Articles

Photo by Lohb As he wrote in The Evoluton of Useful Things, Henry Petroski argues that it is the dissatisfaction with the shortcomings of  a way of doing things that creates invention rather than the old adage “necessity is the mother of invention”. Hundreds of years of experimentation have resulted in contemporary eating utensils and […]

Photo by Windslash Tea is so varied in name, color and flavor that it is usually a surprise for anyone to discover that all the different types are made from basically the same tea plant. Of course, some are flavored with essential oils (Earl Grey, for example, has oil of bergamot, which is made from […]

Photo by Jessica Merz Article by Keith Besonen If your dad is anything like mine, you’ve always known where not to find him — in the kitchen. Cooking is women’s work, after all. Indoor cooking is, at least. Now outdoor cooking, barbequing, that’s a man’s job. “Barbeque” for Dad is anything cooked over a fire. […]

Photo by www.audio-luci-store.it The Chain of Command : Restaurant Service Staff Maître d’Hôtel This is the person responsible for the overall management of service at a fairly elaborate establishment, often a hotel. Over time, the title — commonly shortened to maître d’ — has taken on a life of its own. The ideal maître d’ […]

Photo by Didriks Using the napkin at formal occasions, as with much else associated with etiquette, should be a delicate affair. It is meant only to be dabbed at the lips and should not get dirty in the process. It might seem that the napkin is provided precisely so that it can help the diner […]

Winners announced May 5, 1997 FARBERWARE MILLENNIUM COOKWARE OUTSTANDING CHEF AWARD The working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Must have been a working chef for the past five years. – Award winner Thomas Keller The French Laundry 6640 Washington […]

An Introduction The rules that specify how knife, fork, and spoon must be used have evolved along with the forms of the utensils themselves. In general, these rules are explicitly intended to prevent the utensils from appearing threatening. Margaret Visser, in her book The Rituals of Dinner, points out that etiquette and the ritual it […]

Burmese Tea Leaf Salad Photo by leesean  by Mary Elizabeth Williams Most of us enjoy our tea with a splash of milk or a dribble of honey, and maybe a few cookies on the side. But in Burmese cuisine, it’s served up with garlic, green chiles, and nuts — and it isn’t sipped, it’s chewed. Burmese […]

The Chinese Zodiac Story In the distant past, Time was an illusion and chaos reigned among the animals of the earth. Every creature from the cunning rat to the arrogant tiger proclaimed that he alone was the most virtuous and unique. The Jade Emperor, Lord of Heaven, needed to restore order. He would hold a […]

Photo by DariuszSankowski Ladies Who Lunch: The Champagne Exchange in San Francisco by Courtney Weaver Behind rows of neatly folded sweaters, just past overflowing racks of winter coats, and beyond the legions of polyester and rayon blends of Misses’ Coordinates lies San Francisco’s best kept secret. It’s the Champagne Exchange at Nordstrom, tucked away on the […]