I want to keep you all informed about industry get togethers and meetings that could benefit you during these challenging economic times.

If you own a restaurant, a bar, a wine bar or anything involving the hospitality industry you should consider attenting the The Santé Restaurant Symposium, April 26-29 at the Sagamore in Bolton Landing, NY. This symposium is the most comprehensive conference designed for fine-dining and upscale-casual hospitality professionals. Industry experts from all corners of the hospitality industry share their expertise over three days of 35 seminars on food, wine, spirits, management, and business-development trends.

In addition, you'll be able to network with the best in the business at guest-chef dinners,receptions, parties, and other events, as well as explore the latest in products and equipment at a comprehensive professionals-only exhibition.

Register by April 1 to receive more than 15% off! Full admission cost $995* prior to April 1, 2009; $1,195 thereafter. *For each full pass, attendees may receive an additional pass for $595.

If you have questions, e-mail events@santemagazine.com or call 1-800-493-9585. Visit www.isantemagazne.com, too, to read who will be presenting seminars and to learn more about the symposium.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

James Beard Awards

If you love to cook you may want to thank James Beard. If you just asked yourself "Who is James Beard?", then you can't call yourself any type of cook. It's simply impossible to sum up Beard's life in a few sentences, but this is what I can say ... When James Beard died at 82 on January 21, 1985, he left a legacy of culinary excellence and integrity to generations of home cooks and professional chefs. He was hailed as "The Father of American Gastronomy" and his name remains synonymous with American food. Go your local book store, library or search the internet to learn more about Beard. It'll make you appreciate cooking and everything about food.

The reason I mention Beard is because The James Beard Foundation Awards are right around the corner: Monday, May 4. These awards shine a spotlight on the best and brightest talent in the food and beverage industry. Here's how the foundations explains what the awards represent.

"Covering all aspects of the industry—from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects and more—the James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in America. The awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Nominees and winners are fêted at a weekend of gala events in New York City that has become the social and gastronomic highlight of the year.

Nowhere has the power and influence of women in the food industry been more recognized than at the James Beard Foundation, where more than 350 medallions have been awarded to women during the 19-year history of the Awards. There are more talented and successful women than ever before in all aspects of the food and hospitality world, from chefs to farmers, pastry chefs to bread bakers, winemakers to cheese makers, and more. At this year’s Awards, the James Beard Foundation will be celebrating these women who serve as role models for future generations and who help make our world more delicious every day. At the Media Awards Dinner and Gala Reception celebrations, women from various areas of the culinary industry and from across the country will be represented.

For more information, to join as a member, to learn more about James Beard, or to sign up to receive Beard Bites, our free electronic newsletter, visit www.jamesbeard.org.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

K of C Fish Fry: All You Can Eat

If you're on a budget, hungry and want to feed your family, head over to St. Petronille Parish in Glen Ellyn (IL) for the Knights of Columbus' Friday night fish fry. It's $8 per adult, children uner 12 are FREE, and $25 for a family ... all you can eat. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and food is served at least until 7:30 p.m (entry door 2 in the Parish Life Center). There are two more fish fries scheduled ... March 20 and March 27.

Both fried and broiled Pollack is available, along with baked potatoes, french fries, mac and cheese, homemade tartar sauce, cole slaw and dessert. There's also a cash bar (beer, wine, spirits).

You can't beat the price and the food is pretty darn good.

Get there early because lines do form ... it's that good! Upwards of 400 people have eaten throughout the night.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Wine and Dinner Event in Hinsdale: March 17

I always like to make known great dinner and wine events. So here’s one not to miss. Zak's Place & Hinsdale Wine Shop will host an extravagant dinner March 17. Your taste buds will travel to Napa Valley and enjoy a pairing of Hill Family Estate's wine and Zak's signature cuisine.

The Menu
1st Course
Pico de Gallo Cured Salmon
2007 Sauvignon Blanc

2nd Course
Watercrest with Blue Cheese Stuffed Pears & Pear Vinaigrette
2006 Chardonnay "Carly's Cuvee"

3rd Course
Capon Stuffed with Proscuitto, Wild Mushrooms & Spinach
2005 "The Barrel Blend" (Merlot/Cab/Syrah)

4th Course
Filet Mignon with Black Truffle and Foie Gras Sauce, Green Beans & Truffle Croquettes
2004 Origin Bordeaux blend(cab/merlot/malbec)

5th Course
Creamy Chocolate & Blue Berry Terrine
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Where & When: Zak's Place, 112 S. Washington Street, Hinsdale, IL - Tuesday, March 17, 7:00pm. Call 630.323.9257 to make your reservation. You can also call Hinsdale Cellars at 630.654.9862.

$95 will cover food, wine & gratuity.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Signature Wines of Southern Tasting: March 13

I love to keep all of you aware of wine tasting. So, plan on going to the The Cellar Door in Downers Grove this coming Friday, March 13. The Cellar Door and John Harford of Signature Wines of Southern will be hosting a wine tasting from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m. You'll be able to try five wines and at just $5 for the whole tasting This week's theme is wines from the Southern Hemisphere.

Here's what I've heard John Harford has personally selected to taste:

Chasing Venus Sauvignon Blanc
Marborough, New Zealand

Rust en Vrede Merlot
Stellenbosch, South Africa

Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon
Chile

Enrique Foster "Ique" Malbec
Mendoza, Argentina

Taltarni Shiraz
Pyrenees (Victoria), Australia

The Cellar Door is located at 5150 Main St., Downers Grove, IL 60515. For more information, call 630.241.2030.

Happy Eating, or Tasting this time! Mr. Foodie

Taste the Origin of Chocolate

I discovered a delicous chocolate treat: Chocolate Seeds. For centuries chocolate confectioners have teased fine flavors from the seeds of the cacao tree. Nahualli Trading Co. goes a step further and combines the flavor of dark chocolate with roasted seeds of the cacao tree to create Chocolate Seeds.

Nahualli Trading Co. sources Criollo cacao seeds from fair trade and organic Ecuadorian farmers. A three-step process takes places to produce a decadent and rich taste. First, whole beans are carefully shelled. Next, the shelled beans are expertly roasted to develop a full, intense flavor. Finally, the roasted beans are perfectly seasoned with dark chocolate.

Two varieties of Chocolate Seeds are available:

• Chocolate Seeds enrobed in smooth dark chocolate. The combination is a fruity body with deep chocolate notes and no bitter finish (4 oz./$7.95; 7 oz./$15.95).
• Organic Chocolate Seeds covered with smooth dark organic chocolate. This version has a sweet punch with a pineapple finish (4 oz./$9.95; 7 oz./$17.95).

Chocolate Seeds can be purchased directly from Nahualli Trading Co. or at select retailers coast to coast. Visit www.nahuallitrading.com for more information.

You’ll find in this media kit a sample of the 100% Organic Chocolate Seeds and the Regular Chocolate Seeds; a flash drive that includes this press release, high-resolution images, and nutrition facts; and tea to enhance your Chocolate Seeds experience – or sample the seeds with your favorite red wine or port.

About Nahualli Trading Co..
The Nahualli Trading Co., founded by Paul Mosca, is a chocolate company dedicated to Theobroma cacao and the people who grow it and enjoy its products. The company is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., and operates out of a 900-square-foot certified organic facility. To speak directly with Paul, call 919.961.1984 or e-mail paul@nahuallitrading.com.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie

Pathetic Suburban Males' Grill Club

I discovered a new foodie/cooking blog that's sizzling: Pathetic Suburban Males' Grill Club (www.psmgc.com). It's a bunch of guys who live in and around the western suburbs of Chicago who love to cook and write about their cooking success stories, as well as their trials and tribulations. It's a fun site that's worth visiting.

Happy Eating! Mr. Foodie