"culinary" news and stories

MSNBC has officially uncovered the secrets that make Iron Chef America work - and unlike the Amateur Gourmet, they don't seem to have been required to sign a nondisclosure agreement. The "secret" ingredient is chosen from a list of five possible ingredients that are given to the chefs prior to the filming of the show. While they don't generally know the actual one that will be used, the time they are given to plan certainly does not make it a surprise. To get the effect of a surprise, some scenes - including the reveal of the ingredient - are subject to multiple takes. The actually cooking time is still strictly held to 60 minutes, even though some ingredients may be simmering or nearly ready to use when the clock starts.

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If you are planning on doing any traveling in 2006, it might be worth checking out the Don't Gross Out The World quiz. The quiz features eleven multiple choice questions about the culinary quirks of various cultures, from Canada to Japan. The answers reveal the proper manners you need to exhibit to show your enjoyment and appreciation when dining at foreign dinner tables. Even if you are not planning on visiting Iran or the Inuits this year, it is still an enjoyable way to spend a few minutes. Raise your glasses, your fork and your mouse and take the quiz. My score was 9 out of 11. How did you do?

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Joe over at Culinary in the Desert recently posted this pic of his vanilla oat cookies. I have to say that the black backdrop in this photo, as in many of his other food shots really adds a sense of singularity to the subject. It isn’t hard to imagine that these are the only cookies (or muffins) of their kind on earth. I usually favor shooting food with more context, but this really seems to draw a lot of emphasis to the texture of the subject, as opposed to the setting or the process behind the dish. Joe's Middle-Eastern dishes look pretty good, too.