Monday, November 25, 2013

11/25 Jeremy LeBlanc, Christine Dionese, The Best Craft Cocktails & Bartending with Flair, Chef Michelle Bernstein, National Pork Board, Milt Larson, The Magic Castle

Jeremy LeBlanc & Christine Dionese -  The Best Craft Cocktails & Bartending with Flair

Hand-Crafted, Delicious Cocktail Recipes From One of the Best Bartenders in the World Jeremy LeBlanc, lead bartender at a bar praised by Conde Nast as one of the top 10 roof top bars in the world, is sharing his signature techniques and one-of a kind recipes that define exceptional bartending. Now, with this bartending guide, experts and beginners alike will keep their friends and customers entertained, satisfied and always coming back for more of these meticulously created cocktails.

The Best Craft Cocktails & Bartending With Flair features hand-crafted cocktail recipes like the Whiskey Pig, which features bacon-washed whiskey, the twist on a classic, the Rhubarb Mojito, and the refreshing berry cocktail, Smithey’s Smash. With chapters dedicated to aperitifs, classics with a twist, exotic cocktails, refreshers and punches, there is truly a drink for every person and every occasion that features fresh ingredients and homemade, wholefood mixes and syrups.

Whether you are looking to become head bartender, break into the business, or simply impress a few friends at home, this one-stop guide is all you’ll need to master the craft with style and ease.


Chef Michelle Bernstein - National Pork Board

James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein has teamed up with The National Pork Board to debut an e-cookbook, “Cooking For Comfort” just in time for the colder weather months.  The e-book, which includes some of Bernstein’s coveted family and favorite photographs and stories, features her homemade Chorizo & Cheese Empanadas with Avocado Crema recipe (generations old) and her recipe for Country-Style Ribs with Mojo which provides a modern take on comfort infusing a contemporary interpretation of mojo with  a traditional classic of country-style pork ribs.

You check out check out more than 25 recipes including comfort classics like Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meatloaf, Layered Ham Quesadillas, and BBQ Pork Mac n’ Cheese and download the free e-book here: www.porkbeinspired.com/CookingForComfort/

About Michelle Bernstein - Since the pivotal Mango Gang era in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, almost no other Miami chef has made as big a splash on the national culinary scene as Chef Michelle Bernstein. A Miami native, this passionate culinaire has dazzled diners and critics alike with her sublime cuisine and a personality as bright and vibrant as the Florida sun. “My food is luxurious but approachable,” says Bernstein, a James Beard Award winner (Best Chef South 2007) and author of “Cuisine a Latina” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 2008).


Milt Larson - ‘IT'S MAGIC’  Returns to Thousand Oaks With Award-Winning Magicians

Back by popular demand, the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza presents It's Magic! at the Fred Kavli Theatre, Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

It's Magic! has been delighting generations of families and magic enthusiasts for more than 50 years. This dazzling live stage show is unique in that it features top professional magicians from all over the world, with each act carefully selected to represent the variety of the arts of magic. The audience will see internationally recognized and award-winning magicians direct from Las Vegas and Hollywood's Magic Castle perform sleight of hand, full stage illusions and comedy. The Los AngelesTimes calls It's Magic! "A must for magic buffs of all ages." The all- new 2013 lineup includes Christopher Hart, Jay Johnson, Milt Larsen, Adam Trent and Rick Thomas.

The tradition of an all-star magic show started in 1956 when two young entrepreneurs, Milt Larsen (who will give a rare performance in Thousand Oaks) and Oliver Berliner, produced a show called Hocus Pocus' 56 at the magnificent Carthay Circle The­ater in Los Angeles. The following year, the show was renamed It's Magic! and moved to the 1300 seat Wilshire Ebell Theater. At first, the shows played for a very limited time only. However, as the number of fans grew, the number of performances was expanded. The success of It's Magic! proved there was a genuine interest in the ancient art form of magic and gave Larsen the idea of forming a full-time private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts. Thus was born the Magic Castle, which opened its doors in 1963. Many credit this show as the spark that rekindled the resurgence of the art of magic in America.

Over the 58 years the show has been produced, Southern California audiences have been treated to such legendary magicians as Harry Blackstone (Junior and Senior), John Calvert, Senor Wences, Richiardi, Chang, Mark Wilson, and dozens of other major magic stars. It also provided the "springboard" for newcomers like Lance Burton, Mark Kalin, The Pendragons and Harry Anderson, who have since become stars.

Single tickets are priced at $45,$25 with group discounts available. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or through the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office, located at 2100Thousand Oaks Boulevard. For more information call 805-449-ARTS (2787) or visit www.civicartsplaza.com.