From the Latin word octo, "eight", because this had been the eighth month of the early Roman calendar.
Our Chef of the Month

Chef Lucas Sin

Lucas Sin, chef-owner of Junzi Kitchen and Nice Day, opened his first restaurant when he was 16, in an abandoned newspaper factory in his hometown of Hong Kong. Despite spending his Yale undergraduate years in the cognitive science and English departments, Lucas spent his weekends running restaurants out of his dorm, known as Y Pop-up. Prior to joining junzi’s founding team and opening junzi kitchen and Nice Day, Lucas cooked at Modernist Cuisine in Seattle, Kikunoi Honten in Kyoto, and Michelin-starred kitchens in Hong Kong and New York. Lucas has been named a Star Chef Rising Star, an Eater Young Gun, and Forbes 30 under 30. Beyond junzi and Nice Day’s daily menu, Lucas curates a collaborative tasting menu exploring the narrative of Chinese culinary history in relation to other cultures of the world, which became a project known as Distance Dining during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Eric Sze, the chef of Taiwanese restaurant 886, Lucas co-founded SHY*BOYZCLUB, an introverted Asian pop-up collective.

<

Chef Lucas in action

Play Video

Chef Lucas signature dishes.

General Chu's Fried Chicken
Jaja beef Noodles Bowl
Tomato -Pork Noodles
Egg Yolk Jam-Filled Doughnuts
Golden Fried Rice with Salmon
Previous slide
Next slide

Ways to Get Vitamin "D"

7 ways to reduce stress and keep blood pressure down

Food link to better brain power

Just as there is no magic pill to prevent cognitive decline, no single almighty brain food can ensure a sharp brain as you age. Nutritionists emphasize that the most important strategy is to follow a healthy dietary pattern that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Try to get protein from plant sources and fish and choose healthy fats, such as olive oil or canola, rather than saturated fats.

Italy's Best Wine Tours

Carmelo Messina is a bi-lingual (Italian and English) Gold Pin sommelier of the Italian Sommelier Association with an additional master certification in professional wine tasting in the United States. He understands how the English, Italian and French systems are used to analyze and describe wines so well that he has led numerous accreditation classes for others seeking their sommelier licenses.

While living in Las Vegas, Carmelo used his extensive knowledge of the mouth-watering best of his home country and represented over 300 different Italian wine producers from all over Italy to others in the Las Vegas wine business. With over 20 years’ experience working in the hospitality, restaurant and wine distribution business in the U.S., England and Italy, Carmelo Messina knows how to present the very best in epicurean delights. In addition to working for Princess Cruise Lines in both the Caribbean and in the Mediterranean, he has opened and worked inside many of the top restaurants in Las Vegas, including as Head Sommelier at Valentino’s inside the Venetian. (Valentino was a Wine Spectator Grand Award restaurant with over 2,000 labels on their wine list — that’s a lot of wine to keep track of and Carmelo knew every bottle!)

Notes from a Purchasing Pro by Robert Dennerlein.

I am excited to post my first tip, on Purchasing for Profit. It is my desire that this information will assist the industry with practical wisdom and best practices.
Quality/Cost Control/Yields: For any operation to succeed it is important to provide customers with a consistent quality at a cost that allows profitability. Your distributor can assist with both quality and cost control. Request your distributor to do food cuttings and provide yield analysis, so you can determine the actual cost of product (EP vs AP). What matters is your EP, which can be 15% higher from one label to another. For example, a #10 can of diced tomatoes may contain 15% more tomatoes than a lesser AP/quality label. If the tomatoes of the higher label were 10% more expensive you have a 5% savings by utilizing the higher-grade product due to the yield or edible tomatoes.

 Robert Dennerlein, Robert is a Past President of the Las Vegas Branch many years ago, and has recently rejoined IFSEA.  Welcome back Robert and thank you for allowing us to publish this edited article.  

Springhill Suites Hotel by Marriott , Executive Chef Jame Pate, hosted the Las Vegas ACF. Kudos to Chef and his Culinary team for the amazing presentation !!
2021 Las Vegas Chef of the Year, Jame Pate

Dear Culinarians; We’re thrilled to unveil the winners of 1st Turkish Tastes Culinary Competition in Las Vegas, organized by Vegas Food Project. First Place Chef Noe Banuelos Resort World /
Second Place Chef Gonzalo Garzo Capital Grill Restaurant
/ Third Place Chef Michael Gillard Cosmopolitan

.

Chef Rikki Greiner
Chef Mark Sandoval
Chef Michael Gillard
Chef Gonzalo Garzo
Pan seared Branzino over spaghetti squash & lentils Hummus.
Chef Noe Banuelos
Seared Branzino , red quinoa, bulgar wheat, cilantro, red pepper coulis.
Fabulous Judges
Chef JB Brown, Chef Michelle Vietmeier and Chef Heinz Lauer
Click Here
Chef Mackenzie Mayor
Previous slide
Next slide
To all our essential workers !!!!!

Your compassion is amazing and is a model to us all. Thank you so much for all your hard work to take care of our community during this pandemic!. We are very grateful and are forever in debt to you all. You are what is keeping the world going when it feels like the world has completely stopped during this pandemic. We’ll hopefully be able to get through this soon enough, and we will remember your selfless acts working as a frontline worker. We wish you safety and health as you forge ahead to get us to the other side of this pandemic. We thank you daily in our prayers, hearts, and minds each and every day. Stay strong, God bless and THANK YOU!

IFSEA news
I recommend to you a wonderful time saving tool created by- IFSEA Member, Executive Chef, F&B Director Lucio Arancibia – lnfoodsys is focused on inspiring and empowering Culinarians everywhere to exceed all challenges. They have tremendous resources at their disposal, but they face an acute scarcity in one critical area: TIME. The Recipe App will produce instant results, instead of riffling through complicated steps. One framework, one process. Full Story:

 Infoodsys Recipe App

A Kitchen Manifesto #1
Hot off the Press
RESPECT: All people are different – they bring their own set of baggage to work and to life. They may not agree with you or you may not agree with them but they deserve to be treated with respect as human beings. You can disagree, even disagree strongly, but they deserve the opportunity to look you in the eye and know that you do not feel superior because of that disagreement. Respect for the place where you work, those who own and operate the business and the physical property for which you are responsible is paramount. Just as is the case with the first paragraph – even though you may not agree with the actions of the business or those in charge – you should always respect that you work for them. You can disagree, take a stand, make your point, continue to have a unique opinion, but in the end – it is their business. If this violates your manifesto of beliefs and cannot be altered then look for another place to work – do not slip from your commitment to respect.By Culinarycuestblog.

Food for Thought

Brussels Sprout , They Might Be Small, But Are Incredible Powerhouses of Nutrition

Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of protein, and just 88 grams (g), or 1 cup, of raw Brussels sprouts meets the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) recommended daily requirements for vitamin C and vitamin K-1. Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your diet. They may also come with added health benefits, including the potential to reduce the risk of cancer, decrease inflammation and improve blood sugar control. Brussels sprouts are part of the cruciferous vegetable family. Vegetables in this family provide a wide variety of nutrients and contain few calories. People seeking a high nutrient diet should consider including cruciferous vegetables in their diet. Source, Medical News Today..
The Culinary Institute of America expresses its deep appreciation for the Legacy Supporters of our 75th Anniversary.

We highly recommend this CIA site, please click on the image below.

Helping Hand

Your Business and your community can benefit from volunteers…taking your team out of the office to volunteer in the community.

For more related reading, please click here*

We are reaching out to the culinary community to inform all that We have make the certification process as easy to follow as possible! Follow the steps to get certified today! As you are aware, we were hit very hard, thousands of hospitality employees have lost their job. Many will not get back to their normal job. Having said that, by taking advantage of this great offer and this unique opportunity, it will help them to learn new skills, so they can apply for new jobs. There are two sides to every resume – Certifications & Education on one side and Experience on the other. We are partnered with the Foodservice Institute and Global Foodservice Institute to offer you four certifications that will help you stand out from the rest. Please contact Mr. Ed Manley, should you have any additional questions. Ed Manley, MCFE, CHM IFSEA Chairman of the Board-elect Email – ed@ifsea.org Cell – 561-929-4765 web – www.ifsea.org

Ten Things New Manager Needs to Know

You’ve finally done it. After years of hard work, you’ve been promoted to a position managing a team of people and can call the shots. Your first job as a manager can be exciting, and also a bit overwhelming. And it’s important to do it well. Managers are the cultural linchpin in the organization – they set the tone for the work experience. The rest of the organization could be fantastic, but if your boss isn’t up to snuff that will cloud all of the good things happening. There’s a reason people say “you don’t quit your job…you quit your boss.” To get off on the right foot, here are ten tips to help you get the most out of your team and create a work experience they will thrive in. -Forbes- A Must Read ! Click here for More Information
A helpful sheet for accuracy in recipe costing/ click below
Hospitality doesn’t start at the restaurant, hotel or airline. It start at home. In everyday life. Because is all about being hospitable.

Click here for more info.

Cumulative 15 minute COVID-19 Exposure: What does it mean?

The CDC now defines close contact as somebody who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period. If a person is a close contact, he or she must self-quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to the positive person. All contacts should be tested for COVID-19, and a negative test results does not eliminate the 14 day quarantine period.    

provided by Aminta MArtinez – Food Safety and Nutrition Consultant

For more information click here

How we defined Leadership; "Empower People, Lead Change, Inspire People, Share Vision"


We need to move from hope to clear vision. The new rules of Leadership, what’s your strategy?
For example; Building a game-changing, aligning purpose, performance and people, Building great teams. Impactful leadership. Leading a diverse workforce. Navigating transitions during disruptive changes. Problem solving with clarity, creativity and collaboration.
There has never been a more important time for a hospitality organization such as IFSEA, than right now. Sure, I know how much the foodservice industry is suffering and how many operations are shutting their doors as a result of challenges brought to a head by the pandemic, but believe me when I say that this will change. Everything will change for the better. IFSEA, at the top of the hospitality industry, is providing the necessary tools to manage those changes. Seize the opportunity.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

WHAT’S COOKING TODAY?

Recipe provided by Chef Raymond Bar CEC-CCE-ACE

“The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must-eat to live. The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on.” Joy Harjo

Gratin of Vegetables

Japanese eggplant 2 ea. Roma tomato 2 ea. Yellow squash 2 ea. Zucchini medium 2 ea. Kikkoman Panko coating 5 oz Artisan Parmesan cheese , grated 3 oz Extra virgin olive oil 3 floz. Sea salt 1 tbsp Fresh thyme, 2 tbsp

Method

1- 1- Preheat the oven at 350F. 2- Slice the eggplants into uniform rounds; place in a bowl and toss with olive oil and salt. 3- Repeat the procedure with the zucchini, squash . 4- Mix the Parmesan cheese, Panko and thyme . 5- Arrange one row of the same vegetable in overlapping stream in a 8”x10” pan. Top each vegetable strip with about a tbsp of the cheese mix. Repeat with the other vegetables. You should have enough for about 3 layers. finish with the layer of tomato. 6- Sprinkle the rest of cheese mix on top of the gratin. Place into the oven; bake for about 45 to 60 minutes Or until a knife slide thru easy. Yield 4 portions/ portion size 9 oz. / Calories per serving: 670.37 The Nutrition Facts for this Recipe was done utilizing the INFOODSYS Recipe App.


Enjoy it!! / any question, please send us an email at Clearpath@infoodsys.net
Think Positively (Leadership)
TRUE NORTH

Leaders can build accountability by spelling out what’s expected from employees in terms of results and behaviors, monitoring progress daily and applying positive and negative consequences based on outcomes, says S. Chris Edmonds. “Without consequences, clear agreements and monitoring do not ensure either results or respect,” he says.

LEADERSHIP IS NOT A POSITION OR A TITLE, IT IS ACTION AND EXAMPLE
Profiles in Leadership: J.W Marriott / Executive & Chairman of the Board of Marriott International . Below is Bill's "guideposts"
Were written on separate sheets of stationery. There were 15 of them. 1. Keep physically fit, mentally and spiritually strong. 2. Guard your habits-bad ones will destroy you. 3. Pray about every difficult problem. 4. Study and follow professional management principles. Apply them logically and practically to your organization. 5. 5. People are No. 1—their development, loyalty, interest, team spirit. Develop managers in every area. This is your prime responsibility. 6. 6. Decisions: Men grow making decisions and assuming responsibility for them. a. Make crystal clear what decision each manager is responsible for and what decisions you reserve for responsible b. Have all the facts and counsel necessary-then decide and stick to it. 7. Criticism: Don’t criticize people but make a fail appraisal of their qualifications with their supervisor only (or someone assigned to do this). Remember, anything you say about someone may (and usually does) get back to them. There are few secrets. 8. See the good in people and try to develop those qualities. 9. Inefficiency: If it cannot be overcome and an employee is obviously incapable of the job, find a job he can do. 10. Manage your time: a. Short conversations—to the point. b. Make every minute on the job count. c. Work fewer hours—some of us waste half our time. 11. Delegate and hold accountable for results. 12. Details: a. Let your staff take care of them b. Save your energy for planning, thinking, working with department heads, promoting new ideas. c. Don’t do anything someone else can do for you. 13. Ideas and competition: a. Ideas keep the business alive. b. Know what your competitors are doing and planning. c. Encourage all management to think about better ways and give suggestions on anything that will improve business. d. 1). Spend time and money on research and development. 14. Don’t try to do an employee’s job for him—counsel and suggest. 15. Think objectively and keep a sense of humor. Make business fun for you and others. , .
Click the image below to watch Leadership Guru, Chris Edmonds
Play Video
ACF Culinary Corner

Form the American Culinary Federation, your chance to create spectacular dishes and contribute with inspirational new ideas.

Click below for more information:

The 2016 Menus of Change Annual Report was released at the fourth annual Menus of Change leadership summit on June 14. It includes an analysis of issues at the convergence of public health, the environment, and the business of food, plus and updated Dashboard of how the food and foodservice industries have progressed—or not—since last year’s report was issued.

The World Culinary Arts Video Series
Click on the image below to enlarge
La Finestra: Trends Spotting

Just like fashion, food trends come and go in the blink of an eye. Every year, we see a rise in these fads that inevitably affect the way we eat and plan our meals. From superfoods to juice cleanses, the modern dining pattern has undeniably been influenced by the presence of a health-conscious effort, which we see continuing into 2020.

Learn more 2020 Food trends according Chefs

Play Video

Perspective Theories of Leadership

If you’re feeling forgetful, it could be due to a lack of sleep or a number of other reasons, including genetics, level of physical activity and lifestyle and environmental factors. However, there’s no doubt that diet plays a major role in brain health.

The best menu for boosting memory and brain function encourages good blood flow to the brain — much like what you’d eat to nourish and protect your heart. Research found the Mediterranean Diet helps keep aging brains sharp, and a growing body of evidence links foods such as those in the Mediterranean diet with better cognitive function, memory and alertness

Learn more by visiting: Types of Foods to Help Boost Your Memory

Meeting the Demand for Safe, Natural Products

Lately, while shopping at my local grocery store, I have noticed the increasing number of food products marketed as organic or preservative-free. More and more, consumers are demanding green labels and ingredient lists they can understand. Yet food safety — preventing food spoilage and contamination from microbial pathogens — must remain a top priority for food producers. The food safety industry faces many challenges if it is to transition away from the use of refined chemicals toward more label-friendly preservatives.

By Suzanne Osborne, PhD
Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Kale is one of the cruciferous vegetables, cancer fighters full of fiber and antioxidants. great addition to salads or you can bake it with a spritz of extra virgin-olive oil and sea salt for a crispy potato chip alternative.

Hail to the Kale!!
Click on the image below to enlarge
2021 food Trends Forecast
Play Video
Late last year, we talked to dozens of chefs who predicted trends that ranged from family-style dining to tasting menus with non-alcoholic juice pairings. Of course, no one could have predicted the way 2020 played out. Hungry for more, click below: 2021 food trends predictions
Play Video
Nutrition, Eat Better

Salt, Consuming the right amount, Most Americans consume more sodium than is good for their health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Learn more!

8 Tips For Avoiding Gluten Cross Contamination – PrimoHealthCoach

▪ Oils that have been used to deep fry battered foods will contaminate foods like French fries. Use separate oils, and ask the chef when dining out if the same oil is used for battered foods.

▪ Cutlery, utensils and potsand pans must be thoroughly cleaned before cooking gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

▪ Toasters and ovens that have been used for glutenous breads can contaminate gluten-free breads. At home try to keep two separate toasters.

▪ Grills and barbecues can easily cross-contaminate foods if not properly cleaned. Many sauces used to barbecue have gluten.

▪ Sifters used for both glutenous and gluten-free flours will cross-contaminate. At home if you use both types of flour, keep separate properly labeled sifters.

▪ Your mayonnaise, peanut butter jar, jams and jellies are easily contaminated when making sandwiches.

▪ Glutenous flours have a tendency to stay airborne for some time after use. Cooking in a kitchen shortly after preparing foods with glutenous flours is risky for the sensitive person. Because of this I find it very hard to believe that you can get a truly gluten-free pizza from a pizza restaurant that makes regular pizza as well.

▪ Any foods not prepared in a gluten-free facility, including your own home, runs the risk of getting cross-contaminated.

Goodness!!

Avocado oil; this silky fruit oil helps fight joint condition and promoted soft skin.

Click on the image below to enlarge
Categories: Food Safety

Language