TasteTV

ION's Michelle Harris joins as a TASTE AWARDS Presenter

2011-12-22T07:44:00.000-08:00

ION Life television host Michelle Harris joins the TASTE AWARDS as a presenter.

Television personality and actress Michelle Harris is the host and co-creator of the television program "Alive & Well with Michelle Harris," which airs on the Ion Life network.

Michelle helps viewers to reach their goals and look and feel their best. Her knowledge on living well helps to educate audiences in an entertaining way and create positive change.

She has been featured on shows such as Hollywood Green with Maria Menounos, Showbiz Tonight, and CNN. Michelle has also been seen in magazines such as In Touch, Women's World, Natural Beauty and Health, Celeb Life, and People Pets.

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TASTE AWARDS to Honor Food and Fashion TV & Film Stars Jan. 12th in Hollywood

2011-12-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

The stars and celebrities of food and fashion television and film are preparing to revel in Hollywood on January 12th at their own one-of-a-kind awards show, the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS. The TASTE AWARDS (also known as the TASTY Awards) is the premier awards show honoring the year's best in Food, Fashion, and Home Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

Fans, networks, producers and sponsors could not be more excited. The Awards Show features a star-studded lineup, including presenters and attendees such as Joanne Weir (PBS), Robert Irvine (Food Network), Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Network), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), Bobby Bognar (History Channel), Austin Lau (YouTube), Danielle Keene (Bravo), Amy Paffrath (MTV, G4, E!), Ludo Lefebvre (Sundance Channel), Ashley James (Public Television), Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos (Cooking Channel), and more.

Jamie Oliver, Average Betty, Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef: Just Desserts, Project Runway, What Not to Wear, and Rick Bayless lead the awards finalists with several nominations each. Special Achievement Honors have been announced for Ming Tsai, Lidia Bastianich, The Chew, Steve Jobs, Taste Buds, Kung Fu Panda 2, Stanley Tucci, All on the Line (Sundance Channel), Mad Fashion (Bravo), Kaitlyn's Beauty Journal, Nail Files (TV Guide), Beverly Hills Fabulous (VH1), Famous Foods (VH1), LX TV, Debi Mazar, and Tabatha's Salon Takeover.

VIEWERS CHOICE voting took place through December 8th for Best Food Travel Series: Web, Best Food or Drink Radio Broadcast, Best Home Chef in a Series, Best Fashion or Design Program: Web, Best Comedy Series, and Best Film or Documentary. To vote or for limited availability show tickets, go to www.TastyAwards.com, as well as get updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TastyAwards. The Official Hotel of the 2012 TASTE AWARDS is the Thompson Beverly Hills.

Selected TASTE AWARD winners will be featured in the Summer 2012 edition of Intermezzo Magazine. In addition, TASTE AWARD winners of the Best Food Travel Series: Web will receive a Foodie Trip to Estonia, compliments of the Estonian Consulate.

Award Winners will be announced at the TASTE AWARDS Red Carpet event and reception at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on January 12th, as well as filmed for later broadcast. The full list of nominees and categories for the 2012 TASTE AWARDS, including Best Food Program, Best Drink Program, Best Film, Best Fashion Program, and Best Organic Program can be seen on www.TheTasteAwards.com, or www.TastyAwards.com.

The TASTE AWARDS are for food, fashion, and home lifestyle programming what the Grammys are for music and the Oscars are for Film.

ABOUT THE TASTE AWARDS
The Annual TASTE AWARDS (also known as the TASTY Awards) in Hollywood celebrate the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

It has included appearances by stars, celebrities, producers and executives from networks and platforms such as the Food Network, the Style Network, Bravo, the Cooking Channel, TLC, Discovery, Lifetime, E! Entertainment Television, PBS, NBC, ABC, the CW, HGTV, the Travel Channel, HD Net, Hulu, YouTube, Sony Pictures, and more.

Official Partners for the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS include Kikkoman, the AmericaOne television network, PR Newswire, TasteTV, Intermezzo Magazine, Cuisine Noir Magazine, Drink Me Magazine, Ferrara Flame, SummerJasmines, Schiltz Foods, Peju Winery, Raymond Vineyards, R&B Cellars, Ecogenics, Jenuinely Pure, Sella All Natural Skincare, Deep River Snacks, Food Should Taste Good, Mediterranean Snacks, Cinda's Toffee, Toffee Break, Toffee Talk, the Estonian Consulate, thinkThin,Tequila Alquimia, the Thompson Beverly Hills, Yelp, and Eventbrite.

The viewer appetite and response to food and style programs has surged over the last decade, making them some of the highest watched and sponsored video content. The TASTE AWARDS spotlight the year's best achievements in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on television, in film, and on the web.

A limited quantity of TASTE AWARDS event tickets are available on a first come basis. For details, go to www.TheTasteAwards.com, or www.TastyAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

2nd Annual FALL CHOCOLATE SALON

2011-11-08T19:28:00.000-08:00

A unique event with limited tickets available for attendees, the Fall Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 28 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans.

An intimate setting, the Fall Chocolate Salon is the perfect place to find the perfect Holiday gift, while tasting and savoring the chocolate lovers experience.

Advance Tickets available through November 12th, while quantities last. www.FallChocolateSalon.com

Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, CocoTutti, Jade Chocolates, Snake & Butterfly, Permano, Leonidas Fresh Belgian Chocolate, Saratoga Chocolates, Victoria Chocolatier, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Sterling Truffle Bar, Toffeeology, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Monterey Chocolate Company, Marich Confectionery, Sixthcourse Artisan Confections, Toffee Talk, Dandelion Chocolate, MDP Signature Chocolates, Au Coeur Des Chocolats, Seattle Chocolate Company, Butterfly Brittle, Be A Gourmet, Urban Legend Cellars, The Winery SF, Jerk'NPickle, TasteTV, and more.

NEW: Private screenings at the Salon, plus Producers Q&A, of the new public television program, "Chocolate FRENCH," based on the bestselling book, "Chocolate FRENCH." The series pilot will air locally on KRCB public television (Ch. 22, 722) on December 17th at 4pm.

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The TASTY Awards become the TASTE AWARDS

2011-08-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

The Awards Committee has announced that the TASTY Awards are now called The TASTE AWARDS.

The 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS celebrate the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, Online, and on Radio.

NOMINATIONS are being accepted through August 25th for the 3rd Annual TASTE AWARDS (aka the Tasty Awards). To submit a nomination for any category, go to www.TastyAwards.com or www.TheTasteAwards.com.

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The Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on 9/25

2011-07-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier major chocolate show in the Los Angeles area this millenium takes place at the 5th Annual Los Angeles CHOCOLATE SALON on Sunday, September 25th, 2011.

Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

This year's event will take place in the new and beautiful Ballroom at the Pasadena Center, in the center of old town, surrounded by restaurants, lounges and upscale boutiques.

Celebrating its anniversary, the 2011 Fifth Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, and other culinary artisans, such as Choclatique, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Mignon Chocolate, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jer's Chocolates, Chocoveda, David Bacco Chocolatier, Seattle Chocolate Company, Chava Vital Chocolate, Ciel Chocolatier, Amella, Monterey Chocolate Company, The Toffee Box, Butterfly Brittle, The TeaRoom Chocolate Company, Blissed Out Chocolates, Bootleg Chocolates, Farm Fresh To You, Gourmet Blends, Precept Wine, The New York Times, Shell Vacations, Yelp, Meetup.com, TasteTV, Chocolate Television, and more.

Salon highlights features chocolatiers, confectioners and other culinary artisans, with chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, wine tasting and ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate & wine tastings, demos, etc.).

New this year: New Ballroom location. A celebrity tie-in with the 3rd Annual TASTY Awards, including an attendee Taste-Off for the People's Choice picks in specific artisan food and wine categories.

EVENT SUMMARY

LOS ANGELES
5th Annual Luxury Chocolate Salon
Event: Sept. 25, 2011
Hours: 11am-5pm
Site: www.LAChocolateSalon.com

Do you love chocolate? Watch ChocolateTelevision.com

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Awards announced for Bridal Chocolate Salon and Chicago Chocolate Salon

2011-07-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

TasteTV and the International Chocolate Salon are pleased to announced the Awards for the 2011 Bridal Chocolate Salon and the Chicago Chocolate Salon.

This year's competitions saw a variety of new and existing artisans with a wide range of exciting new products. The submissions highlighted the ongoing increase and focus on quality, innovation, and taste.

Award winners in various categories can be seen on the sites: www.BridalChocolateSalon.com and www.ChicagoChocolateSalon.com.

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Celebrity Wine TASTE-OFF and TASTY Awards Launch Party

2011-07-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

An intimate, exclusive, food & wine celebrity-filled party celebrating the launch of the 3rd Annual TASTY Awards takes place on July 17th in San Francisco.

Celebrate with food, wine and fashion TV celebrities scheduled to attend such Leslie Sbrocco (PBS, Thirsty Girl TV), Dominique Crenn (Food Network - Next Iron Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Marisa Churchill (Bravo, Top Chef, Author), Justin Kan (http://Justin.tv), Elizabeth Howes (The Next Food Network Star), Philip Gums (JE Model), Chef John Mitzewich (Food Wishes), Vikrant Mathur (http://iFood.tv), Zuzy Martin Lynch (Cooking for the Clueless), celebrity chefs and designers, and more. (subject to change)

Join this once a year event at the bohemian-glam San Francisco club, 330 Ritch, and taste great Cabernets and Sparkling Wines, plus food from culinary artisans from around Northern California and beyond. Be a judge in the TASTE-OFF competition for the "Viewers Choice Cabernet of the TASTY Awards".

Culinary and winery participants include Peju Province Winery, Raymond Vineyards & Cellar, Punk Dog Wines, East Bay Vintners Alliance,Permano Toffee, Bellwether Farms artisan cheese, the Bread Project's french pastries, Mumm Napa, VAD Vodka, Winery-SF and Sol Rouge, featuring 2010 Winery-SF “Sparkle” Sparking Wine, 2008 Winery-SF Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County, and 2007 Sol Rouge Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (Double Gold Medal Winner, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition). Also tasting will be Schiltz Foods Roasted Goose, the "Official Poultry of the TASTY Awards."

www.DomaineDeTaste.com

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The NextGEN Science Fair

2011-06-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

TasteTV is pleased to announce the NextGen Science Fair 2011, the first and only event for Next-Generation Products, Technology, and Ideas, welcoming hundreds of consumers, thought-leaders, media outlets, buyers, speakers, partners, and more to San Francisco.

San Francisco NextGEN Science Fair participants and speakers in 2011 include innovators such as Neurosky (Brain-Computer Interface technology), Nissan LEAF (100% electric vehicle), IndieGoGo (crowdsourced project fundraising), DIY bio (biotechnology entrepreneurs and community biotech), Reprap (self-replicating, desktop 3D printers), Keyglove (portable computer input and control glove), Glocal Systems (sustainable vertical farming), OpenPCR (desktop sized DNA xerox machine), LearnBoost (Cloud-based education software), ViVoEye, Magic Beans Incubator, Project Light Bright (wearable, modular LED display panels), Kinect Hacks, high school robotics teams, and much more.

Visit The NextGen Science Fair 2011 and discover the latest green, organic, biotech, artisan, design, app, gaming and technology consumer products that can improve your quality of life, your company's success, or your future. Meet the movers, innovators, advocates, and creators of tomorrow's products and sevices. Network, promote and partner with "Next-Gen Generators." Don't miss this unique opportunity. The future is coming today.

www.NextGenScienceFair.com

Napa CHOCOLATE SALON Awards Announced

2011-06-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce the award winners of the

2nd Annual Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon

Reviewed by our talented judges (who included award winning chefs and food and travel media), winners have been selected for various categories, including Best Dark, Best Milk, Best Truffle, Best Caramels, and more.

To view the winners, please go to www.NapaChocolateSalon.com

The 2nd Annual Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON is the most prestigious artisan and premium chocolate and confection event in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary and wine areas. Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, The Tea Room Chocolate Company, Toffee Talk, Permano, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, TOFFEEOLOGY, Monterey Chocolate Company, Kollar Chocolates, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Landru Chocolates, Seattle Chocolate Company, Sterling Confections, CHAVA Vital Chocolate, Extraordinary Blends, Farm Fresh To You, Honest Tea, TasteTV.

www.NapaChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

Napa Chocolate Salon - June 5th

2011-05-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Chocolate lovers, en garde! only major chocolate show in Napa and Sonoma Valleys this decade takes place at the Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary regions.

The 2nd Annual Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as: The Tea Room Chocolate Company, Toffee Talk, Permano, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, TOFFEEOLOGY, Monterey Chocolate Company, Kollar Chocolates. Salt Side Down Chocolates, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Jade Chocolates, Landru Chocolates, Extraordinary Blends, Farm Fresh To You, TasteTV and more.

Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon: www.NapaChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

The NextGEN Science Fair - June 19th

2011-05-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

Seattle Chocolate Salon on May 14th

2011-05-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

Chocolate lovers, en garde! The premier chocolate event in the Northwest this millenium returns with the 4th Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on May 14, 2011.

The 4th Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON is the most prestigious artisan and premium chocolate and confection event in the Northwest. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas. Participants include Amano Artisan Chocolate, Intrigue Chocolates, Halletts Chocolates, Forte Chocolates, La Chatelaine Chocolat Co., Posh Chocolat, Seattle Chocolate Company, The French Quarter, CocoTutti, Taza Chocolate, Vibrant Chocolate, Blendissimo, the Tea Room chocolate company, Divine Chocolate, Goat Milk Candy Co., MDP Signature Chocolates, Precept Wine Brands, Honest Tea, Yelp, TasteTV and more.

Salon highlights include chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks and ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program. (Salon Entry includes all chocolate & confection tastings, demos, and more.
In addition, we are happy to add Keren Brown, the Frantic Foodie, as our keynote Speaker, who will discuss the release of her greatly anticipated upcoming new book, "The Food Lovers' Guide to Seattle."

The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon. www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com

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San Francisco International Chocolate Salon 2011

2011-02-02T12:48:00.000-08:00

The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon is coming on April, 17, 2011 to Fort Mason.

The premier chocolate show on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 5th Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, April 17th, 2011 at the Fort Mason Center's Festival Pavilion in San Francisco. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

Featuring the "Best of the Best" selected and curated by the Organizers, International CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 50 master chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans such as The Tea Room chocolate, Guittard Chocolate Company, Christopher Michael Chocolates, Plumeria Flours, Saratoga Chocolates, Choclatique, Divine Chocolate, Landru Chocolates, Alter Eco Fair Trade Chocolate, Goat Milk Candy Company, Snake & Butterfly, Clarine's Florentines, Salt Side Down Chocolates, Dolce Bella Chocolates and Cafe, Neo Cocoa, Fabrica de Chocolate Momotombo, CocoTutti, Her Coconess Confections, Marti Chocolatt, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Gateau et Ganache, Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, Coco-luxe Confections, Vice Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Cacao Atlanta Chocolate Co., William Dean Chocolates, Seattle Chocolate Company, Jade Chocolates, and Kika's Treats.

More information at www.SFChocolateSalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

This blog from the contributors, producers and correspondents at TasteTV at TasteTV.com. technorati tags:TasteTV, restaurants, video, content, food, Chocolate, wine, recipes, cooking, Restaurant Reviews, Chef, ITV, fashion, seafood

TASTY Awards Winners Announced

2011-01-16T15:39:00.000-08:00

Food, fashion and TV celebrities gathered on Thursday, January 13th at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards.

Hosted by comedian Zane Lamprey, the show featured a distinguished line up of celebrity presenters including the Food Network's Brian Boitano Tanya Holland, Darryl Robinson, Manouschka Guerrier, and Aida Mollenkamp, E! Entertainment's Amy Paffrath, the Style Network's Jeannie Mai and Peter Ishkhans, food gurus Leslie Sbrocco and Bobby Bognar, TV fashionista Luciene Salomone, and Celebrity Chefs Hubert Keller, Nathan Lyon, Kevin Roberts, Candice Kumai and Fabio Viviani.

Among the evenings winners were television programs like Bravo's "Top Chef" for Best Food Program, Lamprey's HDNet series "Drinking Made Easy" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, "No Reservations" on Travel Channel for Best Food Travel Series, Food Network's, "The Great Food Truck Race" for Best New Series and Lifetime's "Project Runway" for Best Fashion or Design Program. PBS series "Check Please, Bay Area" picked up two awards: Best City or Regional Program and Best Critic or Review Series.

Web winners, who also went home with Flip Video Cameras courtesy of Flip Video, included "Thirsty Girl TV" for Best Drink or Beverage Program, "Without Borders" for Best Food Travel Program, "Style.com" for Best Fashion or Design Video Podcast, PBS' "Avec Eric" for Best Food or Drink Podcast and "Chow.com" which won the Kikkoman Award for Best Food Program. Food & Wine magazine won for Best Newspaper or Magazine Program, and "Food Wishes" for Best Home Chef in a Series.

In the film category, Sony's "Eat, Pray, Love" picked up the award for Best Film or Documentary.

Individual awards went to Food Network's Alton Brown for Best Male Host in a Series and Best Chef in a Series, and Giada De Laurentiis for Best Female Host in a Series. Both Rick Bayless and Jamie Oliver also won, and Brian Boitano was named the TASTY Awards Global Ambassador for 2011. A full list of winners can be seen on the site.

Food and wine for the event was provided by purveyors such as Supperclub, Starry Kitchen, Pure Dark chocolate, Mignon Chocolate, The Toffee Box, Punk Dog Wines, Salisbury Vineyards, Quady Winery, VAD Vodka, and Qure Water, along with conributions from sponsors like Kikkoman, Food Should Taste Good, RezVez, SummerJasmines, Ferrara Flames, Valcooks, Cooking.com, The Flip HD, and PR Newswire.

The TASTY Awards are the premier awards show celebrating the year's best in Food, Fashion, and Home Lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, and Online.

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Viewers Choice Voting: The TASTY Awards

2010-11-30T14:22:00.000-08:00

VIEWERS CHOICE VOTING in selected categories has begun and ends on January 5th for six specific TASTY Awards categories. See the site for the nominees.

The Viewers Choice Categories are:

Best Film or Documentary
Best Comedy Series
Best Home Chef in a Series
Best Chef in a Series
Best Male Host in a Series
Best Female Host in a Series

Nominees for the other categories can be seen on the site for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards in Hollywood:

www.TastyAwards.com

The Fall Luxury Chocolate Salon on November 14th

2010-11-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

The Fall Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 30 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans. An intimate setting, the Fall Chocolate Salon is the perfect place to find the perfect gift, while tasting and savoring the chocolate lovers experience.  

Participants include TCHO, Saratoga Chocolates, The Tea Room chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate, Salt Side Down Chocolates, CocoTutti, Landru Chocolates, Choclatique, Coco-luxe Confections, Sterling Confections, Coco Delice Fine Chocolates, Socola Chocolatier, Gateau et Ganache, ALTER ECO Fair Trade, CJ's Bitz, Snake & Butterfly, Jade Chocolates, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Carlos Mann Nicaraguan Artisan Chocolates, Clarine's Florentines, Au Coeur Des Chocolats, Poco Dolce, Vice Chocolates, Plumeria Flours, Christopher Michael Chocolates, Farm Fresh To You, Carolyn Tillie Designs' Chocolate Jewelry, Quady Winery, Punk Dog Wines, Rigolo Cafe, 122° West Wines, Garden Creamery sorbet, TasteTV, and more.

www.fallchocolatesalon.com

Nominees for the 2nd Annual TASTY AWARDS to be announced Nov. 9th at 1pm

2010-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The 2nd Annual TASTY Awards, the premier awards show honoring the year's best in food, fashion, and home lifestyle programs on Television, in Film, and Online, will announce Nominees on Tuesday, November 9th.

The Nominee announcement will be webcast live on TastyAwards.com at 1pm (PST) at a press conference streamed from chef Traci Des Jardins' acclaimed Jardiniere restaurant in San Francisco.

The final TASTY Award Winners will be announced on Thursday, January 13, 2011, during the Awards Show at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The TASTY Awards are for lifestyle programming what the Grammys are for music.

CELEBRITY PRESENTERS

The host for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards is Zane Lamprey (Travel Channel, HDNet), with other presenters including Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Nework), Leslie Sbrocco (PBS), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), and Bobby Bognar (History Channel), along with newcomers such as Candice Kumai (Lifetime, Bravo's Top Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Daniel Green (ShopNBC), Luciene Salomone (WE tv), Amy Paffrath (E! Entertainment Television), Jeannie Mai (Style Network), Kevin Roberts (TLC), and Aida Mollenkamp (Food Nework, Cooking Channel).

TasteTV Events include:

TASTY AWARDS: Nominees to be Announced on November 9th

2010-10-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

The TASTY Awards Committee is proud to announce that the final Nominees, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Honorees, for the 2nd Annual TASTY Awards will be announced in a livestreamed press conference on November 9th, 2010 in San Francisco.

The 2nd Annual TASTY Awards and Red Carpet, the premier awards show for food and fashion programs and films, will take place on January 13, 2011 at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, with television celebrity Zane Lamprey returning as the show's host.

Other returning celebrity presenters include Tanya Holland (Cooking Channel, Food Nework), Leslie Sbrocco (PBS), Nathan Lyon (Fit TV, Discovery Health, PBS, Food Network), and Bobby Bognar (History Channel), along with newcomers such as Candice Kumai (Lifetime, Bravo's Top Chef), Brian Boitano (Food Network), Daniel Green (ShopNBC), Luciene Salomone (WE tv), Amy Paffrath (E! Entertainment Television), Jeannie Mai (Style Network), Kevin Roberts (TLC), and Aida Mollenkamp (Food Nework, Cooking Channel). More presenters to be announced shortly.

JUDGES

The Judges Panel for 2011 has been expanded from 85 to over 200 industry experts, gurus, peers, and media.

Judges are from organizations such as 944 MAGAZINE, About.com, America One Television, Bel-Air MAGAZINE, Blogcritics.org, Bloomingdale's, Chicagoist, Frommers.com, Los Angeles Downtown News, Plate MAGAZINE, San Francisco Professional Food Society, Scripps Networks, SF Station.com, SFist (Gothamist), Slow Food Seattle, Styleite.com, Technorati, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), The Orange County Register., Variety MAGAZINE, and Yahoo! Inc.

To view a current list of judges, go to www.TastyAwards.com. (Photo Above: Awards Presenter Jeannie Mai (Style Network))

AWARDS AT THE EGYPTIAN THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD

The historic Egyptian Theatre was the first major deluxe movie palace in Hollywood (built in 1922, by Sid Grauman, also of Grauman's Chinese Theatre). The theatre is home to the critically acclaimed American Cinematheque, which completed a major renovation of the property in 1998. The Egyptian Theatre is a state-of-the-art theatre within a historic shell, and features its original, ornate sunburst ceiling and other artwork; the Steven Spielberg theatre; and a stylish open-air, palm tree lined courtyard. Well-known to Red Carpet aficionados, it regularly hosts special events, screenings, Hollywood premieres, and annual film festivals. Located at 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, the Egyptian Theatre is near the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and other historic theaters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Early Advance TASTY Awards Tickets are now available.

OTHER NEWS

In other news, the Committee has selected Qure, as the Official Water of the TASTY Awards, and Pure Dark (tm) as the Official Premium Chocolate of the TASTY Awards.

Food and Wine TASTE-OFF

2010-07-16T13:08:00.000-07:00

August 11, 2010
6:30 - 8pm
The Press Club
20 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco, California 94103

Foodies, it's time for your close up!

Do you think a TOP CHEF Judge's job looks like fun? In this case, it will be, because you will be the Judge.

If you love pairing Food and Wine, join TasteTV at The Press Club as it films its 1st Annual Wine & Food Pairing TASTE-OFF.

The Press Club is the San Francisco stylish and modern wine bar, lounge and event space that "summarizes the best of San Francisco's wine scene."

At the Taste-Off, attendees will sample six great food & wine combinations, and help Press Club decide the best new pairing to put on their lounge menu. Attendees will judge seasonal plates paired with four reds and two whites from their six, Northern California partnered wineries: Miner Family Vinyards, Fritz, Saintsbury, Mount Eden Vinyards, Hanna, and Chateau Montelena.

August 11th, 6:30-8:00pm. You be the Judge.

Tickets are Advance Purchase, Space is Limited. Go to:
http://tasteoff-pressclub2010.eventbrite.com/

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON Captivates the Northwest on July 11th

2010-06-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

Tastebuds rejoice in the Northwest!

SEATTLE, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3rd Annual SEATTLE LUXURY CHOCOLATE SALON returns on July 11th, 2010 to the beautiful Seattle waterfront, continuing its tradition as the premier chocolate event in the Northwest this millennium. www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com

"Seattle's large variety and selection of artisan chocolate make it a natural destination for chocolate lovers from around the world," notes Lauren Adler of Seattle-based Chocolopolis. "We're looking forward to another great event," adds the Seattle Chocolate Salon's 2009 Best Truffle Winner Dennis Haupt, of Suess Chocolates.

About TasteTV
Chocolate Salon sponsor TasteTV is a leading New Media food, wine and lifestyle network, covering delicious topics ranging from restaurants, food, and wine to chocolate, cooking, fashion, and style. Its videos can be seen online at www.TasteTV.com and on HULU.com. TasteTV Chocolate Salons take place in locations such as San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles, Napa, Las Vegas and Chicago. TasteTV also organizes the TASTY Awards, celebrating the best food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, and on the Web. (www.TastyAwards.com)

Judges Invitations issued for 2011 TASTY Awards

2010-05-25T15:21:00.001-07:00

Preparations for the 2011 TASTY Awards are underway, and one of the first orders of business is at hand: the presentation of invitations to the industry gurus and tastemakers who will be this year's judges.

Who will be a judge? How many? Where are they from, what will they say?

The answers are coming soon.

See the full televised show from 2010 on Hulu.com/tasty-awards

TasteTV Events include:

Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon

2010-04-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

TasteTV is adding to its national series of Chocolate Salon events that regions of Napa and Sonoma, with the first ever Napa Luxury Chocolate Salon.

The Napa Chocolate Salon takes place on June 6th in Yountville.

The 1st Annual Napa Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 25 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as: Saratoga Chocolates, Sterling Confections, The Tea Room chocolates, TCHO, Socola Chocolatier, Vice Chocolates, Guittard Chocolate Company, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Chocolate Visions, Landru Chocolates, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Jade Chocolates, Gateau et Ganache, Little Sky Lavender, Snake & Butterfly, Brix Chocolate, Clarine's Florentines, Marin Chef / CJ's Bitz, Quady Winery, Punk Dog Wines, Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka and Chocolate Liqueur, Farm Fresh To You, Shell Vacations Club, and more.

http://www.napachocolatesalon.com

TasteTV Events include:

TASTY AWARDS Show Television Broadcasts

2010-02-26T10:21:00.000-08:00

The first broadcast television airing of the 2010 TASTY AWARDS Show will be on March 13th at 10pm on KOFY-TV in the San Francisco Bay Area, followed by national broadcasts later in March on the America One Network and on Hulu.com.

The Tasty Awards for the best food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, and Online.www.TastyAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

The Winners at The TASTY AWARDS

2010-01-18T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Award Winners were announced on January 14th at 1st Annual TASTY AWARDS, the most exciting and prestigious event ever to celebrate food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, and on the Web.

What a fantastic evening!

See the the full list of Winners for the Awards at
www.TastyAwards.com

Hosted by food and travel television star Zane Lamprey of "Three Sheets" fame (Scripps Fine Living Network), the two-hour red carpet event took place at the Sundance Kabuki theatre in San Francisco on January 14th, with an AfterParty at the New People building. The Awards program will air on stations nationwide in February 2010, reaching millions of households and on Hulu.com.

To see the Full List of Nominees and Winners, and other information, please go to www.TastyAwards.com, as well as get updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TastyAwards

TasteTV Events include:

TASTY AWARDS to include Debi Mazar, Lyon in the Kitchen, No Reservations

2009-12-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

TasteTV today announced additional presenters and attendees for the most exciting and prestigious event ever to celebrate food and fashion programs on TV, in Film, and on the Web, the 2010 "TASTY AWARDS." They include"

Actress Debi Mazar ("Entourage," "Dancing With the Stars," "Ugly Betty," UnderTheTuscanGun.com),
Chef Nathan Lyon of TV's "A Lyon in the Kitchen,"
Food Network's Host, Chef Tyler Florence
The Executive Producers of "No Reservations" and "Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie," Lydia Tenaglia and Chris Collins.

Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef, Project Runway, Cake Boss and Guy Fieri lead the awards finalists with several nominations each.

Hosted by food and travel television star Zane Lamprey of "Three Sheets" fame (Scripps Fine Living Network), the two-hour red carpet event takes place at the Sundance Kabuki theatre in San Francisco on January 14th. The program will air on stations nationwide in February 2010, reaching millions of households and on Hulu.com.

www.TastyAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

Bourdain, Top Chef, Project Runway Lead Nominations for 2010 TASTY AWARDS SHOW

2009-12-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

TasteTV today announced the nominees and categories for the most exciting and prestigious event ever to celebrate food and fashion programs on television, in film, and online, the 2010 "TASTY AWARDS."

Anthony Bourdain, Top Chef, Project Runway, Cake Boss and Guy Fieri lead the awards finalists with several nominations each.

Hosted by food and travel television star Zane Lamprey of "Three Sheets" fame, the two-hour red carpet event takes place at the Sundance Kabuki theatre in San Francisco on January 14th. The program will air on stations nationwide in February 2010, reaching millions of households.

The show features a star-studded lineup of food and fashion TV celebrities, including Tyler Florence, Joanne Weir, G. Garvin, Tanya Holland, Leslie Sbrocco, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marcy Smothers, Novella Carpenter, Anita Chu, Dominique Crenn, Brian Solis, Marissa Churchill, and more.

Special Achievement Awards have been announced for Anthony Bourdain, Martin Yan, Paul Prudhomme, YouTube, Alton Brown, Jacque Pepin, Meryl Streep, Giada De Laurentiis, and Tim Gunn, among others.

The viewer appetite and response to food and style programs has surged over recent years, making them some of the highest watched video content. The TASTY AWARDS spotlight the year's best achievements in food and fashion programs on television, in film, and on the web.

To participate in the Viewers Choice voting, or for a full list of nominees, please go to www.TastyAwards.com, as well as get updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TastyAwards.

TasteTV Events include:

TASTY AWARDS in SF- January 14th

2009-11-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

It's official!

The 1st Annual TASTY AWARDS, the "Grammys" for outstanding food & fashion programs on television, in film, and online, will be on January 14th in San Francisco.

First round Judging is taking place now.

Finalists will be announced on December 1st. We'll also be announcing the location, the events, honorees, presenters, and sponsors.

www.TastyAwards.com

TasteTV Events include:

Nominations Nominations Open - The Tasty Awards for Food and Wine VideoOpen - The Tasty Awards for Food and Wine Video

2009-10-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the TASTY AWARDS.

The Tasty Awards' goal is to recognize and acknowledge outstanding excellence in video content focused on food, drink, fashion and design.

Who do you watch? Who do you love? What have you produced? Nominated submissions can include Web Programs, Television Programs, Mobile Content, and Films & Documentaries.

There are also special categories for promotions and campaigns, as well as for casts and personalities.

To submit a nomination, or for more information about the Tasty Awards, go to www.TastyAwards.com

See:
The New Media Tastemakers Summit

TasteTV.com, TasteTV

Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon on October 11th

2009-10-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

Things are bustling around here at TasteTV as we prepare for our 3rd Annual Los Angeles Chocolate Salon on October 11th. Here's a roster of who will be there:

Choclatique, Happy Chocolates, Rushburn Toffee Co., The Tea Room chocolate, Quady Winery, Chocolatl, Jade Chocolates, San Francisco Toffee Company, CJ's Bitz and CJ's Stix, Marti Chocolatt, Alter Eco Fair Trade Chocolate, Artisan Cocoa / Amella Caramels, AF-squared Chocolatiers, Clarine's Florentines, Helen Grace Chocolates, Mignon Chocolate, TCHO, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Landrin, Sterling Confections, Chocoveda, Republica Del Cacao, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Plush Puff Gourmet Marshmallows, The Chocolate Traveler, Ococoa chocolates, Tifa Chocolate, Sweet Beauty Organic Chocolate Spa, Xocai Chocolate, Zhena's Gypsy Tea, XT Patisserie, Farm Fresh To You, Original Beans, Swirls Cupcakes, Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream, Blue Angel Vodka, Le Creuset, Swissmar, Putumayo World Music, Chocolate Television, TasteTV, Yelp, California School of Culinary Arts - Le Cordon Bleu Programs, Edible Los Angeles Magazine, The Kahala Hotel & Resort

TasteTV Events include:

Dinner Party Tricks: How to do Michael Jackson's Moonwalk

2009-09-26T12:14:00.000-07:00

Dinner Party Tricks: How to do Michael Jackson's Moonwalk

The secrets revealed in this great video from Wired:

If you want more tips, try eHow.

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

Media Wars Continue: Bloggers vs Critics

2009-09-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

It has begun!

In yet another (dozen or so) instances of the Media Wars between food & wine bloggers and food and wine print critics and reviewers, the kid gloves have come off. Name calling begins, chaos insues, and hope of an early understanding that these two camps are one day going to be filled with the same people has not yet been recognized.

It's also interesting that many of the allegations being made about each other are not quite factual. Hmmm. Who keeps track of the facts these days, anyway?

That being said, or hypothesized, here's a list of fascinating skirmishes for you to read:

Esquire Restaurant Critic John Mariani is Having Dinner at Graham Elliot Tonight (MenuPages)
Esquire Editor Defends John Mariani (GrubStreet)
Why Does Everyone Hate John Mariani? (GrubStreet)
Changes at The Wine Advocate? (DrVino.com)
These Wine Bloggers Are… (Domaine547)
Leave Me out of your Tail Wagging, Finger Pointing Ego Contest (GoodGrape.com)

TasteTV Events include:

Chronicle Has the Lock on Top Chef Books

2009-09-01T08:32:00.000-07:00

Top Chef continues to dominate the foodie world, and the Chronicle Books is there to share in the glory, so says Publishers Weekly magazine.

Chronicle won Top Chef: The Cookbook in a “competitive auction” and published the book in March 2008. It has 150,000 copies in print, and publishing director Mikyla Bruder says “it has backlisted very nicely.” The main focus of Chronicle’s marketing campaign was advertising on edgy, popular sites like Eater, Eater Los Angeles, Eater San Francisco and Grub Street. Print ads ran inFood & Wine (which is a partner of the show) and the New Yorker’s annual food issue. The publisher organized Q&As and signings for contestants (er, “cheftestants”) at Barnes & Noble stores, and promoted the book and events heavily on Bravotv.com and on air throughout the fourth and fifth seasons. The book was also featured in episodes in both of those seasons, which Peter Perez, Chronicle’s senior marketing manager of food and drink, said “led to major sales spikes.” Chronicle has updated the book twice, each time adding a recipe from the new season

Don't you love it that people are reading books again?

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

How Successful Are TV Food Chef Contestants?

2009-08-28T08:20:00.000-07:00

Apparently your future success as a television career competition winner really various. Maura Dieringer of USA Today provides an interesting follow-up on the careers of various reality food/fashion/design competition show winners, and it's not all peaches and cream.

Here are three examples out of several that USA Today gave:

HGTV Design Star, Season 2 (2007): Kim Myles
Myles, known for her use of unconventional design on a tight budget, is in her third season of Myles of Style. She was a hairdresser in New York before the show and earned an associate's degree in theater in Bakersfield, Calif., her hometown. She lives in Los Angeles and has been a guest designer on several HGTV shows

Hell's Kitchen, Season 2 (2006): Heather West
With a reality-show victory under her belt, West is working on two books while shooting the pilot of her own show, Eat This. As her prize from the show, West was the senior chef at Terra Rossa in the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas for a year. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2003 and is chef Gordon Ramsay's sous chef on this season of Hell's Kitchen

The Next Food Network Star, Season 3 (2007): Amy Finley
Finley completed her six episodes of The Gourmet Next Door for Food Network, but decided not to sign on for a second season. In February 2008 she became the first columnist for Bon Appetit's new column, Family Style, and stayed for about a year. Then she left the magazine, moving to France with her family to write a regional cook book. She remains out of the public eye.

On the other hand, none of them can be called losers. Most in general of the food types are or have started their own restaurants, which many had wanted to do before the shows but couldn't. So for many it has been career building, even if that career isn't on television.

TasteTV Events include:

Wear more Vegetables

2009-08-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

PETA is working on multiple strategies and ad campaigns to get people to treat animals more humanely, stop wearing fur, and possibly.... expand their wardrobes.

Expect to see these items in your local farmers markets. (celebrity models not included)

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

Who Wants to be a Famous Food Critic?

2009-08-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

Who Wants to be a Famous Food Critic? Especially if no one knows it's you.

That's the question that's being asked about the new Food Critic for the New York Times, who by design can't let people know who they are in a time when all the money, fame, and power comes from being a recognized brand.

Recounts the New York Observer, here is part of the dilemma, as described by someone from the outside:

Mr. Ozersky is the 41-year-old restaurants editor for Citysearch who blogs at the Feedbag...

Mr. Ozersky now wants to be a food personality. He wants to be a judge on Iron Chef. He wants to host his own television show. He wants fame. He said he’s 55 percent there. And, he said, even though the Times restaurant critic holds an incredibly powerful position, it’s the last thing he would want to do. Not in a million, zillion years, he said.

“The Times critic can’t go on TV!” he said. “What would you do with that power? You can’t go to the restaurants you like, you can’t shmooze with the chefs and writers you like. You can’t go on Top Chef!”

“As far as I’m concerned, you have to be on television,” he continued. “You can win the National Book Award and you can write on the front page of The Times every day, and you’re still not as famous as some busty tramp on Tough Love on VH1.”

Mr. Ozersky is part of an army of writers who don’t profess to be critics, or to do what Mr. Bruni does—he, instead, is trying to do something entirely different, he said.

Too true, too true.

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

Chocolatiers for the Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon

2009-08-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Here's the current lineup for the LA Chocolate Salon on October 11th:

The Third Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 30 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as: Choclatique, Happy Chocolates, Rushburn Toffee Co., The Tea Room chocolate, Quady Winery, Chocolatl, Jade Chocolates, San Francisco Toffee Company, CJ's Bitz and CJ's Stix, Marti Chocolatt, Alter Eco Fair Trade Chocolate, Artisan Cocoa / Amella Caramels, AF-squared Chocolatiers, Brown Sugar Pastries, Clarine's Florentines, Helen Grace Chocolates, Mignon Chocolate, TCHO, Amano Artisan Chocolate, Landrin, Sterling Confections, Chocoveda, Republica Del Cacao, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Valerie Confections, Plush Puff Gourmet Marshmallows, The Chocolate Traveler, Ococoa chocolates, Sweet Beauty Organic Chocolate Spa, Le Creuset, Swissmar, Putumayo World Music, Chocolate Television, TasteTV, Yelp, California School of Culinary Arts - Le Cordon Bleu Programs, and many more. All this in over twice the delicious tasting space as 2008

A list of events and speakers to come soon.

TasteTV Events include:

SF Chefs. Food. Wine. Highlight Reel - Lick My Spoon

2009-08-13T08:03:00.000-07:00

We weren't there, but the Lick My Spoon has a great highlights reel from the first SF Chefs. Food. Wine. event in August:

To quote Mayor Gavin Newsom, “Aspen, eat your heart out.”

An epic event 2 ½ years in the making, SF Chefs. Food. Wine. was like a food-lover’s Disneyland with approximately 200 of the Bay Area’s finest chefs, 70 wineries, and mixologists aplenty strutting their stuff.

Over the past four days, Union Square was transformed into a playground of tastings, seminars, and demonstrations from a who’s who list of culinary legends, rising stars, artisans, and experts.

Ahh, the good old days...when food events were fun, tasty and a good value.

Great to see everything old is new again. We'll be there next year, we hope!

TasteTV Events include:

New Tasteable T-shirt Idea

2009-08-11T08:28:00.000-07:00

When we get around to it, maybe TasteTV will get our new line of t-shirts out the door before October 11th. One we like at the moment:

"Life is too short, so why waste precious thyme"

Of course, we think it's sort of original. It's based on a Pat Benatar lyric.

TasteTV Events include:

Michael Jackson's Personal Chef tells tale

2009-07-29T11:04:00.000-07:00

PEOPLE Magazine has the scoop from Michael Jackson's personal chef:

Michael Jackson's personal chef says Dr. Conrad Murray was a fixture at the household of Michael Jackson – so much so that when his routine changed the day of Jackson's death, she knew something was wrong.

"I thought maybe Mr. Jackson is sleeping late," Kai Chase, hired by Jackson to cook the family meals, told the Associated Press of the morning of June 25, when she noticed that the singer's doctor had not come down Jackson's bedroom carrying a pair of oxygen tanks, as he did every morning.

The celebrity chef, 37, hired by Jackson in March, says the Jacksons' was a happy home, with a focus on healthy living.

Jackson, preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London, had fruit drinks and granola for breakfast every morning, and ate healthy foods like chicken and spinach salad for lunch with the kids. Dinners might include a seared tuna steak, and Dr. Murray was often a guest at the table. Jackson's daughter, Paris, 11, started each meal by saying grace, Chase says.

As for Chase, who expected to go to London with the family, she plans on publishing a cookbook – an idea that Jackson encouraged. The book will focus on her time with the family.

Not that it promotes her cookbook, right? Hopefully it comes with photos.

TasteTV Events include:

The San Francisco International Chocolate Salon
The Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon
The Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon
The Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon
The Las Vegas Luxury Chocolate Salon
ChocolateSalon.tv
The New Media Tastemakers Summit

"Twilight" Actors Made in Chocolate

2009-07-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Blockbuster video stores will have the "Twilight" and "New Moon" movie cast in chocolate for fans to buy... and eat.

Per andpop.com,

Necco sub-brand SkyBar is releasing these “New Moon” bars as well as special boxes of “Twilight” Sweethearts. But of course, they had to add a vampire twist to the flavours which include “Secret Strawberry,” “Passion Fruit” and “Tempting Apple.

If we're lucky, we might be able to get samples for the 2009 Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon in October. (bar photo from E! online)

TasteTV Events include:

The Cafes of San Francisco, 3rd Edition

2009-07-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

Final List of Cafes included in Bay Area Cafe Guidebook

We are happy to announce that the new 3rd Edition of our bestseller, THE CAFES OF SAN FRANCISCO has been released!

PUBLICATION DETAILS:

# Total size of book: 6 x 9 inches
# Total pages of book: 166 pages
# Over 50 cafes featured
# Over 200 black and white photographs

Copies of the new edition can be purchased on Amazon.com

FEATURED CAFES AND BRASSERIES, with page number

Absinthe 86, 161
Aroma Cafe 156
Atlas Cafe 68
Balboa Cafe 114, 161
Bistro Vida 146, 147
Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe 109
Blue Bottle Coffee 84, 91
Blue Danube Coffee House 122
BookBeat 154
Brainwash Cafe & Laundromat 62
Butler & The Chef 58
Cafe Abir 90
Cafe Bastille 44
Cafe Borrone 144
Cafe Claude 48
Cafe de la Presse 46
Cafe Flore 70
Cafe La Tartine 142
Cafe Madeleine 36
Cafe Zoetrope 38
Caffe Acri 157
Caffe Centro 56
Caffe Greco 32
Caffe Museo 52
Caffe Puccini 28
Caffe Roma 30
Caffe Trieste 22
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 108
Curbside Cafe 108
Depot Bookstore & Cafe 150
De Young Museum Cafe 136
Delucchi 37
Dolores Park Cafe 76
Elite Cafe 109
Emporio Rulli 152
Fairfax Coffee Roastery 155
Florio 109
Frjtz 88
The Grove 116
The Grove Fillmore 111
Jackson Place Cafe 40
Java Beach 130
La Boulangerie de Polk 100
La Mediterranee 108
La Terrasse 120
Le Zinc 72
Leaping Lemur Cafe 134
Left Bank 139, 147
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store 29
Maxelds House of Caffeine 78
May's Coffee Shop 113
Mojo Bicycle Cafe 94
Momi Toby's 91
Nani's Cafe 128
One World Cafe 93
Pamplemousse 146
Peet's Coffee & Tea 140
People's Cafe 92
PlumpJack Cafe 110
Poulet 139
Revolution Cafe 80
Rigolo 126
Ritual Coffee Roasters 74
Sam's Anchor Cafe 158
Samovar Tea Lounge 66
San Francisco Art Institute Cafe 135
South Beach Cafe 54
South Park Cafe 60
Stella Pasticceria e Caffe 28
Steps of Rome 34
Sugar Cafe 102
Sunower Cafe 149
Tartine 82
Tosca 25
Velo Rouge 124
Vesuvio Cafe 26
Vivande 109
Warming Hut Cafe 118

TasteTV Events include:

SEXY DISHES Recipe Demo and Tasting

2009-07-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

A fun cooking demo and tasting featuring chefs and mixologists featured in the recent TasteTV foodie book, "SEXY DISHES: A Guide to Who's Hot in the Kitchen (Bay Area Edition)"

Meet these sexy chefs, who will demonstrate their sexy recipes and provide sample tastings of their sexy dishes at the Williams-Sonoma flagship store's demonstration kitchen in lovely Union Square, San Francisco.

Featured at this TasteTV event:

* Cindy Chen, Owner and Chef, Shanghai 1930
* Taylor Boudreaux, Executive Chef, California Cafe
* Iris Eisenlohr, Wine Director, Piacere Restaurant
* Miriam Russell-Wadleigh, Executive Chef, Piacere Restaurant

Bring your copy of SEXY DISHES to be signed in person, or just come and meet and eat!

Saturday, July 11, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Where: Williams-Sonoma 340 Post St San Francisco, CA 94108

TasteTV Events include:

Upcoming Chocolate Salons and Chocolate Salon Awards

2009-07-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

TasteTV has just released the design for the TasteTV Chocolate Salon Awards (see right), which are presented at every Chocolate Salon to the best of the best, as judged by our panel of chocolate experts.

Las Vegas is the newest city to host a TasteTV Chocolate Salon (see dates below). The event takes place at the Venetian and Palazzo Resorts.

Upcoming TasteTV Luxury Chocolate Salons:

THE OBAMA MENU : Dining with Barack Obama

2009-05-29T09:36:00.000-07:00

New Release Alert - THE OBAMA MENU : Dining with Barack Obama

TasteTV announces the release of its newest culinary book,

"THE OBAMA MENU: Dining with Barack Obama".

About THE OBAMA MENU:

One of the innovations of the Obama campaign of 2008 had a surprising culinary angle that took him from table to table across the nation. The campaign's famous fundraising and "person-to-person" dinners took place in people's homes, in restaurants, and in hotels, and ranged from the humble to the extravagant. The Obama Menu includes not only menus and recipes from these events, but also the stories, first-hand accounts, photographs, speeches and quotes. The result is a unique view of this American candidate for president - from a culinary perspective.

Featuring recipes ranging from the Kahala Resort in Hawaii to the Biltmore Hotel in Florida, from the kind of pie that Obama loves to the Obama Family Chili.

Spoiler alert: Multiple appearances by food guru Alice Waters and the journey to the utlimate organic White House vegetable garden!

"THE OBAMA MENU: Dining with Barack Obama" is available now on Amazon.com, and soon in Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books Inc., and bookstores nationwide.

About TasteTV

TasteTV is a leading New Media food, wine and lifestyle network, covering delicious topics ranging from restaurants, food, and wine to chocolate, cooking, fashion, and style. Its videos can be seen online at http://www.TasteTV.com, ChocolateTelevision.com, BlogCritics.org, on HULU.com, Comcast On Demand, and on over 100 television stations nationwide.

TasteTV books include "The Cafes of San Francisco," "The Chocolate Guide," "Sexy Dishes," "Chocolate French," "The Dog's Guide to Surfing" and the newest, THE OBAMA MENU: Dining with Barack Obama.

TasteTV Events include:

SEXY DISHES WEEK - Current Lineup of Restaurant Specials

2009-04-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

SEXY DISHES WEEK in the Bay Area is from May 4th-8th, and restaurants & bars in the book will be featuring food and drink Specials as well as launch events. Fans can also have copies of their books signed by these local culinary celebrities. A list of the customer specials for SEXY DISHES WEEK will be updated regularly here on Tasteable.com

Current SEXY DISHES Specials include:

Sam's Chowder House (Half Moon Bay): Half off either of the two dishes featured in the book - The Rock Shrimp-Bay Scallop Ceviche, or the Ahi Tuna Poke (see video on NBC) for customers that bring the book or buy a book from Sam’s Gift Shop (Chef Lewis Rossman will sign it when you come in)..
83 Proof (SF): Half price for the 2 cocktails featured in the book from 8pm til Close - The Cactus Flower, and the Burnt Fig Sazerac (see video on NBC)
Piacere Restaurant (San Carlos): Half price for the cocktails featured in the book - The Cucumber Spring Fizz. Book Launch party with cocktails also on May 4th at Piacere.
California Cafe (Los Gatos): A 3-course "Bay Area Sexy Dishes" dinner for $21
The Beach Chalet and Park Chalet (SF): Half price Beignets at the Beach Chalet and Half Price Cupcakes in the Park Chalet (both recipes are in the book SEXY DISHES). Bring in your copy of Sexy dishes (or buy one) and get a free order.
The Market Street Grill (SF): Half Off the Branzini fish dish featured in the book for customers that bring in a copy of the book or buys one from the restaurant (Chef Adam will also sign it if he is in when you come)
Shanghai 1930 (SF): $29.95, Prix Fixe

Appetizers: Nanking Spring Rolls
Soup: Neptune Hot & Sour Soup
Main Course (Please choose one item):
- Szechwan Chili Prawns with Sautéed Leeks
- Chicken “Lily” with Black Bean Sauce
- Crispy Chewy Szechwan Beef
- Fish Pillows with black and silver tree ears

The above entrees include the following
Pea Shoots sautéed in Rice wine
Vegetable Stirred Rice

Dessert: Crème Brule

Shoggi Chocolate (SF): SEXY DISHES Chocolate Package has a value of $ 13.25 and is offered to anyone with a copy of Sexy Dishes for only $ 6.50 (1/2 price)

SEXY DISHES Chocolate Package: A Combination of our drinking chocolate (regular size, value $ 3.75), four of our best selling pieces of chocolate and pastries (around $ 7), as well as one of our popular macaroons (value $ 2.50). The customer can choose his favorite pieces from a selection of over 80 different chocolates and pastries, as well as 7 different flavors of macaroons, or just follow our recommendation. This is a great way to get a taste of SCHOGGI.

More Sexy Dishes Customers Specials to come soon!

Featured chefs, mixologists and chocolatiers in the new Bay Area Edition of SEXY DISHES include Sky Wegman (83 Proof), Adam Jones (Market Street Grill), Jamie Lauren (Absinthe), Lewis Rossman (Sam's Chowder House), Steve Adler (Sacred Chocolate), Jill Ann Cosentino (Dolce Vita Catering), Alex Molitz (Supperclub), Lara Graham Truppelli (Beach Chalet), Amy Heater (Park Chalet), Taylor Boudreaux (California Cafe), Stephanie Marcon (Coco-luxe Confections), Iris Eisenlohr (Piacere Restaurant), Justine Miner (RNM Restaurant), Cynthia Wong-Chen (Shanghai 1930), Mindy Fong (Jade Chocolates), Tony Diiorio (Poggio Trattoria), Devon Boisen (Spenger's Fresh Fish Grotto), Dominik Schieweck (Schoggi Chocolate), Ben Paula (Sauce Restaurant), David Lawrence (1300 on Fillmore), Rachel Bassignani (Spruce), Alex Marsh (Levende East), David Borges (Cafe Claude), Dominique Crenn (Luce), and Eric Joppie (Mayacama).

TasteTV Events include:

TasteTV DARK DINING on the TRAVEL CHANNEL

2009-04-29T12:32:00.000-07:00

TasteTV's DARK DINING events will be featured on the Travel Channel's new program, Extreme Restaurants , which debuts on Wednesday April 29th

TasteTV Events include:

Sexy Dishes Week in the Bay Area, May 4-8th

2009-04-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sexy Dishes Week will take place in the San Francisco Bay Area, May 4-8th, with drink and food specials at participating restaurants.

More information coming soon.

To view the book, go to Amazon.com

TasteTV Events include:

Gawker asks why both Gourmet and Bon Appetit coexist

2009-03-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Gawker asks why these two major food magazines are still currently in existence...

at the same time!

"Bon Appetit and Gourmet are both Conde Nast-owned food magazines with similar reader demographics and ad rates. They're both equally popular among Gawker readers. They're both troubled. Why does Conde need both?"

Then they go on to point demographics, money made per ad, and other things that normally lead to a joint venture or buy out. But since no one has any money these days for that type of thing, it's just a nice interesting article.

TasteTV Events include:

Rachel Ray gets Feisty (uhh ...Feistier)

2009-03-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

In People Magazine, Rachel Ray defends some of her recession proof recipes and apparently some photos that some people felt were kind of ... tantalizing.

RRrrr says her whole thing is really perfect for people living in a recession:

Per People Mag:

"The magazine, the daytime show, we've always tried to write affordable, accessible [recipes]," Ray, 40, tells ABC's Nightline for a profile to air Monday. "Those are key words for us, and I do mean us, a huge staff of people at the magazine who love to cook affordable, friendly food that helps families eat better for less. So I think this is really a time for all of our team to shine ... You know, food is such – it's a hug for people."

Ahh, to be worth $18 million....

TasteTV Events include:

Sexy Dishes is Published!

2009-03-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hooray! Our book SEXY DISHES: A Guide to Who's Hot in the Kitchen (San Francisco Bay Area Edition) is on its way to bookstores, Amazon.com, and more.

The final list of chefs, chocolatiers and wine experts featured in SEXY DISHES is listed below. (Yes, that is TOP CHEF Jamie Lauren on the cover)

You can see a new sample PDF of the first 21 pages of the FINAL Edition by going here.

FINAL LIST (name, profession, and page number)

Sky Wegman
Mixologist / Bartender 16

Adam Jones
Chef 22

Jamie Lauren
Chef 28

Lewis Rossman
Chef 36

Steve Adler
Chocolatier 42

Jill Ann Cosentino
Caterer 46

Alex Molitz
Chef 50

Lara Graham Truppelli
Restaurateur 54

Amy Heater
Pastry Chef 60

Taylor Boudreaux
Chef 68

Stephanie Marcon
Chocolatier 74

Iris Eisenlohr
Wine Director 78

Justine Miner
Chef / Restaurateur 84

Cynthia Wong-Chen
Chef / Restaurateur 88

Mindy Fong
Chocolatier 94

Tony Diiorio
Mixologist / Bartender 98

Devon Boisen
Chef 102

Dominik Schieweck
Chocolatier 106

Ben Paula
Chef 112

David Lawrence
Chef / Restaurateur 116

Rachel Bassignani
Sommelier 122

Alex Marsh
Chef 126

David Borges
Mixologist / Bartender 130

Dominique Crenn
Chef 134

Eric Joppie
Chef 140

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

Tifa Chocolate, PlayFirst and Brix Chocolate at SF Chocolate Salon

2009-03-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Tifa Chocolate, Serendipity! Brownie Truffles, and PlayFirst's Chocolatier Games (Decadence by Design) have joined the Chocolate Salon event on March 21st.

Brix Chocolate just joined the SF Chocolate Salon. You might have seen them at Cost Plus, with their chocolate for wine lovers package.

If we're lucky, and maybe bribe them with Brix Chocolate, PlayFirst might show us some keyboard secrets on how to win their Chocolatier video game.

TasteTV Events include:

Vegan all Day, Carnivore all Night

2009-03-05T06:03:00.000-08:00

The New York Times reports that someone has come up with the half-in, half-out plan for better eating and health:

Many people struggle to improve their eating habits. The Times food writer Mark Bittman, appearing this week on WNYC radio, told listeners about an unusual strategy that has worked for him.

All day long, he eats a vegan diet. But after about 6 p.m., anything goes.

This is from his newest book, “Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating With More Than 75 Recipes:" Considering that we at TasteTV eat dark chocolate all day, then other food all night, this means we're 100% committed to the Bittman diet plan.

We're sooo cutting edge.

TasteTV Events include:

San Francisco Chocolate Salon - William Dean and Sweet Beauty

2009-03-04T08:08:00.000-08:00

William Dean Chocolates and Dove Chocolate Discoveries just joined the San Francisco Chocolate Salon event. Plus, D' Sweets and Sweet Beauty Organic Chocolate Spa, and the Bread Project have joined the Chocolate Salon event.

Also, yelp is a sponsor!

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

Celebrity Chefs sometimes have Potty Mouths?

2009-03-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

WannabeTVChef has a funny response to the big deal about Mario Batali's swearing at a $1000/plate dinner.

His take:

NEWSFLASH: People in the food service industry cuss . . . a lot.

Hmmm, not surprising if you've ever spent time in their kitchens for 12 hours. If WannaBeTVChef wants to be a TV Chef, he needs to brush up on the colorful language.

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

San Francisco CHOCOLATE SALON _ New Additions

2009-03-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

Additional places that have joined the San Francisco CHOCOLATE SALON include Poco Dolce, Coco Delice Fine Chocolates, The San Francisco Chocolate Factory, Schoggi, Rushburn Toffee Company, Choclatique, TCHO, The Xocolate Bar, Sterling Confections, Happy Chocolates, Jeanne's Fudge, Dolce Bella Chocolates, VIE Winery, and the Rigolo Cafe.

TasteTV Events include:

ChocolateSalon.tv

The New Media Tastemakers Summit

DOMAINE De TASTE - CHOCOLATE SEIZURE has Arrived!

2009-02-20T11:25:00.000-08:00

The DOMAINE De TASTE 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, CHOCOLATE SEIZURE wine vintage (www.ChocolateSeizure.com) has been released!

The design team for this one of a kind boutique wine consisted of TasteTV, Crushpad winemakers, a panel of top artisan chocolatiers and food & wine journalists, and you - the chocolate lovers -- who at a public tasting event jointly decided on the flavor components to be blended into the first chocolatiers cult wine:

"Domaine de Taste Amerique:
Chocolate Seizure 2007"

Chocolatiers involved include artisans such as:
- Coco Delice
- Jade Chocolates
- Cosmic Chocolate
- Schoggi,
- TCHO
- The TeaRoom Chocolates
- Saratoga Chocolates
- NEWTREE America - Gourmet Belgian Chocolate
- Amano Artisan Chocolate
- Decadent Tastes

The production was limited and the vintage is no longer available (sorry). But perhaps next time!

TasteTV Events include:

Open Call for Videos - SF Chocolate Salon Film Festival

2009-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Videos, Documentaries, etc. for the SF Chocolate Salon Film Festival. The 3rd Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON is on March 21st, 200 (www.SFChocolateSalon.com). During this month, the SF Chocolate Salon Film Festival will be airing on TasteTV on Demand in Northern California, featuring selected videos on the topic.

To submit a video for consideration, go to the Tastemakers Social Club website (http://tastemakers.tastetv.com) and upload a video. After uploading, send a message to the TasteTV profile (do not email TasteTV directly) to review your video. Selected programs will be notified on February 5th.

Selected videos need to be sent to TasteTV on DVD for broadcast. Winners will also receive two tickets to the Chocolate Salon.

TasteTV airs on over 100 television stations nationwide, as well as on KFTY-TV50 (Ch. 199, 4:30pm Sundays) in the San Francisco Bay Area viewing area, as well as on Comcast On Demand in Northern California (inc. SF, SJ, Oak, Marin, etc., Comcast Ch 1 > Get Local > TasteTV), reaching millions of households & viewers.

TasteTV Events include:

SF International Chocolate Salon Returns on March 21st

2008-12-28T11:32:00.000-08:00

San Francisco International Chocolate Salon Returns on March 21st

Chocolate lovers, get ready!

San Francisco. March 21, 2009. The largest major chocolate show on the West Coast takes place this Spring at the 3rd Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON, Saturday March 21st, 2009 at the Fort Mason Center's Herbst Pavillion in San Francisco. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, buyers and journalists can experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

The Third Annual San Francisco International CHOCOLATE SALON participants include over 50 chocolatiers, confectioners, wineries and other culinary artisans, such as: Coco-luxe Confections, Sacred Chocolate, Guittard Chocolate Company, Saratoga Chocolates, Marti Chocolatt, The Tea Room chocolate, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Neo Cocoa, Socola Chocolatier, Kikas Treats, CJ's Bitz, Vermeer Dutch Chocolate Cream Liqueur, Quady Winery, Sol Rouge Winery, Akaroa Winery, Le Creuset, Swissmar, Putumayo World Music, Chocolate Television and TasteTV, and many more.

New 2009 Chocolate Salon additions include an actual Chocolate Wedding, and a Chocolate Art Gallery. Other Salon highlights feature chocolate tasting, demonstrations, chef & author talks, wine pairings, a live chocolate body frosting demonstration, ongoing interviews by TasteTV's Chocolate Television program, and book signings of the Intenational Chocolate Salon publication, "The Chocolate Guide (Western Edition)." The Salon will also include a Silent Auction/Raffle charity fund-raiser for Holy Family Day Home, providing care and education for homeless children.

TasteTV also announces that the Ten Days of Bay Area-wide chocolate events culminating with the Chocolate Salon at San Francisco’s Fort Mason Center. During the week leading up to the International Chocolate Salon, Williams-Sonoma San Francisco and Draegers San Mateo and other locations will present daily chocolate recipe classes in their kitchens by chocolatiers as well as by well-known chefs and cookbook authors.

TasteTV Events include:

Rouge Tomate Restaurant and Rob Valencia Score Big in New York

2008-12-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

TasteTV's chocolate salon judge and adviser, Rob Valencia, and his gig at Rouge Tomate in New York have just gotten a fantastic writeup in the New York Daily News.

According to the Daily News's writer Restaurant Girl, "..less is more!"

Other tasty observations:

"Rouge Tomate may be a prototype for a restaurant of the future - a new way of thinking, a new way of eating, a new way of dining out.
...There's also dessert, which is where you would really mourn the missing calories. Except you don't here. The chocolate and banana tasting is 272 calories - a chocolate and caramelized banana napoleon, roasted baby banana split and a teacup of rich hot cocoa"

Four out of Five stars...Kudos Rob!

TasteTV Events include:

Photos from the Mini Chocolate Salon @ Williams Sonoma (SF, Union Square),

2008-11-29T07:59:00.000-08:00

Photos from the Mini Chocolate Salon @ Williams Sonoma (SF, Union Square), featuring Saratoga Chocolates and Sacred Chocolate can be seen here.

More information at the SF Chocolate Meetup. Other TasteTV Chocolate Meetups are in Chicago, Seattle, and Los Angeles.

TasteTV Events include:

When in San Francisco, Don't Order Cabernet Sauvignon

2008-11-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

Here's some friendly advice: when visiting San Francisco, don't ask for "Cabernet Sauvignon."

For that matter, don't order a "Pinot Noir," a "Zinfandel," and absolutely do not even think of uttering the dreaded phrase "White Zinfandel."

Why? Because the labels "pretentious," "rube" and "non-wine drinker" will be stuck to your forehead and nothing else you say will be taken seriously, at least pertaining to food. Let's face it, being so close to Wine Country, even SF biker bars serve a decent vintage or two.

Here's a TasteTV tip: When in San Francisco, the "proper" way to order the above mentioned wines is the following:

A "Cab" = Cabernet Sauvignon.
A "Zin" = Zinfandel (red, mais bien sur)
A "Pinot" = Pinot Noir (if you want a Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio, then say the full name)
A "White Zinfandel" = This beast does not exist within the boundaries of the city, but you can ask for a nice "blush" wine and get something close

Voila, you are now charming, cultured, and good-looking. Plus, you now have the keys to any bartender, waiter or sommelier's ear and respect in San Francisco.

TasteTV Events include:

Tasting fair trade chocolate - is it just your opinion?

2008-11-17T07:00:00.000-08:00

Another great one from the New York Times. In this instance they do a taste test of all the fair-trade/organic type chocolates they can gather, and give them to a local chef for his thoughts. As you can guess, he hates most of them.

Reader and chocolatier comments ensue! Hilarity for all (not)

TasteTV Events include:

A Magazine Pilgrimage

2008-11-11T08:57:00.000-08:00

The New York Times has an interesting article about a magazine store in Berlin called "Do You Read Me?"

Considering the amount we spend on magazines almost rivals the amount we spend on gas, this looks like the kind of place a magazine junkie has to go when you're in Germany.

TasteTV Events include:

The Food Network Magazine is actually not too bad

2008-10-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we have to admit that we were very, very suprised by the first issue of Food Network Magazine. The cover is not really to our liking, and of course it's filled with their celebrity chefs, of course Paula Deen has some recipes in it that look good but might make your heart stop beating, of course there's some elements of Ladies Home Journal (sic) in it, but frankly.... it's actually pretty good.

They've added just enough 'news' and 'finds' and 'tips' and behind the scenes content that it actually makes interesting reading for some who probably doesn't watch too much of the Food Network any more. And that says a lot. It means that the Food Network understands they've got some new opportunities that if handled well, can really pay off in the end.

That being said, we'll wait and see if Issue #2 is as good as #1.

Rachel Ray, look out, there's a new foodie magazine in town

TasteTV Events include:

Cachaca Watch: Cabana Cachaca

2008-10-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

We've seen ads for Cabana Cachaca all over the place, in magazines, online, and in newspapers, and they definitely are eye-catching. But is this latest entry in the Cachaca Wars up to the task? We'd like to hear from you.

...and not about the tastefulness of their ad campaign, which is an ongoing subject of debate. The Huffington Post reported that one racy buildboard had been removed from in Chicago. And when we say 'removed,' we mean blacklisted and blacked out.

TasteTV Events include:

Edible Los Angeles - You CAN Tell a Book by Its Cover

2008-10-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

You can tell a book by its cover, at least with the latest issue of Edible Los Angeles. Its combination of hard, carved industrial surfaces juxtaposed against red, delicious, natural strawberries is an eye-catching work of art.

Edible Los Angeles just began publication in 2008, and we have to say that publisher David Vega is doing a fantastic job (plus, he and his wife were very cool panelists at the TasteTV 2008 LA Chocolate Salon).

TasteTV Events include:

LA Buzzing about the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON on October 5th

2008-09-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

VARIETY MAGAZINE describes the premium chocolates at the upcoming Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon as:
"Fancy, Legal Speedballs" (read more)

TasteTV is happy to say that this is not the only buzz being generated from the 2nd Annual Los Angeles Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

According to LA Splash magazine about the 2007 LA Chocolate Salon, " If you're a chocolate lover, you would have been in chocolate heaven at the First Annual Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon...this decadent and delightful event."

Fine chocolate is an affordable luxury, and to many people it's even more. In a recent interview for Britain's Glamour magazine, "Desperate Housewives "star Teri Hatcher stated that one of the great Keys to Happiness is chocolate.

TasteTV Events include:

You can contribute to these Upcoming Food books: Crowdsourcing

2008-09-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

TasteTV welcomes your contribution to our upcoming books:

1) The Obama Menu: Dinners with Barack Obama
If you've been to a fundraiser, private dinner, or other culinary event featuring Barack, tell us and we may include your experience in The Obama Menu

2) Sexy Dishes: A Guide to Who's Hot in the Kitchen
Nominate your favorite chefs, mixologists, chocolatiers, and winemakers for the upcoming cookbook/restaurant at http://tastetv.com/sexydishes.html

TasteTV Events include:

CHOCOLATE SEIZURE 2008: Making the Ultimate Chocolate Lovers Wine

2008-09-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

TasteTV, producer of Chocolate Television and the International & Luxury Chocolate Salons, has teamed with Crushpad to create the very first wine specifically designed to go pair well with chocolate: CHOCOLATE SEIZURE 2008.

The design team for this one of a kind boutique wine consists of TasteTV, Crushpad winemakers, a panel of top artisan chocolatiers and food & wine journalists, and you - the chocolate lovers -- who will jointly decide on the flavor components that should be blended into the first chocolatiers cult wine:

"Domaine de Taste Amerique: Chocolate Seizure 2008."

Chocolatiers include artisans such as:
- Coco Delice
- Jade Chocolates
- Cosmic Chocolate
- Schoggi,
- TCHO
- The TeaRoom Chocolates
- Saratoga Chocolates
- NEWTREE America - Gourmet Belgian Chocolate
- Amano Artisan Chocolate

The $40 cover price will include panel participation, chocolate & wine tasting, and a future reserved bottle when it's ready of this Limited Edition boutique cult red wine: Chocolate Seizure 2008.

Tickets can be purchased at www.ChocolateSeizure.com

TasteTV Events include:

Chocolate Awards Panelists Announced for Chicago Salon

2008-08-13T19:11:00.000-07:00

Panelists for the upcoming 1st Annual Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon on September 7th have been announced and feature regional food, wine and event experts.

Chocolate Award Panelists include Anthony Todd (Chicagoist.com), Erielle Bakkum (Fancy Toast blog), Mandy Burrell Booth (Gapers Block's Drive Thru blog), Laura Stolpman (Chicagoist.com), Gemma Petrie (Pro Bono Baker blog), Robert Luce (Chicago-Scene.com), Kara Walsh (Metromix.com), Bernard Pacyniak (Candy Industry Magazine), Laura Hansen (Best of the Best Dining in Chicago), Krystal Moench (The Daily Journal), and Gloria Henllan-Jones (Chicago-splash.com).

TasteTV Events include:

Chicago Chocolate Salon - September 7th

2008-07-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

The new location for the upcoming 1st Annual Chicago Luxury Chocolate Salon on September 7th is the Grainger Ballroom, at the Chicago Symphony Center The space is located directly across the street from the well-known Art Institute of Chicago, on MIchigan Avenue in downtown Chicago.

Ticket sales have begun for the following Chocolate Salons in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Seattle Chocolate Salon awards can be seen here.

TasteTV Events include:

McDonald's Cracks an Egg for Advertising

2008-07-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

Fast food giant McDonald's and ad firm Leo Burnett have cracked a giant egg for an outdoor billboard that is designed to get your attention...and make you very hungry.

Reports the Chicago Sun Times:

This ain't no ordinary egg. It happens to be 21 feet tall. It's also been ingeniously designed to crack open to promote McDonald's fresh eggs for breakfast. The billboard includes a timer that starts the cracking-open process around 6 a.m. each day. The egg closes up by around 10:30 a.m. The egg-travangza in Wrigleyville also will do its thing for each Chicago Cubs home game through at least mid-August.

McDonald's also has a giant coffee mug in New York's Times Square. Apparently coffee and eggs are still big breakfast items somewhere...

TasteTV Events include:

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON wil be a Staycation for Northwest Foodies

2008-06-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

Chocolate lovers in the Northwest can enjoy a delicious "staycation" in Seattle on July 13th!

The first major chocolate show in the Northwest this millennium takes place at the SEATTLE LUXURY CHOCOLATE SALON on Sunday, July 13th, 2008. Chocolate aficionados, fanatics, lovers and addicts can taste & experience the finest in artisan, gourmet & premium chocolate in one of the world's great culinary metropolitan areas.

Featured chocolatiers and confectioners include Amano Artisan Chocolate, Kekau Chocolatier, Cocoa Chai Chocolates, Petit Noirs, Guittard Chocolate, Poco Dolce, Theo Chocolate, Blissful Brownies, Island Angel Chocolates, Alma Chocolate, Lula's Chocolates, Intrigue Chocolates Co., Andy's Handmade Chocolates, Fiori Chocolatiers, Dilettante Chocolates, Posh Chocolat, GrendelSweets Handcrafted Chocolates, Oh! Chocolate, Decadent Tastes, Cadeaux Chocolates, Emily's Chocolates, Cosmic Chocolate, Sweet Beauty Organic Chocolate Spa, Sol Rouge Wines and more.

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE SALON is Sunday, July 13th, 2008, at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $17.50 in Advance (recommended). For Advance Ticket purchases, Salon information, updated chocolatiers and other exhibitors, or for the Menu of events, go to http://www.SeattleChocolateSalon.com.

TasteTV Events include:

Cookbooks keep coming...but why?

2008-06-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

The New York Times has an interesting article about the some of their cookbook picks for Summer 2008. They also say that frankly cookbooks are mostly failures. And yet, publishers churn them out and people buy them --- or at least, some of them. The truth is that most cookbooks are also commercial failures as well. Chefs see their names on the cover, do a few book signings, maybe a brief self-funded tour, and then it goes into to the remainders racks.

Says Sam Sifton of the Times:

It is an immutable truth of the food world, right up there with watched pots never boiling: most cookbooks are failures. You can cook with joy and distraction or follow the instructions to the letter, like a terrified parent responding to a detailed kidnapper’s note. Too often the result is mediocrity, food that just sits there on the plate, undercooked, overcooked, not rich enough, broken or, worse, boring.

This is a depressing state of affairs, but hardly surprising. There are a lot of cookbooks in our hungry world, and they keep on coming, every season, thick and glossy and unwise, to taunt the home cook and restaurant enthusiast alike. And we buy them. Cookbooks were a $530 million business in the United States in 2007, according to Michael Norris, a senior analyst for Simba Information, a market research firm. Nearly 14 million books about cooking and entertaining were purchased in the United States in 2007, according to Nielsen BookScan. The trend has been basically upward since at least 2002. On the basis of this summer’s offerings, it shows no signs of abating.

Yet there are still some good cookbooks out there, amid the fallen soufflés and curdled sauces. Even in the bad ones, there are some decent recipes, excellent observations, some help for the yearning cook. And in between, there are subtle lessons to be learned about what to look for when you’re at the bookstore pawing through some celebrity chef’s latest tome.

By the way, his list includes THE RIVER COTTAGE COOKBOOK, THE RIVER COTTAGE COOKBOOK, and IZAKAYA: The Japanese Pub Cookbook. Unfortunately, since it's not a new book, the cookbook/travel guide/cultural essay CHOCOLATE FRENCH was not included (this time!).

TasteTV Events include:

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE Salon Lineup

2008-06-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

The Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE Salon

The lineup for the 1st Annual Seattle Luxury CHOCOLATE Salon on July 13th includes chocolatiers and confectioners such as Amano Artisan Chocolate, Kekau Chocolatier, Cocoa Chai Chocolates, Petit Noirs, Seattle Chocolate Company, Guittard Chocolate, Poco Dolce, Theo Chocolate, Blissful Brownies, Island Angel Chocolates, Alma Chocolate, Lula's Chocolates, Intrigue Chocolates Co., Andy's Handmade Chocolates, Fiori Chocolatiers, Dilettante Chocolates, Sweet Beauty and more.

Delicious!

TasteTV Events include:

This Contest is Really Cheesey -- No, really, it is

2008-05-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

It's kind of difficult to out-hype the following press release, so here it is in all of its glory:

Four Years and Still Cooking! The Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest is Back

Think you have what it takes to become the next "Big Cheese"? Tillamook Cheese today announced the acceptance of recipe submissions for the fourth annual Tillamook Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Contest. The contest dedicated to an all-time favorite comfort food continues to evolve, and returns this year with a twist, giving amateur food lovers a chance to win $5,000 in the national cook-off and $2,500 in the "People's Choice" online voting campaign.

This year foodies from across the country will have the opportunity to submit their homemade macaroni and cheese recipes on the contest's new Web site, www.MacaroniAndCheeseAndCheese.com/contest. Finalists will compete for the 2008 title, $5,000 cash and 25 pounds of Tillamook cheese. Not to worry, the first runner up will receive $2,000 cash and 20 pounds of Tillamook cheese and the second runner up will receive $1,000 cash and 15 pounds of Tillamook cheese.

That's a lot of cheese. We will say, however, that we came across a site by the Cheese-Chick.com that has very cool Tillamook cheese interview video.

TasteTV Events include:

TasteTV and Tasteable Blogger Pick: UrbanDiner.ca

2008-05-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Canada has some great food and lifestyle bloggers, eh?

Here's one from a list we're putting together:
UrbanDiner.ca
http://urbandiner.ca/

by Andrew Morrison.

It seems like Mr. Morrison covers a lot of ground, with restaurant reviews, links to events, job posts, some video blogs, resto-gossip, and lots of eye-candy photos on the home page.

It makes want to you start planning a trip to BC (British Columbia for those of you who don't know the names of parts of the country north of the US).

TasteTV Events include:

How Many Brothers Chocolates are there?

2008-05-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of buzz about Mast Brothers Chocolate and the Brooklyn Brothers ad agency's new chocolate. It's a bit confusing, but it appears some if it comes from the fact that one's an ad agency that's decided to go into the product business as well.

Mast Brothers, also with a Brooklyn connection, has the notoriety of being made from bean to bar, which is always unique.

Per Adweek about Brooklyn Bros:

NEW YORK The Brooklyn Brothers, an ad agency that is neither based in Brooklyn nor run by brothers, is getting into the chocolate business.

The New York-based independent is currently testing an organic chocolate called Fat Pig that it hopes to get into select stores soon.

"The first reason we decided to do this is because we adore chocolate," said Guy Barnett, agency founder. "A year and a half ago I saw a report that the organic candy market is worth about $200 million. Knowing that the non-organic market is worth billions and billions, we wanted to take advantage of that opportunity."

For more on Mast go to:
EatMakeRead
Brooklyn Based

Unlike many chocolatiers who use couverture — discs of pre-made chocolate that can be remelted for confections and bars — Rick Mast, 31, (on the left) and Mike Mast, 28, are one of a dozen or so American chocolate artisans who hand make chocolate from cocoa bean to bar.

TasteTV Events include:

New York's Most Powerful Weekly Food Critic - Amanda Hesser

2008-05-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

Amanda Hesser, food critic at the New York Times, has been a hot new talent for several years, and now she's got plans to truly embrace new media and become, you guessed it, a new media tastemakers. At least, that's what we're hearing from an article in New York Magazine, who initially seemed to be a bit skeptical, but eventually published a "part 2" to the following:

Amanda Hesser is putting the best face on her buyout from the New York Times, spinning the event, 1998-style, as a bold new leap into the electronic frontier, in the form of a digital-life aggregator. (A digital-life aggregator is an application that gathers all the content you produce — photos, blog posts, YouTube videos, etc. — and puts it all on one Web page.) The only problems are that (a) her background and reputation is based entirely on food and cookery, and this project is, by her own admission, unrelated to either; and that (b) there are already a number of digital-life aggregators out there, and they’re not exactly taking America by storm. We would still feel bad for Amanda Hesser even if she were going to move to a beach house on Martinique — no one likes to lose a job at the Times — but this new-media venture has a grimness to it we wouldn’t wish on Judith Miller

TasteTV Events include:

The NEW MEDIA TASTEMAKERS SUMMIT arrives on May 2nd

2008-04-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

THE NEW MEDIA TASTEMAKERS SUMMIT for May 2nd

A first-of-its-kind gathering of 300 of the most important Digital Media, Traditional Media, Online Video and Web producers, platforms and startups specifically focused on the lucrative & highly influential Lifestyle categories of: FOOD & WINE, FASHION & DESIGN, AND REGIONAL/CITY SITES

More information is at www.NewMediaTasteMakers.com

Participating speakers include:

TasteTV Events include:

Buying Mini-Vineyards

2008-04-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

The Wall Street Journal talks about what could be a great compromise between being a winemaker, a tourist, and going to Crushpad: Mini-Vineyards

Mr. Abihaggle isn't overseeing the construction of a luxury polo estate; he's the project manager of the 2,000-acre Santa María de los Andes, a development that sells parcels of small, ready-made vineyards.

While an acre of good vineyard land in California's Napa Valley can go for $50,000 to $300,000, an acre of Mendoza land runs from $4,000 to $16,000, says Juan Carlos Pina, manager of the Bodegas de Argentina, a winery trade group.

Buyers are unlikely to make money simply by growing grapes and trying to sell them to winemakers, says David English, an American real-estate scout whose Mendoza-based company, English & Associates, has placed clients in the Los Amigos, Armani and Vines of Mendoza projects. "Being a grape farmer is not a moneymaking proposition. People make money by making wine and selling it overseas," says Mr. English. "People purchase at these projects because they want a turnkey solution and don't want to make a lot of decisions. And they pay a premium for it."

TasteTV Events include:

IHT Article: Selling Vodka with a Feminine Twist

2008-04-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent article on how a country FULL of vodka, where EVERYONE drinks vodka is trying to position new types of VODKA with VODKA DRINKERS.

A marketers nightmare, perhaps?

MOSCOW: The vodka ads tiling the walls of the Moscow metro station's escalators abound with hypermasculine imagery. One poster for the Olymp brand in the central Tverskaya metro station shows a boxer with Cro-Magnon features wearing armor and chain mail, and carries the slogan: "The time for the strong has come."

Recently, a new billboard has appeared here, displaying a lavender-tinged bottle with a distinctive feminine shape, adorned in a white skirt billowing upward, à la Marilyn Monroe, to reveal the label, Damskaya.

"Between us girls," is the catchphrase for this vodka intended for women.

As the economy continues its skyward race, marketers are taking note of Russian women and the discretionary income they represent. Scores of seemingly unisex products, from cigarettes to juice, breakfast cereals and even mobile phone plans have adopted a feminine flare. A fleet of pink taxis with female drivers spares the women here the callous flirtation of male cabbies.

And now there is vodka for women.

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A Fan of the Chocolate Guide

2008-03-28T10:41:00.001-07:00

A Fan of the Chocolate Guide
Originally uploaded by TasteTV

A fan of the Chocolate Guide at the Zinc Details Chocolate Tasting and booksigning receiption on March 20th in San Francisco, featuring the TeaRoom Chocolates and Cosmic Chocolates.

Give Nigella's Bottom a Break

2008-03-26T00:44:00.000-07:00

The Defamer reports that the Food Network and others are feeling that TV Host Chef Nigella Lawson's bottom half may have gotten a tad too large for television, and her director is putting a lot of work into not showing her "better half."

"Between all the too-hairy, too-skinny, too-mental coverage womankind is getting in the media these days, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there are better places to be than in the spotlight. And now it seems even sextastic television chefs - i.e., people who are generally accepted as being able to eat FOOD, as opposed to the sunlight and roasted almonds that the other female stars are served up - aren't immune to the exacting pressure of waistlines and bum sizes.

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