Food & Travel Spotlight

Nov. 15: Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Hosts 1st Annual Varli Culinary Awards with Co-hosts Manu Narayan and Pooja Kumar in New York

Posted by Lia Chang - on Monday, 01 October 2012

Nov. 15: Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Hosts 1st Annual Varli Culinary Awards with Co-hosts Manu Narayan and Pooja Kumar in New York
Manu Narayan Photo by Lia Chang After much-acclaimed success with Varli Magazine, the Varli Food Festival, and the Varli Cook-Off, the Varli brand continues to expand its reach with the first annual Varli Culinary Awards on November 15, 2012, at The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St. in New York. The evening will be hosted by internationally acclaimed Master Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, along with Bombay Dream star Manu Narayan (The Love Guru), fresh from his electrifying turn...

Food & Travel

Jimmy Chin, Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, Alexandra Cousteau and others climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to Raise Funds and Awareness of Global Clean Water Shortage

Posted by AC Team on Thursday, 07 January 2010

One billion people do not have access to clean, safe, drinking water. 30 year old award-winning photographer Jimmy Chin, Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of explorer Jacques Cousteau, are among the expedition climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the Global Clean Water Crisis.

UPDATE January 12, 2010:

They made it! The expedition led by philanthropic singer Kenna scaled to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Tuesday 8:24 pm local time January 12, 2010. The expedition took six days to complete, and had to overcome some harsh blizzard conditions. Kenna, who previously tried but failed to reach the peak in 2005 said, "WE MADE IT! ...The climb to the top may be over, but the fight has just begun..."

You can scroll to the bottom of this page below the images to read more about this expedition to raise awareness and funds for the Global Clean Water Shortage.

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One billion people do not have access to clean, safe, drinking water.

An expedition left today to climb the 19,340 foot Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak, to raise funds and awareness of the world's water crisis.

30 year old award-winning photographer Jimmy Chin, social entrepreneur Bernise Ang, actors Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch, granddaughter of explorer Jacques Cousteau Alexandra Cousteau, Stanford student and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Kick Kennedy, and Elizabeth Gore, an executive with the United Nations...

Chef Martin Yan Hosts the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show in Las Vegas

Posted by AC Team on Friday, 10 October 2008

Chef Martin Yan Hosts the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show in Las Vegas

(Fremont, CA) - Rios All Suite Hotel & Casino will host the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show & Conference with chef Martin Yan in Las Vegas on January 5, 2009. Organized by Chinese Restaurants News, the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Awards Show aims to present the very best of Chinese cuisine in the nation.

From suburban buffets to high-end restaurants, Chinese cuisine has become a fixture of the American daily dining scene. The Chinese Restaurant industry has over $20 billion annual sales with over 43,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. There are more Chinese restaurants in the U.S. than McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's combined.

To qualify for the competition's highest honor -- the Overall Excellence award, restaurants must have been in business a minimum of 2 years and have earned positive industry, media or customer recognition. Qualified restaurants undergo rigorous evaluation by professional Mystery Diners. The Top 100 highest-scoring restaurants will receive the Top Overall Excellence award. Selected from thousands of competitors, these exceptional restaurants demonstrate the highest standards of cleanliness, cuisine, dcor and service. To enter the competition or to vote for your favorite Chinese restaurant, go to www.top100chineserestaurants.com, or call (888)727-8881.

About the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards...

Antioxidant Powerhouses

Posted by AC Team on Tuesday, 01 August 2006

Blackberries, grape juice from Concord grapes, walnuts, strawberries, and artichokes top the list of antioxidant powerhouses

CONCORD, Mass., Aug. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- A newly published study provides a listing of the total concentration of antioxidants for more than 1,000 foods and beverages commonly consumed in the U.S. Ranking the items by antioxidant concentration per serving size, the five foods and beverages with highest antioxidant levels were blackberries (1 cup), Welch's 100% Grape Juice (8 ounces), Ocean Mist artichoke hearts (1 cup), walnuts (1 ounce) and strawberries (1 cup sliced). These items ranked higher than blueberries, red wine, chocolate, coffee and tea -- often touted for their high antioxidant capacity.

Researchers from the University of Oslo, Norway, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and the University of Minnesota used the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) assay method to measure and compile this expanded listing of total concentration of antioxidants for 1113 foods and beverages. The study, which appears in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted independently of any industry sponsors. Food samples were obtained from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program.

"Antioxidants are bioactive compounds in foods that play an active role in the human body. By quenching free radicals they help maintain oxidative balance and contribute to good health," explained...

Live Crab Vending Machines debut in China's Zhehiang province

Posted by AC Team on Monday, 16 September 2013

Live Crab Vending Machines debut in China's Zhehiang province

September 11, 2013 - Hairy crabs are a popular delicacy in China. They are in season from August to October. A new vending machine has popped up in Hangshou, China reported by writer Gwynn Guilford of The Atlantic.com similar to this live hairy crab vending machine which debuted in a subway station in Nanjing, Jiangsu province December 17, 2010. The crab dispenser was designed by Shi Tuanjie, Chairman of the Nanjing Shuanghu Crab Industrial Company  Photo Credit by Sean Yong Reuters

Hangshou, China

The owner of the vending machine which just opened in Hangshou in September, 2013 is Mr. Liu who owns a live crab shop. He hopes to cater to crab buyers who come after hours when his crab shop is closed for the night.

11pm at night and hungry for live hairy crab? No problem, just head over to Mr. Liu's live crab vending machine!

Restaurants Respond for Relief, Chef Arnold Wong Hosts Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. in SF on 4/10

Posted by Lia Chang on Tuesday, 05 April 2011


On Sunday April 10th, Chef Arnold Wong is hosting a Special Benefit for Japan Night at E&O Trading Co. 314 Sutter Street in San Francisco to aid Japan following the country’s devastating natural disaster. This amazing evening brings together San Francisco’s finest restaurants, wineries and mixologists to raise funds for the victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan on March 11th.

Liam Mayclem of Eye on the Bay will preside as emcee from 5-9pm, live entertainment will feature local favorite Chef Joey Altman & The Backburner Blues and burlesque dancers, and the Bon Vivants will be mixing up amazing cocktails during this evening of great food, wines, spirits, live music, entertainment and a silent auction.

Tickets for the event are priced at $75 and 100% of proceeds from the evening will be donated directly to Give2Asia. …Representatives from Give2Asia will be in attendance to speak about their involvement with the Japanese community and outreach underway. Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door based on capacity!

http://www.give2asia.org/documents/Give2Asia-JapanTsunami-HowToHelp.pdf

Participating Restaurants:
Betelnut
Butterfly
Contigo
Range
Slanted Door
Grand Cafe
StarBelly
Beast & Hare
One Market
Tres
Citizen’s Band
Live Sushi
Le Soleil
Basil Canteen
& More

Desserts:
Cocotutti
Kara’s Cupcakes
Nash Baker’s
Raison d’etre Bakery
Pinky’s Bakery
Namu Restaurant

Beverages:
Southern Wine &...