Win-Win - Dunkin' Donuts National Coffee Day Contest

In celebration of National Coffee Day, Dunkin' Donuts is searching for its ultimate coffee fan!  Starting today "The Ultimate Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Fan Contest," is open to all people passionate about drinking Dunkin' Donuts coffee to keep him or herself running every day.


To reward the ultimate coffee fan's passion and enthusiasm the company has brewed up its biggest coffee-related prize ever with a grand prize five-day trip for two to tropical Costa Rica , including a visit to one of the region's premier coffee farms (with a personal tour led by Dunkin' Donuts coffee excellence managers) and other exotic adventures.

Other prizes include a trip for two to Boston, Massachusetts, home of Dunkin' Donuts' world headquarters, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit with the Dunkin' Donuts coffee excellence team. The day features personal coffee education, an inside look into how the brand brews the perfect cup of coffee, and lunch featuring coffee-themed recipes prepared by Dunkin' Brands' Executive Chef, three-time James Beard Award nominee, Stan Frankenthaler.   Finally the winner will receive 5 years worth of free Dunkin' Donuts coffee, delivered directly to the winner's house.

To enter, visit the Contest Application on the Dunkin' Donuts Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dunkindonuts between September 29 and October 20 and upload a video no longer than 60 seconds that expresses your love for Dunkin' Donuts coffee and why you believe you are the most passionate and loyal fan. Videos may not include footage taken inside a Dunkin' Donuts restaurant.

Online public voting will take place from October 21 through November 4. In addition to the public vote, a panel of Dunkin' Donuts judges will score each entry based on the following criteria: passion for the brand, overall video appeal, originality and creativity. The grand prize winner will be selected based on a combination of the online vote and Dunkin' Donuts judges' scores. The contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years of age and older. The grand prize winner will be announced on or about November 19. Additionally, 10 finalists will each receive 12 months of free Dunkin' Donuts coffee, delivered directly to their houses. JetBlue Airways, Boston's leading carrier, is the official airline of "The Ultimate Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Fan Contest".

Dunkin' Donuts sells 1.5 billion cups of hot and iced coffee every year. For more information about the contest including the rules and prize details, please visit www.facebook.com/dunkindonuts or visit Facebook (www.facebook.com/DunkinDonuts) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/DunkinDonuts).

Posted by cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Fall Coffee Preview - Friis Coffee Savor

Friis Coffee Savor

Keeping your coffee beans fresh has become much easier with with Friis Coffee Savor, a specially designed container that tackles the four major factors contributing to diminished coffee bean flavor including carbon dioxide gas, light, air and moisture.  The stainless steel canisters incorporate air-tight storage with a freshness valve similar to those you see on packages of whole coffee beans.  Those valves are replacable, ensuring that you will be able to maintain your coffee freshness with a steady rotation.  The unit stores up to 1 lb. of whole or ground coffee and also has a handy dial that lets you select the day of the month your first put your coffee into the canister.  Notably, the unit does not have a handy place to label your coffee so for those of you who like to brew different varieties of beans, you will have to find a way to identify them once you have removed them from their packaging.  The units are attractive and reasonably priced at US $19.99 for one, and $38.40 for the pair at the Friis online store.  In addition the company will provide you with a package of free replacement valves to get you started.  We sampled a unit and were impressed with the freshness of the coffee beans even after 30 days of storage.  This unit provides a great storage option for whole bean fans and will be particularly helpful for those who have automatic espresso machines.  For more information, please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

Nespresso Presents Limited Edition Paris and New York CitiZdots

Nespresso has taken inspiration from two of the most iconic cities in the world--New York City and Paris--to develop a limited edition collection of automatic espresso machines. Fresh off of the heels of a highly successful launch last year of the CitiZ and CitiZ with milk lines, the CitiZdots machines take cues from contemporary art to create a graphic interpretation that is sure to be a conversation starter in any home. Taking cues from a recent trend in housewares to appeal to the urban sophisticate who appreciates both form and function, the ultra slim machines fit well into smaller kitchens-- reducing the amount of counterspace used--while incorporating dazzling artwork into the living and dining space. The CitiZdots line pays homage to the architectural treasures and the urban feel of both Paris and New York as seen through the eyes of the Collectif T.O.T., a venture created in 2001 by graphic designers Sylvia and Lo Toth. The inspiration for the Paris-themed machine blends the city's unique place at the crux of the worlds of art, architecture and literature with images of the Eiffel Tower adorning the machine along with a sign for Saint-Germain in bleu, blanc and noir. The New York-themed machine by contrast blends two of the most recognizable icons of New York City life, the yellow taxi cab and the skyscraper which at one glance transports you to a "Gotham City-like" world of yellow and black. The machines use the Nespresso Grand Crus and includes an automatic standy mode that reduces energy consumption. Premiering this spring, the machines will retail for US $299 and will be available at select fine retailers and at the Nespresso Boutiques in New York, Boston, Miami and Montreal. The Nespresso Boutique-in-Shop locations including Bloomingdale's in Soho, Chevy Chase, Md., San Francisco, Costa Mesa, Calif. and Chicago as well as the Bay in Toronto and Vancouver will also carry the machines. In addition, machines may also be purchased through The Nespresso Club at http://www.nespresso.com/ or by calling 1.800.562.1465. For more information, please e-mail cooklikejackie@gmail.com.

2010 International Home + Housewares Show Highlights

The 2010 International Home + Housewares Show was held on March 14-March 16 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Vendors from around the world converged to showcase a variety of items for the home. Several themes emerged from the show including a renewed focused on BPA-free plastics that can accomodate hot and cold beverages, and the use of renewable and recyclable materials such as bamboo. The use of color particularly in bakeware and small electrics provide unique opportunities for accents of color in a kitchen or dining area. Pantone highlighted the 2010 color of the year Turqouise and featured a color display that reinforced that retailers who choose pops of bold colors along with strong neutrals like gray, brown, white and black will catch the eye of the consumer this year. The predominant small electrics were electric and variable tempertature kettles which appeal to consumers interested in lowering energy costs and adjusting between coffees and the exploding tea market. Coffee remains king however as several companies presented single-serve models ideal for a coffee drinker on the go or one who wishes to provide easy coffee entertaining in the home. Many models were displayed including a handheld espresso maker to a luxurious fully automatic machine by one of Italy's venerated manufacturers along with updated lines from existing brands. Popular beverage options clearly focused on juicers including one incorporating the use of different technologies including low-speed extraction. For the tabletop, many ceramics are going lightweight and are more colorful and customized with colors such as red and purple dominating the landscape. Frypans have also become new canvases for color and design alternatives in the kitchen. New covers and a line of cold forged aluminum cookware provides an alternative to traditional cast iron. Reusable totes, carriers, bags and shoppers continue to remain popular with grocery consumers. Manufacturers are using neoprene and other lightweight materials such as nylon are providing attractive alternatives to canvas and cotton bags. Storage solutions including multi-function collapsable containers, modular systems, flexible lids and interchangable tops address the variety of needs for today's consumer. Accessories will include more safety features, collapsable components for easier storage and pops of color. Indoor and outdoor grilling continues to sizzle and many new options including grills, accessories, marinades, rubs and sauces are poised for significant growth. For more updates on these great products follow Cook Like Jackie or e-mail us at http://www.cooklikejackie.com/.

Bodum previews new guilded french press colors

Get ready for your coffee to join the guilded age! Bodum previewed new selections in their popular line of Chambord french presses to include chrome and gold. Currently available in stainless steel and red, the newest renditions of the french presses feature a locking lid system and a precision pour spout designed to prevent drips. In addition, the presses include a thermal double wall glass carafe and a heat seal which helps to maintain heat. The gold french presses will retail for US $129.95 while the chrome units will retail for US $99.95. For more information on using a french press please contact cooklikejackie@gmail.com.