HAPPY EARTH DAY!

There couldn't be a better time to start our ongoing posts about going green! We all know it ain't easy being green, but every little thing you do will help create a more sustainable world for us all to live in. Think of it as "Shades of Green." These posts will share some Eco-Smart Choices...start small and before you know it, you'll be ready to take on the "greenest" challenges.


Shades of Green #1

GREEN
Minimize your consumption of bottled water. Save your money!

GREENER
Always drink tap water at home. Get your water tested and install a filter if necessary.

GREENEST
Eliminate all bottled water. Purchase and carry a reusable bottle filled with tap water.

Get Active....sign up for Clean Water Action's email activist list at www.cleanwateraction.org and check out www.cleanwaternetwork.org for updates and opportunities for taking action to help your water supply.

If you could eat only one type of cuisine (or food) for a year, what would it be?

Linda: Italian as it has the most variety and freshness—from tomatoes and capers in Naples, pappardelle with boar and beans in Tuscany, truly aged parmesan, lardo (yes , there is such a thing) and horse—which was one of the finest meats I have ever consumed )in Parma, Squid, octopus and treviso in Venice, speck and Lagrein wine in Alto Adige----I think I need a fix----desperately-

Gina: I would pick Italian…..well, “Americanized” Italian (I don’t like rabbit that much!). Give me pasta any day, although I would probably have a year of heartburn with all the tomato sauce!

Lori: Hors d’oeuvres – A year of snacking…mmmmm

Alicia: Definitely Italian – pasta and bread, how can you go wrong??? But there’s so much more to Italian than that…antipasto, braciole, roasted peppers – too many things to name…yum!!!

Emily: ….I would have to pick Thai cuisine – yum! The stir-fry possibilities are endless, but I am definitely partial to Pad See Ew. There is something about the rice noodles, garlic, and sweet soy sauce that I can’t pass up!

Chef Shawn: Bacon—it makes everything taste better!

Chef Bill: Lean Cuisines. Love it!

Joe: American. I live on hamburgers.

Jesus: Mexican, Yo lo como todo el tiempo de todos modos!

April Fool's Night!

Just returned from the Eastern CT Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours at the Coast Guard Alumni Center. A very pretty site for events overlooking the Thames River - too bad it was raining tonight!

As one of the participating caterers, and in honor of April Fool's Day, we thought we'd bring out our "Head Table" for the night.

Brian, our featured head for the evening, welcomed guests as they realized things aren't always as they seem.....

Sweet = Savory

with a Curried Chicken Kiddie Cone with Red Pepper Sprinkles

and

Savory = Sweet

with our CATIE Award Nominated Spaghetti and Truffles -

Chocolate Truffles and Sweet Spaghetti on a Silver Fork with Raspberry Coulis Sauce.

Other caterers sharing their nibbles included: Flanders Fish Market, who had yummy bruschetta and seafood tortillas; Mike from Aspen Restaurant with Seared Tuna on a Wonton Crisp with Micro Greens and Wasabi and Peppercorn Turkey and Boursin wrapped Asparagus; and Cloud Nine with Honey Mustard Kielbasa and Pumpkin Bread with Mango Cream Cheese (delish - I had 2!) Chef Tim Grills from Catering to You was cooking up a loaded Pasta Bar to order; and Tim from Gourmet Galley was serving up Shrimp and Grits...he has to work on his southern accent a bit, but the Sweet Southern Tea made up for it with the shot of Southern Comfort!

Thank you to the Chamber and Sue Fage at the Alumni Center for letting us participate!

We were very excited to collaborate with White Dress by the Shore and Stonington Design + Paperie for a special book signing reception on March 21st.

Acclaimed author and event designer Michelle Rago's new book, Signature Weddings, was featured as the beginning of an ongoing event , "Be Engaged - a series of conversations with wedding experts," hosted by The White Dress by the Shore. The kick-off event was attended by vendors and event planners from Connecticut to New York.

To really WOW everyone, we put our creative heads together and put our thinking caps on......which are made of food, of course! We literally made hats out of fresh produce for our staff to wear. It was a bit of trial and error...which was fun. (The kale looked like a hairstyle from the 70's!) Here are the three that made the cut: Radishes; Artichokes; and Key Limes.

We also thought outside of the box for the uniforms. A list of hors d'oeuvres was printed on the front of t-shirts and a little "Eat Me" button moved up and down to show what was being served.

We can't wait to enter this event in the 2009 CATIE Awards as part of the Best use of Food as Decor Category.

Cake Tasting Week

Last week was Cake Tasting Week at the Cookery and we are just coming off the sugar rush! Our bakers prepared a sampling of wedding cakes and 74 brides & grooms and moms & dads came to taste the sweet confections. Any guesses on the most popular flavor?

The top two cakes flavors selected were Chocolate Mocha with Chocolate Ganache and Kahlua/Amaretto Marble with Chocolate Filling. Red Velvet and Butter Almond were a close 3rd and 4th.

We have some very creative brides! Most of the cakes will be original masterpieces designed by the bride & groom. The perfect way to add a personal touch to their wedding day.

Linda and A Thyme to Cook Featured on "The Food Schmooze" Today at 3:00

Tune in to Faith Middleton's NPR radio show "The Food Schmooze" on 89.1 FM or 89.9 FM today at 3 PM.

Linda is a featured guest, discussing current trends, A Thyme to Cook's recent CATIE Award, and behind-the-scenes catering stories.

If you missed the live broadcast, you can listen to it at any time at https://www.cpbn.org/program/faith-middleton-show, scroll to the bottom and click on the 3/4/09 Episode: The Food Schmooze: Fantastic flavor combinations for your next meal!

WE WON!

A Thyme to Cook won a CATIE for Most Innovative Mixology! The Shooting Stars (shown top right) are Liquor Lollipops, the winning libation. The awards ceremony was held last night in Las Vegas with a big bash at DreamVision Studios.

Everyone is headed back to CT tomorrow.....can't wait to share all the creative ideas!