DearSugar -- Just ask.

José Andrés Brings Spain to the American Kitchen

partysugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:33 -0800

A couple of weeks ago I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Spanish chef, José Andrés. From his recently opened Beverly Hills restaurant, The Bazaar, at the SLS Hotel to his PBS television show to his new cookbook, Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes For the American Kitchen, the chef has had a very busy end of 2008. He's opinionated, proud, and incredibly creative — Spanish master Ferran Adriá was his mentor. To find out what the chef had to say about his book and what he thinks of Mario Batali and Gwyneth Paltrow's televised trip around his native country,

Our Favorite Interviews

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:30:27 -0800

Although our greatest joys are cooking and entertaining, they're simply not as fun without inspiration from the outside world. I'm often spurred to mix up new flavor combinations or cooking techniques by the likes of cooking shows, restaurateurs, bartenders, and, of course, great restaurant chefs.

In 2008, we had the privilege of speaking with cutting-edge faces in the food industry and leaders who have had longtime influence on us. We were impressed by their humility, devotion to hard work, and advice for everyday cooks. These interviews are our top 10 favorites this year:

Photo Courtesy of Colin Miller

Happy Hour: November

partysugar — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:30:48 -0800

Although we are almost at the end of December, I highly recommend you wannabe mixologists make a cocktail entitled November. Created by Scott Baird, a dear friend, owner of 15 Romolo, and one of San Francisco's foremost bartenders, this concoction won the Nirvino Navan cocktail competition at Swig.

If you've never tried Navan, a natural vanilla liqueur, get your hands on a bottle stat! It's a great mixing liquor that can be used in both sweet and savory applications. This well-balanced, delicious cocktail balances out the Navan with a smoky scotch, while apple juice adds freshness.

To look at the recipe and check out a fabulous exclusive video of the bearded Baird making the cocktail,

Danny: "The Euros Think That Us Americans Are Not Educated"

partysugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:00:38 -0800

I have something to confess: I was glad to see Danny go. With his New York accent and oddly shaved beard, the latest Top Chef contestant kicked to the curb was not my favorite. Still, I spoke with the football-loving, European-hater over the phone yesterday. To find out what he had to say about his experience,

Check Out YumSugar on Bon Appétit!

partysugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:30:40 -0800

Bon Appétit is one of our favorite magazines and web resources for all things food. So imagine our surprise when they approached us about being a part of a special slideshow, entitled Blog Envy.

The editors have highlighted 24 of their daily must-read food blogs and YumSugar is one of them! The Internet is filled with fantastic food blogs, and we are truly honored to be featured. Be sure to browse the slideshow, you'll see familiar faces and meet some fantastic new sites.

Source

Alex: "I Really Didn't Want to Be on the Show"

partysugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:00:17 -0800

Alex was asked to "pack his knives and go" on this week's episode of Top Chef, and I have to admit, I really had no opinion of the Los Angeles-based chef.

However, I spoke to him over the phone yesterday and found out that he is happily enjoying his life as a newlywed. To see what Alex had to say about the Euros, the judges, and his creme brulee,

Kate Bosworth Eats Organic and Wants You to Do Your Part

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:00:14 -0800

On Tuesday night I was invited to the Gorgeous and Green benefit in San Francisco.

The event was hosted by Global Green, an environmental nonprofit that focuses on global climate change through green initiatives. Not only did I taste an amazing eco-friendly wine, but I also got the chance to speak with the hostess of the night, actress Kate Bosworth. Here's what the stunning starlet, who was wearing a dress with recycled zippers, had to say:

On her abilities as a home cook: "I do a little bit, I am getting into it more and more. I'm OK. I'm not advanced at all."

On eating organic: "I try to as much as possible. I guess you can't be so rigid. Do what you can. Clearly you can't eat all organic all the time, but you just have to do as much as you can."

It was a pleasure speaking with Kate. She reminded me that it's important to do what we can to better the earth — I'm going to follow her lead and add a compost pail to my Christmas list! I hope she takes my cooking advice and starts to read YumSugar.

Photo courtesy Drew Altizer.

Jill: "Tom and Padma Are Famous For Being Critical"

partysugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:00:04 -0800

Yesterday I spoke to Jill Snyder, the latest cheftestant to pack her knives and leave Top Chef. Jill's a chef in Baltimore, MD, where she enjoys making desserts and crab cakes. She wishes she would have defended her dish better, but claims that with the cameras staring at her, she choked up. To see what Jill has to say about ostrich eggs and the judges,

Talking Mixology With Dale DeGroff

partysugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:30:52 -0800

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Dale DeGroff. If you've never heard of DeGroff, you'll be surprised to know that he has changed your life. Remember that basil gimlet you enjoyed at the bar last week? You can thank Dale for that. Or what about that perfectly poured martini? Dale's responsible for that, too. Known to food insiders as the King of Cocktails, Dale DeGroff is single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of classic cocktails. Back in 1980s New York, at a time when the majority of bars served drinks made from overly-sweet mixes, Dale was mixing drinks with fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and creating cocktails based on preprohibition recipes. To find out what the master has to say about cocktail trends and to see who he thinks is the best bartender in America today,

PopUK Exclusive: BB9's Dale and Stuart on Girls and Guyliner!

PopSugarUK — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:00 -0800

Here at Sugar UK we were lucky enough to attend Get Lippy's fab party last night, alongside some of reality TV's hottest hunks! PopUK favourite Stuart Pilkington from Big Brother 9 chatted about how he's releasing his own makeup range for men at the beginning of next year, and was happy to receive a makeover. Stu's BB9 housemate Dale Howard was also at the party, and revealed that he's bringing out his own aftershave at the end of this year, along with the obligatory calendar. Dale was stood up by possible new girlfriend Naomi Millbank-Smith, who we spotted him with at Embassy the night before. Adam Child from Shipwrecked also turned up, but he seems to be struggling to adjust to life back home as he wasn't wearing any socks!

Many thanks to our pals at Get Lippy for a great night out!

Photos courtesy and copyright of James Naylor / jamesnaylor.com