Cook Like Jackie to Cover Summer Fancy Food Show in New York!

Cook Like Jackie will be covering the 56th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City today through Tuesday, June 28th! 

Since 1955, the Fancy Food Shows have been North America’s largest specialty food and beverage marketplace. Between the Winter Show in San Francisco and the Summer Show in New York City, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade events bring in more than 40,000 attendees from more than 80 countries to see 260,000 innovative specialty food products, such as confections, cheese, coffee, snacks, spices, ethnic, natural, organic and more.


Follow Cook Like Jackie on Twitter and Facebook for updates from the conference and be on the lookout for future posts about the show!
For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Mission Adds Whole Wheat Tortilla to Its Line

Mission Foods®, one of the nation's largest tortilla manufacturers has created a 100 percent whole wheat flour tortilla to its extensive product line. The new Mission Whole Wheat Flour Tortilla was created with the health conscious consumer in mind who is seeking out healthier food options including those with no trans fat.  The whole wheat tortillas are cholesterol free and contain 30 grams of whole grain per serving- more than half the recommended daily value. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and has zero grams trans fat per serving.  For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Beverage Bests - Real Sangria White

Sangria is one of the most refreshing drinks available to those who favor something fruity and flavorful with a wine base.  Although sangria is relatively easy to make, it and other beverages like teas and lemonades are likely to be consumed through ready-to-drink lines.  Real Sangria, producers of Real Sangria Red provides one of the most accessible varieities.  Embarking on the popularity of this drink, the company has recently introduced a new option, Real Sangria White to the U.S. market. 

Real Sangria White, is a blend of natural citrus fruit flavors and fine Spanish white wine. Light-bodied, fruity and refreshing, it is ideal for any occasion from a typical social gathering like a backyard barbeque, a Sunday brunch or even at a Spanish-themed dinner.
Derived from the Spanish word "sangre" which means blood, "sangria" was named for its original red coloring. The red wine punch had its humble beginnings in Spain.  However, it become all the rage during the 1800s at parties throughout Europe. The drink first made its debut in the U.S. in 1964 at the World's Fair in New York.
Real Sangria White will be distributed in most major grocery chains throughout the U.S. and will be launched in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, and New York. Available in 750ml and 1.5 liter bottles the prices range from US $6.99 to $8.99 for the 750ml, and from US $10.99 to $12.99 for the 1.5 liter.

For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Ben & Jerry's "volunteers" two new flavors exclusively at Target Store

Target Stores recently debuted two new, exclusive Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavors at all stores nationwide. The super premium ice cream flavors, Berry Voluntary® and Brownie Chew Gooder®, will be available throughout 2010 in mini cups and pints.

Berry Voluntary is raspberry cheesecake flavored ice cream laced with white chocolate chunks and raspberry swirls. Brownie Chew Gooder is vanilla caramel ice cream with fudge brownie pieces, finished with a caramel swirl. Mini cups will be available for $1.25 and pints will be priced at $3.50 depending on the market.

Berry Voluntary and Brownie Chew Gooder were specifically created to encourage guests to volunteer in their local communities through a special promotion called "Scoop it Forward." Guests simply visit www.VolunteerMatch.org/scoopitforward to find volunteer opportunities in their neighborhoods. After registering for a specific volunteer activity, and forwarding the opportunity to five friends, that person and each of his or her friends will receive a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, redeemable at Target stores, while supplies last. After that time, guests will still be able to participate in the "Scoop It Forward" promotion, and will receive a $1 off coupon in recognition of their volunteer efforts.

For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

New Chip Flavors from Boulder Canyon

Boulder Canyon(TM) Natural Foods is expanding its Totally Natural line of kettle-cooked potato chips this month.  Four new flavors including 60% Reduced Sodium, No Salt Added, 40% Reduced Fat and Olive Oil varieties have recently been added to the line.  The chips will appear in select grocery stores nationwide this month and will be available in either five or nine-ounce bags with a standard retail price of $2.49 - $3.99 per package.

Boulder Canyon snacks are 100% all-natural and cooked in sunflower, safflower or olive oils that are low in saturated fat and rich in essential fatty acids. The snacks feature only natural seasonings and contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.  The new Totally Natural varieties feature 33-100% fewer milligrams of sodium than the average potato chip.  The line currently includes Malt Vinegar & Sea Salt, Spinach & Artichoke, and a new Rice & Adzuki Bean snack chip.

For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

'Taste of Something Better' Culinary Competition Seeks to Crown America's Best Amateur Chef

LG Electronics USA and Food & Wine magazine today have partnered for the 2010 "Taste of Something Better" recipe contest and cooking competition - for the crown of America's best amateur chef.  This contest, now in its second year, celebrates original recipes from amateur chefs across the nation, challenging finalists to a cook off in the LG kitchen at the new, highly anticipated Food & Wine "Taste of Beverly Hills" culinary festival taking place this September.  The competition will be judged by a panel of celebrity chefs, including Tim Love, owner of the Lonesome Dove and the Love Shack in Texas, best known for his appearances on "Iron Chef America" and "Top Chef Masters". The winner of the Beverly Hills cook-off will go on to represent the United States in LG's annual "Life Tastes Good" global cooking competition this fall.

Home chefs and cooking enthusiasts alike - no professional chefs allowed - are asked to submit their favorite main entree recipe for a chance to showcase their cooking skills first-hand in the national cook-off event. Three recipe finalists will be selected by a panel of renowned chefs and culinary critics to participate in LG's "Taste of Something Better" competition, held in conjunction with the first-ever Food & Wine Taste of Beverly Hills culinary festival.

Competitors in the Beverly Hills event will be testing their culinary skills for the opportunity to represent the United States in LG's global "Life Tastes Good" cooking competition, taking place on Sept. 29, in addition to prize packages including the grand prizem a trip for two to Seoul, South Korea, to compete in LG's global cooking competition and a suite of LG stainless steel kitchen appliances.  The runner-up will receive an LG stainless steel 4-door, French-door refrigerator, gas cooktop and double wall oven and the second runner-up will receive an LG stainless steel double wall oven. 

The contest will accept entries from June 15 through July 16, 2010. Food & Wine culinary experts will select 10 winning recipes, which will be prepared in the magazine's kitchen to narrow the field to three finalists, who will compete in the live championship match in Beverly Hills. For complete details and to enter your recipe, visit http://www.foodandwine.com/promo/lg/.  For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Lindt USA Unveils New State-of-the-Art Cocoa Liquor Facility

Lindt & Sprungli a producer of premium chocolate, recently unveiled a new state-of-the-art bean roasting facility at its U.S. headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire. The new 40,000-square foot, cocoa liquor plant provides Lindt USA with the capability to clean, roast and grind cocoa beans, and ultimately to create cocoa liquor, a key component in the chocolate production process.


The expansion will allow the company to control the entire chocolate production process, from bean to finished product, something few chocolate manufacturers in the world have the ability to do. 
The facility now makes chocolate from bean to finished product for the United States, Canada, Mexico, England and Australia using Lindt's 165-year-old Swiss recipes and quality standards.
Lindt offers a wide variety of premium chocolate, including gourmet bars in the delicious Excellence Collection, ultimately smooth-melting Lindor Truffles, and delicious seasonal and boxed chocolate assortments. For more information, please visit http://www.lindt.com/ or e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Tickets On Sale Today for New York City Wine & Food Festival

Tickets for the third annual Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure magazines go on sale today!  The Festival, which takes place October 7-10, 2010, is hosted by and benefits the Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength®.

The third annual event features chefs, winemakers, culinary personalities, and mixologists - including Restaurant magazine's newly named number one and number three best chefs in the world Rene Redzepi of Denmark's Noma and Heston Blumenthal of England's Fat Duck, plus Peru's Gaston Acurio, Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond, cookbook author and country singer Trisha Yearwood and master mixologists The Tipping Brothers; along with Food Network celebrities Paula Deen, Guy Fieri and Alton Brown among others. Plus, a variety of new events to complement all of the returning fan-favorites!

A complete line-up of events for the 2010 Festival is available at http://www.nycwineandfoodfestival.com/.  For more information please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Tofutti Brands Developing Three New NonDairy Gluten-Free Products

Tofutti Brands Inc. a developer, producer and marketer of TOFUTTI brand soy-based, dairy-free frozen desserts, soy-based dairy free cheese products and other soy-based, dairy-free food products is launching three new products set to hit stores by the end of 2010.  The first new product will be the first commercially available nondairy and gluten-free ricotta cheese product.  The company is also develping a dairy-free, sugar-free, frozen dessert than incorporates Stevia as the sweetening agent which is believed to the first frozen dessert to utilize the natural Stevia as a sweetener. In addition, the company is also developing a newly re-formulated frozen pizza with a dairy-free, trans fat-free cheese topping. Tofutti products are sold in grocery stores, supermarkets, health and convenience stores throughout the United States and in approximately twenty-five other countries.

For more information, please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

New York Botanical Garden "Edible Garden" Open Through October 17th

The New York Botanical Garden recently opened its Edible Garden, an exhibition about growing and preparing good food. Set across the 250-acre Botanical Garden landscape and open to the public through October 17, 2010, the exhibition celebrates locally grown, seasonal food through demonstrations from food and gardening experts every day and teaches visitors how to grow the best food at home.

Appearances by Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, Rick Bayless, Daisy Martinez, Dan Barber, Sara Moulton, and others have been scheduled during four festival weekends.  Four kitchen gardens and cooking demonstrations will be held daily.  Proceeds benefit the Children's Gardening program.


Celebrity chefs narrate The Edible Garden Audio Tour through which visitors can discover where their food comes from and how it gets to their table. Listeners can also receive text messages with nutritional information, recipes, tips, and facts about growing food. The Audio Tour is sponsored by Bloomberg and accessible by cell phone.

Four festival weekends during The Edible Garden offer visitors the chance to discover the origins of food and learn about the plants and plant parts that they eat every day. The Edible Garden launched the Get Out and Grill, a summer grilling opening weekend on June 19 and 20. Celebrity chefs provide healthy cooking demonstrations in the Conservatory Kitchen featuring gourmet cookware and other kitchenware from Anolon®, a major sponsor, and state-of-the-art, outdoor kitchen equipment provided by Viking Range Corp. Food prepared in the Conservatory Kitchen is provided by Whole Foods Market. Visitors can also sample a selection of food and beverage products from vendors at the Tasting Terrace and learn about Garden scientists' research projects involving edible plants at Cafe Scientifique. Macy's is the supporting sponsor of the Tasting Terrace.

Additional festival weekends are scheduled for Fiesta de Flores y Comida, a celebration of Latin American and Caribbean food and flowers, on September 25 and 26; Family Harvest (Columbus Day Weekend), on October 9, 10, and 11; and the Fall Finale, October 16 and 17.

For more information, including admission pricing, visit nybg.org, call 718.817.8700 or e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

New and Notable - Tea Forte Single Steeps and Tea Internship for One Lucky College Grad!

My love for the Tea Forte line of fine teas continues to grow.  As a devotee of their beautiful packaging and wonderful flavors along with a great line of accessories, I was beginning to wonder what was next for them?  The company recently launched Single Steeps, an easy to use line of pre-portioned pouches that are a convenient and simple way to prepare and enjoy the perfect cup of premium loose leaf tea.  The company recommends steeping the teas by opening the pre-portioned pouch of tea and emptying the contents into a teapot or infusing basket and pouring the water over the leaves to steep the perfect 12 oz cup or pot of tea.

Loose leaf tea fans will be excited to learn that all Single Steeps are USDA Certified Organic.  They come in a 15 count sampler including three eco-pouches each of Chamomile Citron Naturally Caffeine-Free Herb Tea, Earl Grey Black Tea, Green Mango Peach Tea, Forte Breakfast Black Tea, and Ginger Lemongrass Naturally Caffeine-Free Herb Tea.  The set will retail for US $12.

A complimentary Single Steeps Brewing System which includes a set complete with 24 pre-portioned pouches of Single Steeps tea along with a 12 oz KATI double-wall ceramic tea tumbler with integrated stainless-steel infusing basket is also available for US $24.

Aside from these great single steeps, I was pleased to learn that the Tea Council of the USA is offering a "Sip of Success" Dream Job Contest to grant one lucky college graduate an opportunity to prepare for a great career and experience a unique and thrilling adventure on tea plantations in India, Sri Lanka, Kenya and the USA. College grads can create a two-minute video showing their passion for tea and knowledge of its many health benefits, for a chance to win this exciting prize.  The winner will intern in all three host countries, as well as in the US.  The international internship will begin in mid-October of this year, with a tea tour of Darjeeling and Assam, India, the second largest global tea producer following China. The winner will remain in Assam to begin a 6-week intensive training program, after which he or she will travel to Sri Lanka for another leg of the internship, and then on to Kenya for the final week, returning to the US in late December, 2010. Sri Lanka and Kenya are the world's two leading tea exporters.  To top off the experience, in early January, 2011, the winner will participate in the US portion of the Dream Job internship at SalonTea, under the tutelage of nationally known tea entrepreneur Tracy Stern.

During the internship the winner will learn about all aspects of tea cultivation, processing and appreciation (cupping). He or she will live in Tea Estate Bungalows, which are actually beautiful homes built for the original British managers.  All entries must be original videos created by the entrants and must contain at least one valid message regarding the health benefits of tea, specifically black, green, white or oolong tea. Open to legal residents of the United States and Puerto Rico, who are recent college graduates at least 18 years of age, all entries must be received electronically at www.teausa.org/sipofsuccess no later than midnight on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

For more information and to submit a video for consideration, please visit www.teausa.org/sipofsuccess or e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Well Done - Certified Angus Beef Now Available Online!

Successful gifting is always a mission of mine. When my cooking mentor recently celebrated a milestone birthday, I initially had a difficult time figuring out what to get the person who has every kitchen gadget, every spice, every cookbook and every serving platter you could think of. I am sure that as I progress, my friends will feel the same way about me. However, one day it hit me, I would send her lobster tails. It is not that she could not purchase them on her own, but I knew that she would not, and therefore I used the internet to give her the type of gift I felt that she deserved. She later told me that she was delighted to receive the box which she at first thought to contain flowers. Imagine her delight when she opened it and found two large lobster tails inside. Mission Accomplished!


The impact of the internet on food commerce is undeniable.  Delicacies can be purchased on websites and shipped to your door with ease.  Finding gifts for foodies or something out of the ordinary can create a nervousness over many issues such as freshness, taste and the recipients ability to incorporate what you send into their routine.  Although we accept the concept of buying many types of goods online, when it comes to meats and seafoods, I can understand the general reluctance that the average person may have.  However, there are many great companies which offer wonderful catalogues of delectable foods if you are willing to pay overnight shipping rates including Dean & Deluca and Chesapeake Bay Crab Cakes & More. 

Steak lovers across the United States now have another great option for ordering meats as the elite beef thought only to be served at white tablecloth restaurants is now available for doorstep delivery. The Certified Angus Beef ® brand now offers online ordering, making the brand's premium beef - traditional, Prime, and Natural lines - available for beef connoisseurs and gift givers nationwide.

For more than 30 years, the Certified Angus Beef ® brand has been world-famous for its exceptional quality and generous marbling. Ten strict scientific standards ensure each bite is full of mouthwatering flavor, tenderness and juiciness. The Certified Angus Beef ® brand is a cut above USDA Prime, Choice and Select. It is proudly featured by more than 13,600 restaurants and retailers around the globe and is now available online.


The Certified Angus Beef ® brand, which is the only brand of beef owned by the American Angus Association® and its more than 30,000 rancher members, is offering an elite selection of steaks and gourmet frankfurters. Steak selections include tender 8-ounce Certified Angus Beef ® filet mignons, full-flavored 12-ounce Certified Angus Beef ® strip steaks and robust 10-ounce Certified Angus Beef ® ribeyes. All cuts are available in packages of four to six steaks and begin at US $74.95.

Also available for consumers: Certified Angus Beef ® brand Prime and Certified Angus Beef ® brand Natural strip steaks and filet mignons. The brand's Prime selections appeal to the most discerning taste buds, with less than 1.5% of steaks qualifying for the elite Prime label. The brand's Natural cuts tout the highest quality.  Cattle are never given antibiotics, hormones or anything but a vegetarian diet. In addition, both the Prime and Natural lines must meet all of the Certified Angus Beef ® brand's 10 strict quality standards, ensuring consumers enjoy only the best Angus beef.

Each order is fresh frozen, vacuum sealed and covered with a durable polyethylene film to ensure the highest quality before being shipped in a gift box inside in a reusable insulated cooler.  These are great items to order in advance of a special occasion, a backyard barbecue or an intimate dinner.  For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Ocean Spray Introduces New Line of Blueberry Products

Ocean Spray recently unveiled a new line of blueberry-based products including Blueberry and Blueberry Pomegranate Juice Cocktails, Craisins® Blueberry Juice Infused Dried Cranberries, Blueberry Sugar-Free Drink Mixes and fresh blueberries is a first for the juice category leader.

Not quite out of the blue, Ocean Spray has partnered with JetBlue Airlines to offer travelers a unique opportunity to sample the new line of juice and Craisins® dried cranberries as part of the airline's complimentary line-up of unlimited name brand snacks and drinks through the month of July.


Today from noon-1 p.m. juice loving New Yorkers can see how they measure up to a larger-than-life bottle at Greeley Square Park (between 6th and Broadway, and 33rd and 32nd streets).  Participants will have an opportunity to win one of 250 prizes from Ocean Spray's custom luggage carousel. Prizes include roundtrip JetBlue travel to any of its 61 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin and South Americas, JetBlue Gift Cards ranging from $25-$100, ShopBlue merchandise and Ocean Spray Blueberry Juice products.

The new line of products in detail:

Blueberry and Blueberry Pomegranate Juice Cocktail - Available in original and diet, each eight ounce glass offers a full day's supply of Vitamin C. Juice lovers will adore the diet variety which offers the refreshing taste of blueberries with only five little calories per serving.

Craisins® Blueberry Juice Infused Dried Cranberries - Made from real fruit and have good-for-you fiber, new Craisins® blueberry dried cranberries are a tasty, juice infused, on-the-go snack.

Blueberry Sugar-Free Drink Mixes - Available in Blueberry Lemonade and Blueberry Pomegranate flavors. Sugar-Free Drink Mixes are a nutritious, deliciously flavored drink alternative packed with 100 percent daily value of Vitamin C and only five calories per serving.

Fresh Blueberries - Summer-ripened blueberries rank high among traditional fruits in naturally occurring antioxidants. Look for Ocean Spray fresh blueberries in the produce department year-round.
 
For more information, please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Cooking Light Launches Nationwide Search for the Healthy Chef of the Year

Cooking Light announced today that it is launching a nationwide search to find the chef with the healthiest and most innovative cooking approach. The contest, searching for a self-taught or professionally-trained chef, launches today at CookingLight.com/castingcall and runs through August 14, 2010.


Entrants must submit a three-minute prep-to-plate video of a healthy, original recipe on which they will be judged. Four finalists will be chosen from the entries to compete in a live cook-off event at The Taste of Atlanta, a two-day outdoor food festival in Atlanta, GA, on October 23 and 24, 2010. The Cooking Light judges will select the winner, who will be named the "Healthy Chef of the Year." The winner will receive a $10,000 prize package including a kitchen makeover, a year's worth of free groceries, and the opportunity to become a contributor to Cooking Light magazine and CookingLight.com in 2011.

Any and all skill levels are welcome to enter, from home cooks to culinary school graduates. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and 21 years or older at the time of entry. Anyone who is paid to cook for a living is not eligible to enter.  For more information, please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Vita Coco Coconut Waters to be Distributed by the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group

Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., recently reached an agreement to distribute Vita Coco, an all-natural, pure coconut water reviewed by Cook Like Jackie last year.  A leader in the natural-functional beverage category, Vita Coco is the No. 1-selling coconut water in the U.S. with more than a 60 percent share of the market. Vita Coco is fresh coconut water extracted from young green coconuts and has grown increasingly popular as both a lifestyle beverage and a natural sports drink since its launch in 2004.  The agreement will cover the distribution of five Vita Coco flavors including 100% pure, pineapple, acai & pomegranate, peach & mango and tangerine. Vita Coco will be available in 11.2-oz., 17-oz. and 34-oz. tetra packs and is currently for sale at many specialty markets.  In addition, Vita Coco is currently offering a sweepstakes to include a 4-day, three night trip for two to Brazil.  For more information, please e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Freshen Up Your Fridge with Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese

Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese is announcing its second annual Freshen Up Your Fridge program which will grant one grand prize winner a year's supply of Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese, a new Whirlpool® side-by-side refrigerator with 6th Sense Technology and more. Consumers can visit FreshenUpYourFridge.com and enter to win by sharing, in 50 words or less, why and how their eating habits could be improved through a refrigerator makeover. One grand prize winner will receive a year's supply of Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese and a new Whirlpool® side-by-side refrigerator with 6th Sense Technology which has been rated as the industry's most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator available.  In addition the grand prize winner will receive an in-home visit by a registered dietitian to help select healthier, more nutrient-rich foods for their refrigerator and a $50 gift card toward their first healthy food shopping trip.  One first runner-up will receive a year's supply of Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese and a $500 gift card.  One second runner-up will receive a year's supply of Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese and a $250 gift card.  For more information please e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

EU Logo for Organic Products Will Appear on Products Beginning July 1st

The European Union announced in February of this year a new logo that will appear on all organic products sold in the EU. The winning design by German student Dusan Milenkovic, was chosen from over 3,500 submissions. An online voting process gathered over 130,000 votes to select a winner.


The “Euro Leaf” design will appear on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards beginning July 1st. The logo will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label. The organic farming regulation was amended to introduce the new logo into one of the annexes.

The ”Euro-leaf” design shows the EU stars in the shape of a leaf against a green background. It is a very straightforward sign containing two clear messages: Nature and Europe.

Be on the lookout for the new logo when you travel abroad. Please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com for more information.

Starting Today McDonald's offering $3 per returned glass in recall

Update on June 4th article.

Notice from McDonald's USA on Shrek Glass Recall:


In collaboration with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and as a precautionary measure, McDonald’s USA has issued a voluntary product recall of the four Shrek Forever After™ promotional pieces of glassware recently offered in U.S. restaurants. It's important to know that the CPSC has said the glassware is not toxic. However, we’re requesting customers stop using the glassware and return them to any U.S. McDonald’s restaurant beginning June 9. Previous McDonald’s promotional glassware and Happy Meal toys are not involved in the recall.

To be clear, the glassware was evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory which is accredited by the CPSC, and determined to be in compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements at the time of manufacture and distribution. However, in light of the CPSC’s evolving assessment of standards for cadmium in consumer products, McDonald’s determined in an abundance of caution that a voluntary recall of the Shrek Forever After™ glassware is appropriate.

As always, the safety and well-being of our customers is a top priority and would never be knowingly compromised. McDonald’s safety standards are among the highest in the industry and we have a strong track record. McDonald’s has a longstanding, cooperative relationship with the CPSC, and we continue to follow their lead as testing protocols and new scientific information becomes available.

Instructions for Returning Shrek Forever After™ Glassware

Beginning Wednesday, June 9th, customers can return their glassware to any McDonald’s restaurant and receive a refund. Returns will only be accepted inside the restaurant. Customers will be instructed by a manager to sign a refund slip and will be refunded $3 for each glass returned. No receipt is necessary.

For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Pays Homage to Miles Davis' 'Bitches Brew'

It is hard to believe that 40 years ago Miles Davis, one of jazz musics most iconic figures released his classic "Bitches Brew".  In honor of the great jazz performer and his jazz-funk-fusion masterpiece, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery of Delaware recently unveiled a newly created commemorative ale that is as complex as the man himself.  Their Bitches Brew beer was recently unveiled at Savor, An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, held at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The bold, dark beer brings together three strands of imperial stout and one thread of honey beer with gesho root, bark of gesho, a hop-like plant which is commonly used in beer as a bittering agent  The company recommends pairing the beer with spicy foods such as chili or spicy curry chicken and recommends that it be sipped cool and not ice cold from a snifter or red wine glass which is a departure from most beers which are served in pilsners.

The launch of the beer coincides with the release of a legacy edition and a deluxe collector's edition of the Bitches Brew album which will be available on Legacy Records on August 31st.  Dogfish Brewery is also offering free tours of its facilities in Milton, Delware.  Reservations can be made by clicking here or calling 302-684-1000 x0 or 1-888-8DOGFISH.

Collaborations of this kind are emerging in the wine, beer and spirits markets with famed golfer Jack Nicklaus partnering with Terlato Wines to create two signature wines and also with Absolut Vodka recently pairing with Spike Lee to create ABSOLUT Brooklyn, an extension of their special line of vodkas inspired by major cities in the United States.



For more information please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Ciao Bella Cookbook Giveaway

Cook Like Jackie posted a mention of Ciao Bella's new cookbook last month. Now you can win one through Bon Appetit Magazine!  Simply vote for your favorite pic from the new cookbook by June 10th and you will be entered for a chance to win one of your own!  Good Luck!

Glass and Plastics Concerns Set Consumers and Manufacturers on Different Courses

The Bishpenol A (BPA) free movement continues to spring forward with companies and consumers tackling the balance between offering affordable, durable, reusable products while keeping an eye on the safety of consumers. 

BPA which is frequently used in the production of polycarbonate plastics is typically used to harden plastics and is used with epoxy resin to line the inside of most food and beverage containers.  Many producers of plastic products use the chemical because the containers do not typically absorb flavors nor do they change the flavor of the items stored within those containers.  They are also able to produce lightweight and nearly indestructible pieces that have the look and feel of glass. 

BPA has recently come under fire because the chemical can contaminate the very products that the plastic houses including water, baby formula or food when the chemical leaches out of the plastic often due to consumer misuse such as microwaving or cleaning the item in a dishwasher.  BPA has been linked to a host of maladies including cancer, abnormal behavior, diabetes, heart disease, infertility, developmental and reproductive harm and obesity.  Concerns over possible harmful side effects of the chemical are becoming more widespread. 

In May, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) along with environmental health experts presented the results of a new report demonstrating alarming levels of the chemical was present in canned foods.  She introduced legislation to ban BPA in cans and other food and beverage containers as part of the Food Safety Act.  The American Chemistry Council which represents a variety of sectors within the plastics industry has also presented a number of studies that refute many of the claims about BPA's harmfulness through a comprehensive website.


Glass which is durable yet more likely to break has faced its own set of challenges as McDonald's Corporation recently issued a massive recall of its 'Shrek Forever After' promotional glasses due to cadmium concerns.  Coffee giant Starbucks also issued a recall of glass water bottles it sold in stores in late January due to concerns over shattering.

Initiatives to reduce plastic consumption while also protecting consumers from the dangers of glassware are developing in many surprising places.  The City of Chicago passed the first municipal ban in May 2009 when it ordered that no empty food or beverage containers intended for use by children under the age of 3 containing BPA be sold in the city beginning in January of this year.  The Maryland Senate approved a measure to ban bottles and cups (but not toys or teething rings) containing BPA for children under 4 in March of this year and the measure will take effect in 2012.  Connecticut and Minnesota have also passed similar bans. 

MOM's Organic Market, a Rockville, Maryland-based homegrown organic grocery chain launched a Battle the Bottle initiative this month which is designed to substantially reduce plastic use including the elimination of bottled water.  Insprired by the movie "Addicted to Plastic", the goal of the program is to address the alarming rate at which oceans are being contaminated by plastic.  The program links plastic use to oil dependence and was launched amid attention to U.S. Gulf Coast which is experiencing an unprecendented oil spill which is gusing upwards of 25,000 barrels of oil daily from a well owned by oil company BP. 

MOM's will remove all bottled water from its shelves and install water filtration machines in each store allowing customers to use resuable containers for water with the first gallon free on every visit.  In addition, each MOM's employee will receive a free counter-top home water filters and reusable water containers.  The store will only stock potatoes, onions, oranges and salad mixes in biodegradable clamshells and will eliminate bagged versions of the produce.  The chain eliminated the use of plastic grocery bags in 2005 and has an aggresive recycling program.

Stay tuned for follow-up articles listing BPA-free containers and updates on research and data.  For more information please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus partners with Terlato Vineyards for Limited Prodution Wines

Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus of Jack Nicklaus Wines has partnered with Terlato Wines of Napa Valley to produce a new line of handcrafted, limited production wines including a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2007 Private Reserve.  Terlato owns both the Chimney Rock and Rutherford Hill wineries.  The winery partnered with Nicklaus due to his background as a wine collector and his desire to create a signature wine that he and his family could produce under the Nicklaus brand.  The Cabernet Sauvignon has hints of blackberry, red plum and cedar notes in addition to layered mocha and red current which blend together to add a sweet spice flavor to the wine.  The Private Reserve combines Bordeaux grapes and Syrah.  The wine has a deep black cherry fruit with vanilla and smoky paprika accents.  The limited production 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon retails for US $35 and the 2007 Limited Production Private Reserve is priced at US $43.  Both wines are available through http://www.uncorked.com/ and at premier golf clubs and resorts throughout the United States.  For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Preview - Poggenpohl partners with Hadi Teherani to present +ARTESIO

Poggenpohl, the German high-end kitchen manufacturer, recently announced +ARTESIO, a fresh new take on design that features a collaboration with Hamburg-based architect Hadi Teherani of BRT Architects. Born in Tehran, Iran, Mr. Teherani is a world renowned artchitect who has been recognized as one of the most creative minds in architecture and design. The new aesthetic provides an all-embracing option and architectural melting pot that fuses furniture design, wall, floor and ceiling while also integrating ventilation, lighting and sound "under one roof". As many homes are retreating back to the kitchen as an ideal place for cooking, entertaining and home living, +ARTESIO is an option for those who wish to integrate this type of design into their homes. The new line follows the Bauhaus philosophy that "form follows function" and will be available through Poggenpohl in early 2011. The kitchens are designed using a three dimensional platform that connects the floors, walls and ceiling. The ceiling takes on a functional arch that houses the lighting, ventilation and sound features that draw the dweller to the kitchen which then becomes the new center of the home. The kitchens are organized such that the design grid combines louvred walls and base units that feature horizontal lines. The uniform style is based on a new carcase that allows identical front and side sections which represents innovation in kitchen design. The kitchens also incorporate stainless-steel bands that extend around the structure of the walls providing the perfect compliment to the wooden surfaces. Poggenpohl provides a variety of materials for use with the deisgn including a textured leather (the first ever offered by the line), and other finishes including melamine, wood venners and lacquered glass. For more information please e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

McDonald's Issues Recall of "Shrek Forever After" Glassware

McDonald's Corporation in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a voluntary recall of its limited edition set of "Shrek Forever Ever" glassware due to a concern over cadmium levels present in the glassware. The glasses were a recent promotion of the Dreamworks film which has grossed over $133 million in theatres. The glasses have been available at McDonald's restaurants since May 21st. The four designs include popular Shrek characters including Puss 'n Boots, Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey. Consumers have been asked to stop using the glasses and McDonald's will post information on their website about the recall on June 8th. For more information please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

ABSOLUT Vodka teams with Spike Lee for limited edition ABSOLUT BROOKLYN campaign

ABSOLUT VODKA announced that it is kicking off a summer-long celebration in honor of the launch of ABSOLUT BROOKLYN, a limited-edition city-inspired flavor recently added to the ABSOLUT VODKA portfolio which currently includes ABSOLUT NEW ORLEANS, ABSOLUT LOS ANGELES and ABSOLUT BOSTON. The spirit is infused with red apple and ginger flavors, and is housed in a specially designed bottle as part of a collaboration with film director Spike Lee. The label presents a colorful depiction of "Brooklyn Stoop Life" with a stylized illustration of a the front of a Brooklyn brownstone. Similar to the Nespresso CiTiz espresso machine introduced earlier this year which captures iconic imagery of New York City, this product packaging presents an artistic interpretation of New York City life with a focus on the borough of Brooklyn which has for generations functioned as an epicenter of creativity, culture and community. Brooklyn stoop will be sold in 1 liter bottles and will retail for US $24.99. ABSOLUT VODKA will donate US $50,000 of the profits from the sale of ABSOLUT BROOKLYN to Habitat for Humanity - New York City, an organization renowned for building quality, affordable homes for families in need. The funds will be earmarked for a new affordable homes project in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn scheduled to be completed in 2011. For more information please contact us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

To "Aerate" is human, to drink divine...

Wine appreciation can often seem like a daunting and intimidating realm for many of us who appreciate good food and good drink. With so many varieties, attactive packaging and labeling along with the uncertainty of knowing whether a bottle beholds something you would want to indulge in for days on end or whether it is something you would rather recork and forget you ever let touch your palette, it is difficult to know where to begin. Fortunately, most vineyards offer tastings, local wine shops do the same, and you can even contact a sommelier to come to your home or private event to give you a tutorial. You need not have much knowledge ahead of time when it comes to wine because there are many books and resources available to help you increase your wine education which can quickly become a great avocation. The wonderful part about drinking wine is that you can trust your senses to lead you down the right path. The key is to know what you like and to give yourself time to explore other offerings with the understanding that with so much product on the market you can go from wine to infinity in a lifetime and never drink the same wine twice. There are a number of accessories on the market that go beyond corkscrews, wine totes and wine racks to help you to maximize your wine experience. I recently tested the Vinturi line of aerators for both red and white wines. Most of us know that decanting is a critical step in aerating red wines. For the true wine geeks, Vinturi has taken scientific principles including Bernoulli's principle which states that as the speed of a moving liquid increases, the pressure within that liquid decreases, a concept dictated by the law of conservation of energy. With the Vinturi red wine aerator, one can increase the velocity of the wine while decreasing the pressure allowing the air to effectively mix with the wine to provide perfect aeration with each pour. The device is simple to use, simply by holding it over the glass and pouring the wine through the top of the unit (those who are especially clumsy may need assistance) the wine will travel through the aerator into your glass. Do not be alarmed when you hear the gurgle of the air mixing with the wine as you pour. We tested the aerator on a merlot and a cabernet sauvignon and the difference in flavor is quite noticable between the original wine and the wine used with the aerator resulting in a much improved upon flavor that brightens the tannens and produces a better mouth feel which in both cases was much smoother. The aerator can make a $10 bottle of wine taste like a $25 bottle of wine easily which is great for those of us with champagne tastes on beer budgets. The red wine unit also includes a filter screen which captures cork and sediment, while preventing clogging and overflow. In addition, Vinturi has also developed an aerator specifically for use with white wines. This model looks similar at first glance, however, the units are not interchangable. The white wine unit does not include the filtration screen, and the unit has been adjusted to produce different flow rates for the white wines to enhance their flavors. Upon testing on a chardonnay and a sauvignon blanc, the difference is flavor is less marked than that for the red wine, but improved nonetheless. Both aerators nest in their own cradle and come with a convenient carrying case. The units are dishwasher safe as well. Each aerator sells for US $39.95 and is available for purchase through the Vinturi website and at retailers including Sur La Table, World Market and at many smaller wine shops. Subscribe to our blog to hear about more wine accessories or e-mail us at cooklikejackie@gmail.com. Product samples were received and tested for use with this post.