Holiday Giving and Giving Back: Future Chefs

Many of you have seen me write or heard me endlessly talk to people at events about Future Chefs. As I have said many times, that rainy evening I was introduced to this organization it was like love at first sight. I was impressed with the enthusiasm, good work and dedication to service and I was looking for an organization that I could support as my own cause. I had finally found it.



Future Chefs helps urban teens grow and develop through education and by connecting them to employment in the food service industry. There is fantastic mentorship and support from chefs and other industry professionals across the city. This year Future Chefs was named one of the top five social innovators in Boston. I am a very proud advisory board member and ambassador. I like to think that we are upholding the proverbial tradition of not just feeding a young person for a day but feeding them for a lifetime.

Funding comes to Future Chefs from some of the cities major philanthropic institutions as well as individuals interested in youth development. This need never ceases, and in 2012 Future Chefs is opening a teaching and kitchen space in the South End that will allow them to reach many more potential culinary stars out there. We will be celebrating this new space in the new year with a variety of activities and would love to see you there.

Until then, as you consider your end of year giving, I hope you’ll consider Future Chefs. No matter what the size, your contribution will help make this next step possible, and continue the success of this wonderful program. A donation of a mere $5.60 will paint a wall in our new space. Many of you have enjoyed free drinks with me at elegant events all over the city. If you could give back what just one of those would have cost you it would make a big difference to us.

To make a donation, no matter the size, you can click here: Donate.

Maybe you are looking for a nice holiday gift idea? Samantha Cooper is a 12 year old who, with the help of her parents and local food author Julia Shanks, published a cookbook for her Bah Mitzvah service project. She chose Future Chefs as the beneficiary of all sales proceeds! Each book you purchase will provide a donation to Future Chefs and a nice gift for a family member or friend.



You can purchase the gift online by clicking here: Purchase.

Maybe you want to get out and do some shopping with a fun, foodie crowd? You can come to Boston Foodie Social - Celebrating Future Chefs, where you can shop for holiday gifts, enjoy food and drinks, meet authors, other foodies, Future Chefs and have your copy of the book personally signed. The event invite can be found by clicking here: Attend.

Lastly, I, personally, have a seat for one lucky person to attend a Harvard University lecture with me given by Ferran Adria, world-renown Spanish Chef, founder of El Bulli in Spain and the man considered to be the father of molecular gastronomy. This a rare engagement that is completely sold out but you could attend. If you're willing to make a donation to Future Chefs, email me your "bid" to william.mcadoo@gmail.com with the subject: An Evening With Ferran Adria. The lecture is at 6:00 PM this Sunday, December 4th, at Harvard. I will announce the winner at 5:00 PM on Saturday December 3rd but I'll be updating the highest bidder on our Twitter feed @TheBostonFoodie if you want to keep track. As always, @FutureChefs is always good for a follow, too. Good luck!

However you are choosing to give back this holiday season, and we all should be, I hope that you can share some of that giving with Future Chefs.

In The Kitchen With Campbell's

Campbell's Soup recently came to town and invited a group of local food writers and bloggers to join them in the kitchen for lunch. They were on tour to introduce some new soup flavors and since one of them is based on a New England recipe they wanted to come here. As is often the case with food events held during the day, I was the only guy in the group which was just fine by me. Given even the most recent concerns about BPA in canned foods I can honestly say that I don't think I know anyone who does not have at least can of soup in the cupboards. It's an absolute American staple.


Our recipe for the dessert. I should mention that this event took place at Action Kitchen, a really cool, state-of-the-art commercial kitchen for hire at The Seaport Hotel. It's a great, new spot for special events and food demos available for rent. You could even produce your own cooking show here! In fact, TV Diner is now taping segments here.


Our menu for the day.


We munched on appetizers as we all met and discussed how we'd be spending the morning. We'd first see a demo where the salad would be prepared. Then, we'd slpit into two teams and get to work cooking. One team (mine) would make the dessert, another the main dish. Then we'd sit down and have lunch and a selection of wines.


Some of the new Select Harvest recipes, which are based on regional fare.


Chef Maria Gamble gave a quick demo and fielded questions on the meal and Campbell's Soup products. These ladies did not go easy, directly asking about sodium concerns and other issues. Pretty much every soup line today has a variety of low sodium options. The truth is that people often say they find them bland.


I grabbed the cooking pans and buttered them which brought back memories of my old days working in the bakery.


I cored the hell out of a few dozen apples which we'd stuff with the cranberry mixture and bake.


The other team hard at work preparing the main dish.


Posing for photos with Maria Gamble, Senior Chef at Campbell's.


I am not really the chatty type at lunch so as the ladies talked and gossiped I texted buds about my latest microbrew finds.


Our Green Bean and Mushroom Salad starter.


Campbell's new Select Harvest Light New England-Style Braised Beef Pot Roast Soup. I can honestly say that this was actually pretty good.


Chervil Roasted Cod Loin, Corn and Pistachio Fritters with Citrus Coulis, as prepared by the other team.


The Baked Apples with Dried Cranberries, Cinnamon and Orange Zest that my team prepared.

The Food Blogger's Way

My desk is so filled with business cards I never have time to sort.

This week is always one of the slowest for a food writer who likes to be out there. I have one great dinner to attend tonight and, after that, it's all family and cooking. The absolute worst way to cook a turkey, by the way, is to roast it in an oven but we all have traditions to attend to.


Elegant dinners result in photo editing sessions which can take hours and hours to resolve.

Over the past few weeks I have been drawn into exploring food in so many new ways. Amazing tastes lead to photographs and conversations and meeting all kinds of people discussing how they have discovered food. Tonight I heard a theory that human evolution turned when we began to cook.

It may be 10% glamor and 80% work but it is that little bit left that I always want to find out. It's a food blogger's way.

Governor's Prayer Breakfast II

The Imperial Ballroom at the Park Plaza was all set for The Governor's Prayer Breakfast last week. I wanted to add in these few more pics because it was such an amazing event.


Future Chefs Founder Toni Elka and State Treasurer Steven Grossman, who delivered an incredible speech explaining the importance of the Occupy Movement.


Marie St. Fleur, Advocacy Chief for the City Of Boston, and Future Chefs Founder Toni Elka.

Governor's Prayer Breakfast 2011

Even if the Governor could not make it I was proud to be there to celebrate Future Chefs and hear the speech delivered by Founder Toni Elka. I consider myself very lucky to be an Advisor to this great organization and to be living in a time when the old ways of doing things are crumbling and the ideas of fairness and service to others is growing.

I Love Design

When Max invites you to a fashion triumph, one must go. I immediately contacted Ben, THE upcoming Boston fashion blogger at Trendarazzi and a few days later we stormed off to the W for an evening with Bibhu Mohapatra.

I totally loved the drape of the fabric over the legs and the fit above the waist. I know nothing about fashion but I know beautiful design when I see it. Fashion photography really is like food photography. When a steady flow off plates are paraded in front of you by a Chef and all the writers and bloggers are lined up with their cameras, like food paparazzi. The lighting is key. The color is important. And, of course, the design is always an important element of the plate.

Free Is Fun!

Welcome to Free Stuff Fridays, where we will bring you at least a few events that you can attend for free, have fun at and maybe even learn something from. Most of these are family friendly and you just can't beat the price!

FREE
Want to tell your water cooler gang on Monday that you spent the weekend hanging out with Shaquille O'Neal? Well, you can. He'll be saying a few words and signing copies of his autobiography: SHAQ UNCUT on Saturday at Harvard Book Store.
Where: 1256 Mass. Ave Cambridge (Harvard Square Red Line T Stop)
When: Saturday November 19, 2011
Time: 1:00 PM

Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting
Sports celebrities and a singalong will be featured as the holiday tree at Faneuil Hall is lit just after sunset. Hot chocolate anyone?
When: Saturday November 19, 2011

Want to learn more about global warming after your leisurely brunch? We got that. The WATER IS RISING lecture at the Museum Of Science will explore cultures that face displacement and, even worse, extinction due to the effects of global warming. Intelligent question to ask: How does global warming affect our weather?
Where: Museum Of Science (Science Park Green Line T Stop)
When: Sunday November 20, 2011
Time: 3:0PM

ALMOST FREE
Take just one of those beautiful holiday cards you are mailing to friends and send it to someone who may have nearly given their life to defend your right to do and say what you want, from eating truffles to organizing social protests. Tell them just how much you appreciate them in an often thankless world.

Send your cards to:
A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001

Cost: 44 cents (and the feeling that you have given a really memorable gift this year). Go ahead and splurge and have the kids send one, too.

TWENTY BUCKS
Testosterone-fueled frat party jokes aside, the Sausage Fest is a competition of celebrated local Chefs such as William Kovell of Catalyst, Dante DeMagistris of dante, Patricia Yeo of OM and Marc Orfaly of Pigalle to use any ingredients to create the best original sausage. Taste them all and cast your vote!

Where: dante restaurant
40 Edwin H. Land Blvd., Cambridge (Science Park Green Line T Stop)
617.497.4200
When: Sunday November 20, 2011
Time: 2:00PM - 5:00 PM

Avila For Sunday Brunch

When recently faced with options for Sunday Brunch we weighed in and decided to accept an invitation for Avila, the modern Mediterranean spot near to the Theater District. It may not have been what came to mind first but ended up being a superior choice. The ceilings are high, the room bright and airy, comfortable yet upscale casual, we loved the relaxing ambiance and impeccable service.


We began with assorted rolls and cakes, an endless cup of locally roasted, freshly brewed coffee and perhaps a mimosa.


Freshly-baked pastry was part of the bread basket, served with whipped butter and a selection of jams and preserves.


Smoked Salmon, Tomato, Onion Bagel, and Chive Cream Cheese. Classic. As a huge fan of salmon, I can tell you that this smoked salmon was excellent.


Grilled Corn with Lime Aioli and Queso Fresco. Odd choice for brunch? We think not. In fact, these was our very favorite dish.


The lime and Queso Fresco added a complex layer of flavors to the sweet, juicy corn.

The third First Course choice was Seasonal Fresh Fruit with Honey Creme Fraiche. As much as we love fresh fruit the salmon and that corn just sounded too good.


Egg Pizza with Mozzarella, Smoked Niman Ranch Bacon, Scallions and Truffle Oil. The eggs were perfectly set and the crust just right. What could be better for Sunday Brunch?


The pizza was smothered in bacon and dusted with fresh scallion.


Pancakes, Amaretto Sautéed Bananas and Caramel Sauce.


As if that Caramel Sauce was not enough, we opted to add a touch of light syrup.


No heavy, greasy cakes here. The pancakes were perfectly light and fluffy.


Brunch companion diner Dean Igoe.

The third choice for Entrée was Avila's Macaroni And Cheese, which sounded very tempting. I guess we'll try that when we go back. It's definitely worth the trip.

Quailty: Excellent.
Value: Outstanding, at $14.00 per person for the two course prix fixe menu.
Service: Superior


We highly suggest arriving early for your reservation to find local street parking or taking the MBTA as it's very T accessible.

Avila
One Charles Street South
Boston, MA 02116
Telephone: 617.267.4810

On The Bookshelf

A couple of new books that are now out and worth taking a look at recently arrived at TBF Headquarters. First up, THE ITALIAN TABLE by Ron Suhanosky, a well-known chef on Nantucket and in Manhattan, he is also a James Beard Award Winner.


With gorgeous photographs this covers everyday meals, family dinners, entertaining and special holiday dishes. The Seafood Saffron Risotto with English Peas and Grated Ricotta Salata looks to be our favorite so far.


MAKE THE BREAD BUY THE BUTTER by Jennifer Reese, the former Book Editor at Entertainment Weekly.


If you've ever wondered if making it yourself is better or cheaper than this is the book for you. It covers everything from English Muffins to Turkish Delight. Jennifer says it's better to make your own Hot Dog Rolls and Dill Pickles but definitely buy the Ice Cream Cones! Maybe we should send her our Gourmet Pop Tart recipe? Oh, wait, it's already posted here on the blog! Happy searching and reading.

Where Boston

Where Traveler is turning 75! Anyone who travels is familiar with Where Traveler, the ubiquitous guide to cities all over the world. So, as most of our readers are travelers as well as food aficionados, we were not be surprised to be invited to the Where 75th Birthday Party recently at Noche in the South End. We joined lots of friends including what seemed like every concierge in the city of Boston and spent the night discussing the ever-changing hospitality industry and restaurant scene. Here are the party pictures. Congratulations Where Traveler!