These articles cover some dining journeys, wine events, world travel + adventures, and other food-related news events:
| Coronavirus hits China's Food and Beverage Industry Hard | |
| February 18, 2020 | |
 | How the Coronavirus - now called Covid-19 - is affecting the food and beverage industry in China, especially wine production. This article explores the impact on this and other business that can lead to a world-wide recession if the pandemic doesn’t get there first. Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families who have lost a loved one or a close friend due to this horrible virus and we hope that it goes away as fast as it arrived. |
| 2019 World’s Best Restaurants | |
| June 30, 2019 | |
 | The 50 best for the year are announced by San Pellegrino every year in June and are produced by the United Kingdom media company William Reed Business Media beginning in 2002. This year going beyond the top 100, they added an additional 20 for a top 120 list. NomaRestaurant in Copenhagen rejoined the list while Mirazur in Menton, France became the new #1. There are four on this 120 list that is also mentioned on the Wine Dine And Play Top 100 best restaurant experiences that include Alinea #37, The Test Kitchen #44, La Colombe #114, and Attica #84. |
| 2018 World’s Best Restaurants | |
| November 7, 2018 | |
 | The 50 best for the year are announced by San Pellegrino in the 2018 World’s Best Restaurants list, one of many published lists for the best places around the world, with three on this list mentioned on the Wine Dine And Play Top 100 best restaurant experiences that include Alinea, The Test Kitchen, and Attica. |
| Craft Beer Experience 2018 | |
| August 2018 | |
 | Sponsored by 97X Radio featured over 52 Craft Breweries introducing 200 beers including meads, ciders, and wines, which is double the number from the previous year at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida. |
| LTI Top 20 London Restaurants | |
| April 29, 2018 | |
 | This article is a top 20 list of the best eclectic restaurants in London, England from the Luxury Travel Intelligence website. LTI is a global members-only luxury travel rating organization for the discerning traveler as they have advertised and charge $700.00 per year to be a part of there organization. |
| Irish Flag Vegetable Medley | |
| March 16, 2018 | |
 | It is almost time for St. Patrick's Day once again where the Patron Saint of Ireland is celebrated for his lives work in a large feast, while others party at local Irish pubs and restaurants, and around the world there are parades and dying of rivers green. This recipe is good for any time of the year, but especially to show patriotism to Ireland. Being American with no Irish descent, it still is a "yummly" dish to try. |
| Norovirus Hits The Winter Olympics | |
| February 20, 2018 | |
 | Being in the foodservice industry, we train on the risks of foodborne illnesses on a regular basis. We talk about cause and prevention. When I heard about the outbreak of the Norovirus at Pyeongchang and watched as the numbers increased, it was a perfect opportunity to train our group that what we talk about really happens and you have to be careful. This article goes into detail about the Norovirus and how it has hit these games with a vengeance. |
| Dining on Anna Maria Island | |
| February 17, 2018 | |
 | My wife and I recently visited Anna Maria Island on a little vacation where we enjoyed the beaches and restaurant hops. Here are a guide and our dining adventures to this little Florida Island. |
| Pretty in Pink - Carbon Monoxide In Meat | |
| July 20, 2017 | |
 | In the United States when you run to the grocery to buy meat to cook on the grill for your outdoor bbq and cookout, it's nothing new to see bright red meat on display. You were taught that this was the best meat to buy, and the brown stuff was old. Boy have you been scammed! |
| What are the Codes on Fruit? | |
| July 18, 2017 | |
 | Going to the grocery store to buy some fruit and vegetables is my favorite part of food shopping. When you're in the FFV section (Fresh Fruits and Vegetables), have you ever noticed the little stickers on the foods? |
| Z Grille Closes )-: | |
| July 4, 2017 | |
 | All good things must eventually come to an end. For one of my wife and I's favorite restaurants in St Petersburg, Florida Z-Grille came to an unfortunate end as the chef and owner left the state for greener pastures. |
| Clearwater Beach Taste Fest | |
| July 1, 2017 | |
 | The Clearwater Beach Taste Fest 2017 has entered its 8th year and is a large food festival with some wines available, and over 30 local restaurants that participate along with local bands like The Black Honkeys, all situated next to the white sandy beaches near pier 60. |
| Food Code Violations at Trump's House | |
| April 15, 2017 | |
 | This article is about the lack of food safety at the President of the United States vacation home. The fact that the date of publication is the same day we pay our ransom of taxes to the federal government is just a coincidence, and hope it stays that way. This article stays non-bias on the political stage and focuses on a more important issue — food safety. |
| What is a restaurant review? | |
| March 13, 2017 | |
 | 1. What is a restaurant review? 2. Who and what is a food critic? 3. Why is there such a fascination with reading about what restaurants serve? 4. Michelin vs Yelp, is one better than the other? 5. What is the difference in the many food and restaurant review sights out there, and What did the introduction of the food bloggers do to restaurant reviews and professional food critics? |
| Netflix Movie Codes | |
| April 13, 2016 | |
 | Though not food-related unless you looking up films with food as the theme, or documentaries on food and culinary travel, this complete list of codes will help you through finding everything Netflix has to offer. This article is broken down into three pages due to the size. |
| A Taste Willamette Damn It! | |
| August 2015 | |
 | In the summer of 2015, my wife and I spent 2 days in the Willamette Valley hopping from one vineyard to the next tasting some wonderful Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as exploring a few quite Oregon towns along the way. In 2016, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Willamette the wine region of the year. We weren't in “Wilamit” we were in “Wil-am-it” Damn it. |
| A Taste of McMurdo Station | |
| August 2014 - March 2015 | |
 | McMurdo Station is the largest Antarctic station and is built on the bare volcanic rock of Hut Point Peninsula on Ross Island. The station was established in December 1955. It is the logistics hub of the US Antarctic Program. This article covers my tour on the ice. |
| Re: Start | |
| February 2015 | |
 | Between 2010-11 nearly 80% of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand was destroyed. When the buildings were condemned and told that it would take 25 years to finish reconstruction, a lot of the business moved on. But some decided to stay, and they turned cargo containers into their new vision, they are Re: Start. |
| Thanksgiving in Antarctica | |
| November 26, 2014 | |
 | This classic American tradition dates back to 1620 with the Pilgrims landing in Massachusetts and setting up their colony. Every year on the last Thursday of November family and friends gather to enjoy a feast and watch football. This article is about a group of chefs who prepare that meal for those who work and live at the bottom of the world. |
| Tipping in Restaurants | |
| July 30, 2014 | |
 | In the United States, parts of Canada, and a few areas in the United Kingdom tipping or leaving a gratuity is considered common practice, but for those who visit these countries, it is not common practice. Also, there are many people who live in these countries that do not have any idea what a proper gratuity is either. |
| Beef Recall of Rancho Feeding Corp | |
| February 9, 2014 | |
 | A Northern California company recalls more than 8.7 million pounds of beef products because it processed diseased and unhealthy animals without a full federal inspection. They later face prison and the closing of their business. |
| Leopard Hills Lodge | |
| December 10, 2013 | |
 | The Sabi Sands Game Reserve sits next to Kruger National Park. It is a private game reserve with several lodges and a full immersion safari experience. Leopard Hills opened in 1998 and is the only lodge that guarantees you will see the most elusive of the "Big Five" animals, the leopard. Match this with an award-winning wine list, and fantastic food at every meal. |
| Fugitives Drift Lodge | |
| December 9, 2013 | |
 | Battlefields, history, 5-star service, dining, and accommodations. As a kid, I watched the movie Zulu, and while planning my trip to South Africa I added Rorke's Drift to my list of places to see. The Fugitive's Drift resort not only has top-level service and food but includes detailed tours of the Zulu battlefields depicted in the films. These are my thoughts on the visit. |
| Gourmet Wine Tours of South Africa | |
| December 6, 2013 | |
 | Explore the scenically stunning wine-lands of the Western Cape and experience the best of South African wine and food in the amazing variety of superb restaurants - a region which is an epicurean’s dream. |
| Great White Shark Cage Diving | |
| December 5, 2013 | |
 | While traveling to South Africa before the safari adventure, I took an undersea adventure in freezing cold water with Jaws. Protected by a cage, it was an outstanding adventure that I recommend to anyone. Here is my full adventure with videos. |
| US Marine Corps 238th Birthday in Afghanistan | |
| November 12, 2013 | |
 | While working at the United States Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan a group of Marines were guarding the compound after a Taliban bombing, and our team prepared a special meal for the Marine Corps' birthday. Here is the story along with the recipes. |
| Chef Charles "Charlie" Trotter | |
| November 11, 2013 | A legend passes away: |
| (September 8, 1959 – November 5, 2013) | |
 | He likened cooking to an improvisational jazz session in that as two riffs will never be the same, so too with food. He was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year award in 2005 by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. For ethic, he removed foie gras off of his menus in 2002, but he was never associated with animal rights groups, calling them "idiots." |
| A History Of Afghan Cuisine And Food Culture | |
| October 30, 2013 | |
 | Afghanistan is at the culinary crossroads of central Asia, the food styles are a blend of the many nations over 3000 years that invaded, and attempted to conquer the nomadic land. Afghan cuisine is largely based upon the nation's chief crops, such as wheat, maize, barley, and rice. Followed by dairy products, various nuts, and native vegetables, as well as fresh and dried fruits. Here are some recipes... |
| Napa Valley - A Sip and a Taste | |
| July 2013 | |
 | TripAdvisor's 2010 Travelers' Choice Awards named Napa "The World's Best Wine and Food Destination," and it has more than 400 wineries plus is considered one of the world’s premier viticultural regions and famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Nearly 90 percent of all American wines come out of California, four percent of which can be found in or around Napa Valley. |
| Converting A Recipe Card From Imperial To Metric | |
| May 1, 2013 | |
 | Do you use the metric or imperial systems for a living, then suddenly you are confronted by dealing with the opposite? This article is a comprehensive listing of how to convert basic measurements from a cookbook or recipe card with ease. |
| Chef Bernard Loiseau - Was Michelin at Fault? | |
| January 24, 2013 | |
 | The death of the world-famous Chef in 2003 hit the food world hard. On this, the 10th anniversary of his death, we pay tribute to his life's achievements, and ask the question — did the famed Michelin critics lead to his suicide? |
| The Burj Khalifa | |
| December 11, 2012 | |
 | The Burj Khalifa is known as a mega tall skyscraper standing at 2,722 feet (830 meters) and was opened to the public in 2010 after six years of construction. For now, it stands in the Guinness Book Of World Records. Here are some interesting facts as well as a link to two restaurant reviews from inside the tower. |
| Petra - One of the Seven Wonders | |
| November 2012 | |
 | Petra is the fabled "rose-red city, half as old as time,” Due to its unique and awe-inspiring views along with the many ruins, Petra was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985 and was chosen in July 2007 as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. |
| Cooking in Afghanistan - A DVIDS Interview | |
| November 15, 2012 | |
 | While working in Afghanistan the US Army press agency did a video interview of food service contracts working on FOB Sharana. Here is that interview. |
| Pillitteri Winery's Ontario Food Exporter Award | |
| September 2011 | |
 | Pillitteri Winery near Niagara-on-the-Lakes, Canada has won countless awards, and this adds to their list. I had the opportunity to visit them in the summer of 2011 on a wine tour. Here are my thoughts... |
| Bordeaux - A Sip and Taste | |
| October 2010 | |
 | This article is about my experience and tastings of the Châteaux in both Bordeaux and Saint-Émillion, what was seen, the history of the area, and the wonderful restaurants. The Bordeaux Wine Region has about 116,000 hectares (285,000 acres) of vineyards, a total of 57 appellations (with eight AOCs), 10,000 wine-producing Châteaux, and 13,000 grape growers. Their annual production of wine is approximately 900 million bottles. |
| The Bourgogne Tasting | |
| October 2010 | |
 | When I was a teenager I really enjoyed Science Fiction (and still do) Before I knew anything about wine, one of my favorite tv shows storyline took place in the Bourgogne. Star Trek The Next Generation (season 4 episode 2) “Family” showed the Captain in Burgundy (filmed in Napa Valley). In 2010 I took a tour and enjoyed it more than Sci-Fi tv shows. |
| Dragon Con | |
| September 2008 | |
 | Dragon Con is the largest Science Fiction Convention in the southeastern United States, held annually in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, encompassing 4 hotel venues, and 80,000 die-hard fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, and any other science fiction/fantasy show or book you can think of. Next, to Comic-con in San Diego, California, it is the largest such convention in the world. This year, I was one of the caterers and got a behind the scenes look from the actors VIP lounge as well as the many events. |
