Full circle: McCormick Spice reopens on Light Street

For those of you young ones out there, the international McCormick Spice company’s home was on Light Street way before Harborplace from 1920 to 1989. Today, they came back home to the same street with the opening of the unique McCormick World of Flavors in the Light Street Pavilion on level one.

The embryo of the idea for this retail store began and year ago. World of Spices is particular label only available in their first ever retail destination offering chutneys, jams, preserves, vinegars, oils, salsas and more.

Read the full story, watch the slide show HERE

Langermann's on Light opening soon

Come the first week of September, Langermann’s in The Can Company will be expanding to a second location in Baltimore. Called Langermann’s on Light because it is located at 1542 Light Street the former location of The Reserve and 1542 Gastropub. Langermann's on Light will be a neighborhood type of space where as the original Langermann’s is more destination dining.

Read the full story, check out the Grand Prix special  and watch the video HERE.

Dine Downtown Baltimore contest: win a culinary excursion or staycation

Hey Baltimore, stop picking your Old Bay steamed crabs and put down your Natty Boh and take the less than 30 seconds it will take to “LIKE” Dine Downtown Baltimore’s recently launched Facebook page. Stay tuned in to culinary happenings at numerous downtown Baltimore restaurants just by liking their page.

Sotto Sopra Italian Restaurant - Downtown Baltimore

The contest is simple, LIKE Dine Downtown Baltimore and you can win a staycation here in Baltimore at the Hotel Monaco Baltimore and dinner at the B & O American Brasserie or the Waterfront Kitchen. You may win the other prize, a culinary excursion to the Grand Bahama Island with Chef Jerry Pellegrino of Waterfront Kitchen for you and a guest. If you win consider taking me as your guest just because I’m fun, don’t snore and quite the raconteur.

It is so simple, the next time you are on Facebook just go to Dine Downtown Baltimore and like them. Once you like them, click on the culinary sweepstakes tab.

Chef Ray Kumm taking over at Brewer's Art -cuisines they be a changing

Chef Ray Kumm is moving on up, up to North Charles Street and the award winning Brewer’s Art brew pub and restaurant. Kumm, who I know from his earlier days working in the kitchen at Sotto Sopra, Alizee and the last 2 ½ years at Bluegrass Tavern is excited about his new endeavors.

Brewer’s Art current chef Dave Newman is leaving at the end of August.

Read the full story and the cuisine changes at local restaurants HERE

Happy Birthday Julia Child - 100 years

Julia Child may be gone in body but in spirit she will live forever. Today, August 15 would have been her 100th birthday.

There are few who don’t know of Julia Child but for the most of you, the culinary world as was the world was a better place because of her. Public Broadcasting has all kinds of celebrations going on and you can read my story right HERE. Have fun with the attached video that PBS has put together, a musical remix of Julia – quite clever..

Read the full story, watch the musical remix of Julia and photo slideshow HERE

Team Baltimore Racing = new chef, Goetze's Caramel Creams and boy scouts

Ex Chef Bill Downes - Marriott Inner Harbor and TBR driver Marc Bunting

Buckle up, the green flag is up.

Team Baltimore Racing (TBR) threw a press conference and lunch at Ft. McHenry to introduce their team, their sponsors and fundraising initiatives. Along with The Baltimore Grand Prix, Team Baltimore Racing has returned to represent Baltimore as the hometown team for a second year at the 2012 race. Maryland resident, business owner, and professional race car driver Marc Bunting has teamed up with another local driver—Spencer Pumpelly—to take on this year’s competition. The duo is the only team of its kind in Baltimore, giving the city the opportunity to cheer on local drivers and the community this Labor Day weekend. Team Baltimore Racing has aligned with The Racer’s Group (TRG) to drive the #66 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), which will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012.

 Read the full story, watch the slideshow and enjoy the recipe HERE

Goetze's Caramel Creme Brownie Sundae by chef Bill Downes

  

The mother of farm to table Chef Alice Waters comes to Baltimore

Before the Michael Pollans of the world there was and still is Executive Chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse Restaurant in Berkley, California. In 1971, Waters with her partner Paul Aratow founded Chez Panisse Restaurant. They struggled at first with the concept of buying local, buying organic but they eventually found farmers to grow for them.

The James Beard Award winning chef, author and restaurateur is recognized as the mother of California cuisine. The vice president of Slow Foods International, Waters started her Edible School Yard program laying ground work for others who believe that our children should be eating healthier and better.

Read the FULL story and watch the video HERE

If you like crab than you will love Crab Bash

Crabmeat every which way and loose can be yours at the Crab Bash this coming Tuesday, August 7th. As numerous regional chefs gather for the 3rd annual event competing for Best of Show and People’s Choice Awards you get to taste all their dishes along with specially created sample cocktails for each dish prepared by the Baltimore Bartenders Guild.

B&O American Brasserie and Hotel Monaco Baltimore will host the annual Crab Bash chef cook-off, once again benefiting the National Aquarium this coming Tuesday, August 7th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Watch the slideshow, get the details where you can get tickets and more HERE

Will the end of August be the end of Fields of Pikesville

The historic Fields Pharmacy and Cafe on Reisterstown Road in Pikesville has been the cornerstone to the neighborhood for over 100 years. The pharmacy, gift shop and restaurant have played a part in fond memories for a number of generations in this northwest section of Baltimore County.

Today, I learned from a friend who was having lunch at Fields counter that they are closing the end of August.

Read the full story HERE

Celebrate Julia Child's 100th birthday

Julia Child, the doyenne of French cooking whose "bawn appetit" is as recognized as George Burn's "good night Gracie" would have been celebrating her 100th birthday August 15th. Her birthday and legacy are being celebrated across the nation with home cooks and chefs reprising her recipes during her birthday month.

Who didn't love Julia? Her first cooking program The French Chef Classics premiered on the Public Broadcasting Service 's WGBH in Boston.

Read the full story about the celebrations, video and recipe HERE