Photo Rodeo shows folks do know how to cook, eat
We’re having as much fun as you are with the Food Photo Rodeo, our online food photo contest. I check the website (memne. ws/photorodeo) several times a day to see the new photos, and I dread that we’ll be able to choose only one winner when the contest concludes Aug. 27.
Here are a few things worth noting. First, you folks are good cooks. From Amanda Mauck’s heirloom tomato crostada to Merry Beth’s squash and zucchini with thyme to Leigh Price’s salmon with tiger sauce (recipes, please!), people around here take pride in what they feed their family and friends. Keep it up; feeding people is a way to show you love them, and when you take special care, they notice.
I’m also greatly encouraged to see food I recognize from local restaurants. There’s the spectacular potato-wrapped tuna from River Oaks Restaurant, submitted by MoJoGirl, the massive burger from Kooky Canuck that Annz sent, barbecue nachos from the Germantown Commissary sent by Kelly H. There’s even an oyster po’ boy from Cecil’s High Hat in New Orleans, which is co-owned by former Memphian Chip Apperson; ACMemphis10 submitted that one.
Emily is showing off her food photo skills, Kelvin shows us the steps to making his mouth-watering sandwiches, and some of you are sharing photos of yourselves, family and friends. We’ve got an adorable spaghetti- slurping baby picture sent by StayThirstyMyFriends, and Ann Zamudio submitted a great cutline to accompany a photo of a person with just three other elements to it: “Celebrating with three favorite things, BEER, coffee and birthday cake.”
Take a look at some we’ve selected to highlight at whiningdining.com, and visit us online at memne. ws/photorodeo to look at the others (there are more than 200) and to submit your own. You could win a $100 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice, you’ll have fun showing off your good food, and everyone will enjoy looking at it.
TICKETS FOR TONY
Anthony Bourdain’s “Guts and Glory” tour rolls through town Nov. 2. Bourdain, chef, cookbook author, television personality and general pot-stirrer, will perform at the Orpheum for one night. Tickets are $ 45 to $55, and are available starting Friday by calling 800745-3000, online at Ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Orpheum theater box office.
If you could take Bourdain for a meal in Memphis, where would you go? Post your suggestions at whiningdining.com or in the comments section of this column online at commercialappeal.com.
SHOP AND GIVE WEDNESDAY WINE
On Aug. 21, 5 percent of all sales at Whole Foods, Whole Foods, 5022 Poplar, will go to the Memphis Mobile Market, a mobile grocery store that offers fresh produce to residents of food deserts.
Emily Lux, the marketing team leader at Whole Foods, said the store holds its “5% Days” quarterly, and that it usually generates $3,500-$4,000 for its cause. Shop from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; and call 901-685-2293 for more information.
CAKE CLASS AND CONTEST
The deadline has been extended to Monday for bakers who would like participate in the Sugar Arts Show and Competition from Sept. 4- 6. Renowned cake decorator Bronwen Weber will lead sugar arts classes, which cost $460 and include supplies, lunch daily, admission and parking to the Delta Fair and Musicfest. The competition fee is $25, and is separate from the class. For more information, visit westtnsugarartists. org, or call 901-854-1104 or 901-283-9313.
Join us online at whiningdining.com at 7 p.m. today, when we’ll taste Cuma Torrontes 2011, an organic wine from Argentina. Angela Moon with Kirby Wines & Spirits is our expert, and we’ll have fun.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Do you keep up with local food blogs? If you don’t, you should. I’ll start sharing recipes from blogs from time to time to help you become familiar with some of the people who are cooking up delicious dishes in their home kitchens. Today I’ve got Perre Coleman Magness’ recipe for grits with fresh corn from her blog The Runaway Spoon (therunawayspoon. com). Enjoy the recipe, and check out the blog to find many more.