maytag® appliances, cash and more! Claire Robinson, who was a finalist on Top Chef, is host of several Food Network shows Food Network Challenge and 5 Ingredient Fix, will act as head judge.

Those who entered were asked to submit a family friendly recipe that can be created in less than one hour, using one of Manischewitz All-Natural Broths, such as the new Vegetable Broth, Chicken, Reduced Sodium Chicken, or Beef. This competition encourages at home chefs to experiment with Kosher and Manischewitz products and to think about using these kosher items in all types of cuisine, including Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Greek or whatever else you can think of, all while making delicious, healthy dishes that could become a family favorite recipe.

“We are so excited about the high caliber of recipes entered,” says David Rossi—“We at Manischewitz pride ourselves on our supreme quality and our diverse line of products. This contest speaks to the love that consumers have for our product line. There is truly something for every home chef. “

Here are the “People’s Choice” finalists posted on www.Manischewitz.com: Based on your vote, one will become our fifth finalist to compete live in NYC.

• Julie Merriman—Coldbrook, NY—Lamb and Hummus Flatbread
• Eric Silberman—Lincolnwood, IL—“Mod” Matzo Ball Soup
• Bracha Rosenstein—Philadelphia, PA—Polenta Chicken Florentine
• Janice Elder—Charlotte, NC—Many-Splendored Asian Beef
• Susan Asanovic—Wilton, CT—Pan-Roasted Salmon with Spicy Lentils

The four finalists who have just been selected are:
• Jennifer Daskevich—Los Angeles, CA—Crispy Chicken and Cherries
• Jacquie Serebrani-Kesner—Lexington, MA—Gnocchi
• Ronna Farley—Rockville, MD—Chicken Puff Sandwiches
• Andrew Dorsch—Scotch Plains, NJ—Torte Vegetali

For over 120 years, The Manischewitz Company has inspired great family recipes and ideas.

Today, the Manischewitz product line continues to innovate with new and improved products that maintain the highest quality of ingredients. These products range from traditional comfort food items like soups, crackers and stuffings to products with a Mediterranean twist like the delicious couscous and falafel mix to products that are better for the consumer with reduced sodium, no trans fat, sulfite free and All Natural attributes.

This year’s Cook-Off will support rock CAN roll, which is a non-profit, hunger relief organization that collaborates with rock concerts, schools, corporations, and individuals to collect healthy & nutritious non-perishable food for distribution to local emergency food agencies and into the hands of children, seniors and families who live with hunger and in poverty. rock CAN roll® is built on four basic principles: Healthy Nutritious Dignity & Respect. Bright, eye-catching bin will be set up in major cities during a portion of the contest period so that consumers can make non-perishable food donations in support of rock CAN roll. In support of this effort, Manischewitz will match all donations. www.rockCANroll.org

Additionally, the cook-off raises awareness regarding Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), a national month of recognition of the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. The Manischewitz Company is the founding sponsor of JAHM, and will work with the JAHM steering committee to drive awareness of events and programs. Updates on JAHM are available on www.jahm.us and will continue through the end of JAHM on May 31, 2012.