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DARK DINING at Joya’s Chefs Table

Recently TasteTV had the pleasure of hosting a special Dark Dining event (www.SFDark.com) at Joya Restaurant and Lounge in Palo Alto, California, home of Stanford University and a multitude of tech startups.

The Dark Dining event was at the Chef’s Table of Executive Chef Fabrice Roux, of Joya. Fabrice is a very talented chef who has worked for years in San Francisco, France, Las Vegas, and other locales. Joya under his cooking has become the culinary hot spot of Palo Alto.

Fabrice prepared four courses for the dinner party, however he went even further by making each course actually 3-4 different items. As the diners were not able to see their food, this allowed him to challenge their tasting abilities in guessing the ingredients, textures, and finally, the dish. It was a delightful opportunity for the diners to talk with directly, as well as with each other… without being able to see a thing.

Wines served as pairing were Charles Krug Chardonnay, 2012 Sokol Blosser Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, Victor Vineyards Lawson Ranch Chardonnay, and for dessert the Chocolate Shop Sparkling Wine (“red wine with chocolate notes and festive bubbles”).

CHEF FABRICE ROUX’S DARK DINING MENU:

First Course (“Amuse Bouche”)

brentwood sweet yellow corn soup shooter parmesan cheese organic popcorn

Second Course

bay scallop aguachile ceviche/ chorizo corn dog cheese mustard sauce/ caramelized apple and morcilla

Third/Main Course

pan seared walu served with roasted spaghetti squash / mary ‘s rocky junior chicken breast served with chow mein jerk sauce/ roasted pork filet mignon with spaghetti cuban sauce

Fourth/Dessert Course

Deep fried arroz con leche with dulce de leche caramel / chia mango parfait with cilantro / molted chocolate cake with black berry

Nominees and Honorees Announced for 6th Annual TASTE AWARDS

The TASTE AWARDS Committee and TasteTV are pleased to announce this year’s Nominees and Honorees for the 6th Annual TASTE AWARDS.

All Finalist Nominees were voted upon by the members of the Academy of Media Tastemakers. Honoree Award Winners were selected by the TASTE AWARDS Committee. To view the full list, go to the site www.TheTasteAwards.com

In addition, Viewers Choice voting for selected categories has also begun. To vote, go to the site.

Selected Award Winners will be announced in a private reception in December in San Francisco. All winners will receive their awards on January 15th, 2015 at a Red Carpet Awards celebration in Hollywood. Lifetime Achievement Awards and other Special Awards will also be presented to valuable contributors to the industry.

This year’s Celebrity Presenters include P. Allen Smith (PBS, Syndicated stations), Alie & Georgia (Cooking Channel), Bobby Bognar (History), and more to be announced.

NEW EVENTS THIS YEAR:

– Taste Hall of Fame Dinner scheduled in Hollywood on January 14th

– Poolside Brunch in Beverly Hills on January 16th

– Tastemakers Summit & Panel

The TASTE AWARDS are the premier awards celebrating the year’s best in Food, Fashion, and Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio. The Awards have included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms such as the Food Network, the Style Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, Dreamworks, The History Channel, Bio, iHeart Radio and more.

Tips from the Chef: Ryan Scott on how to be a Chef

Celebrity Ryan Scott of “TOP CHEF Season 4” and ABC Network’s “Food Rush” gives tips on how become a chef.

View on Hulu

American Camels produce first retail Camel Milk brand by Desert Farms

We know that camels have long been useful animals in many parts of the world such as the Middle East, northern African, and Mongolia (we think). Those who live with them ride their backs, use their strength to carry packages, and drink their milk. But camel milk up to now could only be found in the United States in camel mild chocolate, or in some instances imported. Too bad, because the United Nations hailed the nutritional value of camel milk in 2006 and predicted higher consumption once it became easier for consumers to buy.

Desert Farms is now announcing that this has changed with the releas and distribution of their U.S.-created camel milk. The milk will be available in a number of outlets, including over 40 Whole Foods in California, as well as direct via the company’s www.desertfarms.com.

Desert Farms’ camel milk is bottled and labeled on small Amish/Mennonite family farms where the average herd is about 6 camels. This is done within hours of milking in small batches to prevent exposure to contamination and to ensure maximum possible freshness.

Desert Farms camel milk is free of GMOs, additives, preservatives and hormones – and tastes slightly sweeter than processed cow’s milk. Containing only milk from U.S.-based camels and bottled entirely in America, Desert Farms Camel Milk is available in several varieties: Raw Camel Milk; Raw Camel Milk (Frozen); Raw Camel Milk Kefir; Pasteurized Camel Milk; Raw Camel Milk Colostrum (1^st); and Raw Camel Milk Colostrum (Regular).

Recipe – How to Make Nudi Cheese Pasta

A recipe for Italian “Nudi” cheese pasta, as made by celebrity Chef Miriam Russell-Wadleigh at Piacere Restaurant in San Carlos, California. Excerpt from “TASTEABLE: California” television series.

Watch video on HULU:

Tequila Herradura Limited Edition Colección de la Casa

We love great design, especially when it is a combination of a well designed product with well designed product packaging. This is the case with Tequila Herradura, who has recently announced the release of their third limited edition Coleccion de la Casa, Reserva 2014 – Scotch Cask Finish Reposado.

Per their latest announcement:

Stemming off the success of its small-batch tequila series, Tequila Herradura announces the release of the third Colección de la Casa, Reserva 2014 – Scotch Cask Finish Reposado. Having undergone a double maturation process after resting in two different types of oak casks, American oak and single malt Scotch casks, this limited edition tequila offers a desirable taste and finish to delight the senses.

“With the latest in the Colección de la Casa small batch series, Tequila Herradura solidifies its commitment to provide new tequila experiences to discerning spirits drinkers who appreciate specialty crafted, artisanal tequilas,” said Liz Edwards, Senior Brand Manager for Tequila Herradura.

Casa Herradura has a strong reputation as an industry innovator and is credited with introducing the first-ever reposado in 1974 and extra añejo tequila in 1995. Colección de la Casa is the best example in the industry of how each of the sources of flavor– agave, water, fermentation, distillation, and maturation – impacts the character of the final product and creates a totally new flavor profile. As with the other two editions, Master Distiller Maria Teresa Lara was the force behind the Scotch Cask Finish Reposado.

Colección de la Casa, Reserva 2014 – Scotch Cask Finish Reposado will be available at fine wine and spirits stores in October nationwide for a limited time at a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Tasting Notes for Herradura Colección de la Casa, Reserva 2014 – Scotch Cask Finish Reposado

Color: Warm gold with brilliant hues.
Aroma: A masterful combination of toasted malt, cooked agave, and smoky wood.
Taste: The finest aged tequila is highlighted by the taste of vanilla, butter, honey, caramel and balanced soft spices.
Finish: The unique scotch cask results in a long-drawn and with a touch of sweetness.

NEW IDEAS FOR A NEW WORLD