Catherine Cassidy - Editor-in-Chief - Taste of Home
How powerful is a homemade meal? Can it change a life? On September 8, 2009, Taste of Home is launching the Cooks Who Care Cookbook that includes stories of how just one recipe does change a life. You should have received the cookbook by now, if not let me know and I will send one today. This is no ordinary cookbook! It does have all the easy, budget friendly recipes that have made Taste of Home the #1 cooking magazine in the world, but it has something very special –heart. The Cooks Who Care edition features 21 inspirational real people, who have used a recipe to help others. In addition to almost 1400 recipes, tips, and techniques; the new cookbook shows the difference a small gesture, such as a homemade meal can make – all of which happen with a recipe and a Cook Who Cares. Taste of Home Editor-in-Chief, Catherine Cassidy is available for interviews, but the real heroes are the individual people who have given back to those in need at a time when our economy was the most bleak in years. Several of the Cooks Who Care are available for interviews as well. Like the Alison Gilmore who bakes up casseroles to feed hungry people in the park every Sunday. There is even a 12-year-old girl who cooked to help children in Africa . In addition to the launch of the Cooks Who Care Cookbook, Taste of Home is calling to action other home cooks to go into their communities and help others through a food related effort. In honor of anyone who has helped others with a bake sale, worked in a soup kitchen or even made dinner for a neighbor having trouble making ends meet, Taste of Home will be honoring these truly amazing individuals during National Cooks Who Care Week November 9th -16th.
Chef Paul Prudhomme - K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen®
Propelled the distinctive cuisine of his native Louisiana into the international spotlight and continues to push the limits by creating exciting and new American and international dishes.Chef Paul learned the importance of using the freshest ingredients while cooking at his mother’s side and continues to use only earth’s finest harvests. As the youngest of 13 children, Chef Paul was always adventurous. His strong curiosity of life and cultural customs motivated him to leave Louisiana in his early 20’s and travel across the United States to experience every culinary environment possible. From an Indian reservation all the way to the finest, five-star restaurant, Chef Paul learned to love, appreciate and blend the flavors of his younger years with those of many other cultures.In July 1979, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen® opened its doors in New Orleans. In only a few years, his French Quarter restaurant attracted world travelers and continues to excite diners today. Diners are especially pleased to learn that K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen now takes reservations. Renovations were completed at the restaurant at the end of 1996 doubling the seating capacity. Today, K-Paul’s Catering division satisfies palates in New Orleans and “anywhere on the planet!”As a result of endless requests for his seasoning secrets, Prudhomme created his own line of all natural (Kosher supervised) herbs and spices. Today, Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends® are distributed in all fifty states and in more than 25 other countries. His blends are popular with both home cooks and professional chefs. In addition, Chef Paul produces his own seasoned and smoked meat s (andouille and tasso). All are available through Magic Seasonings’ Mail-Order catalog, which also features cookbooks, giftpacks and cooking tips (online atwww.chefpaul.com ).Chef Paul recently added Magic Salt Free Seasoning®, Salmon Magic®, Shrimp Magic® and Sweetie Magic™ to his dry seasoning line and developed a line of sauces-marinades for retail and institutional use. He expanded manufacturing capabilities to a 130,000 square-foot plant which now produces custom blends, bulk sizes and contract packing for other food companies at Chef Paul’s AIB approved New Orleans area plant. Chef Paul consults with restaurant chains and large food manufacturers around the world to develop complete menus or selective menu items and specialty dishes. He and his Product Development team and R&D Kitchen can also create specific flavor profiles or duplicate existing ones.As one of America’s best-known chefs, Prudhomme has been featured often on the three major television networks’ prime time programs. He has made guest appearances on NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, 20/20, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, Larry King Live, Nightwatch with Charlie Rose, the QVC Shopping Channel, CBS Early Show and the Weekend Today Show.
WEEKEND SPOTLIGHT: The 15th Annual Music Festival for Mental Health will take place on September 12, 2009 at Staglin Family Vineyard in Rutherford, California. Revelers on the dance floor at Music Festival 2008Are you ready to rock for mental health research? Join us for the 15th Annual Staglin Music Festival for Mental Health featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo! Hit the dance floor with your best shots and enjoy an unforgettable day of learning, food, wine, and hope as you give a hand to the 57 million Americans who live with mental illness.
Steve Evans - "The Movie Guy
What's happening at the movies this weekend? Steve has all the info on what to see or maybe what to pass up. The hottest films and the biggest bombs from "The Movie Guy".