The Chef Has Left the Building!

Well, after a few years using blogspot.com for my blog and podcast, I've finally gotten around to more fully integrating everything into my www.remarkablepalate.com site.

So now you can find everything "Chef Mark" in one place, from my personal chef service, to the blog and podcast. The new site even has the video player for each video right there in the post.

I'm sure you'll like it. If you have links to this blog, please update them to read

http://www.remarkablepalate.com/blog

The feed for the blog and podcast hasn't changed, though. It's at

http://feeds.feedburner.com/ReMARKablePalate

Thanks!

RPV34: Modern Dwellers Chocolates, Part 2

ReMARKable Palate Video #34: Modern Dwellers Chocolates, Part 2

Chef Mark continues his chat with Martha Brigham of Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge in Anchorage Alaska. We learn about some of the unusual (and some may say, crazy!) flavor combinations of their chocolate truffles!


Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Alaska,chocolate,Gilded Fork

RP134: 19th Annual US Pastry Competition

ReMARKable Palate #134: 19th Annual US Pastry Competition

Chef Monica Glass, the "Pastry Princess" joins me to discuss the 19th Annual US Pastry Championship, which brings together some of the top pastry chefs in the country to create sumptuous cakes, luscious bon bons, and inventive sugar and chocolate sculptures, this year with the theme "Under the Sea".

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, pastry, chocolate, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark

RPV33: Modern Dwellers Chocolates Part 1

ReMARKable Palate Video #33: Modern Dwellers Chocolates, Part 1

Chef Mark chats with Martha Brigham of Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge in Anchorage Alaska. We talk about the inspiration for the shop, and taste some of the traditional Mayan drinking chocolate. On the next show, we taste chocolate truffles!


Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Alaska,Gilded Fork

RP133: Kirsten Dixon of WinterLake Lodge

ReMARKable Palate #133: Kirsten Dixon of WinterLake Lodge

This week, I speak with Kirsten Dixon, chef and co-owner of the WinterLake Lodge in the Alaska Wilderness, where I had the pleasure of spending a week last month. Despite the remote location, Kirsten and her husband Carl provide a calming, welcoming atmosphere, and create some amazing meals for their guests, including the chunkiest, tastiest cookies I’ve had in a long time! Kirsten’s recipes can be found in 2 cookbooks, with a third on the way. We hear about her unique story and vision of hospitality on today’s show.

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Alaska, WinterLake Lodge, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark

RPV32: Alaska Teaser

ReMARKable Palate Video #32: Alaska Teaser

A short teaser of what's to come soon from Chef Mark's journey to the WinterLake Lodge, deep in the frozen wilds of Alaska, and the culinary delights he discovered there.

Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Alaska,Gilded Fork

Dinner Fictional?

If you're going to fake some stuff on your resume, at least pick something that isn't so easily verified! Lie about cooking for the Jones's down the street, not the most famous woman on the planet!

NEW YORK — After rising to culinary stardom preparing impossible meals on his Food Network series, Robert Irvine has met an obstacle his kitchen prowess couldn't overcome _ an embellished resume.

The star of "Dinner: Impossible" has acknowledged fabricating some of the more fantastic parts of his resume, including having cooked for Britain's Royal Family and various U.S. presidents.

Following the revelations, the network announced it would not renew Irvine's contract, though it would air the remaining episodes of the current season, the series' fourth.

"I was wrong to exaggerate in statements related to my experiences in the White House and the Royal Family," Irvine said in a written statement. "I am truly sorry for misleading people and misstating the facts."

The Food Network said it might revisit its decision at the end of this season, but for now would begin searching for a new host for the series, which challenged Irvine to cook under arduous conditions.

"We rely on the trust that our viewers have in the accuracy of the information we present, and Robert challenged that trust," the network said in a written release.

Irvine, who is from England, first acknowledged the fabrications in a Feb. 17 story in the St. Petersburg Times.

Get FIT this Leap Day

My good friend Amy Mac, host of the Fitness Attack Podcast, is releasing her book today! Go check it out on Amazon and buy a copy for yourelf. You'll love Amy's no-nonsense approach to fitness and feeling good!

After more than 400 Fitness Attack episodes, the first 100 are
available in print! The Fitness Attack book will be available through the Amazon link on www.WithAmyMac.com on Leap Day, 2/29! It has been almost 2 years since the launch of Amy Mac and my health and fitness podcasts.

Not only have we succeeded in providing great content (for free!) consistently for that duration but we have been featured in
numerous publications and have episodes distributed to multiple TV and mobile platforms. I am asking everyone to buy the book on 2/29 in an attempt to 'rush the charts' and turn some heads in the bookselling world. Not only are you supporting me, but you are supporting those of us who have persevered in new media and proved that great content can be user-generated.

Buy the book HERE:


food, food podcast, cooking, recipe, food, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

RPV31: Zester Tips

ReMARKable Palate Video #31: Zester Tips

Chef Mark shares a few quick tips on choosing zesters for taking the rind off lemons and limes. From bar zesters for making twists to fine microplane zesters. This is the third in a series of quick kitchen and shopping tips from ReMARKable Palate.

Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, thermometer,Gilded Fork

Good Enough to Drink (and Eat!)

FYI, I'm going to be stepping up my blogging again, and posting events I get invitations for that may be of interest to my listeners and readers. Here's one that sounds like fun, and I know the owners of Pour, it's a GREAT wine shop:

Good Enough to Drink (and Eat!)

A super-charged wine class with edible benefits!

This wine class is like no other you've ever taken before. This class will have you on your feet - literally! Class begins at 75th. and Amsterdam, at Pour. While you browse through Pour for great finds, Mollie Battenhouse, a certified sommelier and wine educator will teach you how to choose a wine from the shelf, crack the code of the shelf-talkers to tell you what you're really buying, and teach you where the good values really lie. We'll select several bottles to bring along to our wine class - with benefits - at Good Enough to Eat. Oh, and the benefits are many! Carrie Levin, chef & owner of Good Enough to Eat serves up Mcdreamy Mac n'cheese, meatloaf like momma used to make, roast organic chicken and heavenly grilled cornbread with honey. Real food with really good wine - makes for one really great wine class.

**All participants will receive a 15% discount on any wines purchased during the evening, or on their next visit to Pour.

**Dinner in NOT included in the price of the wine class. Dinner will be paid for at Good Enough To Eat, and should not be more than $40 - $45 per person

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Where: Pour - 75th & Amsterdam - 6:30pm

Good Enough to Eat - 83rd & Amsterdam - 7:30pm.

Cost: $55 for the wine class, dinner - approximately $40 - 45.

Reserve your spot! E-mail pourwineevents@gmail.com or buy your tickets at www.localwineevents.com. You may also call Pour (212)501-7687 to buy your tickets by phone.

Ah, to stay young...

I got this notice in the email:

Tiny New York Meatpacking District restaurant Jarnac will turn 8-years-old but celebrate just its 2nd birthday on the coming leap-year day of Friday, February 29.

The famous 32-seat French restaurant on the corner of West 12th and Greenwich St opened on February 29, 2000 – another leap-year day.

Owner Tony Powe has only been able to celebrate one birthday for the neighborhood restaurant.

Jarnac has managed to survive 8 years of turbulent market conditions despite being one of the smallest restaurants in Manhattan.

On the leap year day of Friday, February 29, Jarnac is offering the public entrees at a special Leap Year price of $20.08 (2008, 2nd birthday).

RP132: Unusual Alaskan Chocolates

ReMARKable Palate #132: Unusual Alaskan Chocolates

This week, I pay a visit to a unique chocolate shop and art gallery in Anchorage Alaska, the Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge. I speak with Martha Brigham and Zoe Oakley, who have created a homey atmosphere for the enjoyment of some unusual chocolates featuring quizzical local flavors of Alaska, with truffles that incorporate smoked salmon, wild blueberries, candied ginger, nori and even small dried anchovies!

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Alaska, chocolate, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Gilded Fork

RP131: Tasting Tasmania

ReMARKable Palate #131: Tasting Tasmania

This week, I learn about the foods and culture of Tasmania, that lovely heart shaped island off the southern coast of Australia. I speak with Felicia Mariana, CEO of Tourism Tasmania, about the uniqueness of this southern island, and the plight of the beloved Tasmanian Devil. I also speak with Mark Alridch of Tasmanian Rain, touted to be the purest natural drinking water on earth. Finally, I chat with Ian Parmenter, well known in Oz as the host of the runaway hit Consuming Passions, who is quite outspoken about the native products, as well as Genetically modified products, and regulations around pasteurizing cheeses.

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Tasmania, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Gilded Fork

RPV30: Thermometer Tips

ReMARKable Palate Video #30: Thermometer Tips

Chef Mark shares a few quick tips on choosing the right thermometer for your fridge, freezer and for measuring the temperature of your foods. This is the second of a series of quick kitchen and shopping tips from ReMARKable Palate.

Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, thermometer,Gilded Fork

Thermometer Tips

RP130: My Dinner with Andrea, Part 2

ReMARKable Palate #130: My Dinner with Andrea, Part 2

I speak with Andrea Tiberi of Eatalian Style about his focus on teaching Americans the authentic regional tastes of Italy. We chat about his native Umbria, great cheeses like Grana Padano, as he prepares for the guests to arrive. We'll have video of the event soon!


ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Eatalian Style, Italian food, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, Gilded Fork

Photos from the WinterLake Lodge, Alaska

I'm just home from the trip of a lifetime, 3 days spent in the middle of the Alaska wilderness at Carl and Kirsten Dixon's WinterLake Lodge, which is only accessible by skiplane in the winter, and seaplane or helicopter in the summer. They are wonderful hosts, offering great hospitality. I'll have both audio and video shows in the coming weeks from the trip, both in the kitchen and outdoors snowmachining and dog sledding.



Rust's Flying Service flew us out in one of their distinctive red planes



Scott Slone from Alaska Podshow and I on the plane on the way out to the lodge.



The view out the front window of the plane.



The highest peak in North America, Danali (It's huge even from a couple hundred miles away).



One of the family's 2 Labs, Willow, in front of the Lodge.



Inside the great room of the lodge.






Some of the great dishes we enjoyed, prepared by Kirsten and Chef Eric.




food, food podcast, cooking, Alaska, WinterLake Lodge, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

RP129: My Dinner with Andrea, Part 1

ReMARKable Palate #129: My Dinner with Andrea, Part 1

I speak with Andrea Sertoli of Select Italy about his company's customized travel planning, with it's culinary focus, and the intimate dinners he hosts to share Italian conviviality. Next week, we speak with the other Andrea, Chef Andrea Tiberi, about the menu for this special dinner gathering.


ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com




food, food podcast, Select Italy, Italian food, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark

RP128: The Cantering Caterer

ReMARKable Palate #128: The Cantering Caterer

This week, we speak with Christian O’Dowd, owner of the Cantering Caterer, based in Connecticut. Christian has been responsible for some huge events all over the tri-state area, from rooftop wedding receptions, to celebrity and corporate parties based around ethnic themes, color themes, and even themed around super fruits! So today we hear some of Christian's secrets!


ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Cantering Caterer, catering, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark

Merguez with Spicy Chickpeas

One of our most active readers and listeners, Pat Churchill, writes in to comment on last week's show featuring ANOTHER listener, Shawn Dreelin:

Enjoyed your podcast chatting to one of your listeners, Shawn. I get merguez at a local monthly farmers' market and made this dish.

You might like to forward the url to him. He really is into the
chacuterie. I've got Hannah Glasse's 1758 cookbook if he would like me to send him the sausage recipes from that. I sure hope he is blogging about his experiences. Feel free to pass on my email address to him.

-Pat

Done! And I post the photo and link here for everyone to see! Please send your links and thoughts to any show to remarkablepalate@gmail.com


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food, food podcast, cooking, recipe, merguez, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

RPV29: Cast Iron Tips

ReMARKable Palate Video #29: Cast Iron Tips

Chef Mark shares a few quick tips on choosing and seasoning a cast iron skillet. This is the first of a series of quick kitchen and shopping tips from ReMARKable Palate.

Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, cast iron, kitchen tips

RP127: Listener Shawn Dreelin

ReMARKable Palate #127: Listener Shawn Dreelin

Today we speak with Shawn Dreelin, a listener from Glen Allen, Virginia who is passionate about making his own homemade food products. he approaches his projects with precision and dedication. From cold smoking his own meats, to making sausages, and trying out many of our Gilded Fork recipes, Shawn is game to try it all!

ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, Shawn Dreelin, smoked meats, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark

Photos of Cold Smoker Setup

I spoke with listener Shawn Dreelin on ReMARKable Palate #127, and he told us how he constructed a cold smoker setup in his backyard. As promised, here are the photos of the setup.





food, food podcast, cooking, smoked meats, sausage, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

Speckfest Preview Video

Preview of the Culinary Media Network's visit to Speckfest, the largest festival celebrating Speck, Alto Adige's proud contribution to the world of ham. We learn about production of this unique smoke ... d and cured ham both from artisanal farmhouse producers and factory prodcuers, learn to taste with expert Lou Di Palo of Di Palo's Fine Foods in Little Italy, and goof around a little up in the mountains.




Culinary Media Network, www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com
food, food podcast, speck, ham, Italy, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

Adventures in Asiago Preview

Coming soon to The Culinary Media Network. Join us on our adventures as we explore the making and tasting of one of the world's most amazing cheeses, Asiago DOP. Lou Di Palo of Di Palo's fine Foods in Little Italy is our guide as we explore.




Culinary Media Network, www.culinarypodcastnetwork.com
food, food podcast, Asiago, cheese, Italy, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork

Swiss Wine Video

food, food podcast, cooking, wine, Switzerland, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Podcast Network, Gilded Fork

RPV28: Swiss Wines

ReMARKable Palate Video #28: Swiss Wines

We speak with representatives from 3 different regions in Switzerland, learning about the unique wines of this small, mountainous country. We learn about the wines of Lake Geneva from Beat Dreier of Geneva Tourism, The Matterhorn Region from Bruno Huggler, and the Vaudois from Francois Michel.

Music: "Go Fish" by Big Money Grip, from the Podsafe Music Network. music.podshow.com

The ReMARKable Palate is a production of The Culinary Media Network. www.culinarymedianetwork.com



food, food podcast, ReMARKable Palate, Culinary Media Network, Gilded Fork, Chef Mark, wine, Switzerland, Lake Geneva, Ma