Meals Without Wheels Rolls Into Rochester

Posted by Christa Glennie Seychew:

This past Saturday I was fortunate enough to attend the NOFA-NY conference held over the course of the weekend in Rochester’s Riverside Convention Center.  The conference is in its 27^th year, and its scope was pretty impressive.

 

When I arrived the conference center was buzzing, the throng of attendees were excited to be there despite the early morning hour and bitter winter wind.  Made up of farmers, academics, students, entrepreneurs and agricultural industry professionals, the crowd was a great mix of people from all over New York State who care about (or are simply interested in) organics.

 

Peanut Butter Recall – When Will It End????

 

I realize this image is a bit scary but when there is a food recall because of salmonella being found at a food processing facility and there are deaths involved – it is pretty darn scary!!!  The recall list continues to grow and seemingly only contains (albeit many) foods that have peanut butter as an ingredient (this leaves out the proverbial jars of pb, for now at least) and has even expanded to include some pet foods (again!). 

The best links that I can find that are up to date are Wegmans and the US Food and Drug Administration which provide links to various food manufacturers who have recalled products.   Like most households with children, peanut butter is a staple in ours, so please be sure to check out the recall lists and stay informed.

Could 2009 be a banner year for food recalls?  God, lets hope not.

For Those Who Still Have Obama Fever….Something Mighty Tasty!

 

It looks like our own White Cow Dairy got on the Obama bandwagon with their latest incarnation, Mocha Bama Pudding.  I admit, I haven’t tasted this one yet but if it is anything like their chocolate pudding, run (don’t walk) to the Lexington Co-op or to the Winter Market on Elmwood at the Presbyterian Church at Lafayette & Elmwood (Every Sat from 9am-1pm) or if you are out in the East Concord area go to the East Concord General Store on Rt. 240 to get yourself a little jar (or two or three or four…) of mocha-heaven.

Wine & Chocolate Along the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail

 

The Chautauqua –Lake Erie Wine Trail is hosting its seventh annual Wine & Chocolate Event on February 7th & 8th and the “chocolate options” are now in!   This year, the 21 wineries along Lake Erie from Silver Creek, NY to Northeast, PA will feature over a dozen chocolate-inspired desserts and, in a nod to healthy eating, five savory options.    Ticket holders will receive an event wine glass, a recipe booklet, and a small gift of premium local chocolates.  The Trail sells both a weekend ticket (good both Saturday and Sunday) and a Sunday Only ticket.
 
Ticket holders can now plan their winery visits during the Event according to the “chocolate options” being offered by the various wineries.    Nothing beats the freshly-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries to be served by Penn Shore Vineyards, in North East, PA.   Heritage Winery, also in North East, will be serving white and milk chocolate fondues with fresh fruit.  Cherries and chocolate feature at Johnson Estate (Chocolate Cherry Duo) and Mazza Vineyards (Cherry Almond Chocolate Clusters).   And for those who believe that chocolate means brownies, try Schloss Doepken’s Fudge Brownies with Dark Chocolate Truffle Glaze or Liberty Vineyards’ Flourless Chocolate Cake.   Lakeview Wine Cellars will be partnering with Finney Chocolate of Cambridge Springs, PA, to present Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars.  And the list is made complete by four smooth mousses:  Chocolate Mousse Cones (Noble Winery), White Chocolate Mousse Parfait (Vetter Vineyards), Espresso Mousse with Orange Mascapone Whipped Cream  (Mazza Chautauqua), and Chocolate Temptations Parfait (Willow Creek).  Servings are meant to be samples so event goers can manage many chocolate delights in a single day!  See the full list of recipes under What’s New on the Trail website, www.chautauquawinetrail.org.

Celebrate History in the Making at Sample!

President-Elect Obama

 

As far as I know, the only local Inaugural Party happening is at Sample Restaurant tomorrow beginning at 7pm.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with Sample, this Allentown restaurant has made a name (literally!) for itself as the place for amous-bouche dining.  As their name suggests, the portions are deliciously small and Chef Adam Goetz is one of the few local chefs who uses local produce as evidenced by their ever-changing menu all depending on what’s in season.

Bare the Barrels and Clear the Tanks! Chautauqua Wineries Prepare for Upcoming Vintages with a “White Sale” Jan 17-19

Wine Barrels

 

The 2008 grape harvest was abundant for the wineries of the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail and they are eager to clear out their tanks and barrels to make room for upcoming vintages and they need your help!  This weekend they are having their first-ever “white sale” where bargains will be available on both wine and merchandise at each winery. 

Mixing Food with Politics Couldn’t Be Sweeter!

Waves O'Change Inaugural Bark!

 

Did you know President-elect Barack Obama’s favorite candy is salty caramels? (and President Bush’s favorite candy is M&M’s – interpret that any way you like…)  In honor of our historic 44th US President, local chocolatier (and master marketer) Choco-logo has created Waves O’Change Inaugural Bark.  

WNY Food Show Debuts Online January 9

Nelson Starr - host of All Access Pass

 

Buffalo Music Hall of Fame alumn and famed local foodie, Nelson Starr (yes, this is the guy who was a runner-up in last year’s Travel Channel contest to bring “Anthony Bourdain-No Reservations” show to the Queen City) is launching a new online food show this Friday, showcasing local food, dining and music.  Starr’s popular video-submission for the Travel Channel contest was the inspiration to do this “spin-off” show which Starr promises will be ”…a fresh take on Buffalo food and dining both in terms of how the food is presented and the unique production style used to showcase that content.”

Pocket O’Sushi

California Roll

 

I like guides, particularly the pocket-variety.  I can carry them in my purse, refer to them as needed and even share information with friends.   Needless to say I was beyond happy when I recieved  my new  issue of edible BOSTON (yes, I am in the enviable club of edible publishers, one of the perks is getting every edible publication delivered to my door).  Well, this issue was shrink wrapped as it had a “pocket sushi guide” enclosed.  Yippee!!