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My New Blog

2010-02-10T21:55:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!..Its been a long time since I posted here,..Just wanna share to all my new blog and hope that you can also visit it..thanks..

Yummylicious – Smart Food Talk

This is all about food talk, anything that we can talk, share, and discover that we can use in our daily lives. Find out new things and learn more about food stuff, goodies, food recipes, food products, delicious desserts, catering, home cooking, fast food, food tips and even learn about having a healthy living through the food you eat.

Fast Food Restaurants

2009-11-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

By rupender

As a staple of life our need to eat has developed from a basic form of simply feeding our bodies with the fuel it requires, to a complicated art of presentation and taste combined with our intrinsic need to experiment with everything we see, touch, smell and of course taste.

The ever-increasing divergence of foods that is now available to us at our local stores and eating-places only help to confuse and tantalise us into new culinary experiments and delights.

From the sandwich shop to the award winning restaurants, we can always find a place that prepares and sells the food we want at a reasonable price, although cooking or preparing food for ourselves may be a cheaper or healthier option it never seems to taste the same as our local restaurant. Most people that have cooked their own versions and varieties of local, Chinese, Indian or other international cuisine believes it does not have the same taste or texture and will often opt for a more authentic meal from their local restaurant or take away.

Cooking at home has become less of a choice and more of a chore. With the large amount of ready meals available, the option of spending time in the kitchen becomes less and less appealing. People are spending more of their time and money in the world of fast foods and restaurants. Although some believe this to be a bad thing it has fuelled a new market in available meals that are only a phone call away. As long as the health and hygiene departments vet these establishments and our choices are varied, of good quality and healthy their use can be a good alternative to cooking our own meals.

With the onset of fast foods and the quick cook and ready cooked meals available along with the ever increasing choice of world cuisine, the enjoyment of these different foods have opened new options to the consumer within the food market.

In today's busy world where leisure time has become more and more important, the less time spent working and preparing to eat allows us more available time for our pursuit of our leisure activities.

People who do not have the ability, time or will to cook at home now only have to pick up the phone book or click on the Internet in order to find their local restaurant or fast food retailer that will be more than happy to deliver the freshly prepared hot food ready to eat straight to their door with minimum fuss.

Although the fast food retailers compete with each other fiercely, using their special offers and cheaper and healthier alternatives to entice us to their premises, the main stay of traditional restaurants still hold an important part in our lives.

Even though these places are vastly out numbered by the fast food industry, we still enjoy sitting down in the nice comfortable and pleasant surroundings of a restaurant and dining on good quality food at a leisurely pace, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of daily life and the fast food rush.

Traditional restaurants will always offer us that pleasant alternative to eating at home, ordering take out from our local fast food dispenser or visiting their drive through or small busy café style restaurants. Not forgetting those special occasions or romantic rendezvous, these still command the need for that quiet stylish quality restaurant where we know that the food wine and service will always be excellent and the experience wonderful and charming.

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fast food restaurants

How to Make Good Fast Food Choices

2009-11-12T19:58:00.000-08:00

By jhorsley

We all like to indulge our palettes some time or the other by dining out at a fast food restaurant. It is not a bad idea to eat out provided you know the right types of food you should eat. Choose the place with care. Make sure they have the kind of fast food you like. In other words, go to a restaurant that can cater to your needs.

Start with researching various food chains’ web site. You will get a lot of information on the nutritional value of the foods they serve. Watch out for it takes just one visit to the fast food restaurant to amass extra calories and saturated fats. Sometimes the lists are a little too detailed and may baffle you. But do not get deterred by this.

Pay close attention to your food. Make the right choice. Salads are good but the dressing packs a gigantic punch of fat into you. Similarly cheese or sour creams and even spreads can do a lethal damage and ruin all your efforts in losing weight. Order a grilled chicken sandwich minus the mayonnaise. This is one effective way to make a good choice of food at a fast food restaurant.

Foods that are described as deliciously deep fried or pan fried are a definite no-no. So also any food that is “batter dipped”, “crispy” or “creamy” spells disaster for your body. It’s being sensible and looking for the healthier food that’s important for you. . With more and more people getting health and weight conscious a lot of fast food restaurants are making a deliberate choice to tailor their menu to suit the individuals.

Fast food restaurants add a little too much salt, which can harm rather than aid your health. High blood pressure can be caused by high levels of sodium content in foods.

Another major add on to your calorie intake is the soda that can amount for a large percentage of your body fat. Choose unsweetened iced tea or water with lemon to go with your meals. Make a premeditated effort to live and eat healthy.

Its fun to diet when you have someone else dieting with you. If you do have a friend who can share your kind of food take them with you. One portion served at these restaurants is enough to feed two individuals. If you go alone then get half your meals packed. You can always give it to your colleague or freeze it for another day.

Every morsel you eat must be savored and enjoyed to help you restrict the amount of food you eat. Be conscious when you are just about full, stop eating. Broiled and steamed food is always better than the yummy fried food you will anyway regret eating.

Buffets just encourage you to eat for your money’s worth. It’s best to wait out for about fifteen minutes before you go back for a second helping.

We have one goal, help as many people as possible get in shape and learn about proper nutrition, including supplementation and vitamin and mineral intake.

The first step to weight management is recognizing the issue and seeking help. Many people feel embarrassed by their weight, and instead of asking for help, they continue down the same path, which inevitably leads to a lower quality of life, health problems and shorter life spans. By combining proper nutrition, supplementation and exercise, you can control weight issues, lose fat and gain muscle. It is possible, and eFitness for Life would love the opportunity to help you. Together we can make a difference.

For those that need a little extra assistance, direction or motivation, visit eFitness for Life now and see how our Fitness training plans and weekly diet meal plans can help you make the most of your investment, in the shortest possible time, with the greatest return. Our goal is to teach you the values of physical fitness and how to create healthy meal plans for a lifetime! All done online! All done with certified coaches! Truly, the Future of Fitness! Stop by today and we will be happy to build your starter programs to ensure you learn to live longer, healthier lives.

Learn the benefit of physical fitness and a balanced healthy diet NOW! Get started and provide you and your family with a healthy lifestyle! Risk-Free Trial, take advantage today at eFitness for Life.

Jason J. Horsley is the CEO/Founder of eFitness for Life an online fitness and nutrition coaching solution that provides an affordable, convenient alternative to conventional, expensive dietitians and personal training. Through both eFitness for Life and Health and Wealth for Life, Jason is using his 15+ years in the fitness industry to help individuals across the globe not only look better, but feel better and live longer. The eFitness for Life team is made up of coaches/trainers around the US, working with clients throughout the world via the World Wide Web and the state-of-the-art eFitnessTracker software!

Tags: bad idea, high blood pressure, palettes, calories, mayonnaise, losing weight, right choice, salads, nutritional value, calorie intake, saturated fats, fast food restaurant, types of food, fast food restaurants, spells, food chains

fast food

What are Alcohol Shots really Like?

2009-11-10T21:20:00.000-08:00

By Peter Gitundu

For parties, having a selection of drinks ensures that the fun and laughter won’t disappear into awkward silence. There are many types of drinks that can be used to make people relax and have fun. These can include fruit juices, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks. Of the alcoholic drinks there are some people who prefer having alcohol shots.

Now at this point you are probably wondering what the difference is between these alcohol shots and the normal alcoholic beverages. The main difference lies in the fact that not every alcoholic drink can be taken as an alcohol shot. There are certain types of alcohol that have always been used as alcohol shots.

These alcohol shots include Absinthe, Whiskey, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Gin and many others. Now these alcohol shots are usually taken by people who have the ability to hold their liquor. As these are very potent alcoholic drinks there is a strong possibility that normal drinkers may get very badly drunk on these extremely quickly.

As we have all heard of these various alcohol shots we should take a closer look and see what these drinks are really like. Whiskey as we know is produced and distilled from grains. They are aged in oak casks to give them their distinctive taste. You will find that there are different types of whiskey and that the alcohol strength and quality for each of these is somewhat different.

We will now look at Absinthe. This interesting drink originally comes from Switzerland. Absinthe is also called la Fée Verte and it has an unusual taste of anise. This is a very highly alcoholic drink and it is distilled and flavored, which is why you will be able to taste the anise flavoring that is present.

Our next stop in alcohol shots is that of Vodka. There are many different types of Vodka available in the world and I am sure that many of you have at some point tasted a little bit of Vodka. Generally Vodka is colorless and it is distilled from grains as well. The alcohol volume in the Vodka ranges in strength from the very mild 35 % to the 70%. In most cases Vodka is used in very popular cocktails but there are some brave souls out there who like their Vodka neat.

So the next time that you go to a bar and hear someone ask for alcohol shots you will know what they are ordering. This is also a warning to you unless you have the ability to hold your liquor not to ask for alcoholic shots.Muna wa Wanjiru is a web administrator and has been researching and reporting on internet marketing for years. For more information on alcohol shots, visit his site at alcohol shots.

Tags: many different types, closer look, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, vodka, alcoholic beverages, anise, fruit juices, grains, fun and laughter, alcoholic drink, whiskey, awkward silence, distinctive taste, types of alcohol

alcohol drinks

Healthy Fast Food Recipes

2009-11-09T21:16:00.000-08:00

By Aaron Landry

Do you love fast food but hate the calories that come with it? Then why not cook your favorite fast food items at home and reduce the salt and fat content yourself! It's true, you can cook all your favorite fast food recipes at home and cut out the fat without cutting out the flavor. Here are a few tips for reducing the fat in your favorite fast food recipes.

First, fry with a low fast oil instead of a deep fryer. Just pour a half inch of low fast oil into a skillet and fry your food. You'll drastically cut the fat content without cutting the flavor.

Second, use low fat condiments. Instead of mayo, sour cream, and ranch, use low fat or fat free mayo, sour cream, and ranch. They taste the same but with half the calories!

Here are some easy fast food recipes you can cook at home:

AppleBees Mudslide Recipe
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 ounces kahlua coffee liqueur
1 dash chocolate syrup
canned whipped cream

1. Measure 2 cups of ice cream into your blender. Add the Kahlua and blend until smooth.
2. Prepare a 16-ounce wine glass by swirling chocolate syrup around the inside of the glass. Hold the wine glass by the stem with one hand and twirl the wine glass as you squeeze the chocolate. Slowly move the chocolate up toward the rim of the glass so that the chocolate makes a continuous spiral around the inside of the glass.
3. Pour the drink from the blender into the glass. Add a pile of whipped cream to the top of the drink and drizzle additional chocolate syrup over the whipped cream. Add a straw and serve.

KFC Coleslaw Recipe
8 cups finely diced cabbage (about 1 head)
1/4 cup diced carrots
2 tablespoons minced onions
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1. Cabbage and carrots must be finely diced.
2. Pour cabbage and carrot mixture into large bowl and stir in minced onions.
3. Using regular blade on food processor process remaining ingredients until smooth.
4. Pour over vegetable mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Cover bowl and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

There are hundreds more delicious restaurant recipes and fast food recipes available to you in The CopyCat Cookbooks. Check them out today to start cooking all your favorite dishes at home!

fast food

Best Places To Find Best Shih Tzu Puppies For Sale

2009-11-08T22:38:00.000-08:00

By Rebecca Simpson

It certainly does make a difference where you get your Shih Tzu puppy from. Don’t just go with any Internet ad or sign in a window saying “Shih Tzu Puppies For Sale!” Chances are all of the Shih Tzu puppies from those places are from inhumane puppy mills. Although puppy mills are concentrated on the east coast of America, they also occur in other parts of the country. Because of the incredible popularity of this feisty toy breed, Shih Tzus are a popular choice for puppy mills.The best places to find Shih Tzu puppies for sale are licensed Shih Tzu breeders and Shih Tzu rescues. Technically, for any kind of shelter or rescue, you pay an “adoption fee”, but you still have to put money down before taking a Shih Tzu home. In the minds of some people, they see Shih Tzus from rescues as the ultimate bargain for purebred Shih Tzu puppies.

The best places to find Shih Tzu puppies for sale are licensed Shih Tzu breeders and Shih Tzu rescues. Technically, for any kind of shelter or rescue, you pay an “adoption fee”, but you still have to put money down before taking a Shih Tzu home. In the minds of some people, they see Shih Tzus from rescues as the ultimate bargain for purebred Shih Tzu puppies.

If you take the shelter route in looking for Shih Tzu puppies for sale, keep in mind that they will be older and often have their breed misidentified as a Lhasa Apso. Spend some time getting to know different Shih Tzus in order to recognize a misidentified, scruffy Shih Tzu. Shih Tzus have luxurious, soft coats and a “chrysanthemum” shaped head. They also have round eyes while Lhasa Apsos eyes are shaped like almonds. Or, you could focus on Shih Tzu rescues that do the identifying work for you. Those puppies might even have papers.

Most of the puppies and dogs that end up in Shih Tzu rescues are there through no fault of their own. Their previous owners did not spend the time to learn proper Shih Tzu puppy care – such as how to care for the thick coat – and couldn’t cope with them. Shih Tzu rescues will tell you why the dog was given up before they let you have the dog.

Shih Tzu breeders tend to be small, as they are usually inside someone’s home. Your breeder might not have Shih Tzu puppies for sale right at that moment. You are able to go check out the kennel and meet the potential parents and relatives of your prospective pup so you get a good idea of their personality. You should also be able to see the health certificates of the parents or, technically, the sire and dam.Shih Tzu breeders will usually do all of the registration for you, and offer you a list of great resources on Shih Tzu puppy care that they recommend. Some Shih Tzu breeders will try and answer all of your questions – but if they don’t know the answer, they should admit it and point you in the right direction. They may even be able to recommend a dog trainer and vet in your area. They are an invaluable support system in your adventure with a Shih Tzu puppy.

Rebecca Simpson once worked in a pet store that always had Shih Tzu puppies for sale and has regretted it ever since. Knowing where to find the best Shih Tzu puppies for sale hopefully will mean there will be a lot less Shih Tzus in shelters. Find a good book with a detailed section on Shih Tzu puppy care before you begin your search for a dog.

Tags: best places, almonds, east coast, internet ad, shih tzu, shih tzu puppies, shih tzu puppy, puppy mills, lhasa apso, puppies for sale, toy breed, thick coat

shih tzu puppies

Frozen Meals Can Be Healthy

2009-11-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

By Jake Samples

No matter what type of diet you are following, chances are there is a frozen meal available to meet your needs. From low fat to heart healthy to vegetarian meals, there are a great many frozen dinners at the local supermarket or grocery store.

While frozen foods can be very healthy, it's important to keep a close eye out for potentially unhealthy ingredients as you shop. In particular, many frozen and prepared foods have unacceptably high levels of sodium. In addition, many frozen dinners, even those that use the healthiest ingredients, may use preservatives to which some people may be sensitive.

When choosing from among the many brands and varieties of frozen foods on the grocery store shelf, it's important to read the nutritional labels very carefully. These government mandated nutritional labels contain a wealth of information, but it's important to understand how to read them. Nutritional labels provide information on such imporarnt things as calorie count, number of fat grams and amount of sodium, as well as the percentages of various vitamins and minerals the food contains. When examining those nutritional labels, it's also important to pay close attention to the portion size. Even a small frozen dinner can be equal to two servings, so if you plan to eat the whole thing yourself, be sure to double the calories, sodium and fat content numbers.

In addition to keeping total fat to less than 30% of total calories, keep saturated fat levels to less than 10% of daily calories. Sodium levels limited less than 200 milligrams for every 100 calories of food. In addition, most experts recommend keeping your daily sodium intake to less than 2400 milligrams per day. So make sure to read the labels on all frozen foods, even if they are labeled as healthy. While claiming the healthy label obligates food manufacturers to follow certain guidelines, you should still review the labels in order to choose the healthiest choices.

When choosing the healthiest meals from among the hundreds of varieties at the average supermarket or grocery store, it's a good idea to choose those that contain at least a half cup of vegetables, fruits or beans. Doing so will help ensure that the meal you choose is healthy and nutritious. Finally, since you are in the grocery store already, why not make a stop at the salad bar for a healthy addition to your frozen entrée. Many large grocery store chains have installed wonderful salad bars stocked full of the freshest fruits, vegetables and garnishes, as well as a great selection of low fat and nonfat salad dressings.

Read about benefits of carrots and carrot facts at the Fruits And Vegetables website.

Tags: percentages, vitamins and minerals, calories, healthy alternatives, matter what type, sodium, fresh foods, vegetarian meals, calorie count, portion size, frozen dinners, frozen foods, fresh products, prepared foods, healthy ingredients

frozen products

Prepare For A Buffet Catering

2009-11-03T23:06:00.000-08:00

By ginfop5

Buffet catering is one of the most popular catering services that people use to entertain their guests during an event. Buffet catering gives freedom to the guests and allow them to choose how much food they want to have. To prepare a buffet, there are certain things that you need to take note of. You should always engage a professional caterer to assist in setting it up. Before you pick up your phone and start hiring, let me share with you 5 tips to prepare for your buffet before you hire a professional caterer:

1. Find out how many people are attending your event. Before you hire a buffet caterer, you need to know the number of attendees. However, it is impossible to get an accurate number of people who will turn up on the actual day. You should take note that there will be around 5 to 10 percent of people who will not turn up at the last minute even though they have registered for your event. So with this, you will not over-order the amount of food needed.

2. Which type of buffet do you want? You can either choose a normal buffet or a BBQ buffet. If you choose a BBQ buffet, you will make your event more relaxing and it also allow more interaction between your guests.

3. Pick the type of food for the buffet. You can choose different types of food for your buffet catering. There are Western, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc. Whichever type of food you choose, your buffet caterer should be able to fulfill your request.

4. Plan out the space for the buffet. Your buffet caterer will need a huge space to set things up on the day itself. So make sure that you plan out a space for him or her to work on. The place that you cater for buffet should be spacious enough for your guests to move around and interact. If it is too small, it can get crowded easily and make your guests feel unpleasant.

5. Brief your caterer on every single detail. To ensure a successful catering, you should let your caterer know all the necessary details before the event. Make sure that your caterer knows what time he or she needs to set things up and what time to clean up the setup area. With these, you are now ready to hire a professional buffet caterer for your event. With a smooth-flowing buffet catering and good food quality, your guests will be impressed with your hospitality.

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Tags: interaction, type of food, freedom, attendees, catering services, last minute, types of food, necessary details, different types of food

buffet catering

Frozen Food You Can Count on

2009-10-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

By Allie Moxley

Alaska’s seafood is known for its freshness. It comes from some of the coldest, cleanest, and most pristine waters in the world. It is harvested under strict standards aimed at preserving a sustainable supply of fish for years to come, and as such the harvested fish are continually of superior quality. It might strike you as something of an oxymoron, then, to refer to “Frozen Alaska Seafood,” but the frozen seafood from Alaska has a freshness that would surprise you and lends itself to a wide variety of cooking styles and cuisines anytime, anywhere.

When thinking about Alaska’s fish, we have to re-learn our conceptions of “frozen.” Frozen is not a dirty word in the Alaskan fish industry, because it is a practical necessity. The amount of fish caught in Alaskan waters is staggering—over 2.5 million metric tons per year—and that fish is transported not only to businesses and homes within Alaska, but around the world. As such, ensuring that the fresh flavor of a recently harvested fish can be enjoyed across time and space is an important task. While the fish will not get more tasty out of water, Alaskan fish processors have a golden reputation to maintain and thus take extraordinary efforts to make sure that it does not get less tasty.

Just as Alaska is a leader in sustainable harvesting of fish, it is a leader in methods and practices for preserving that fish. To that end, the Alaskan fish industry practices a process of “fresh-freezing” Using state-of-the art technology and best practices developed over decades of sustainable harvesting, fish processors chill the fish right out of the water, preserving the flavor and texture that comes from a natural life-cycle in delicately maintained waters. After the quick chilling process, the fish are carefully handled and frozen within hours of harvest. “Glazing” is a process of dipping the fish in a solution of water and sugar, and then freezing to “seal” in the freshness while maintaining taste, texture, and color in advance of the packaging and shipping stage.

The same care and consideration that goes into harvesting Alaska’s seafood go into preserving it for enjoyable and healthy consumption. Knowing this, make sure that when you shop for frozen fish, you go home happy with fresh-frozen Alaska seafood.

There are plenty of different ways to prepare Alaskan seafood. The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute has great instructional videos to show you just how to create the perfect dish.

frozen food

7 New Trends for Wedding Cakes

2009-10-26T02:16:00.000-07:00

By Cori Russell

Much more than a sweet finale to the reception meal, wedding cakes are a major style statement. And trends in wedding cakes, like all other wedding details, evolve with the times. The wedding cake presents a perfect opportunity for creative brides to play with shape, color and embellishments. For those of you who need a little inspiration, consult this list of top trends for wedding cakes in 2009.

Back to Buttercream -
Buttercream was once the traditional frosting for wedding cakes, but sleek cakes came into favor, and rolled fondant became the frosting of choice. Not any more - thanks to advanced tools and techniques that allow buttercream to look as smooth as fondant, cakes iced in buttercream are again the norm. We love this trend, since buttercream frosting tastes better, has natural ingredients, and costs less than fondant. Now you can literally have your stylishly sleek cake – and eat it too.

Chocolate Face -
Brides have bucked the traditional white wedding cake for the last few years, but today´s brides are no longer hiding decadent chocolate behind a shield of white frosting for appearances sake. Dark chocolate is now front and center on the face of the cake, as chocolate or mocha cakes are appropriately decked in chocolate mousse or whipped chocolate frosting. The result is a full blown chocolate dessert that tastes as good as it looks.

Blue Rules -
Shades of blue dominate the 2009 wedding décor palette, and your wedding cake is a perfect canvas to incorporate this hot shade. Consider a cake saturated in turquoise, periwinkle, or even navy, and embellish it with complimenting colors like silver, white, gray, lavender, or yellow.

Square Mini Cakes -
Cupcake towers in lieu of wedding cakes have been around for awhile, but brides are making cupcakes interesting again by playing with shape and size. Brides are stacking square shaped mini-cakes (slightly larger than cupcakes) adorned with flowers or dressed as presents for a completely different take on the cupcake frenzy.

Think Pink -
Pink – the perpetual hot color for weddings – had begun to fall out of favor as brides experimented with more non-traditional hues like browns, grays, orange, and even black. But pink is back in a big way, and brides are incorporating the hue into their wedding cakes. Pink instantly freshens-up classic white: Tone down an all pink cake with white floral or lace details, or dress up a white cake with pink embellishments.

Scripted Text -
Wedding cakes adorned with calligraphy-style motifs and writing is one of the year´s hottest trends. Create an antiqued look with black writing on a white or ivory cake, and get creative with the text. Some options? Write a favorite poem or verse, your wedding vows, or words representative of your wedding theme - such as names of flowers for a garden wedding or types of shells at a beach wedding.

Groom´s Cakes -
The old Southern tradition of the groom´s cake is shedding its regional trappings and growing in popularity throughout the nation. And no, it doesn´t have to be the iconic red velvet armadillo from "Steel Magnolias." Today´s grooms cakes, now just as elaborate as the wedding cake itself, often reflect the groom´s interest in a dramatic and whimsical expression; a deer grooms cake for an avid hunter, shaped like a race car for an diehard Nascar fan, or decked with his favorite sports team logo...read more

wedding cake

Alcoholic Drinks and Health Issues

2009-10-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

By wbdoyle

Alcohol is an important component of many element of several societies for many years. Many believe that alcoholic drinks have flourished gatherings, parties, and other social celebrations. A number of individuals believe that alcoholic drinks should be served in social gatherings to give enthusiasm to certain events. Alcohol is produced when vegetables, fruits, or grains are fermented. Fermentation is a process which uses yeast or bacteria to change sugars in these items into alcohol. This substance is also used as cleaners and antiseptics.

Alcohol is a depressant that can act as a sedative drug and may slow down the nervous system. In small doses, alcohol can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Alcohol however may do more harm than good if overused. People who overuse alcohol may feel confused and disoriented. Too much alcohol in body may affect the brain and lead to poor coordination, faulty judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, blackouts. Alcohol can damage many organs in the body, it is absorbed directly in the bloodstream and raises the risk of acquiring life-threatening ailments like cancer. Extremely high doses of alcohol at one time can cause alcohol poisoning which can lead to coma or death.

Despite the adverse effects of alcohol, many individuals still engage in drinking this beverage for many reasons. Many teens and young people use alcohol because of curiosity, relax, fit in a crowd, and feel older. One of the reasons why many people are engaged in alcohol is the fact that from a very young age, children are exposed to advertising messages of alcohol. A number of advertisements of alcohol show people drinking alcohol enjoying life. While in reality, it is the exact opposite. Because alcohol damages the nervous system, drinking alcohol can may people do embarrassing things and look stupid acts like peeing on themselves or throwing up. Drinking alcohol may lead also develop bad breath and hangovers.

In addition to the health hazards of alcohol, studies show that almost many deaths among teens are alcohol-related. The use of greatly alcohol increases the possibility of teens and many individuals of being involved in car accidents, suicide or homicide.

Studies show that in every thirty minutes, someone dies from an alcohol related car accident. Driving while under the influence of alcohol can cause many health problems and affect body reactions while driving. People who are drunk may experience decreased amount of performance and judgment while driving. Drunk drivers are not the only ones who are in danger, these drivers may distribute danger to passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

Alcohol disorders amplify suicide and risk, at least one-third if individuals who have committed suicide are alcohol dependent. In addition, suicide among alcoholics also seem to increase with age. A study released by Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research conclude that middle-aged and older alcoholics have higher risk to commit suicide than young adults who are alcoholics.

Consuming inappropriate amounts of alcohol puts individuals at risk for several health issues like cancer like cancer and diabetes. Alcohol may reduce the body's absorption of necessary nutrients. Many alcoholics do not partake in healthy diets, therefore further harming the body. The health effects of alcohol should not be taken for granted but should act as a reminder to drink alcoholic drinks in moderation.

alcoholic drinks

Top 10 Opportunities as a Chef

2009-10-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

By AtlantaCulinary

Top 10 Opportunities as a Chef

So what type of opportunities can a culinary school graduate aspire to as they strive to pursue a career as a professional chef? We’ve gathered a list of 10 opportunities. It doesn’t include all possibilities, but it’s a great list that can spark your imagination to get you cooking in Atlanta and train as a Georgia professional chef.

1. Executive Chef
This department head of a restaurant chain, resort, hotel, or food service establishment is responsible for all aspects of kitchen management. In addition to culinary responsibilities, other duties include budget preparation, payroll, maintenance, controlling food costs and maintaining financial and inventory records. Years of training and kitchen experience are normally required to pursue this career path.

2. Chef de Cuisine
This head chef of a single unit establishment is in charge of all culinary operations with final decision making authority. They are responsible for managing the kitchen staff and maintaining quality levels for food production.

3. Sous-Chef
The Sous-Chef manages a shift or a single area of a kitchen. Often they are second in command to the Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef. The must understand and be capable of taking over all aspects of food production.

4. Pastry Chef
A pastry chef supervises and manages all aspects of pastry production in a food service establishment. Considerable knowledge of pastry techniques and a mastery of baking techniques are required. There are also Executive Pastry Chefs that manage a pastry kitchen and other pastry chefs.

5. Sommelier
Pairing the correct wine with a meal is art reserved for the sommelier. This food professional not only knows the exact wine to serve with each course but is responsible for ordering and maintaining the wines sold at a restaurant.

6. Caterer
Feeling independent? Want to have a business of your own? Catering may be just the thing for you. A caterer is a professional chef who provides food and beverages to social gathering. Catering businesses range from single person operations to restaurant-like staffs of dozens of employees. Marketing skills play heavily in their success.

7. Private Chef
The ultimate chef for hire. A Personal Chef is a chef who prepares meals for a client in the client's home kitchen, based on the client's needs and personal preferences. As an independent business person marketing and financial management skills are crucial.

8. Culinary Educator

Culinary Educators are responsible for the development, implementation, administration, evaluation and maintenance of a culinary arts or foodservice management curriculum.

9. Culinary Administrator
Large food service organizations require administration and human resource staff that understand the needs of the culinary trade. These professionals are responsible for the administrative functions of running a professional foodservice operation. Needed skills include HR, operational management, financial management, and business planning.

10. Food Writer
Restaurant Reviews. Cookbooks. Food and Travel Guides. Food History. All of these are the domain of the food writer, a person who takes their love and knowledge of all things culinary and share them with the world.

This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta offers Le Cordon Bleu culinary education classes and culinary training programs in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit http://www.Chefs.edu/Atlanta for more information.

The jobs mentioned are examples of certain potential jobs, not a representation that these outcomes are more probable than others. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta does not guarantee employment or salary.

private chef

Why Attend Culinary School?

2009-10-20T20:33:00.000-07:00

By keith londrie

You should be able to find several indispensable facts about kitchen in the following paragraphs. If there's at least one fact you didn't know before, imagine the difference it might make.

Attending a culinary school is necessary if you are pursing a career in culinary arts. Even if you are a "great cook", it takes professional training in culinary arts to become an expert. If you want to get a job in a good restaurant, you will need professional qualifications that come from attending a regular culinary school. Many people think that culinary school is very expensive. Any education is costly and culinary programs are no exception.

Many people think that culinary arts are a talent and cannot be taught. Culinary arts are both an Art and a Science. In culinary training you will learn about ingredients and how they are used in the foods that you cook. The time you spend learning about ingredients and additives in your culinary program will help you to be a well-informed chef.

You can see that there's practical value in learning more about kitchen. Can you think of ways to apply what's been covered so far?

Chef, caterer, pastry arts and restaurant cook are the most familiar four options in culinary school. There are, however, hundreds of jobs in the food industry. Students may want to direct their Culinary Career in the direction of management as executive chef, or in sales as a director of catering. There are also culinary programs in food and beverage management. Many people who hold Culinary Degrees strive to develop food products for the wholesale or retail market. Students can take their culinary training and become consultants for restaurateurs, chef school teachers, or even food writers.

For any of these culinary careers, you will need to find an accredited culinary school program to get your certificate or degree. This kind of professional culinary training will provide you the knowledge and understanding for quality ingredients and creating pleasant and balanced dishes for the diner. Your culinary education will be an ongoing one throughout your career. The base of knowledge you learn in Culinary School gives you the knowledge to test your own creativity in the kitchen.

If you love to cook, you should pursue your dream of culinary school. It is never too early for you to think about the opportunities that will come along after culinary training.

Knowing enough about kitchen to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about kitchen, you should have nothing to worry about.

In the meantime you can find out more by visiting the web site listed below.

Keith Londrie is the creator of the http://define-culinary-arts-program-schools-restaurant-management.info/

website that provides guidance and information to people wanting information about culinary arts. Visit today to answer your questions.

To learn more, please visit http://define-culinary-arts-program-schools-restaurant-management.info/

Keith Londrie II
klondrie @ yahoo.com
http://define-culinary-arts-program-schools-restaurant-management.info/

Tags: professional qualifications, retail market, food industry, professional training, caterer, food and beverage, culinary arts, quality ingredients, executive chef, school teachers

culinary school

Avoid Processed Food Obesity

2009-10-20T00:56:00.000-07:00

By Stephen Lau

If you are serious about weight loss or weight management, you should avoid all types of processed food, which is flooding supermarket shelves.

Yes, eating processed food makes you fat! In fact, it plays a pivotal role in the obesity crisis in the United States, where one out of every three adults is obese - that is, 20 percent over the ideal weight for height.

What is processed food?

Any food item that comes in a box, bag, or carton is processed. Basically, it is high-calorie and low-quality food .You can easily get it not only from fast-food restaurants but also from supermarkets. On average, an individual spends at least 60 percent of his or her money on food to buy processed food.

What is wrong with it? And how does it make you fat?

Take a loaf of white wheat bread that you pick up at a supermarket.

The manufacturer removes the outer shell of the grain of wheat of that loaf of bread. By doing so, your white wheat bread has little or no fiber because it is the outer shell of the grain that provides fiber to your body. Fiber makes you feel fuller and less hungry, and therefore you eat less. In the process of removing the outer shell of the grain of wheat, essential fats and vitamin E are also removed.

What remains in the loaf of bread is the starch of the grain, which is then ground into fine powder, and subsequently bleached white. In that process, most of the remaining vitamins and nutrients are lost.

The loaf of white bread is essentially deficient in vitamins and minerals. To make it qualified as "food", the manufacturer has to add fortified man-made vitamins and minerals, which are only chemicals aimed at meeting the requirements of FDA to be qualified as "food".

To make it palatable to the consumer, the manufacturer has to add sugar, salt, artificial flavorings, and partially hydrogenated fats to that loaf of bread. To extend the product's shelf-lifespan, preservatives are also added.

So, you can see why eating a loaf of white bread does not satisfy your hunger: it provides only empty calories. In other words, you have been short-changed in your purchase. When your body does not get the nutrients it requires, it tells you to eat more. The more processed food you eat, the more nutrient-deficient you become, the more you would want to eat, and the more weight you would gain. The result is obesity.

Weight gain can be explained by the way your body stores fat. When you eat too much carbohydrates and sugars (which are usually the main components of processed food), your body increases its production of insulin from your pancreas to lower your blood sugar when it becomes too high. However, insulin not only causes your body to store fat but also prevents your body from burning fat stored for energy. This double whammy results in rapid weight gain.

In the above scenario when your pancreas secrets more insulin to lower the elevated blood sugar, your blood sugar may become too low that it may affect the functioning of your brain, which needs glucose. When your brain does not get the glucose it requires, it automatically sends signals of food cravings, hunger, and mood swings - which are symptoms of food addiction. You want to eat more sugar and starch. Thus, begins the vicious cycle of binge eating.

Eating processed or convenient food only conveniently makes you fat. Eat naturally to avoid processed food obesity.

Stephen Lau is a researcher and writer. He has published several books, and has created websites on health and healing, such as eating disorders, natural healing, longevity health, and mental depression. For more information, go to: http://www.stephenlau.name.

Tags: low quality, quality food, vitamins and minerals, pivotal role, white bread, lifespan, fast food restaurants, loaf of bread, outer shell, hydrogenated fats, essential fats, sugar salt, supermarket shelves, stephen lau

processed food

Chocolate Wedding Cakes

2009-10-15T22:53:00.000-07:00

By perrysmith21

As the wedding ceremony is an important occasion in one’s life and so every thing related to wedding is equally significant. In midst of all wedding work and arrangements one should even highlight on wedding cake. There are different types of wedding cake available in bakery or in local restaurant like Chocolate wedding cakes, Square wedding cakes, Pink wedding cakes, fancy wedding cakes, Simple wedding cakes and many others to mention. Only focus on wedding cake should not be drawn even its taste should also be taken into account. Wedding cake is the only sweetness that all guests are waiting for after having their food. Wedding cake should be special and memorable for everyone who tasted it.

Chocolate wedding cake is highly demanded in wedding season. Generally it is liked by all people of any age say from small children to adults. When you are running short of time to order wedding cake in mean time then chocolate wedding cake is the best choice without spending much of time in gathering information of various types of cakes, whom to order such kind of queries. Mostly, chocolate wedding cake is liked by children very much.

Factor like the number of members going to be present on the wedding day, the style and size of wedding cake and the budget should be taken into consideration. Weddings of executive and celebrities does not care about the money going behind their wedding cake but the case is not same with all who cannot afford it. So you should be able to right select the chocolate wedding cake in accordance of your desires within limited money.

The main attraction of chocolate wedding cake lies in its décor. It is advisable to know from the baker of what ingredients are going to be used. Take some chocolate wedding cake pictures as examples learn to décor the wedding cake in the similar manner. If you want to décor your chocolate wedding cake in a very simple way then work can be done by selecting a proper color theme and flavor. Elegant wedding cake needs lot of attention to add up to its beauty. Proper care should be taken while slicing and serving to all other members.

There are different kinds of chocolate wedding cakes like dark chocolate and chocolate desserts wedding cakes serving with fresh fruit and cream. Many chocoholics like to decorate in fondant icing, a replica of traditional cake. Make the use of flowers, colors and on the fillings for your wedding cake. Now-a-days you come up with hundreds of options so selecting the best of chocolate wedding cake from all should not be a big task.

Hence, the sweetness of chocolate wedding cake is completely different from other wedding cakes making the evening of wedding ceremony more adorable.

chocolate cake

Alcoholic Drinks and Health Issues

2009-10-15T01:33:00.000-07:00

Alcohol is an important component of many element of several societies for many years. Many believe that alcoholic drinks have flourished gatherings, parties, and other social celebrations. A number of individuals believe that alcoholic drinks should be served in social gatherings to give enthusiasm to certain events. Alcohol is produced when vegetables, fruits, or grains are fermented. Fermentation is a process which uses yeast or bacteria to change sugars in these items into alcohol. This substance is also used as cleaners and antiseptics.

Alcohol is a depressant that can act as a sedative drug and may slow down the nervous system. In small doses, alcohol can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Alcohol however may do more harm than good if overused. People who overuse alcohol may feel confused and disoriented. Too much alcohol in body may affect the brain and lead to poor coordination, faulty judgment, slowed reflexes, distorted vision, memory lapses, blackouts. Alcohol can damage many organs in the body, it is absorbed directly in the bloodstream and raises the risk of acquiring life-threatening ailments like cancer. Extremely high doses of alcohol at one time can cause alcohol poisoning which can lead to coma or death.

Extreme Wedding Cake Makeover Ideas

2009-10-14T00:59:00.000-07:00

By Sam Smith

Are you tired of seeing the traditional three tier wedding cake with simple white frosting and the little bride and groom wedding cake topper. We all know the iconic wedding cake look and feel. If you are after a very formal or classic wedding then this is the exact cake you want. However, today many couples are opting for alternative wedding themes and a more relaxed feeling overall. With popular wedding themes like fairy tales, Dragonflies and other fun and light or even whimsical themes a traditional wedding cake no longer fits correctly in its place. It is nor time to take that old wedding cake out of the closet it and give it a whole new look. America seems to be in love with the idea of a makeover from the hit TV shows like Extreme Body Makeover, Extreme Home Makeover and the ever popular Pimp My Ride America seems to be in a love with makeovers. Well, wedding cakes are no different and today's couples are going for more unusual, light and fun ideas for wedding cakes. So why not try some of these custom wedding cake ideas.

Creative and Custom Wedding Cake Toppers

There are a ton of different wedding cake toppers on the market today and you are no longer stuck with what your local bakery has. You can now easily shop online and find retailers selling a wide variety of wedding cake toppers. You can have anything from the traditional bride and groom to the whacky and wild. If you are willing to pay a little extra you can get a custom wedding cake topper sculpted out of special non toxic clay like material and created in the likeness of you and your husband. If you are really into a sport or want to show something unique about the two of you as a couple then a custom wedding cake topper is the way to go. The artists can easily make a couple doing just about anything. So if you are avid rock climbers then you can have a bride and groom fashioned in your likeness that are on the top of Yosemite Half Dome, or whatever sport or activity you like.

If you don't want to be that adventurous then you might want to go for a custom initials wedding cake topper. These are beautiful wedding cake toppers created from your initials and then decorated with small crystals. Whatever you choose there is a wedding cake topper either already made or that can be custom made to fit your wedding theme.

Themed Wedding Cakes

If you just go to your local bakery or even a small wedding cake shop you are likely to just find the standard wedding cake offerings or the traditional cake. However, if you really want to do a wedding cake makeover ask if they can do themed wedding cakes. There are a wide variety of options for a custom wedding cake and some of the ways that you can customize are listed below.

Decorations

If you are not sure about all of this and want to stick somewhat to tradtion then why not go for the traditional cake but add some flare to it through the decorations and frosting. Most wedding cake bakers can add a wide variety of different ornaments and decorations to the wedding cake to really make it stand out. Sure you can go with the traditional shaped cakes like the three tiered circle or even a tiered square cake but that does not mean you can't go a little crazy and get some interesting decorations put on it with unique frosting ideas. Try to pick up on the theme of the wedding as much as possible.

Sculpted Cakes

Now this is where a custom wedding cake baker really can show off their talents and the types of projects they often love to do. A baker who can do a sculpted cake might take a little work to find however once you find one you are only limited by your ideas. Do you want a big castle wedding cake? They can easily do this to make a fairy tale wedding cake. If you want a beach themed wedding cake why not get a picnic basket or a beautiful sand castle wedding cake. If you are contemplating getting a sculpted cake you can really have any three dimensional design that you can think of. Why not try a hamburger and fries for a fun and light hearted beach wedding cake. The sky is the limited once you get a sculpted cake.

Mini Cakes and Cup Cakes

Again if you don't quite feel ready to make the commitment to such a grand cake like above and want to keep a little bit on the traditional side yet with a flair of fun why not try a mini wedding cake or even cupcakes. These are fun because they are small individual serving sized cakes that your guests will love. If you are planning on having a small wedding it can be a lot of fun to create personalized mini wedding cakes for the guests.

Whatever you choose always keep in mind that there are options out there to customize, tweak, alter and change just about every factor of your wedding cake. Let you mind wander and have fun a bit and go for something a little different. Always make sure to plan ahead and leave enough time for the baker to do the extra job well. Otherwise you are all set to go with a fun and unique wedding cake that is a definite extreme makeover from the traditional three or five tiered wedding cake.

wedding cake

Choosing the Perfect Banquet Hall

2009-10-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

By Urmann

Banquet halls are ideal venues for any event you may plan to host. They differ mainly in the amenities and services they provide. Learn more on how to choose the finest banquet hall.

There are a lot of banquet halls with different amenities and locations. Banquet halls can be found in any city or state. Whatever event or occasion you are planning, you will surely find a good venue according to your preference.

Choosing the right venue for your event needs some careful planning and scheduling. When scouting for the banquet hall it is advisable to get early reservation so you can have the best date and time of your choice. It is best to do your reservation one year ahead.

It is also necessary to consider the budget as well as the personality of the people who will host the event or the bride or groom. Here are some important factors which you should consider in order to have a basis in deciding on the banquet facility.

Look into their promos and discounts. Many of the banquet halls offer great packages for clients to choose from. These promos and packages will give you a lot of savings.

Before signing any contract or agreement from any of the banquet halls, it is important to read careful on the terms and conditions. Clarify on matters regarding refunds and other important matters. Know what are inclusive in the payment.

Check the capacity of the venue. Make sure that the banquet hall can accommodate the numbers of your expected guests. Is there enough space for any unexpected guests? Are the chairs and tables enough?

Inquire with the manager whether they can provide catering services or not. If they provide catering, make sure to ask on their menu so you could choose accordingly. If in case you hire your own, you may want to know if there is any additional charge in using the kitchen area of the banquet hall.

Best of all you must personally visit the area of the banquet hall including its other amenities such as the bathrooms, kitchen, dining area and other areas which you are going to use. Inspect the cleanliness and orderliness of the place.

Here is a list of some of the finest banquet halls located in New York City.

Old World Village Church Banquet Hall

This banquet hall is ideally located in the European Village at the Huntington Beach. The place is finely decorated with artistic murals. Enough parking spaces are available exclusive for guests.

Pedro Point Creative

Pedro Point Creative is located in San Francisco, California. It offers catering services and banquet halls. The place features the latest in sounds and lighting ideal for any event or occasion.

Pedro Point Creative also provides amenities and services which includes dining parties, cocktail areas, corporate meetings, video and audio productions, and cooking workshops which includes classrooms.

Point Marina Vista

The Point Marina Vista is an elegant place for events such as weddings, bridal showers, parties, galas or for corporate events. It is situated at the Alameda Estuary facing the wonderful view of the marina.

Point Marina Vista features the following amenities: seating capacity for 300 guests, cocktail reception that can accommodate more than 500 guests, adjustable halls for small and large group events, state of the art audio/video equipments, modern kitchen equipments, and free Wi-Fi access.

Battery Garden

The Battery Garden sits amidst the beautiful waterside with an overlooking view of world famous Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and the Ellis Island. This elegant banquet hall is ideally located in the Battery Park.

The banquet hall can accommodate over 1000 guests with its spacious event halls with complete amenities for a worry free event. The property features terraces and fireplace. Catering services is also available with any choice of local and international cuisines prepared by its world class chefs.

For more information on Banquet Hall Facilities and Banquet Facilities in Delta, UT.Please visit our website.

banquet hall

A Guide to Starting a Catering Business

2009-10-11T22:56:00.000-07:00

By Patrik Ewriter

Catering as a Business

Often, people would resort to catering as a solution to food problem. Businesses holding conventions or seminars would pay for catering. Parties – even children parties – are catered nowadays. Catering has also become a symbol of affluence. Not surprisingly, if you’re successful at it, you could earn a lot of money. There are a lot of events that needs catering services – lunches, meetings, parties, and wedding receptions. Caterers would even find themselves catering a candlelight wedding proposal dinner!

As a caterer, you could earn as much as $160,000 a year. Well, this is what you could earn if you’re a city bound catering business. Not bad, right? That is pretty good enough reason to say goodbye to your 8 to 5 day job.

“But I’m living in a small town in Minnesota!”

People who live in small town America can also earn half as much as a caterer in the city. Of course, if you’re only doing it part-time, you can earn as much as $20,000 a year. Indeed, the opportunities for caterers abound. Not surprisingly, many people are wondering what they need in starting a home catering business.

Starting a Catering Business – Steps to Follow

1. Make that decision. This is crucial to starting a catering business. You need to have the passion for it and the dedication to your goal. Like most businesses, you’d meet problems and setbacks along the way, but as long as you stick to that decision, you’d make it.
2. Apply for licenses. Your local health department will come to check on your business to make sure that you are complying with the health requirements for businesses. You should also prepare to show your certificate of occupancy, tax license and business name license.

3. Create a work plan. You should make sure that your work plan is reasonable and doable.
4. Know your business accounting. Yes, you are going to pay taxes. You might as well learn the financial side of your business. You need to know the basics of bookkeeping so you’d know how the money is moving in and out of your operations.
5. Purchase your catering tools. Purchase the necessary cooking utensils. Also, get tables and chairs. Obviously, you’d need them for catering. Get a supply of decorative props – table cloths, napkins, vases and so on.
6. Promote your business. Like most businesses, you need to invest money on marketing and advertising. You need this to jumpstart your business. Some caterers start with their families and friends and then they’d cross their fingers. You would get more business if more people know it exists!

catering business

Chef Class - Five Steps To Pass With Flying Colors

2009-10-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

Passing a chef class is easy for some, difficult for many. The culinary arts are complex, with many methods, recipes and tools a new cook needs to learn how to use properly. As there is a lot more to cooking than a microwave or throwing random ingredients into a pot and hoping it tastes good, knowing how to approach your classes will be of great use to you.

1: Remember the Details
Details are a fundamental part of cooking. One of the first things you need to keep in mind in order to pass a chef class is that your mentor will be watching for how attentive to detail you are. It is the small things, such as the placement of garnishes, the final touch of spice, and the presentation of a dish that separates an amateur cook from a professional one. Cooking is not a race, but an art that should be treated as so.

2: Take your Time.
You cannot rush cooking. If a recipe calls for a marinade of three hours, you need to marinade for three hours. Cutting the corners will destroy the flavor that you are attempting to make. A master chef knows this, as do the instructors teaching you. If you desire to pass your chef class, follow the recipe to the letter. Once you advance, improvisation will occur. When you are learning, however, you need a fundamental grasp on the basics of the culinary arts. An established cookery that may hire you will also not allow variances in their recipes, as the variances will affect the customer's dining experience.

3: Ask Questions.
You are participating in classes to learn. Learning requires exercising your mind and asking questions you may have. Your instructor is being paid to answer questions. Ask them. The only stupid question is the one you do not ask.

4: Come prepared.
If your instructor tells you to read about a cooking method, chances are you will be using that method in the next lab. Skipping your assigned work can cause you confusion, and earn you a failing grade for the course. Come prepared. It will save you headache and time.

5: Don't give up.
Learning how to cook can be challenging and tedious. Even master chefs had to begin somewhere, and that somewhere was a kitchen. It may take you time to grasp the more challenging concepts and get a feel for how to cook. If you give up, you will never succeed.

Passing a chef class takes a great deal of time and effort, but the rewards will last a lifetime. As there is always a need for chefs, you will be entering a stable career, as well as giving you skills that you can use at home on a daily basis.

By 2Deano

Alcoholic Drinks and Health Issues

2009-10-06T23:05:00.000-07:00

Frozen Meals Can Be Healthy

2009-10-05T21:22:00.000-07:00

When it comes to eating healthy, fresher is almost always better. In some cases however, it's impossible to cook fresh foods every night. For people on the go, frozen foods can be healthy alternatives to fresh products. While there's no substitute for a well balanced, fresh cooked meal using plenty of fresh and healthy ingredients, healthy frozen meals can provide a quick and easy alternative for busy people and those who don't have time to cook meals from scratch.

No matter what type of diet you are following, chances are there is a frozen meal available to meet your needs. From low fat to heart healthy to vegetarian meals, there are a great many frozen dinners at the local supermarket or grocery store.

While frozen foods can be very healthy, it's important to keep a close eye out for potentially unhealthy ingredients as you shop. In particular, many frozen and prepared foods have unacceptably high levels of sodium. In addition, many frozen dinners, even those that use the healthiest ingredients, may use preservatives to which some people may be sensitive.

When looking at the amount of fat in a frozen dinner, follow the widely accepted recommendations to keep the total amount of daily fat to less than 30% of daily calories. Luckily, the new nutritional labels mandated by the government makes this calculation a lot easier. Food manufacturers are required to list the amount of fat their foods contain as a percentage of an average daily diet, so it's easy to tell at a glance if a particular frozen food is a healthy, low fat choice.

In addition to keeping total fat to less than 30% of total calories, keep saturated fat levels to less than 10% of daily calories. Sodium levels limited less than 200 milligrams for every 100 calories of food. In addition, most experts recommend keeping your daily sodium intake to less than 2400 milligrams per day. So make sure to read the labels on all frozen foods, even if they are labeled as healthy. While claiming the healthy label obligates food manufacturers to follow certain guidelines, you should still review the labels in order to choose the healthiest choices.

When choosing the healthiest meals from among the hundreds of varieties at the average supermarket or grocery store, it's a good idea to choose those that contain at least a half cup of vegetables, fruits or beans. Doing so will help ensure that the meal you choose is healthy and nutritious. Finally, since you are in the grocery store already, why not make a stop at the salad bar for a healthy addition to your frozen entrée. Many large grocery store chains have installed wonderful salad bars stocked full of the freshest fruits, vegetables and garnishes, as well as a great selection of low fat and nonfat salad dressings.

By Jake Samples

Chinese Food

2009-10-05T00:22:00.000-07:00

Chinese food now holds a popular place among the entire population of the world. You can find a Chinese restaurant in every major city and in many smaller areas of the world as well. Why is Chinese food so popular? Is Chinese food healthy? What is the history of Chinese food?

The History of Chinese Food

The history of Chinese food¹ is an interesting one. Unlike many cultures the Chinese believe that the preparation of food is an art and not simply a craft. The art of cooking Chinese food can include dishes and food preparation techniques which are difficult to develop and may require the expertise of a chef with lots of experience. One such technique is noodle pulling (scroll down to the bottom of the page to learn more about this technique). Noodle pulling requires skill and lots of practice and results in a delicious noodle dish. This article will refer to noodle pulling later on, but for now, let's go back to the history of Chinese food.

Chinese food and the way it is prepared is very much influenced by the two major philosophies, which influence the entire Chinese culture. These dominant philosophies are Confucianism and Taoism. Both have these philosophies have influenced the way that the Chinese people cook and the way that they enjoy their food.

Confucianism and Chinese Cuisine

Confucius was the man behind the Confucianism beliefs. Among many other standards Confucius established standards for proper table etiquette and for the appearance and taste of Chinese food. One of the standards set by Confucius (you might have noticed this at an authentic Chinese restaurant) is that food must be cut into small bite size pieces before serving the dish. This is a custom that is definitely unique to the Chinese culture.

Knives at the dinner table are also considered to be a sign of very poor taste by those who embrace Confucianist beliefs. The standards of quality and taste that Confucius recommended required the perfect blend of ingredients, herbs and condiments--a blend which would result in the perfect combination of flavor. Confucius also emphasized the importance of the texture and color of a dish, and taught that food must be prepared and eaten with harmony. Interestingly enough, Confucius was also of the opinion that an excellent cook must first make an excellent matchmaker.

Taoism and Chinese Cuisine

Those who follow the Taoism beliefs focus on the health benefits of particular foods vs. the presentation of the same. Taoists search for foods that will increase their health and longevity. They search for foods that have healing powers. Many times these benefits were often referred to as 'life giving powers'. For instance, the Chinese found that ginger, which can be considered to be a garnish or a condiment was found to be a remedy for upset stomachs or a remedy for colds.

Is Chinese Food Healthy?

Chinese food, when authentic is probably the healthiest food in the world. Some restaurants, which are not authentic, prepare their menu with highly saturated fats or with meats that contain unhealthy amounts of animal fat. These Chinese restaurants are not recommended and they are both neither authentic nor healthy.

Good Chinese food however, is prepared and cooked with poly-unsaturated oils. Authentic Chinese food does not require the use of milk-fat ingredients such as cream, butter or cheese. Meat is used, but not in abundance, which makes it easy for those who love authentic Chinese food to avoid high levels of animal fat. Many believe that authentic Chinese food is really the ideal diet.

Chinese Restaurants in Every Part of the Nation

Whether it is in a Tennessee Chinese Restaurant to a New York Chinese restaurant you are going to find culinary dishes that are both healthy and delicious. Savor the flavor with Chinese food!

By Marci Crane

How to Find Best Culinary Schools

2009-10-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

The culinary arts demand perfection at all times. Culinary schools are places where you can get trained to cook. Cooking has become a serious career option today for many. Being one of the fastest growing sectors, with the wide range of job opportunities available, many culinary schools are cropping up to take advantage of the number of people willing to pursue cooking as a career. Besides, getting trained in the culinary arts also gives you an opportunity to start a business on your own.

Culinary Schools

Culinary schools teach the fine art of cooking. Cooking is no longer considered to be just simple cooking. It involves a lot of expertise and innovation. With the food industry growing at spectacular rates, there is a lot of demand for good cooks. This is the reason most people are taking up the culinary arts as a serious career option. There are now hundreds of culinary schools that teach not just basic cooking but also specialties like pastry preparation, wine classes, knife skills, desserts, baking, holiday foods, healthy foods, regional cooking, style cooking, sauces, chocolates, safety and sanitation, cost management, food handling and identification, food and nutrition, special cuisines, and

Finding the right culinary school is also important. A lot of research goes into deciding on the right school. First determine your priorities for attending a culinary school- is it for gaining professional expertise, a hobby or a change of career? What is the specialty of the culinary school? Does it offer placement assistance and apprenticeships?

Executive culinary chefs who desire to work in fine-dining restaurants require years of training and experience through Culinary Schools, and generally have an intense ambition for cooking. Incomes for cooks and chefs vary considerably. Executive Culinary chefs with well-developed skills and expertise and can anticipate incomes over $60,000.

So whether your interest is in being a baker, a gourmet chef, a restaurant owner, a food writer, or some other field in the culinary arts, following the suggestions provided above should help you get the culinary arts degree that you really want.

The best culinary arts school will teach you much more than the basics. You'll learn the secrets of cooking great food as well as restaurant management, small business ownership, catering, and other specialized knowledge and cooking lore. At the best culinary schools, you can choose to specialize - perhaps you'd like to be a pastry chef, creating beautiful mouthwatering pastries for people to treat themselves, or a sous chef. You might want to be an expert in wines and beverages, or in French cuisine. It's up to you.

By clickfor

Making the Right Fast Food Choices

2009-09-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

Every now and then, even with the best of intentions, we find ourselves looking to a fast food restaurant for lunch or dinner. Maybe a lack of time or a lack of planning is to blame for forcing this upon us. Maybe something came up beyond our control that is making us resort to this as a last minute meal decision. Whatever the reason, you will be ordering your next meal by talking into a plastic clown from your car window.

The problem with this is, you know that fast food is notorious for very high fat content and very high calorie count while at the same time being very low in nutrition. Well, as luck would have it, there are actually some things that you can order from a few of the popular fast food places that are somewhat on the healthier side. The main thing is to stay away from the fat laden side orders like the fries and shakes, and go with the broiled and grilled items. Here are some examples of the better fast food choices:

At burger king, go with the BK broiler chicken sandwich or the broiled chicken salad. Also not too bad is the whopper, but it is imperative to order it dry and without cheese and add your own ketchup. All the sauces on the whopper are where most of the extra fat and calories come from.

At KFC, stay with the tender roast chicken and go with the skinless white meat. Fried chicken from anywhere should be avoided like the plague.

At McDonalds, the grilled chicken deluxe and the grilled chicken salad are the best choices. Since just about everything else here is fried or deep fried, these are really your only good choices.

At subway you have a few good choices like the turkey breast sub and the sweet onion teriyaki chicken sub. Most anything from their “low fat” menu is good, but don’t add cheese or fattening condiments like mayo and stick with the 6 inch ones.

At taco bell, the grilled chicken burrito and the grilled chicken soft taco are good choices. Any of their items made with grilled chicken are ok, just watch out for any added fattening sauces or fried items that might be used in the item.

At Wendy’s, the grilled chicken sandwich and the grilled chicken salad are two very good choices. Here you can also get a baked potato on the side but watch what you fill it with.

As a rule of thumb, always avoid anything fried like French fries or onion rings as these items can add as much as 450 extra calories to your meal which is usually as much as or more than what their signature burgers pack. Items like the milk shakes also come with nearly as many calories as the signature burgers so be careful not to order them as well. Always order your food without the dressings, sauces, mayo or cheese. These only add unwanted fat calories to your item. You can always ask for fat-free dressings and condiments like ketchup and add them yourself when you get your food.

All fast food is not completely off limits, even if you are making an effort to watch what you eat. Just make eating fast food an occasional thing and be aware of what you order when eating there. When in doubt, always go with broiled or grilled chicken items, and avoid most of the sides unless you know they are good choices like salads or baked potato’s.

By wbdoyle

Menu of the Day

2009-09-29T23:13:00.000-07:00

Pssst…I’m going to let you in one of Spain’s best kept secrets. You can enjoy a three course meal with wine for the price of a snack, if you know these magic words; Menu del Dia, which means simply Menu of the Day. Normally served between two and three in the afternoon by just about every restaurant in Spain, this afternoon delight is a great way to eat good food at a very reasonable price.

It all started during Franco’s time as a way for workers to obtain a nutritious meal at an affordable price. Franco has gone, but thankfully Menu del Dia lives on, and is in fact as popular as ever, but you have to know about it to get it. Some restaurants advertise their Menu of the Day on a chalk board outside the establishment, whilst others will happily bring you the normal menu without mentioning the cheap option, especially if…how can I put this…you’re not a local.

Of course the standard menu may have a list of dishes as long as your arm, whereas the fare on offer for Menu of the Day may only provide a choice of three or four dishes for each course, but there’s usually something there to suit everyone. Let’s get one thing straight here; the food is not inferior or in any way less nutritious than what’s being offered from the main menu. The difference is the price, and I promise you, I’ve never walked away from a Menu del Dia feeling hungry; quite the contrary in fact. Don’t forget that these meals were meant to feed the workers, and still do, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself surrounded by a group of Spanish taking their lunch break.

A popular first course is a really tasty soup or a salad, but dishes are as diverse as the restaurants which offer them, so there won’t be a problem finding something you like. A Chinese restaurant will have its own particular version, as will an Italian or Indian, but most Spanish bars and restaurants stick to what they know the locals will enjoy. Chicken, fish, meatballs or pork usually come with chips, but that’s no different to the main menu. There’s usually the choice of a pudding or coffee, but if you want to pay extra, you can have both.

Although Menu del Dia is available nationwide, the cheapest place, according to the Organisation of Consumers and Users, is Malaga, which weighed in with an average price of €7.55 which is pretty good value for a hearty meal. The national average is €9.50; still representing terrific value for money. Apparently, this information was gleaned from a survey of one hundred restaurants in Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Vigo, Zaragoza and Malaga. I wonder who carried out the survey, and if he can fit through his front door these days; nice work if you can get it.

The only problem with Menu del Dia is that you probably won’t want to eat a big meal in the evening, which could spoil your restaurant plans, but if you’re happy to eat your main meal in the middle of the day, and are looking to save money, it’s made for you, so the next time you’re on holiday in Spain, don’t forget the magic words.

About the author:
Alan Liptrot writes for Your Holiday Rentals.com, providing worldwide holiday rentals and villa rentals

Tips for Choosing the Best Coffee Service for Your Business

2009-09-29T01:02:00.000-07:00

For many individuals, coffee is a big part the day. The same can be true for many offices as well. Quality coffee and a reputable coffee service can really enhance a work environment. Depending on the amount of employees or the layout of the office itself, certain coffee services may be better than others. There is nothing like the aroma of freshly brewed ground coffee to lift the senses and breathe new life into a stagnant body.

Why a coffee service provider is a good choice

A smile will instantly appear on your dial and a revitalised person will emerge after the first sip of the beloved brew. Coffee has been known to have this effect on coffee lovers and general consumers alike. It is the most widely consumed beverage in offices all over the world. Considering that Americans consume close to 400 million cups of coffee per day and the Italians 14 billion espressos per year (and increasing…) it is not hard to believe that the brew has become a huge part of the office routine. Having a fresh, decent cup of coffee readily available at any minute of the day does wonders for the morale of the staff members.

Office managers should feel more confident that their staff can meet their goals if their favorite brew is at hand. It has been known that coffee drinkers tend to be more productive than non drinkers. Research has shown that they also have longer working stamina than their non drinking colleagues. Hiring a coffee service provider is a good choice as it will save the company time and money. Staff members will no longer have to leave the office for a quick sip and waste precious working time.

Not all company policies are the same though and coffee breaks at many of these companies usually mean a cup of old coffee. Coffee service providers usually offer a vast selection of coffees as well as other beverages and snacks on a daily basis. This means fresh coffee any time, all the time. The only other snag that remains is for the manager to select a reliable and reputable coffee service provider that will deliver the goods.

Hints and tips for selecting your coffee vendor

Choose a vendor that will be able to satisfy all your needs in terms of affordable prices, good quality products and excellent sales service. This usually means having to shop around as coffee service providers tend to differ in their service offerings. Get quotes from various vendors to compare prices and products. Watch out for specifics such as how long the vendor has been in operation and valid client references as you are looking towards a longstanding and profitable business relationship. A refreshing, excellent brew is the main objective, so it would be a good idea to sample all the coffees available before deciding. Include all the office staff members in the tasting process. In this manner you will know exactly which beverages are preferred and by which company as well as the type of brewing equipment you will be using.

One of the most important issues to look for beside the variety of coffees they stock is how quickly they respond to problems. The level of customer service that the company provides is very important as well. Emergencies tend to occur at times when you least expect it and a prompt service delivery eliminates unnecessary stress. Deliveries that are done regularly and on time are a requirement. Also check if they offer an online service as well as easy access to your personal account. You will be able to keep an eye on the account if a log-in and password is provided.

Another issue to clear is to enquire if goods that are damaged or ruined may be returned or replaced and if cancellations or changes of orders are readily accepted. Notifications of any price changes should also be done well in advance.

Other beverages and products to consider

There are many coffee vendors that offer food packages as well. These food packages can be ordered on a daily basis for staff members as well as the occasional conference or office party. Catering is done according to the number of staff members or conference attendants. The use of vending machines to dispense certain products comes highly recommended. Vending machines come in various types and can stock sodas, juices and water as well as hot beverages, snacks and sandwiches. There are machines available that can stock gourmet foods as well as confections. Frozen goodies are also an option. Vending machines should be checked and refilled on a daily basis. Sandwiches, gourmet foods and confections must be supplied fresh and old stock removed on a timely basis as well.

About the Author:
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who offers suggestions about how to save money in the workplace by using services such as a coffee service.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Starting a Catering Business? What You Must Know Beforehand

2009-09-24T23:34:00.000-07:00

Running a catering business can be very rewarding financially and can also be a lot of fun. Whether you cater events, weddings, corporate lunches and conferences on a full-time or a part-time basis, the opportunities can be significant.

However, catering is more than just knowing how to cook good tasting food. To succeed in this business you have to know your market and not only that. You have to know how to serve your market and to deliver your food (as well as an unforgettable event) at any place and at any time.

Each catered event is a new experience and a challenge as you are always working with a new group of people. While the financial rewards can be great, you should also never forget to make things fun with your clients. However, with fun also comes demanding work and for this you will need energy, stamina and the ability to work under pressure.

So what are the different types of catering you can get into? Let's take a closer look.

Mobile catering is common at outdoor events (such as exhibitions, boats, concerts etc.), workplaces, and downtown business areas.

Event catering is a bit different. It ranges from lunch drop-offs to a full-service catering offering.

Corporate catering services are a bit different again. They focus on small and big businesses corporate companies and parties. They can also include corporate conferences, corporate fundraising events, staff functions and corporate training days.

Finally, there is Wedding Catering. A full service wedding catering company is expected to make that special day one to remember and everything must run without a hitch.

A catering company is expected to know how to prepare food and to make it attractive. As mentioned above, each catered event can be a different challenge as you are constantly dealing with different types of people, so you must be prepared for anything.

Things to take into account

Many venues will "take a cut" of the catering bill. Therefore, catering will sometimes cost a lot more at one venue compared to another. You must take this into account when calculating your cost of doing business.

What's YOUR market?

The development of a business plan is crucial to any business, and catering is no different. A proper business plan will help you in planning a successful operation. Prior to starting a catering business, you need to determine your type of business and your market. Will you be just doing weddings and wedding receptions or will you focus exclusively on the corporate catering market.

You must analyze your market. Who are your clients? What are their needs? Who is your competition? How do you plan to effectively compete with existing catering businesses?

By Giselle Sanchez

Low-Carb Alcoholic Drinks Uncovered

2009-09-24T23:25:00.000-07:00

How to find an enjoyable, low-carb alcoholic drink is something on the minds of many. The recent popularity of low-carb diets put a new focus on carbohydrates in foods. In an effort to capitalize on this situation, dozens of books have been published touting everything from easy, low carb-recipes to how to find a good low-carb friend and live the low-carb lifestyle.

One area that causes concern for low-carb dieters is pressure and influences arising from social situations. A big part of any social occasion – and many other occasions – for many people is alcoholic beverages.

Do alcoholic drinks have many carbs? What sort of drinks should I avoid? Should I abandon drinking altogether? Is there such a thing as a low-carb alcoholic drink?

Fortunately, little sacrifice must be made for the sake of counting carbohydrates. There are enough options and alternatives to allow you to enjoy good beer and other alcoholic beverages. Of course, as with anything else, you just need to make smart choices that fit into your particular low-carb diet and lifestyle. This article should serve as a general guide with basic information about low-carb alcoholic drinks.

Folks who want to enjoy a nice, cold brew and still maintain a healthy diet have a good friend: low-carb beer. Despite what you might guess from witnessing certain new product launches and advertising campaigns, low-carb beer is nothing new. In fact, all light beers are low-carb; just recently have brewers started so vigorously publicizing that fact.

Many people, even those on weight-loss and low-carb diets, enjoy beer regularly. Beer, like most other beverages, contains no fat. Light beer, in particular, is low in calories and carbohydrates. New low-carb beers, capitalizing on the terminology of the day, have been put to market in response to the new dieting trend, and often contain even less carbohydrates than light beer.

When it comes to dieting and weight loss, the “beer belly” is often mentioned, but no such thing actually exists. Consuming too many calories and not exercising enough will cause excess fat to develop in any part of the body, determined mainly by gender and genetics; for the most part, beer is irrelevant.

Most doctors agree the keys to weight loss are moderate food and beverage intake and regular exercise. Whether you’re on a low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie or some other type of diet, beer – especially low-carb beer – can be part of a healthy adult lifestyle.

Beyond beer, there are many more options for enjoyable low-carb alcoholic drinks. Wine is very low in carbohydrates; red wine runs at about two grams, and white wine has a little less than one gram. Straight alcohols are even better. Gin, vodka, brandy, whiskey, tequila, rum, bourbon – all of your favorites! – have no carbs.

Mixed drinks – drinks that contain alcohol and a “mixer” such as soda or juice – are where you’ll find some carbs, though. The exact number, of course, will vary depending on what you mix the alcohol with. You should always use diet soda, and try your best to find low-carb alternatives to fruit juices.

Many liqueurs have relatively high amounts of carbohydrates, and should be consumed sparingly if you’re watching your carb intake. Irish cream, amaretto, triple sec, cointreau and the like should be enjoyed at a minimum. The carb counts vary greatly. Bailey’s Irish cream, for example, has about six grams of carbs; amaretto, one of the highest, has about 17.

As with anything else related to dieting, moderation and common sense are your best friends. Amaretto isn’t the devil. It just has a lot of carbs, so make sure you aren’t suddenly and accidentally carb-loading after two amaretto sours. You can still enjoy plenty low-carb alcoholic drinks – whether it be a low-carb beer, a nice white wine or a whiskey-diet – without sacrificing your low-carb diet.

By Nathan T. Lynch

Dairy Products And Acne, What You Should Know

2009-09-24T02:55:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your diet could cause acne, or even worsen it?

Well, check out this latest research done at the American Academy of Dermatology in Harvard.

The facts are that despite what was commonly thought of chocolate and greasy food would cause acne, this is long proven wrong. Now the basic stable data here is that what cause acne to manifest itself are during hormonal fluctuations and genetics. Therefore the times prone to experience this uncomfortable condition is during puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

But the latest research point to one or two exceptions involving dairy products. The researches analyzed about 50,000 peoples habits and diets specially what they ate during high school. Those who habitually drank two-three cups of milk a day where 22% prone to have severe acne compared to those who only drank one cup a week or less.

Skim milk had the greatest effect. Cream cheese and cottage cheese were also related to outbreaks, while chocolate and grease were not. Basically researchers were certain to prove the effect of hormones on milk, other studies had come out with similar findings and share this discovery.

You also have to know that food that contain iodides, like shellfish and soy sauce, might also exacerbate acne. Iodides are thought to play a role in the inflammation, this confirmed by Dr Diane S. Berson, an assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

So, the bottom line is that certain foods particularly dairy products, has proven to generate acne and some times, severe condition of acne.

But finally, there's something you can do to end the frustration and suffering brought on by acne. With just a few simple daily steps, you can heal the pimples you have today and help stop new ones from forming tomorrow. Whether you're a man or a woman, 15 or 50...you can have the clear, blemish-free skin you've always wanted.

If you're suffering with mild to moderate acne, I know how you feel - both of us have lived with it at different times in our lives. So I wanted to create a website to help you understand the causes of the condition, and learn what you can do to fight it. In this site, I have taken the time to refute some of the most common misunderstandings about acne and bring you the latest scientific information. I would also like to introduce you to a revolution in acne skin care - Proactiv® Solution.

This unique, easy-to-use, 3-step daily maintenance system is designed to attack acne at its source - so you can get the clear, beautiful skin you've always wanted

Like me, millions of people have discovered Proactiv Solution and changed their lives for the better. Many of these people say the same thing: Proactiv Solution really works. So why don’t you take a look at this product for yourself. After all, if you are a dairy product lover and want to continue with it (and who doesn’t?) you must be prepared to deal with acne the right way. So there you go, now you know what are the diets that causes acne and what are the products that helps you handle it. Enjoy it!

By Al Castillo

How to Find Restaurant Coupons

2009-09-24T00:39:00.000-07:00

Eating out can be expensive so finding a coupon to your favorite restaurant can be easy when you search online to save money. Make sure that you never spend money for membership coupon sites because these are not worth it. There are books you can buy that have restaurant coupons in them and that is your best option.

First you want to go to the restaurants website and see if they have any coupons available for you to use. In most cases they will have a eClub that you can enroll in and you will get something for free. Also this is a great way to get deals and specials when they come available.

Next search online by typing in the restaurant name and the word "coupon". You will find several coupon sites that will offer you great deals such as 2 for 1 or a free appetizer. You should also look under images when you type this in because you may find the coupons listed there as well.

We all love to save money and if you are going out to eat you need to find a coupon online before you spend full price at your favorite eatery. You can get everything form a 2 for 1 dinner special to a free appetizer. Saving money is good for you and your family so make sure you check online before going out for your next meal.

Remember that saving money eating out is easier than ever. Search online to find great saving so you do not have to pay full price. Also you may want to consider getting an entertainment book because they have a lot of great deals in there as well.

By Bryan Burbank

5 Fast Food Pizza Delivery Marketing Ideas

2009-09-22T00:34:00.000-07:00

Pizza delivery is a high competition industry and it takes some special marketing to make yours a success. If you are looking to create a fast food pizza delivery monopoly, you will need some top notch and original ideas. This article will get you started with some ideas that you can incorporate into the pizza delivery business.

1. Offer a better deal. Some of the top pizza delivery services offer great deals and freebies. A 2 for 1 deal, free chips and dessert or a free soda with a personal pizza are just a couple of ideas of how you can offer a better deal than the competition. Find out what they are giving away and make yours better. The last thing you want to do is just copy, so consider other options like a punch card where they get a free pizza after a certain number of purchases or anything similar that will encourage customers to become repeat clients.

2. Make them drool. Describe your ingredients in a way that makes people long to try them. Photos of gooey cheese topped with crisp peppers, bright, fresh tomatoes and gleaming olives are even better and a combination of great copywriting and some delicious, drool worthy photos will have people hankering for a slice in no time. Preparing takeaway menus with these qualities pretty much guarantees you will get the order over a simple grey sheet with the specials printed in red ink like so many pizza delivery and fast food options do.

3. Guarantees. With guaranteed delivery times and flavors, you can really rake in the customers. Most of these guarantees are no longer being used, so if you actually say you`ll give a refund and then do it . . . you can bet more people will want to order, knowing that their pizza will arrive within 30 minutes or less . . . or whatever you choose to guarantee.

4. Get personal. Friendly staff can make all the difference to the customer and can cement customer loyalty just as much as lower prices can. But what most pizza delivery services don`t do is follow up with their friendly service. Why not offer an extra service . . . email coupons. Get client email addresses and then send them free coupons via email, as well as any updates. Let them know that by signing up for this service, they will automatically receive 10% off their current order. You can easily make this back by staying fresh in their minds and giving previous clients a reason to come back.

5. Offer the best pizza out there. The truth is that it all comes down to one thing . . . making people want YOUR pizza and your pizza alone. Give them a taste that they just can`t find anywhere else and you`ll have them coming back time and time again. Whether you do this by offering a special type of pizza, a secret ingredient sauce or cheese baked into the crust, clients will savor that special flavor and eagerly call you up the next time they crave your particular specialty.

Just because you have a lot of competition doesn`t mean you have to give up. Your fast food service can be the best simply via the best marketing. Keep in mind how you can create a bigger and better campaign, but don`t forget that the details matter. Your clients might respond to a flashy ad, but it all boils down to the best pizza.

By Anthony Williams Sr.

Start Your Own Cake Shop

2009-09-17T23:06:00.000-07:00

Have you always dreamt of leaving your dead and job and starting your own business? If so, you are definitely not alone in that. Many people wish they could be their own boss, work on their own schedule, have full control, and also be doing something that they love.

Are you a good baker and a creative decorator? Perhaps it has always been a hobby of yours to bake and decorate cakes. Maybe you are the one everyone goes to for advice on cakes or to make a cake for them. Perhaps that you have already been told that your cakes are the best around and that you should start selling them. So why not listen? Why not start your own cake shop?

This opportunity is great because you can literally build it from the ground up. You can start in the kitchen of your own home, and keep building the business until it becomes successful enough to move into your own shop. Imagine having your own little shop where you can display fake decorated cakes to showcase your talents, pictures on the wall of cakes you have done for others, and an office area where you can discuss cake ideas with potential clients. Doesn't that sound great?

With some good decorating skills and a good cake recipe, you can be selling in no time, because face it, everyone loves cake. Also, in recent years, cakes have become a way for not only artist to express themselves, but for the clients as well.

If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.

By Perry Webbing

Starting a Catering Business

2009-09-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

A catering business can be built through traditional advertising and marketing methods. If you are starting on a bootstrap budget, consider the slow but sure method of building sales through networking. By building a network of contacts one person at a time, you assemble a group who know your work, know you as a person, and will happily be on the look out for work they can pass your way.

Start With Your Network

To begin networking successfully, it is generally advised to begin with your personal network and work outwards. Talk to friends, family, and past colleagues about your catering business and ask them for contacts of others who might be in need of catering, are well-connected, or might be able to provide some other type of lead.

Meet these new contacts and learn who they are. Try to identify what their needs are, whether personal or for their business, and look for ways to help them. People like to help those who have helped them. Only after thinking about how you can help them discuss your catering business without pushing to sell to them directly. By trading favors with many people you will slowly create a network.

Show Influences of Your Work

When you come across contacts who seem to be in a position or have such a personality that they are able to influence the decisions of many others, try to find a way to do a catering job for these individuals. This could be a small job at a discounted rate or even free to give them a sense of the quality of your food and service. With any luck, your work for them will give them something to talk about and they won't think twice about referring others to your business for their catering needs. Small jobs like this can lead to big jobs and, hopefully, long-running relationships with businesses who will use your services for events wherever they go in the area.

By Eric Powers

Chinese Restaurant Menus

2009-09-16T00:50:00.000-07:00

If you own a Chinese restaurant and are thinking about printing new menu designs to boost your sales, you must use your customer knowledge and smart design practices to be successful. Many Chinese restaurants use flyer printing services to help increase their sales and also to increase customer interest in surrounding areas. Even if you no not offer take out services, you can still benefit from Chinese menu printing designed to increase sales. Both dine-in and take out menus can really benefit your business when paired with an effective distribution method.

Design Your Chinese Menu to Beat the Competition - 4 Easy Tips:

1. Include both Chinese and English translations in your new menu design. It may be beneficial for you to use two separate menus - a separate version for those who speak English and Chinese. Not only does this make your restaurant feel more authentic for all customers, it also makes things much easier for your Chinese customers who may not understand the English translations of your menu. This simple adjustment will automatically broaden your target audience thus increasing your new customer potential and sales.

2. Include high-resolution pictures of your Chinese dishes that are "hot sellers" and unpopular products. This will show people how great your food looks on familiar dishes, as well as introduce them to some of your more profitable, yet less popular dishes at the same time. You can also offer "Meal Deals" in your menu choice for both dine-in and take out customers. When people are ordering Chinese food, they tend to be in a group or as a couple, so make sure you consider these various types of situations to help encourage people to purchase from you. Special offers and coupon deals are another great way to increase your sales order total and make your customers happy at the same time. Imagine what an extra five dollars per order could do for your business!

3. Make sure you focus on your business branding properly. Include your logo, mascot imagery, and clear and concise typography to ensure customers easily recognize your brand. Even if customers do not order from you immediately, your brand should be memorable and the flyer design should reflect the same style and coloring as your branding. This ensures that the next time they order Chinese food, they will remember your flyer and dig it out to specifically make an order with your business and not your competition.

4. Don't cut corners with your Chinese menu printing. There are lots of ways you can save money on your printing bill, such as bulk orders, and using an online printing company, but you don't need to compromise on your printing quality or color to get a good deal. Chinese color menu printing is essential to getting a good customer response, so make sure your menus are in full color and printing to a high standard of quality. Use an online printer with low prices, helpful service, and samples of previous Chinese menus that they can show you.

By Chris Barr

Home Food Delivery

2009-09-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

For those of us who are too busy to deal with the errand of grocery shopping or just do not want to deal with the hassle, a great option is home food delivery. Foods such as ice cream, canned goods, meat, fish, fruits and breads are all available for ordering online. Not only do grocers offer food items online but local restaurants do too. If you are in the mood for something that is a regional favorite or a classic among everyone, you can find it online. Gourmet food is a popular type of grocery that internet users flock to.

Diet food is also another popular form of available groceries for those who are health or weight conscious for any type of diet. Having this option available for home food delivery with such ease helps along those diets so we can all live better, healthier lives.

Gourmet food that is available allows us to add a little spark to our dull, typical meals. Meals no longer have to be typical and boring when you can order them online. Some websites that offer home food delivery do charge a delivery fee, while others do not. Whether you are at home, a hotel or in a country abroad you can have any food at your fingertips.

Having this option available 24/7 makes having the food we crave much easier and time efficient. In the world today when everyone has a hectic lifestyle, saving time makes a huge impact on the quality of life that is available. Having home food delivery plays a major role in saving precious time that can be used on something much more productive.

By Nadav Snir

Choosing Culinary Art Schools

2009-09-14T00:58:00.000-07:00

If you have ever thought about culinary school or a culinary degree then you need to know and remember a few things when it comes to choosing your program. Most schools offer certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor degrees. Along with that many school offer certain specialties where you can learn more about a particular area of interest. All in all every school is different; some are small while others are in major metropolitan areas. This creates a problem when trying to choose a program but first of all what are the bonuses of getting the degree?

1. Many schools have extremely high job placement ratings. These ratings range from 90% to 98% depending on the school. If you think about it, most other colleges do not come close to that placement rate. It sure beats a degree in history!

2. You get practical experience. At most university programs you sit in a class and philosophize over what means what. Sadly, at the end of the day your thoughts will not be able to get your experience. At culinary schools you get on the job training while doing this type of learning at the same time.

3. Salaries Only Get Higher. A recent study showed that executive chef salaries are going to increase at a higher rate than normal. In all seriousness you probably will be making $40,000 when you graduate but after a few years and a few promotions you could be making in excess of $75,000. Sounds pretty good for doing what you love.

If this has convinced you to pursue the degree then there are three things you must think about when choosing a culinary arts school.

1. Geography Means Something! When choosing a school think about the location. If you want to get a job in a big city then it helps to go to school there. By the time you get done you may have made some major connections in order to get the job you want. This is not to say that going somewhere outside of NYC makes you unable to get a job there but it would certainly help.

2. Specialties Help! Find out if the schools you are looking at have specialties. If you want to create desserts then you would be better off going to a school with that specialization. If you are unsure of your interests then go to a school with a lot of options. Putting yourself in that position will help you in the future.

3. Accreditation! This is very important. There are about six associations that accredit school programs in culinary arts. Make sure that your culinary degree or culinary school is on one of these lists. This will ensure that your degree is respected by the community of professionals. Good Luck!

By Jack Stanton

Chef Career Guide

2009-09-09T22:50:00.000-07:00

When it comes to choosing the best chef career guide for you, there is often no room for mistakes. After all, you cannot turn back the hands of time to bring back the days when you burned the midnight oil, slaved over the stove, suffered various cuts and burns, and spent thousands of dollars for culinary school tuition! With that said, here are a few things to remember about entering the culinary arts field as a chef.

Hard Work, Hard Options

Becoming a chef is hard work with hard options to deal with. You have to put in an honest day of hard work in studying the theory of culinary arts, cooking meals in various quantities and qualities and presenting them in attractive ways.

In fact, a good chef career guide will contain precautions against any illusions of glitz and glamour associated with becoming a master chef! You can and will slave over the stove more times than you care to be in.

And all throughout your career, you will be faced with hard options from the personal to the professional. Will you become a pastry chef or a vegetable chef? Will you specialize in regional cuisine or fusion cuisine? Will you work in a stand-alone restaurant or in a hotel or establish your own business? These are just a few of the questions you will ask yourself, with the answers varying in time.

And did we mention that you also need to acquire interpersonal skills like the ability to communicate effectively with others, which any chef career guide will readily tell you? This is in addition to acquiring professional skills like menu planning, food costs assessment, public health regulations' compliance and many other talents.

Hard Spending

Said career guide will tell also you that acquiring the right culinary education and training equals hard spending. You have to pay, and in most cases pay handsomely, for an education in the top-notch culinary arts schools.

There are many reasons for this fact of culinary life. First, schools must hire only the best teachers to pass on their knowledge as well as to maintain the school's excellent reputation. And, as you very well know, the best teachers demand the best prices!

Second, your chef career guide will outline that school tuition often includes the cost of materials - food, gas, utensils and equipment - to be used during the course. And with the rising food prices of both exotic fare and basic commodities, you can expect to pay more than your family's monthly grocery budget.

Third, the right culinary school can start you on the right path to a career as a reputable chef. Just think of the opportunities that will be opened up for you when employers see that you come from an excellent culinary school!

However, don't worry too much about the hard spending. Fortunately, there are financing options like student loans and scholarships to be had for those students willing to take on the challenges - from hard work to hard options to hard spending - that a culinary school demands of its students. And that is something an excellent chef career guide ought to tell aspiring chefs!

By Rod Dagan

Chocolate Cake

2009-09-09T01:18:00.000-07:00

Chocolate - the drink of the Gods, has forever been man’s sinful indulgence. Chocolate comes in many shapes and sizes, and it’s used for many recipes, but none surpasses the chocolate cake – first place in popularity.

A chocolate cake can be made from any type of chocolate. It can be made from plain, dark chocolate or “bitter” chocolate that contains little or no added sugar. Cakes can be made from white chocolate, which tastes sweet and is very rich and smooth, almost with a melt-in-your-mouth quality. Cakes made with organic chocolate win hands down for they contain a very high percentage of cocoa solids. However, this type of chocolate is very expensive.

Innovation is the buzzword in chocolate circles now and along with chocolate you will find varied other ingredients added to the cake to woo your taste buds. There is the chocolate and orange angel cake, the tangy cinnamon cake, the hot spicy chocolate ginger crunch cake made with ginger syrup and chocolate cake topped with a mildly tempering Banana Sauce to name a few. In fact, it seems that almost everything that is palatable in the kitchen can be used as a flavoring in chocolate cakes. Hazelnut is great in chocolate cake and is beetroot (used in chocolate layer cakes), redcurrant torte chocolate cake is fabulous and baked chocoate and rasin cheese cake.

Chocolate cakes come with vast array of toppings and decorations. Since chocolate cake by nature has a rich taste, the toppings are deliberately kept light. You can have dates, almonds, honey toppings, fruit sauces or you can have decorations made with chocolate. You can peel off chocolate curls, scoop off chocolate balls or create designs with contrasting colored melted chocolate. When it comes to decorating with chocolate, the “Covertures” type chocolate with a glossy finish is the choice of many. There are plenty of options when it comes to decorating with chocolate. Anything made with chocolate is sinfully delicious.

By Jason Gluckman

Italian Restaurants

2009-09-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that Italian food is some of the very best in the world. Of course, many people have never experienced the various regional dishes that are not as common as the traditional spaghetti or lasagna. If you are looking for something truly wonderful, try some of the other regional dishes that are native to Italy the next time you visit your favorite Italian restaurant.

Fortunately, Los Angeles is home to some of the best restaurants in the world and among them are many Italian restaurants. There is a wealth of establishments to choose from and it won't take long before one of them becomes your absolute favorite.

The various restaurants all have their take on Italian cuisine. Some of the restaurants may be Italian grills that prepare the foods without the traditional red sauce that most people associate with Italian food. If you haven't had a chance to sample this type of Italian food, you don't know what you have been missing.

There are some Italian restaurants in the Los Angeles area that are traditional and have the red checkered table cloths for that old world charm that is most associated with dining in Italian restaurants. When you are in the mood for the hearty meals that are prepared in this type of old school Italian restaurant, these places can't be beat.

An Italian restaurant is the best place to take a special someone for a romantic evening. There is just something about this style of food that brings about feelings of love and romance. Some restaurants will play traditional Italian music or even have a violin player strolling through the place entertaining the diners.

Fine Italian dining has nothing to do with Pizza places or even the local chain pizza restaurant that passes itself off as an Italian restaurant. Pizza is more American than Italian, although there is food similar to this eaten in Italy. A fine Italian restaurant should have a wonderful wine list of the very best Italian wines. Italy is well known for its amazing wines.

Italian restaurants in Los Angeles are the places to dine if you are really hungry. We all know that an Italian restaurant is not skimpy with the portions. In fact, if you do not get filled up on just the appetizers and salad, you will most likely be taking a lot of the dinner home. There is really that much food with your meal. Pasta is often a cornerstone of every dish, but you will have plenty of meat and vegetables with your food prepared in a way like no other cuisine in the world.

The next time you are looking for a romantic place to take someone special, look for the Italian restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Search out the authentic Italian cuisine for the full experience of romance, delicious food and a warm atmosphere. Many special memories will be made in your favorite Italian restaurant. Just make sure that you are ready for a big meal and you will not be disappointed with the heaping plates you get in your local Italian restaurant.

By Francesca Romano

Alcoholic Drinks

2009-09-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

Much has been written about alcohol consumption in recent years. Those who regularly imbibe want to believe that a couple of drinks a day can be beneficial to their health. Teetotalers on the other hand prefer to focus on the harmful effects of alcohol. So, which is it?

A recent study conducted in Italy revealed that drinking in moderation can actually increase your life span. They cautiously add that the benefits will only extend if you don't over-do a good thing:

*Women limit their intake to two alcoholic drinks per day.

*Men consume no more than four alcoholic beverages per day.

The reason for such a large difference is that women metabolize alcohol differently than men. Drinking the same amount of alcohol, women experience higher blood alcohol levels than men, thereby putting themselves at increased risk for diseases of the liver and certain types of cancer.

So if you enjoy your cocktails before dinner, it seems that you don't have to give them up to stay healthy but it might be wise to heed the warning of the researchers and stay within the suggested limits. Measuring the amount of spirits you put in a mixed drink and using wine glasses no larger than 5 oz. will keep you from inadvertently over-indulging.

Further advice from the research experts suggest that drinking alcoholic beverages with meals and choosing wine, especially red wine, will provide added health benefits but any benefits gained will be lost unless it's part of an overall healthy lifestyle.

By Rita Morgan

Healthy Chocolate Cookie

2009-09-01T23:06:00.000-07:00

It seems too good to be true that there is the option of reaching out for a healthy chocolate cookie when one feels like a snack. In fact, it is difficult to associate the decadence of chocolate with something that claims to be healthy. And yet, there is a huge variety of healthy chocolate cookies available in the market today.

Each of us go through that time of day when we crave a snack. Market research shows that children and adults alike reach out for unhealthy snacks most of the time because they are unaware of the healthier options.

Almost everyone loves chocolates but we feel guilty each time we eat even a small piece because of the fat and calorie content. Not anymore. Healthy chocolate cookies are made from various ingredients that increase the health value of the cookies and yet preserve the delicious chocolaty flavor. There are cookies made of whole grains, whole wheat, bran flakes, oats, low fat, etc. The main thing to check is whether these cookies are able to maintain a rich taste of chocolate as well.

Research has shown that the cacao bean, from which chocolate is made, is not only rich in fiber but also has antioxidant properties. If correctly prepared, chocolate cookies can provide an individual's daily requirement of antioxidants and flavonoids. The use of natural sweeteners and fiber rich options adds to the health quotient of these cookies. The best part is that despite all these healthy changes, the cookie still is as satisfying and delicious as it was during childhood. After all, chocolate cookies are a childhood favorite for most of us and bring back fond memories of a time when we did not need to count calories.

By Quinlan Murray

Pastry Chef School

2009-09-01T00:23:00.000-07:00

In any world class restaurant the position of pastry chef is well respected and coveted by many professional chefs. It is such an important position in a restaurant that there are dedicated pastry chef schools teaching the art of making quality pastries. In the restaurant it is the pastry chefs job to prepare all the pastry products that are served by the restaurant and take charge of the desert menu. Creativity is a must in this job as you will also be required to create and test new recipes for the head chef.

There are many top pastry chef schools that are recognized all over the world. The French cooking school Le Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute of America both have a top pastry chef program where you can earn a degree specializing in pastries. Both of these culinary schools are world class educational institutions and a degree from these schools holds heavy weight in the restaurant industry.

The career path of a pastry chef usually follows a path such as:

1 - Earn a pastry chef degree from a cooking school.

2 - Work as a chefs apprentice to get the required experience.

3 - Earn more responsibility and take on some of the more important tasks in the restaurant.

4 - Get promoted or move to another restaurant to take up the job as the head pastry chef.

5 - Teach/train other up an coming chefs.

This type of career path requires patience as it can take many years to become the head pastry chef. As you will have people working under you in many cases good people management skills are also required. As with any job there are downsides but the job is very rewarding and has many benefits!

By Adam Robbinson

Free Fast Food Coupons

2009-08-26T22:14:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, the easiest and the cheapest way to dine-in are at the fast food restaurants. Such restaurants are available everywhere. Those who can't cook due to their tight schedule mostly order their meal from food restaurants. They just ring the delivery service, and the foods are delivered in just a few minutes, ready to be eaten.

Where do we find or secure these fast food coupons? As we all have a vague idea of what these fast food coupons can do, these bear certain promotions of the establishment like discounts, freebies and other deals we can enjoy while savoring the food we are eating. And there is no need for worry though as these types of coupons is found everywhere, anywhere. If we visit food chains like McDonalds, Burger King or Wendy's, we can find that they offer certain promotions that allow us to avail these coupons. Another source for these coupons is searching through the Internet for our favorite restaurants. If we do find availabilities, we can proceed with printing it as well. The local newspaper is another option that should be considered too as this offers possible advertisements of fast food coupons of selected restaurants.

Many people have availed the benefits of these coupons and have also enjoyed the fast food items such as burgers, fries and shakes at discounted rates. Many food coupons are even exchanged for free meals. Food coupons have made the business in the fast food chain industry a big hit.

Fast food coupons are certificates that give consumers a price savings when they purchase a specified food product. These coupons are frequently mailed, placed in newspapers, found in company's websites, online coupon sites or dispensed at the point of purchase. In addition, some companies have coupons generated when an item is scanned at the register.

Some of the food items that can be exchanged in favor of food coupons are as follows:

· Single burger (regular or children's size)

· Fruit or fruit and yogurt

· Whole wheat rolls

· Baked potato (with vegetables, cheese, butter or sour cream)

· Low fat deli sandwiches on wheat bread or on pita bread

· Wraps on whole wheat tortillas (without dressing)

· Chicken fry, French fries, fish fry and chips

· Shakes

· Regular meal

By Jackson P

Food Cooking Show

2009-08-26T01:30:00.000-07:00

The premise is simple. Take a chef, put him or her into the kitchen and watch them prepare their signature dishes. You might think that this would be boring after a bit but the public has proven this wrong.

Food cooking shows are the "in" thing right now. We love the idea of making food and combine it with reality television and suddenly we come back week after week to see what happens next.

Fox Network has uncovered a phenomenon with the cursing antics of Chef Gordon Ramsey. We cringe at his explosive attitude yet are somehow sympathetic at his attempts to turn would-be chefs into professionals.

We might not want to put ourselves on the line of fire but we love watching other contestants wither under his furious stare and tirades. Our kitchens may not be stocked with fois gras but we still take something away from each episode.

Food Network has a reality show titled "Who Wants to Be the Next Food Network Star" where amateur and professional cooks alike are given tasks to perform that somehow weed out the would-be television chefs from the rest.

We root for our favorite contestants as the season progresses until only one contestant remains. He or she is then given a food cooking show of their very own.

What is the fascination with meal preparation shows? Perhaps it is the ease at which dishes are prepared. It might be the professional cookware and charming personality of the hosts.

Some of the most popular meal preparation show hosts is not formally educated at cooking schools. Thus they give us hope that anyone can prepare delectable dishes from the comfort of their own home.

Whatever the reason behind our fascination, these shows has become an integral part of television viewing. As great chefs from the past such as Julia Child pass on, a new generation of friendly, knowledgeable faces comes to the forefront of culinary society.

Perhaps it is the grand showmanship of Emeril LaGasse yelling out "BAM" or Rachel Ray's cute acronyms such as EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil); we are drawn to our television sets and the expanding culinary world.

As other television networks air cooking shows, especially ones where competition and cut throat antics by the participants are involved, we will continue to avidly watch food cooking shows.

Not all of the popular shows feature a swearing chef and those are the ones we turn to for the free recipes, tips and colorful abbreviations becoming standard in our daily language. Bring on the "Top Chef" or "Hell's Kitchen" because we want to see what comes next.

By Mike Selvon

Restaurant Management Program

2009-08-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

From the many culinary arts schools in the country and all over the world, the only thing common to all of their students is the passion for cooking. Without it, they will not be found in those schools. There are students who take culinary arts programs and other related courses not just to become a chef or cook. Others plan in putting up their own business or simply to enhance their skills and know more ideas about different cooking approaches. Whatever their reasons may be, choosing and going to reputable schools offering the best quality education will better serve their purpose.

What about career growth; you don’t expect to be forever chef, do you? You can have a higher position, or even the highest if you take up certain appropriate programs. Taking only culinary arts will leave you to discovering and preparing different new approaches to cooking. But if you take culinary arts and restaurant management, who knows, you can be the restaurant manager in less than 2 years time. Setting your goals higher combined with hard work will definitely take you to a higher position.

Just look at things this way, restaurant operations do not depend only on cooks and chefs. There should be someone managing the business. And who would run a restaurant better than those with full knowledge of culinary arts and restaurant management? This makes the program beneficial to people with ambitions to be managers or supervisors. How does that sound to you? Considering other programs to take in culinary schools for greater things?

One of the schools that offer culinary arts and restaurant management is The Art Institute of New York City. The school’s program balances culinary theory and practice. Students taking on this innovative program learn cooking, baking, communication, and management skill. All the things you are to study and gain knowledge from will help you walk your way up through the ladder of career growth. Isn’t that what most people wanted- to have an edge on their respective area of specialization and eventually lead to promotion.

Graduates of culinary arts and restaurant management program are equipped with knowledge and skills to seek entry-level jobs such as prep cook, assistant food service manager, line cook, assistant food and beverage manager, and many more. In the food service industry, it is not enough that you know the ins and outs of cooking if you want to see yourself managing a restaurant instead of just cooking. So, decide now and take the culinary arts and restaurant management program and lead the team, rather than be on the team.

By Milos Pesic

Wedding Cake

2009-08-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

By passing a caterer and serving your own food at your wedding reception is a great way to save money on your special day. The same is true for the wedding cake. Most people had rather splurge and get a professional to do this task, but once you learn how to make your own wedding cake, you will discover that it is easier than you may think. If you can bake any cake, you can make one for your (or a family of friend's) wedding as well.

The first thing you need to determine when making a wedding cake is how many people it will need to feed. Taking at least 80% of your guest list into consideration when deciding how many pieces you will need to get out of the cake. To be on the safe side, many people figure in everyone, but if you are working with a small budget, it's okay to consider that not everyone will eat a piece of the wedding cake.

Once you have decided how many people will be eating the cake, you must decide what kind of cake you want to make. The traditional is white icing on a white or yellow cake. However, this is your big day, so you can be unique if you choose. If you prefer chocolate to vanilla, go for chocolate! You may also want to consider drizzling an additional topping, such as syrup or sprinkles, over the icing. There are so many choices when it comes to making a wedding cake that the options are endless!

Most people take a recipe they are familiar with, and multiply it to make a large enough cake to feed a wedding. For example, if you have a recipe that feeds 20 people and you have a guest list of 100, all you need to do is make that recipe by multiplying everything by 5. These ingredients will be divided among the different tiers of the cake so don't picture a huge sheet cake in your mind. Once you have everything mixed up, pour it into the various pans, and bake.

Baking the wedding cake can be the trickiest part. It is important to consider that the largest tier will need more time to bake then the top tier. You may choose to bake them all separately or together if your oven is big enough. However, if you open the oven to remove the smallest pan, it's possible that the larger cakes could fall, possibly ruining the wedding cake. It's highly recommended to do a test bake of your cake from start to finish, especially if you have never created a cake of this magnitude.

Learning how to make a wedding cake is not difficult, and you may really enjoy it once you create your first one. Wedding cakes are a lucrative business because people will pay good money to make sure they have the most extravagant foods at their reception. For this reason, you may want to offer your wedding cake skills to your family and friends once you have mastered the art yourself.

By Michael Seriosa

Master Chef

2009-08-19T22:19:00.000-07:00

A Master Chef is a professionally certified chef who has received the title of Certified Master-Chef - an honor which is held by less than 100 people in the United States of America. This certification is given out only to those chefs who have received a lot of training and have demonstrated a recognizable level of excellence in culinary arts programs.

A Master-Chef is a professional qualification that is earned by a chef - they are Certified Master-Chefs who have completed the requisite examination conducted by the American Culinary Federation. The Master-Chef examination was started in the year 1981 as a method of encouraging chefs to work towards achieving excellence in the culinary arts.

The Certified Master Chef program requires for the chefs to attend a eight days long practical examination which is rigorous and tests the culinary knowledge and skills of a chef. The chefs are tested on subjects which include skills and techniques involved in cooking, use of ingredients in cooking, presentation of the food, the timing of service, safety and sanitation involved in the maintenance of a restaurant. After the course is completed, there is a final test that the chef must pass.

The course costs $3,000 and takes place only on two approved test sites: one is The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, and the second site is the California Campus of The Culinary Institute of America, which is based in Napa Valley.

To begin to work towards the Master-Chef qualification you would have to start with a degree in the culinary arts. You can either start with a two year Associate Degree or a four year Bachelors Degree to start working your way towards a career in the culinary arts. After the degree, you would have to gain a deeper foundation in the culinary arts, which includes practical, hands-on experience in the culinary field.

Most hotels and restaurants are very keen on hiring those chefs who have earned their certification as a Master-Chef. Typically, the annual salary of a Certified Master-Chef can range from $40,000 to $70,000.

By Brien Hode

Culinary Arts School

2009-08-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the hospitality and culinary industry is the second largest employer in the United States? If you do have a passion for food and you know what it takes to create sumptuous dishes and desserts, then you might want to consider having a career in the hospitality industry, restaurant management, culinary arts, patisserie and baking.

The First Step in Having a Career in Culinary Arts: Enrolling in Culinary Art Schools

Naturally, the first step in having a career in culinary arts is to take up cooking courses in a school or educational establishment specializing in this field of study.

Fortunately for the aspiring chefs of today, they do have a lot of options when it comes to the culinary arts schools or culinary schools where they can have their training at.

Basically, the goal of these culinary arts schools is to develop the cooking techniques of a student - starting from the basics of food preparation to the complexities of preparing and plating mouth-watering meals.

What to Look for in a Culinary School

So what do you need to look for when enrolling in a culinary school? Which cooking courses should you take first? Deciding on the cooking courses that you should take depends on the career path that you would like to have.

First, decide whether you would like to focus your studies in general culinary arts, patisserie and baking or hospitality and restaurant management. Most culinary art schools have a process where they gauge a candidate's acceptance in the field so that should help you out.

Next, look for a school specializing in culinary which teaches students about the types of cuisine that you would like to master - which can range from French to Italian, Turkish to Thai dishes and even Tex Mex.

All in all, you can take your passion for food one step further by considering a career in the culinary arts - and choosing the right culinary school is the first thing that you need to do.

By Amit Kothial

Seafood Restaurants

2009-08-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

Seafood restaurants can be a little tricky to judge and find a good one. There is an art to all cooking, but the preparing of seafood seems to be a delicate art that some restaurants just can't handle. You may have to do some searching around before you find the seafood restaurant that you enjoy in the Los Angeles area.

Seafood restaurants can be a fine dining experience or they can be a very casual dining restaurant. Just because a restaurant has a casual atmosphere does not mean that they don't serve fabulous food. You should determine which type of seafood you are looking for when you go out to a local Los Angeles restaurant. Fried foods are a popular treat among many people, but others are looking for something that is more delicately prepared.

There are many seafood restaurants in the Los Angeles area for you to choose from. Get a listing of the various restaurants that are in your local area and take a look at the menu. You may be able to see the menu online in a number of cases, but smaller restaurants may not be online.

Many times you can find a great restaurant just by being out and about in the Los Angeles area. Look for seafood restaurants as you are driving through seaside towns that have access to fresh fish regularly. These restaurants usually have the very best food. There are also a number of chain restaurants that serve seafood, but these restaurants may not be using fresh fish in their menu, but instead frozen fish that is used throughout all of the restaurants in the chain.

You may have to sit through some mediocre restaurants before you find the one that is your very favorite, but this is a fun way to locate the best seafood restaurant. Why not plan a night out once a week or month to eat in a great new restaurant. You can also find some fabulous seafood in another type of restaurant that doesn't necessarily specialize in seafood. A Vietnamese restaurant is one example of this type of restaurant. There are many Vietnamese dishes that are made with fresh fish and vegetables.

Seafood dishes can also be found in other fine dining restaurants in Los Angeles. Many of these restaurants will not specialize in seafood, but will have some great dishes on their menu that are made with fresh fish. The next time you are in your favorite restaurant check out the seafood selections on the menu and give them a try. We sometimes believe that the only place to find good seafood is in a restaurant that specializes in seafood. This causes us to miss some wonderful opportunities to enjoy a good seafood meal in a place that we did not expect.

Many Asian restaurants prepare seafood in a way that is a little bit different than American preparation of the very same fish. The spices used in these dishes will give a different flavor to the seafood while allowing the natural taste of the fish to come through. A seafood restaurant in the Los Angeles area may not be exactly what you thought if you open your mind to new possibilities.

By Francesca Romano

The Coffee House

2009-08-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

Where do you go for your best coffee? Perhaps you go to your local coffee house. Latte, espresso, mocha - all is available at reasonable cost. But what is reasonable?

Of course, the question of cost means different things to different people. Nobody can deny the sociable aspects of having a coffee in a coffee house. Latte somehow does not taste the same without the social environment. And, of course, there are other features associated with coffee houses that draw punters in for that leisurely cup.

But consider the alternative - or when you simply can't or don't want to go out. What better thing to be able to do than have that perfect cup of coffee in the home. With modern machines this is eminently possible and practical. Gone are the days when the precision of producing a cup of decent coffee was such that you needed a science degree to even attempt it. Gone is the mess and the wastage. Say hello to sparkling new machines, built for the purpose of producing coffee that an expert would be hard pressed to distinguish from the real thing produced elsewhere at four times the cost.

And, incidentally, it IS the real thing. Coffee beans and coffee flavors are available for your home machine at reasonable cost and from reasonable sources. You just have to look and you will find. No more detective work in finding product sources, no more juggling the budget. No more settling for an inferior product due to cost of complexity considerations.

Perfectly stylish and robust coffee machines are available from hundreds of online and offline stores. They fit the bill for coffee making in the same way that they do the pocket. They are as affordable as you want them to be and, treated well, will last years. Now, there are no more excuses for venturing to the coffee house. Latte is on your doorstep.

By Dr. Mark Clayson

Catering Business

2009-08-17T00:39:00.000-07:00

Having a great looking website for your new catering company is one of the most important 'first steps' for your marketing efforts. This article looks at the basic requirements that you should incorporate into your site and then looks at the purpose of a catering website and how you can bring targeted traffic in to visit the site.

Your website should immediately convey a message on the home page that clearly states what your company is about, what you can do for your customers and how well you do it. Basics to include on the site include your business name and logo, easily accessible contact information and details on what kinds of catering you do with sample menus.

As you are in the food service business you really want to show off your services on the site by including photos of many of the dishes that you specialize in as well as photos of some of the events that you have catered to (ask clients for permission).

Add some positive testimonials from customers to your home page and you can also have another page dedicated only for this purpose. The more testimonials you have on the site the better and if the testimonials are from trusted sources (such as large corporations) then they will carry even more weight and be taken more seriously.

Try to get visitors to take prompt action and to contact you immediately by offering some kind of promotion to them.

Most catering companies don't put a lot of effort into promoting their websites online. They have a site up that is likely to be useful to existing customers and to people typing in the URL off business cards and print advertisements.

By focusing your efforts on bringing in web searchers to your site you can open up and target clients that you never had access to before. Keep in mind though that catering is a local business and you don't really need visitors from Australia visiting your site if you are a starting a catering company in New York.

One way to start your online marketing effort is to do a Google search using some search terms that you would expect people to use if they were looking for a caterer. For example you could type in 'find a caterer' or 'Los Angeles catering companies'. Take a look at the sites that turn up on the first page of Google's search results and then find out how you can get your company details and website link listed on these sites if you think that they are relevant.

Getting your own catering company website to rank highly on Google's search results is a different matter. This takes time and search engine optimization knowledge and can be outsourced to experts if necessary. The process basically involves adding new content to you site frequently for Google to index as well as getting lots of inbound links coming into your site from other related, quality websites.

You can also pay Google for targeted traffic by setting up an Adwords campaign with them. The Adwords system allows you to have your advertisements featured alongside the natural search results when users do a search on specific keyword terms. You could target the term 'Dallas catering companies' among others if you were operating in that specific city.

Consider adding a mailing list to your website so that you can maintain contact with existing and potential customers. You can send out a newsletter, updating customers about you services, providing them with new menus and news about your services so that they are constantly reminded of you.

To be successful these days in catering you can't ignore the Internet, as it is an essential tool for bring your business new clients and maintaining relationships with them.

By Robert Sutherland

Franchise Business Model

2009-08-13T01:45:00.000-07:00

The success of the franchises business model is well established. McDonald's is probably the best known example. After a little over half a century there are thousands of McDonald's in dozens of countries across the globe.

The basics of the franchise system are easy to understand. The franchisor grants the franchisee the license to use a particular brand name (such as Subway's). They provide marketing support and business guidance. The franchisee agrees to abide by certain guidelines (such as use a particular supplier for food) and pay a certain percentage of revenue as a franchise fee. When it works, both partners are happy. The franchisee gets a business with less risk than starting an independent store. The franchisor gets the franchise fee every year and expands without having to put up additional capital of its own.

Some people advocate starting an independent store because it has more potential for being profitable. This can be true in many circumstances. The franchise fee percentage is usually large and can be a heavy burden in the low-margin retail business. Plus there is far more freedom in running an independent business. Subway's dictates what products franchisees can sell. But owners of their own sandwich shop can sell whatever they please.

To others though a franchise provides much-needed guidance. Running a business for the first time can be overwhelming for many first-time entrepreneurs. The structure plus the brand provided by a franchise for some is well worth the fees and restrictions that come with it.

A franchise can be an excellent business opportunity. But be aware of the advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to do further research before proceeding.

By Alex Villanueva

Restaurant Gift Certificates

2009-07-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Restaurant gift certificates can be a convenient yet thoughtful present to give to a loved one, especially those who are very hard to shop for.

There are plenty of times the "perfect" gift is out of stock, especially during the holiday season. Gift certificates, however, are always in stock. Last minute shoppers never have to worry that the item will run out.

Restaurant gift certificates will always be appreciated because everyone loves to find a reason to go out and eat at their favorite restaurant.

There are plenty of times a person's favorite restaurant is more expensive than they would normally be able to afford. This is another reason a gift certificate is a perfect gift to give to those people: It lets them go out to eat to their heart's content because they know they could not otherwise afford it.

Many people wait for special occasions just to eat in fancy restaurants. When that special occasion comes, sometimes the budget will not allow them to celebrate at that particular restaurant. With a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, they will be able to use it during that special occasion. Since most gift certificates do not have an expiration date, they do not have to be used right away. They provide the recipient with the opportunity to experience something that they would not normally do.

During this past holiday season, millions of people bought gift certificates; many more than in past years.

There are many reasons for this increase in gift certificate purchases. One reason is that more stores are now offering the purchase of gift certificates. The major reason is the convenience of these products. So if you want an easy way to make your loved ones happy, get them a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant.

By Marcus Peterson

Best Red Wine

2009-06-30T02:04:00.000-07:00

When making red wine, the winemaker has at his disposal a far greater range of techniques, and must make more decisions than when making white wine. The process is essentially the same, gathering the grapes, fermentation, maturation and bottling. But there is one main difference - extracting the colour from the skins. At various stages the winemaker can intervene to change the style of the wine he is making.

Just follow some straight forward rules, and you are on your way to making a good red wine.

The processes are as follows:

Picking Grapes To make the best red wine we need good quality, fully ripened red wine grapes, which are clean and free from disease. Before harvesting the grapes in the autumn/fall, the sugar levels tend to rise from day to day depending on the weather, while at the same time the acidity levels fall off. Getting the balance between the two is important - too much acid will mean that the wine will be harsh and take longer to develop, too little and the wine will not age. The riper the grapes are, the higher the natural sugar levels will be, which in turn will result in a higher total alcohol content (not always desirable). The character we are looking for ranges from something 'soft and subtle' to something 'big, powerful and complex'. So the winemaker must work with the grape varietal character combined with what nature has provided in that year. The secret is to always work with nature. The ideal sugar and acid readings are as follows:
- Natural Sugar - 22 to 24 degrees Brix
- Acid content should be about 5.5 to 6.5 g/litre
Red wine softens with age.
De-stemming In order to extract the colour, the grapes will be fermented on the skins - this is where the red colour comes from. After picking the grapes, the stalks have to be removed by passing them through a de-stemmer. At the same time, the grapes are crushed very gently and passed into a large open topped fermentation container. It is important not to damage the pips or stalks as this will allow excess tannin to enter the sample, which will ultimately cause a bitter taste in the wine.
Maceration and Fermentation Now the grapes are ready to undergo fermentation. A cultured yeast is sprinkled on to the top of the grapes and gently plunged in. During the next few days it will be necessary to macerate the grapes - a process of plunging the cap (grapes and skins that have floated to the top) into the must (grape juice). As the fermentation progresses, the grape skins are constantly being forced up to the top of the bin, and by macerating a few times a day this cap is pushed down into the must to ensure maximum skin contact, therefore enabling good colour extraction. The longer this process goes on the deeper the colour of wine.
Pressing When we are satisfied that we have enough colour in the wine - even though the fermentation is still in full swing - it is time to press the grapes, and so removing all the skins, and any other solid matter. The wine is then pumped into a fermentation vessel and sealed with a fermentation lock to continue its ferment. At this stage the must will be very warm as the ferment is almost through. When wines are allowed to ferment at higher temperatures, specifically red wines, the fermentation is fast, the yeast cells will now die bringing the fermentation to an end. The wine is racked in to another vessel, and some form of filtration may take place, but this is not always necessary.
Maturation This is an interesting stage as barrels of different types of oak can be used for the maturation process. For instance a French oak barrel will give a softer character than say an American oak barrel. By choosing the type of oak, we can influence the flavour of our wine. Also the length of time the wine stays in the barrel will make a significant difference. The wine extracts tannin from the wood which enhances its character and flavour.
Bottling Some wines may have remained in barrel for a year or more before bottling, so this is a very straight forward stage of racking the wine out of the barrel, filtering it then bottling. The bottles are now laid down in a cellar, some wines are made to be drunk while young, whereas others will be laid down for several years to soften and mature before drinking.
Appreciation The best time for any wine drinker - sample the fruits of your labour - and enjoy it!

By Rob Hemphill

Culinary Arts School

2009-06-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for the best institution to train you for a career in the culinary arts? The Philippine School of Culinary Arts (PSCA) is famous all over the world for its excellent education programs and is the country’s first culinary arts school in the South.

The Philippine School of Culinary Arts is nestled in a hotel facility. It offers a very thorough culinary education to all its students, with courses in culinary arts, pastry arts, and hospitality management. This institution is also proud of its first class hands-on training where students learn the most necessary techniques required to become successful culinary arts professional in the local and international scene.

The Philippine School of Culinary Arts is driven by its mission to mold students into self-assured, highly-trained, skilled, and internationally competitive professionals for the culinary arts industry.

The students in the Philippine School of Culinary Arts are the focus of the school’s being. The Philippine School of Culinary Arts lives on the values of respect, tolerance, individual accountability and service. Its students are undoubtedly the sole reason for its existence.

The programs and facilities of the Philippine School of Culinary Arts are world-class. The institution boasts of its modern facilities, extensive curriculum, and classes that require you to try doing things yourself. Its popular “learning by doing” education method makes for an excellent culinary arts experience.

The Philippine School of Culinary Arts offers the following courses:
* Diploma in Culinary Arts and Patisserie – this is a two-year course is mainly designed for those who want to pursue a career in the culinary arts.

* Diploma in Culinary Arts Management – this is a nine-month course that is meant for those who have had culinary training and exposure in the hospitality industry but who wish to specialize in this field.

* Diploma in Pastry Arts Management – this course is also designed for those who want to improve their skills. This course is a six-month program.

* Certificate in Basic Culinary Arts – this course is for those who don’t want to make culinary arts their major career. This teaches the basics of cooking and food preparation.

* Certificate in Italian Cuisine – this course is taught by an Italian Master Chef and is meant to broaden one’s knowledge on Italian dishes.

* Short Courses – these are seasonal courses that are perfect for those who want to become culinary arts professionals.

One of the main reasons why the Philippine School of Culinary Arts is a great choice is because the students belong to small-sized classes. This means that with the student-faculty ratio at 12:1, professors will have plenty of time to get to know each student’s strengths and weaknesses. With this, the faculty members will have a clear idea how to motivate, challenge, and help each student in their classes.

By Milos Pesic

Flair Bartending

2009-06-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Flair bartending, extreme bartending, sport bartending or whatever else you want to call it....it's always a crowd pleaser and a sure way to increase your earning potential behind the bar. With the hospitality industry growing ever more competitive patrons are always looking for a better experience. Give the customers what they want...after all isn't that what being a bartender is really all about.

A few basic rules before you get going. First of all is having management approval before you get into anything real serious. Due to increased liability managers may not want you doing some of the more elaborate moves that is associated with flair bartending. The second thing that you are going to need is the right equipment. There are many companies that create bottles and other tools of the craft that are near unbreakable. This is a much better option than breaking well bottles all night. The third thing to remember is the K.I.S.S. rule, Keep It Simple Silly. Start of slow and work your way up to the more difficult aspects.

So, what if you go to your manager and they don't like the idea of you whipping bottles around behind the bar or lighting fire to drinks. No big deal, don't worry about it. There are a lot of little things that you can do safely. Almost every drink comes with a garnish, but how that garnish gets into the drink is up to you. Same thing with straws. You can check out the additional posts for tips on some basic tricks. Magic can also be a nice added touch to your repertoire. There are also some easy magic tricks that are posted.

Actual flair bartending is a rather intricate skill, and would be too much to try to cover in a single blog post. Check back frequently as I will be adding posts that provide step by step instructions to some of the basic elements. Good Luck and Good Bartending

By James Hottel

Fast Food Chains

2009-06-19T00:21:00.000-07:00

Imagine this, instead of greasy fries and a fatty, greasy hamburger, you drive through a fast food drive-thru and can get organic or all-natural foods. The growing trend in living green is showing that people want healthy fast food chains. Many people want to eat healthy foods with no added chemicals, but think they lack the money or the time to do so. It would be a great idea if a store such as Whole Foods Market decided to open a fast food chain. As long as the chain was affordable and quick, the vast amount of dieters or health conscious people would jump at the chance to support an idea like this.

Imagine the sauteed tofu with veggies, a fresh side of applesauce, free range chicken strips on whole grain bread with lettuce & tomato, and fresh fruit that you could order on the go. This is a great example of what a healthy fast food restaurant could serve. It would revolutionize fast food America, and probably help many waistlines in the process.

These days some of us are so busy that we feel there is no other choice but to go through the local drive-thru and order an artery clogging, gut-busting meal because there is not time to cook. This is not true, most people want healthy fast food chains. For anyone who has seen the documentary movie "Supersize Me" it is enough to turn you off of eating at a fast food chain ever again. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to eat on the go while traveling or running around town without worrying about trans fats, calorie contents, or frankenfoods?

A healthy fast food chain would also be a great alternative for the business professional who often doesn't have time to pack a lunch for work. You could drive-thru and order a fresh salad with light dressing without worrying about whether you have been deceived. For example, many traditional fast food chains will advertise something as healthy, but when you see the actual nutrition information, it is far from it. In fact, eating the so-called healthy items at a traditional fast food place may be worse than eating those greasy fries. It is sad that our world has come to this.

By Wendy Pan

Cake Dessert Recipe

2009-06-19T00:14:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

9 ounces unsalted butter, diced

9 ounces of dark chocolate (approx. 50% cocoa solids), broken into pieces

5 medium eggs, separated, whites from the yolks

9 ounces of sugar

1 Tablespoon of water

Glaze or Ganash:

5.25 ounces of dark chocolate, broken into pieces

2 Ounces of Heavy Cream

2 Tablespoons brandy

Garnish:

4 Ounces of powdered sugar and a sifter for dusting , and a doily to use as the mold for dusting a design on top of the cake

1 Sprig of Mint for the top as garnish

Directions for making the no bake chocolate cake recipe:

Preheat the oven to 325 for a gas oven, and 350 for an electric oven. You will need a 9 inch cake pan with a removable base, to add the cake mixture to before baking. In a pan over a double boiler you will melt the chocolate, and the butter, stirring often, and be careful not to burn. Once it is totally melted remove from the double boiler, and wait to add the rest of the mixtures below as follows.

In a separate bowl you will whisk the egg yolks with half of the sugar for a few minutes until the egg yolk and sugar mixture is a pale yellow. This is done to make sure that the egg yolks are cooked, and the sugar is melted.

In a separate bowl you will whisk the egg whites with the other half of the sugar until they reach stiff peaks. When you have finished whisking you should have what is called a meringue, and it should be stiff and shiny.

You will then start to fold in the semi cool chocolate, and butter, into the yolks egg mixture, then the egg whites, you will do this in 1/3's on each mixture. Make sure to fold in and not mix. You do not want to overwork, if you do the cake will be very dense instead of light and fluffy. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until done, when a tooth pick is inserted in the center, and comes out clear.

When the cake is cooked until done, you will remove the cake from the oven. You will then take a knife and insert it, and run it on the inside of the cake mold, and the outside of the cake. You are clearing the sides from the ring mold, and leave it to cool in the tin, on a wire rack. The wire rack will help air to circulate on the bottom so it will cool evenly, and it will cool somewhat faster. It will also help eliminate a soggy bottom, or center. The sides of the cake may shrink in some, or maybe even quite a bit that will be okay. You can trim the cake if you like, if the appearance is not an issue, that is all good, too.

While the cake is cooling melt the ganash, or glaze over a double boiler. You will do this with the chocolate, and the heavy cream stirring over a low to medium heat until all is melted. You will then add your Brandy and stir. You will then remove the cake ring or cake collar while leaving the cake on the base, place it on a plate or cake board. Trickle the icing over the top and edges, allowing it to run over. You will set the cake in a cool place or on a cooling rack for several hours for the icing to set.

Before you are ready for service you will use your doily at this time to make a pattern that you desire, and dust lightly over it, to make a design on the top of your cake. Do not touch the doily to the top of the cake just place about an inch or two above the top of the cake. Add your mint spring atop of the cake for the finishing touches. This cake can be served several hours after it has totally cooled, or you can chill it in the fridge and serve the next day if you so desire. Enjoy.

By Shelley Pogue

Best Wine Accessories

2009-06-18T23:40:00.000-07:00

With so many people struggling financially it might seem like a bad time to get involved in the finer points of wine and wine drinking. But nothing could be further from the truth. You can try wines from many different countries and there are some very good inexpensive wines. Exploring wines might be the closest you'll be able to come to visiting Italy or France or even California right now. It can be a mini-vacation.

Contrary to popular belief you don't have to be rich to enjoy great wine and you don't need to be a 'wine snob' either. There are many varieties of wine and the best wine is the wine that you like the best!

In order to get the most out of your wine tasting adventure there are a few wine accessories that can make it better or easier.

The first thing you will need, besides the wine itself, is a good corkscrew. Many people take this handy little gadget for granted but it can make your wine experience better by eliminating the little cork bits in your glass of wine.

One of the most popular styles of corkscrews, the 'winged' kind, is actually one of the worst. The reason is that the little curly thingy (the worm or auger) is too short. It doesn't go far enough into the cork to get a really good hold of it so it often just weakens the cork and the cork breaks into pieces when you pull it out. Not the end of the world, true, but a hassle.

In order to avoid this problem you need to invest in one of the most common wine accessories the waiters corkscrew. This handy little gadget not only comes with a worm but also a lever and a small knife. You have everything you need to take off the protective covering over the cork and then neatly remove the cork. They usually sell for around $6 and if it's good enough for the professionals it's probably good enough for you.

Another wine accessory is the decanter or carafe. You have probably heard that wine needs to breathe. What that means is allowing oxygen into your wine. This will help increase the flavor and aroma, especially in young wines. Unfortunately, just taking the cork out of the bottle won't help much. The opening of the bottle is too small to allow enough oxygen in to make any difference.

A simple way around this is to pour your wine into a carafe or decanter. Not only does it look nice on your table when you serve your guests it also has a wide mouth opening allowing more air to flow in and aerate your wine.

Now is a great time to explore and enjoy fine wines. They don't have to be expensive they just have to taste good to you. What better way to spend a nice warm summer evening than getting together with friends and trying out your latest 'find'. Get some wine accessories, grab some wine, gather your friends...sounds like a great night!

By Tina Grove

Restaurant Discount Coupons

2009-06-17T01:02:00.000-07:00

We all like to dine out. We dine out for the delicious food, but more importantly, for the experience and the fun time to be with friends and families. However, dining out can be expensive, especially now when the restaurant prices keep going up and up. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get restaurant discount coupons online and offline, so you can save on your restaurant expenses by simply doing a little planning ahead.

1. Newspaper ads.

This one is obvious. When you open your Sunday newspaper, you will find tons of restaurant discount coupons. Many ads have more than one coupon for each restaurant as well. Most of them have expiration date. Therefore, be sure to use the coupons before they expire.

2. ValPak

I received Valpak once a month by mail. Once in a while I find some new restaurants advertise in Valpak. The good thing about Valpak is they only advertise local stores. If you want to find a new restaurant in your neighborhood, try looking in the stacks of Valpak coupons to see anything look interesting to you.

3. The back of your local supermarket receipts

Next time you go shopping at your local Safeway, Albertsons, or any big supermarkets, make sure to check the back of your receipts. Many restaurants advertise on local supermarket receipts with coupons to attract local customers. I always find Subway coupons at the back of my local Safeway supermarkets. There are a lot of car wash coupons at the back of supermarket receipts as well.

4. Sign up for restaurant mailing lists

Many large restaurant chains now have dining clubs that give out coupons or discount codes to their members. For example, I belong to Sweet Tomatoes' "veg club." They send me discount coupons for my birthday through email, and I can use the same coupon for a period of time. Some large chains also give restaurant discount coupons for holiday specials exclusive to their mailing list members. If you do not mind getting some promotional email once in a while, joining a restaurant mailing list is not a bad idea.

5. Take customer satisfaction surveys

Many large restaurant chains give incentive for their customers to fill out customer satisfaction surveys. Usually you call a phone number and answer several questions to give them opinion on how satisfied you are with their services. The restaurants usually give you a discount code for your next visit. I have done it for Fresh Choice and some other restaurants many times. Some restaurants let you enter a drawing instead of giving out restaurant discount coupons. I usually do not bother with that unless I am really not satisfied with the service. Sometimes the restaurant staff do not tell you about the surveys. So be sure to check your receipts for instructions of how to do so.

With these 5 free ways to find restaurant discount coupons, you can enjoy the experience of dining out without breaking the bank. Little bit of looking around and planning can save you a lot of money.

By Chris Leung

Full Service Catering or Self Catering

2009-06-15T20:29:00.000-07:00

Whether it's a small, intimate gathering of 10 people or a full blown event of 100 or more, the stress of hosting a gala can be tiresome from getting the menus in order to the last bouquet of flowers on the linen draped tables. One can use all the help they can get to make this as entertaining and exciting as you had planned.

The catering company is here to assist you on all the things that need to get done before the big day arrives. They can offer you their full service with waiters, servers, and bartenders. They can also just provide you the food you request with the option of also purchasing other items of interest.

Self Catering

If completely doing a graduation party, business luncheon, wedding or any social function is too much for you to do alone, then have the assistance of a catering company to provide some of the food items. This will leave you more time to prepare your specialty dish or just some time to relax. This will allow you to do as much or as little as you desire.

The Food

With self catering, you decide the menu that you want for your event. You can choose as much or as little as needed. The caterer can also help you decide how much food is needed for your occasion. You can also choose to cook some of your own specialty foods that your guests are looking forward to eating. You can either pick the food up or have the food delivered. Having it delivered is a time saver, but will cost you extra for that service.

Purchases

Even though you are not getting the full service catering, you can still get some of the benefits of the service. The caterer can provide a bartender or waiter to help with the serving and clean up. You may also need chafing dishes, platters for serving, tables, chairs, decorations, and almost anything else you may require.

Full Service Catering

When having an event that requires more than you can handle or even wish to handle, using the full service of a catering company is the way to go with your event. You can choose to do your own menu or use the ones that the company already has prepared.

You get the all the bells and whistles of the catering company such as help with a venue, music, set up and clean up, serving of the food, and having a bar with bartender.

You may require the use of other services that they can provide for you such as a photographer, security, valet parking, transportation, and any equipment they may offer for use.

You can either take a little time out for yourself with the extra help of the food being provided for you with self catering, or you take all the time you require with the use of full service caterer and event planner to help make your occasion spectacular.

By Budda Oliver

3 Simple Ways to Eat Your Dessert

2009-06-07T21:58:00.000-07:00

People love to eat. That statement alone carries interesting and amusing truth. People also love their sweets. Mouth-watering frosted cake, three scoops of their favorite ice cream, luscious chocolate fondue, and the list is piling up. The question is: "How can you naturally cure your GERD or acid reflux, and enjoy dessert at the same time, especially when most sweets by their very nature are mis-combined and even very acid forming?"

It helps to be well-informed.

Almost everyone, including me, enjoys a dessert now and then (or probably ever so often?) The unfortunate thing is if one is not able to control one's cravings for sweets and keeps on consuming them like there's no tomorrow. Much more, if you are suffering from digestive disorders such as GERD, acid reflux, and gastritis. There are three simple ways you can eat your dessert without having any stomach problem. However, the key thing to remember here is you can only indulge again once you have gotten into a more alkaline state. The reason for this is your body can be more equipped by that time to handle it.

Once you have gotten through that phase:

1. Make it a habit to choose your dessert to combine properly with your meal. -- Whether you had a helping of steak and vegetable salad, or rice and vegetables along with a sweet potato, remind yourself that your sweet selection should match with what you just ate. There is another article of mine that dwells in proper food combining and discusses the different kinds of food, along with which foods can go together.

2. Wait as long as you can (at least 3 hours) after a properly combined meal before you have your dessert. -- We both know that's not easy to do, especially when the scent of your favorite sweet catches your nose! You may want to store your dessert a little further inside your refrigerator or freezer if this is the case. Even though you had a good meal combination, you still need to make sure that your digestion will not be altered by taking enough time in between. This is also good in case you do not know if the dessert you're eating is acid forming.

3. Your next two meals should be at least 50% high water content foods to help cleanse your digestive system. -- This involves tracking down what you had for dessert (especially the quantity of it) and ensuring that your next two meal choices contain fresh fruits and vegetables. A necessary thing, if you want to maintain good digestion in your body.

By Gerald Alden

Healthy Food Delivery

2009-06-04T00:54:00.003-07:00

Mostly Healthy food delivery programs are designed for dieters. Athletes must know about the ingredients of delivered food via healthy food delivery program to make sure that the food is having all the nutrients necessary that their body needs. There are two main types of Healthy food delivery programs:

1. Organic food delivery: Organic food delivery is mainly used by group of people who are very cautious about the calorie value of the food or who are on dieting.

2. Zonal food delivery: Zonal Food delivery is a very popular in USA and only served in areas where they are prepared.

Healthy food delivery programs are great for:

1. Busy people who have no time to shop and prepare their meal: in today’s fast life people have no time to prepare their lunch and dinners. So healthy food delivery programs are great for this category of people.

2. New cooks who do not know how to cook food. These healthy food delivery programs are for them to overcome the burden of cooking.

3. New moms and pregnant ladies who want to take proper and balanced diet: they can use healthy food delivery. For this purpose of they must know about the ingredients of food ordered by them.

4. Athletes who need to focus on training.

5. Experienced cooks who are looking for new flavors and ingredients.

6. Dinner parties where it is not possible to prepare a meal for many people according to their taste and diet requirements, in this type of cases Healthy food delivery program can be used.

Athletes should be cautious that most Healthy food delivery programs are aimed at dieters. So if they wish to order, then first they must know about the ingredients and calorie value of that specific item.

Important tips when you are going to choose a Healthy food delivery program

1. One should be confirm about the quality of ingredients in the item, how healthy it is prepared and must be prepared by a professional.

2. Cost of menu must fit one’s pocket.

3. Nutritious elements of food.

4. Diet plans for athletes and dieters.

5. Weekly or daily shipments.

6. Phone or Email customer service

7. Custom menus.

8. Fresh or Frozen Food.

9. Deliver to homes and offices.

10. Money back guarantee.

11. Gift Certificates.

12. Delivery fee.

13. Contract requirements.

By Oliver Turner

Birthday Cake

2009-06-04T00:49:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing that should be said about birthday cakes, it is that they are sweeter if you make them yourself. Buying a birthday cake is something that anyone can do. But baking a birthday cake yourself is sweet, and sends a message to the birthday girl or the birthday boy about just how special he or she is.

If you have skill, the cake that you made yourself could even be more delicious than the one you bought at the cake shop. But if you don't know the first thing about baking, don't fret because there are a lot of resources that gives you a step-by-step guide to making birthday cakes. And then there are cake pre-mixes too. The trick to making a luscious cake is in the decoration. So, if you're working with cake pre-mixes, whip up your creativity for some wonderful cake decorations.

If you're making chocolate cake for the chocolate lover, put some chocolate ganache icing on top. You could border the cake with strawberry halves. If the birthday celebrant has some allergy problems, try baking a gluten-free chocolate cake with semi-sweet chocolate icing, or dairy free ice cream with milk-free icing.

If you want to offer something richer, try making a cheesecake and top it with berries. Also, try to get more creative with common cake cream recipes. Tweak ice cream recipes by using high-end ice cream instead of common ice cream. Or replace frozen whipped cream with fudgey whipped cream. Or you could also exchange the fudge topping with something a little more different, like sliced mangoes. And instead of candy toppings, try chocolate shavings instead. If the birthday celebrant prefers something lighter, trying making lemon-glazed cake or creamy orange cake. These cakes are particularly good with champagne. For kids, try making a root beer float cake or chocolate pudding fudge cake.

By Sophie Giles

Bartending Tips to Make You a Great Bartender

2009-05-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

If you want to be a great bartender, then you have to have the knowledge and skill that the job requires. Bartending is a very rewarding career, but it is also very demanding. A bartender must keep their customers and themselves happy with the service that they provide.

No one likes to be around a bartender who gives poor service. There are certain things that a bartender has to do to keep ahead of the game. Knowing drinks and how to prepare them is one of the most important things to learn. In this article are several bartending tips that will help you along in your quest to be a great barkeep.

One of the most important things is to know your drinks! It is very disappointing to go to a bar and realize that the bartender doesn't know how to make your favorite cocktail! As a bartender, you should be extremely familiar with all things about bartending. There are several bartending books out there that list drink after drink.

Grab a few of them and read them whenever you have a spare moment. Use the internet as well. Knowing how to prepare a rare drink by heart is sure to make your bartending skills a hit! Know your glassware! This may seem crazy but the glass you use for your mixed drinks truly does matter. Part of the excitement of ordering a martini is getting it in the signature glass!

After you know the basics, the best bartending tips are all about the methods used to make drinks. One of these is how to accurately stir a drink before it is served. This requires a stirring spoon, or a stirring stick and a mixing glass.

You should pour your ingredients into the mixing glass and stir in a clockwise motion, slowly. After you have stirred, pour the mixture over the cold ice. Using this technique should accurately and smoothly mix drinks to your customer's wishes.

A wonderful piece of advice for pouring a drink is about building it, and with some drinks, creating layers may be required; first with ice, then any spices, then with the alcohol. It seems so simple but even the simplest tips can create the highest level of service!

Anyone, at any stage of bartending, or anyone looking to hone a particular skill, can benefit from bartending tips. The important thing is to remain open to advice and take opportunities to improve your skills wherever they might arise.

The internet is one of the best sources for information about bartending, but bookstores, and even flair bartenders possess a wealth of knowledge that you may have never discovered before. Learning new styles of bartending, or new drinks to make, can all help you on your bartending quest.

By Mike Selvon

Wine Making Instructions

2009-05-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Wine is a wonderful drink. It is a deep mix of flavors and aromas, and it takes a certain kind of person to appreciate these in addition to the time and effort put into the wine making process.

Wine is no longer the province of snobby and snooty people who come from old moneyed families though. The new trend is home wine making: people make small batches of wine at home.

Home winemakers are appreciative of wine without the pretentiousness of the traditional wine makers. They like to share wine making instructions and each other's wines, like having a collective wine cellar.

If you want to make wine at home, the best way to start is to ask someone who is already doing it. There are specialty supply stores that deal in the equipment and ingredients for making wine at home.

Often, these are also meeting places for enthusiasts in the surrounding area, so these are good places for picking up information and wine making instructions too.

It would be best to start off with a prepackaged kit; unless you happen to know someone with roots deep in the wine business and they agree to help you.

These packages can range from the very basic to the advanced. If this is your first time, it is recommended that you pick the most affordable package. These kits will have everything you need to make your first home wine.

The equipment is mostly tanks and hoses, nothing too fancy or complicated. Indeed, the winemaking process itself is simple; the complexity happens when you try to achieve particular properties by controlling the many factors.

The beginner packages will also usually include wine making instructions, so do not fret too much. These are common instructions for a 4-week wine kit.

Start off with sterilizing your fermenting tank, usually a 27-liter tank. To do this, you will need some sort of sterilizing powder mix like sodium metabisulphite, which will usually be included in the package.

After cleaning it out, it is time to start making the wine itself. Keep your excitement in check though; you will need to pay attention to some minute details.

Pour the syrup packet into the fermenter and try to get every little bit, then add a little hot water to it. Then start filling it with water, until just below the 23 liter mark. You can use tap water, but using distilled water usually produces a better wine. Stir it vigorously to aerate it, the yeast need this.

Take the temperature of the water; it should be between 20 and thirty degrees Celsius. Add cold or hot water as needed until you get to 23 liters. Add the yeast, but do not stir the mixture. Seal the lid and add an airlock, half-filling it with water.

Try to keep the temperature constant for about a day or two. When the air lock starts bubbling, you know you have done it right. You can then move it to a cooler 18-20 degrees Celsius.

On day 6, clean and sanitize a carboy. Siphon the fermented liquid into it, and add water until you come up to 3 inches from the top. Again, attach the airlock half-filled with water. Leave it in a dark cool place. On around day 20, use your hygrometer to check for alcohol content.

Read your kit's wine making instructions and add any additional ingredients as specified. A specific gravity of .990 to 1.000 is good. If it does not come out like that, leave it for a couple of days and check again. After meeting the required specific gravity, siphon the liquid into the bucket. Try to minimize the amount of sediment at the bottom of the carboy that gets into the bucket. Add any packets as instructed by your kit. Stir for a few minutes to release carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide gives wine a sharp taste and cloudiness. Clean and sanitize your carboy, and siphon the liquid back in. For two days after that shake it 3 or four times a day to make sure as much carbon dioxide is expelled.

On the 28th day, your wine is almost ready for bottling or drinking. Dissolve two Campden tablets in a half-glass of water and add it to the wine. Wait for two more days of standing.

After that, the only real thing left to do is to filter out the sediment and bottle it up. Most 4-week wines taste best after aging for 6 months, but they may be enjoyed right away. These are the basic home wine making instructions.

By Eddy S. Lee

How to Start a Coffee Shop

2009-05-21T19:30:00.000-07:00

The large number of daily coffee drinkers makes the coffee industry incredibly profitable. You can find money-making opportunities surrounding this caffeinated beverage virtually everywhere. Whether you start a coffee shop, do mobile espresso catering, open a coffee drink drive-through or sell coffee gift baskets through mail order, there are customers who want to buy what you sell.

If you love coffee, you can most likely find a lucrative coffee business opportunity that will fit your start-up capital and your lifestyle. You can start with a mobile service, upgrade to a kiosk or invest in a high-traffic storefront. In addition, you can partner with other companies to cut your expenses and grow your profits - such as event planning businesses, catering services or hotels.

No matter what type of coffee business you decide to start, free samples are always a good way to get your business name out there and get your foot in the door with prospective customers. With a café, you can entice new customers with special events that feature local photographers, painters or musicians. You can often provide this "entertainment" for free, as these artists welcome the opportunity to promote their own talents.

In addition to the traditional advertising opportunities you have in the yellow pages, local newspapers and radio stations, you can print low-cost coupons to bring in new customers. Hold monthly drawings for a "free coffee drink" to get customers to give you their contact information so you can build a mailing list. Another simple technique is to offer discount coffee cards ("Buy 8, get one free") to encourage people to become regular customers.

Delivering free coffee to a radio station is another inexpensive way to get your business name out there - in front of lots of people. Submitting a press release is a great example - the media will promote you for free if you send them a great news story about your business. This could be as simple is having your friend write a review about your "Café Opening" and sending it to your local paper.

So how do you actually start your coffee shop?

1. Learn your business - different coffee flavors, the various ways of preparing coffee, caffeinated beverage trends and new and different coffee products. Your knowledge will help your business stay competitive and profitable. Get an inexpensive start-up guide on how to start a coffee shop or interview a coffee shop owner who can give you first-hand advice.

2. Discover who your customers are. Obviously, they are most likely caffeine addicts - but what else do they want, and what are they willing to pay for it? (i.e. social atmosphere, relaxing work space, fast drive-through service, healthy meals, late-night hours) When you can create a unique café that offers value to the community, you'll find it much easier to win over customers.

3. Find out which licenses or permits you need from your local government office. Talk with an accountant, insurance agent and banker (you can get referrals from other local business owners or friends) to get helpful tips on financing, tax issues, insurance and business management that will save you time, money and hassles down the road.

Get Started!

Coffee is generically everywhere. People will pay for something a little different. Use your creativity to design a truly unique coffee service or café environment, and you'll find that customers come flocking to your door. Businesses that provide coffee products or services can flourish even in a down economy, so if you want to start your business - go for it!

By Sue Barrett

Importance of Restaurant Equipment

2009-05-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

Restaurants have lately become one of our essential public services due to the over-dependence of people on them. The hectic lifestyles of our times have been increasingly forcing most people to dine out regularly. Hundreds of new restaurants come up every year and many flourish while some bite the dust quickly. Restaurant supplies play a very important role in making a restaurant a success or failure.

Kitchen equipment, bakeware and other equipment should be of impeccable quality and user friendliness. Suppose that a hundred customers are waiting for service at your property and you are facing shortage of cooking and baking equipment, what image would that bring in to them? Another point to note is that supplies are constantly moving consumer items and you need to replenish them regularly. The range of such items is so large that it may astonish an amateur restaurateur.

A restaurant is a catering entity where different aspects like cooking, baking, washing, cleaning, supplying and decorating plays very important roles. Even the knives, forks, napkins and the likes have their own important roles to play in bringing additional footfalls. You cannot give emphasis to one and neglect some other. Good and tasty cooking, flawless service and uncompromising cleanliness should go along with a superb ambience is you think of running a successful restaurant.

As kitchen equipment and restaurant supply tend to break down over time, you need to constantly upgrade them in order to stay in business. You can buy them from an online store stocking all brands and models. This would save you money, efforts and time.

By Jitesh Arora

Totally Free Food Samples

2009-05-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Do you want to get a hold of free food samples or coupons? Of course with the price of food climbing, many people are looking for ways to save at the grocery store. With the increase in the demand to save, there have been many options that have been created for consumers to save on food. Using coupons is one way to save that is now making a comeback. Coupons can really help you save on some of the things that you normally buy. However, another way that you can use to save is by obtaining free samples.

If you look closely, then you can find samples everywhere. You can come across free samples while browsing through the grocery store. If you walk down the aisles, then you can easily find booths setup with samples for you to try out. Another place where you can find food samples is at local restaurants. When a new restaurant opens, then sometimes they will offer totally free food samples. This allows new customers to get a chance to taste the flavor that they will be offering. We usually choose restaurants that have been around for a while and we think twice before going to that new restaurant. So, to target these people who are food lovers, these places give special offers and discounts to get people in the door.

Another place where you can get food samples is off the Internet. The Internet allows you to sign up for samples of anything from cookies to sodas. You can easily find samples of your favorite food brands. This may not help your waistline, but it can definitely help your wallet and help you save on your favorite snack foods.

By Tammie Taylor

5 Fast Food Pizza Delivery Marketing Ideas

2009-05-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

By Anthony Williams Sr.

Culinary Arts Career

2009-05-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Do all the cooking shows and cooking based reality programs get you excited to get in the kitchen? If they do, a culinary arts career might just be the thing for you. Working as a chef is rewarding, especially because you get instant gratification from executing a properly made dish. Also, you get to be around food all day. But don't get the idea it's a glitzy job, it's hot and hard work, especially when you are starting out.

The pay starts out on the low side. If you've gone through culinary school you can start as a prep chef with pay around $26,000 - $32,000. As you get experience you will probably be looking for ways to advance in your kitchen or in a better restaurant. As you gain experience you will become a line chef, then a sous chef and eventually if all works well, an executive chef making in the neighborhood of $100,000. But it takes years to get to that point, but if you love it it will be worth it. While you'll be learning all the time, your first couple of years will be the real learning years.

Some of the drawbacks of this life are the long horse, on your feet for eight hours and you will be working during the times when most people are off work and going out and socializing and sleeping.

Other things you need is a strong attention to detail and the ability to follow directions. Besides being able to make a dish properly, you have to very consistently do it over and over again.

Besides the varied styles of cooking and cuisines, chefs work in a number of varied food service establishments, from restaurants, cafeterias, banquet halls, hotels, cruise ships, to resorts. While some of the basics of the position are similar, summing up what a chef does is impossible.

By Robbie Becklund

Catering Advice

2009-05-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

It's very difficult having been working or running your own catering outlet for a long period of time, to think of new ideas for your business. I have been in that situation and the funny thing is the minute you leave and have nothing to do with the outlet you think of 101 things that you could have done. Maybe a friend has a catering business and you are always able to come up with ideas for their business but not for your own.

Try taking a step back and looking at what your customers visit your outlet for, maybe its friendly service or you offer deals on certain items. Could there be more people that might be interested in these, could your present customers spread the word. What about taking the whole day off and heading to an outlet outside of your location that is similar to yours that you know is busy, find out what they are doing. While you are there have a think on how you would better there business, how would you improve on their service or offerings. You will find it is easier to analysis other peoples businesses as you don't give them excuses that we do to ourselves.

Go home have a nice night in and relax, try not to think about work anymore (and if you do write your idea's down don't say anything to anyone). Wake in the morning feeling relaxed and chilled out, today is a great day. Arrange a meeting with your staff and managers and go through your findings or thoughts on how you think you could increase trade (be warned there will always be one or two that don't want change thinking any idea won't work). Some people will really go with what your saying and push you further role with these people remember at this stage no idea is a bad idea, try and have some fun with everyone to really get them thinking. In the nicest possible way you need to let them know that the busier the outlet the more hours they get, however it works the other way around as well.

Now you have the ideas from you and all the staff gives each member of staff an idea night. Maybe the Chef thought of a Pie and Chips night and starts a Pie club where you have a different Pie each week for £5. Let the Chef do the work for it give him/her the time to think of a poster/flyer. Let them push the staff in the direction he/she wants for the night, let them enjoy having a bit more to do with the idea's. Maybe come up with an incentive idea, perhaps with the Pie night the Chef gets 50p per plate sold (that's a great way to get your staff to get people through the door).

By John Stableforth

Two Delicious Lemon Cake Desserts

2009-05-20T02:50:00.000-07:00

Sunday dinners and holidays were always a special treat at my mother-in-law's house. She was famous throughout the county for her wonderful desserts. Here are two lemon cake recipes she enjoyed making. Sadly, we lost her in April 2008, but these and other recipes bring us sweet memories of her joy in serving her family nutritious meals and delicious desserts. Happy mealtimes bring a family together through memories shared. Build some memories for your family and try these wonderful lemony desserts today.

Lemon Meringue Cake
(makes 12-16 servings)

1 pkg. Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Deluxe Cake Mix
1 regular-size package lemon pudding and pie filling
2 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar

Using 8 inch round cake pans, make and cool cake as directed on the label. Cook lemon pudding and pie filling as directed for pie filling. Cool 30 minutes according to the box instructions; stir several times. Beat egg whites until frothy; gradually add sugar; beat until stiff but not dry. Split each cake layer into 2 thin layers. Stack on cookie sheet or oven-proof plate, spread lemon pudding between layers and on top of cake. Spread meringue around sides of cake. Bake at 450 degrees F for about 5 minutes, until light brown. Cool to room temperature before serving. Store cake in the refrigerator.

Lemon Pound Cake

1 package Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Deluxe Cake Mix
1 Package lemon instant pudding mix (4 serving)
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup Crisco oil
1 cup water
4 eggs
10 lemon drop candies

Blend all ingredients in large bowl, then beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Bake in a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan at 350 degrees F for about 45-55 minutes, until center springs back when touched lightly. Cool right side up for about 25 minutes, then remove from pan.

Glaze: Blend 1 cup confectioner's sugar with either 2 tbsp. lemon juice. Drizzle over cake. Press lemon drops into the glaze at equal distances.

By Linda Pogue

5 Fat Burning Foods

2009-05-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

There is plenty of confusion out there about what to eat and what not to eat when trying to lose weight. It seems everyone has an opinion about what is good for you and what is not good for you these days, including doctors, scientists, government agencies, and especially the news media. Just how are you supposed to know what to eat to help you lose weight?

Here is a list of 5 things (OK, I cheated, they aren't all exactly food...) that have a proven history and scientific backing that when eaten consistently, will help you lost weight.

The 5 fat burning foods are:

Broccoli - Broccoli is outstanding for overall health as well as burning fat. It is full of antioxidants and has phytochemicals that strengthen the immune system and is even known to help fight off cancer. Broccoli contains the compound Calcium D-glucarate which helps maintain proper hormone levels and is chock full of fiber. This is a low carbohydrate snack you should include in your diet every day.

Almonds - Almonds are another low carbohydrate snack that is easy to take with you and help keep your appetite under control all day long. They have fat, fiber and protein which are all essential for good health and they will give you energy throughout the day without adversely affecting blood sugar levels.

Salmon - Salmon is another one of those foods that has been "on again, off again" mainly because it does have a fairly high fat content, but is a great source of protein and omega-3 fats which will definitely help you burn fat faster.

Green Tea - Green Tea is a natural fat burner and contains a host of healthy nutrients. It has been shown to help fight cancer, and contains antioxidant, caffeine and a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. The combination of the caffeine and EGCG has been shown through research to aid in burning fat. You will want to drink several cups each day. If you find Green Tea a little bitter, just add a bit of raw honey for a very pleasant drink either hot or cold.

Water - Water is the basic substance of life and makes up over 70% of our bodies, yet most Americans are chronically dehydrated. The body's signal for water is sometimes misinterpreted as hunger, so you can immediately see the advantage of staying hydrated. Water is essential for flushing waste and toxins out of the body, and this is even more important when you are losing weight. Drink at least 8 to 10 (8 ounce) glasses of water every single day.

OK, 2 of the foods are drinks, but each of these is important for your health and has been proven to help you burn fat. Be sure to add these foods to your diet for better health and to start burning fat a whole lot faster.

By Judson Greenman