Call it a staycation, call it a vacation. Call it what you will, I’m taking it. We’ve reached the summer months and I’m taking a bit of time to focus on relaxation, family, and future, nearly a country-wide theme with the upcoming Fourth of July.
But be not worried! Good things, they are a-happenin’. When I’m back at the Daily Blender helm July 11th, I’ll have a great bio on chef Eric Faivre of Maui’s Grand Wailea, as well as a look at the island’s Evonuk Farms with Wailea’s chef Isaac …

I always find myself so reflective this time of year – a glance over my shoulder perusing all that has happened since last holiday season, a stare into the distance wondering what will become of the new year. 2010 was an amazing time for Daily Blender, with new connections made and old ideologies honored. As any restaurateur knows, evolution is the key to success, and the path of DB is no different.
The year started off with perhaps my favorite event coverage of 2010, the amazing Cayman Cookout. A weekend of …

In a number of new food and wine events that have sprung up over the last few months, the Barbados Food & Wine and Rum festival certainly caught my eye. After realizing earlier this year at the Cayman Cookout that every festival weekend should involve sand, surf, and sun, Barbados is yet another wonderful event that fits the bill.
For this year’s inaugural weekend happening November 19-22, a handful of favorite chefs will be offering culinary demonstrations and general beach-friendly fare for those who make the trek to the tiny tropical …

Today, I’m off for another food-filled extravaganza, and I’m finding myself in a bit of reflection prior to departure. Though I regularly attend events closer to home, I most enjoy the one weekend each month where I take time to travel and explore some far away destination. This weekend, it’s New York City.
I have a weakness for New York City, as many folks do. I began visiting when I was a teen, and over the years, have found myself in more familiar surroundings with each trip. It is a city …

On my way home from errands yesterday, as I debated what I really wanted to write, what direction I was headed in, where I wanted Daily Blender to go, I ended up behind a car that had a bumper sticker that spoke to me (as sometimes bumper stickers do). It said “Never apologize for your art.” After a few recent unfriendly comments, the message really resonated with me, and I realized it was time to take Daily Blender somewhere else.
When I started writing for DB, it was owned by a …

When I took over ownership of Daily Blender back in April, I mentioned that there would be a few changes with a new captain on the boat. I’ve been keeping a list of ideas for Daily Blender – from features to partnerships – and I’m finally implementing them one by one! Here’s the latest on the evolution! Hope you enjoy!
1) New pages! In case you hadn’t noticed yet, our Food & Wine Events page went live last week, after much request from our readers. While it’s certainly not an all-encompassing …

Thanks to the folks at the Connecticut Forum, we’ve snagged the video clip of the recent Food for Thought forum with Anthony Bourdain, Alice Waters, and Duff Goldman!
If you recall, Tony made quite the huff about Waters’ choice of Shark fin soup as a last meal. Hey – it’s her last meal! Maybe she doesn’t want to go sustainable for the last bite!

~Jennifer Heigl

More new Daily Blender categories! Yay! This week, we’re starting a Friday Five, where we feature our favorite foodie fives – recipes, websites, YouTube videos, social media links, and anything else we like that’s food-related!
Today, we’re listing a few of our favorite foodie Twitterers (Tweeters? Tweeties? Tweeterazzi?). Sure – I know you’re already following us @Dailyblender but why not add a few more fellow foodies to the mix?
Here are a few of our favorite fellow foodies to follow on Twitter:
1) @Lee_Schrager – This food festival mogul tweets about his favorite …

According to a recent report by food consultant Technomic, consumers are ordering less appetizers, salads, and soups during their dining experience. In a reflection of the current dismal economic times, it seems restaurant customers are sticking with main dishes and opting out of the extras.
“To justify spending on items from the left side of the menu, they want more value-dishes with unique flavors they can’t make at home, or are large enough to share or eat as an entrée,” says Darren Tristano, EVP at  Technomic.
For food service operators, Technomic suggests …

Thanks to the Twitterverse, I’ve stumbled upon The Kathleen Show, and her recent interview with food activist and author Michael Pollan. You can listen in here!
In other Pollan news…
In response to the recent removal of ‘The Omnivore’s Dilemma’ from Washington State University’s ‘common reading’ selection, Bill Marler, a food safety advocate from Seattle, made the bold offer to fly Pollan to Spokane to speak at WSU. A spokesperson for WSU’s President, Elson Floyd (and the former president of my alma mater, Western Michigan University) noted that Floyd has accepted Marler’s …

Food author and activist Michael Pollan, author of ‘In Defense of Food’ is visiting the Twin Cities this week to talk food. Local newspaper, The Star Tribune, had a chance to speak with Pollan yesterday regarding his food activism.
Here are a few of my favorite bits from the interview:
Q: With the recent contamination scares, people may be feeling a sense of security in processed foods, which are exactly what you argue against. How do you respond?
A: A lot of people think processed food is safer because it’s so sanitized, but …

Food writer and Gourmet Editor-in-Chief Ruth Reichl was up in arms last week over a recent New York Times article noting that many food companies are now placing the responsibility of food safety on their consumers.
According to the Times article, companies like ConAgra, who experienced a recent food recall with their Banquet pot pies, have essentially resorted to wiping their hands of food safety responsibility by adding new ‘food safety’ instructions to their packaging. Other food manufacturers, such as Nestle and the Blackstone Group, are taking the same route, conceding …

Posted by Jennifer Heigl
Not your average job posting! Thanks to MediaBistro.com, we’ve discovered that celeb chef José Andrés is in search of a new Executive Assistant! The available position is located in Washington, D.C. with the ThinkfoodGroup, his restaurant management company with restaurateur Rob Wilder.
Interested? Make sure you have three years of senior level administrative experience, an understanding of Microsoft Office, and a fluency in both Spanish and English. The position does require an average 45-55 hour work week, with occasional nights and weekends – but, come on! José Andrés! …

When wine and spirits consultant Steve Olson took the stage at Friday’s ‘Cocktails and Cuisine’ event at Wynn’s Encore, I knew we were in trouble. The spunky, aptly-named ‘wine geek’ announced from the stage that we’d be having six cocktails during the two hours of the presentation. Ouch. As his sidekick, and master mixologist in his own right, Tony Abou-Ganim moved from guest to guest, pouring an intoxicating Latin drink into empty glasses, I was glad I had downed a large breakfast.
During the event, Tony and Steve, along with fellow …

Posted by Jennifer Heigl
One of the things that I’ve loved most about the Vegas Uncork’d event is the personal interactivity. From blackjack to cocktails to the Ultimate All-Star Interactive Luncheon, it’s really been a great opportunity to rub elbows with culinary stars while learning a few tricks of trade.
Saturday’s Ultimate All-Star Interactive Luncheon was the ultimate in audience participation. Hosted by super business woman Elaine Wynn and Bon Appetit’s Barbara Fairchild, the event included five courses, each demonstrated and hosted by top chefs, with cooking stations and assisting chefs at …