Judy "the foodie" Asman's Blog (26)

White House Chefs: Sensitivity not Fame

Would you want someone with an astronomical ego cooking your food (not to be confused with gastronomical)?

I like humble people myself. Those low-down types who've got it goin' on but don't feel the need to create a cult figure out of themselves. (As opposed to wannabes who seem to be the ones who turn themselves into something larger than life).

Not sayin' that the likes of Bobby Flay, Giada or Rachael do that, but here's what's true: they are definitely not in line for… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on November 25, 2008 at 10:13am — 3 Comments

President-elect Obama Stops by Chicago Deli

Normally this wouldn't be top-fold news. But hey, it's FohBoh, the voice of the global restaurant industry. On Change.gov, the Prez-elect camp posts photos and this blurb:

Friday, November 21, 2008 05:11pm EST /

President-elect Barack Obama visited Manny's Cafeteria and Deli in Chicago today to pick up two cherry pies and three corned beef sandwiches -- including one for… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on November 21, 2008 at 4:56pm — 7 Comments

SoCal burns and businesses step up to help. Or do they?

In Southern California this weekend, Hollywood glitz has felt more like Armageddon. As I write this, massive fires continue to burn in three counties, and local radio station KNX-AM has reported 26,000 residents have been forced to evacuate.

Yesterday, a general manager from a local hotel sent a media alert inviting evacuees from all zip codes to stay at his resort for 40% off the regular price, pets welcome. As I started to run this alert on my site, it dawned on me the invitation… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on November 17, 2008 at 7:00am — 6 Comments

Election-Eve Fun: The Gastronomic Pleasures of U.S. Presidents

Looking for a great idea for an Election Day special? Or maybe your child is looking for trivia to earn extra credit on a quiz. The following might help. As those of us living in the States study our ballots and prepare for tomorrow's historic and critical election, I decided to take on the the light-and-tidy activity of looking into the favorite foods of some of the former U.S. Presidents.

Note, many of the foods said to be savored by those who once ran the Oval Office… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on November 3, 2008 at 7:00am — 8 Comments

The Great American Sports ... Promotion?

In a society where we're fortunate to have great sports, food and an abundance of both, I'm always amazed by how the two help each other when it comes to marketing and branding:

Hometown pizza joints such as Pizza Club La Habra in Southern California keep their store bustling by partnering with little league sports teams and offering specials for big pro-game nights
The Dodger dog reminds avid baseball fans which team is famous for selling the foot-long…

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Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on October 27, 2008 at 7:00am — 6 Comments

I Spy an Asian Influence

Sometimes I think I've eaten enough "Asian" food in my life to take me through several incarnations. The quotations are intentional given there are so many interpretations of what Asian food is, and some folks I know of Eastern or Southeast Asian descent would protest for the authenticity of their specific cuisine.

Regardless of whether someone is a purist fan of Mandarin, Thai, Japanese or Korean cuisine, there's no arguing with the influence the blend of cultures has on… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on October 20, 2008 at 9:51am — 3 Comments

Good value and an Internet buzz help Taco Rosa's appeal.

Yesterday, I had the distinct pleasure of being hosted with two friends at a nearby eatery Taco Rosa. Known for a Latino-fusion menu and casual neo-classic surroundings accented with a dark-wood and white-linen motif, Taco Rosa has maintained a bustling vibe even in this economy.

While enjoying Taco Rosa's diverse and hearty Sunday Brunch ($15.95/person), I had a chance to ask one Marco Calderon, a brother in the founding family, what helps Taco Rosa maintain its hotspot… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on October 13, 2008 at 9:36am — 9 Comments

Are you cut out to be the next Food Network Star?

The California Restaurant Association included this in their recent e-newsletter. Just wanted to share with you all because I'm sure the next Bobby Flay, Giada DeLaurentis or Rachael Ray are among us ...

Learn more here.

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on September 25, 2008 at 5:21pm — 3 Comments

Clock's ticking for the FohBoh Innovation Challege.

Other than stand there and bogart all of the lobster, what would else would you do to operate an efficient lobster station at a wedding reception and provide a scrumptious experience for friends, family and crashers?

That's the question for this week's FohBoh Innovation Challenge presented to us by Chef Oscar M. Gayer.

There are some… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on September 23, 2008 at 10:56pm — No Comments

When the past haunts you online.

The Web has been a great way for former friends and coworkers to find me and vice versa. And I'm not talking sites like classmates.com or even MySpace. Plenty of folks need only Google me to find me and sites like FaceBook and LinkedIn are what's helping me reconnect with those I'd long admired and adored but with whom I just lost touch.

The downside? There are folks with whom losing touch wasn't such a bad thing. Anyone from ex-flings to idea-stealing-corporate-mongers have… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on August 21, 2008 at 10:16am — 14 Comments

Food as a Way of Life

If you’re forever talking about your favorite Food Network chef, attending culinary classes or blogging about your favorite restaurants, chances are, you’re a foodie.

On a national front, John Alexander of the Florida-based Stirling View, a hospitality industry consulting firm, says the recent popularity of foodie life… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on August 3, 2008 at 10:41am — 10 Comments

Revenge can be sweet—and savory.

Perhaps if George Crum were a chef-waiter today, he'd have been active participant in the Waiter Rant blog, which we're discussing in Roy McNaughton's post about the new book of the same name.

Or maybe not.

Some of you might know it was George Crum who developed the potato chip in 1853. So the story goes: It started when Crum served customers french fries. But, dissatisfied the potato slices… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on August 1, 2008 at 10:18am — 3 Comments

Calif. Trans Fat Ban: State vs. Feds

It appears the Governator and Calif. Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (Dem.) are celebrating the victory of the legislation banning trans fat. This past Friday, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the law into action, making California the first in the U.S. to take statewide action with regard to this issue.

The legislation, proposed by Mendoza, goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010 and "will ban restaurants, bakeries and other retail food establishments from using oil, margarine and shortening containing… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on July 28, 2008 at 9:30am — No Comments

$8.95 for a plate of deep-fried frozen spring rolls? Really now.

That's what I paid for my highly anticipated appetizer at a recently opened, fancy-bowling spot here in Orange County.

Despite a good time, great loud music (Springsteen classics notwithstanding), wonderful service at the bar and the neo-hip theme, which gives cosmic bowling its cred, I was bummed to have been served spring rolls that were far from fresh, far from hearty, and far from served on a decent plate (I thought plastic serving baskets were for mall food… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on July 25, 2008 at 12:33pm — 2 Comments

Some days I really do just want good food.

I've had a couple of experiences recently, which challenge the notion if you offer good service, you can get away with serving mediocre food.

While recently traveling through a small town, I walked into a biscuits and gravy joint where the tables hadn't been cleaned off and the server kept forgetting to bring items we requested.

He was friendly enough, don't get me wrong, with a bright disposition and genuinely personable. But operating with no sense of… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on July 25, 2008 at 12:23pm — 6 Comments

Entitlement: The deal ender.

Last year, when James Lipton asked Michelle Pfeiffer, "What turns you off?" the actress replied: "Entitlement."

I knew there was a reason I liked her.

In my darkest hours, I have felt entitled—that sick, grim feeling that wenches on about how the world owes me. The times I'd be more apt to say, "What else ya got?" over "Thank you."

I tend to notice it in others too:

The undefeated football team who—after scoring late in the fourth…

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Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on June 30, 2008 at 4:53pm — No Comments

Other Games in Town Besides Yelp

As a former Yelper, I can honestly say, I'm scratching my head over why certain restaurateurs put so many eggs in the Yelp basket.

The appeal of this mostly-popular-among-Gen Y-user-generated-content site is two-fold, catering to innocent restaurant-goers seeking a quick online review of a certain eatery as well as those who want to open an account, jump in and become a part of the clicquish—often snarky, sometimes vulgar—culture that gives Yelp its intimidating… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on June 30, 2008 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Wendy's Putting Digital Ads in Bars

This is really interesting.

With jukeboxes going digital, so invites more opportunities for advertising. And Wendy's was wide awake for this one. I'd like to see how this plays out. But kudos to them for playing off of the post-party munchies angle. I smell subliminal attraction.

Interactive Jukeboxes Will Make Pitch as Patrons Browse Music Selections

By Emily Bryson York

Published: March 25, 2008

CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Out drinking and… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on March 26, 2008 at 9:57am — 10 Comments

Food Network stars dish about ethnic cuisine in American mainstream

I know we've been hearing about the popularity of ethnic cuisine for a while. Here Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Danny Boone and Robin Miller break it down. We really are the world.

By Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY

USA TODAY's Jerry Shriver asks top TV chefs....Which ethnic cuisines or ingredients are ready to break into the American mainstream?

Masaharu Morimoto

A native of Hiroshima, Japan, Morimoto built his reputation as executive chef at Nobu in New… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on March 17, 2008 at 11:46am — 2 Comments

5 Ways to Pimp Your Profile

I don't know about all of you, but lately I find myself really enjoying the profile features here. Have you noticed the technology makes it easy to show off our creative mojo? I'm enjoying seeing all of yours while working my own personal e-space.

My discoveries:

1) The templates. They can say so much about our personalities. As an add on to Mark McKellier's post about avatars, our profile patterns and colors create a mood while telling others a little bit about… Continue

Added by Judy "the foodie" Asman on March 17, 2008 at 2:15am — 17 Comments