Mouthing Off

By the Editors of Food & Wine Magazine

Kitchen Insider

Eric Ripert Drinks Tequila with Gail Simmons, Would Not Call His Chocolate Fixation an Obsession

BY Justine Sterling | POSTED OCTOBER 18, 2012 AT 9:00AM EDT

In the latest episode of Eric Ripert's new web series "On the Table" for Youtube’s Reserve Channel, the Le Bernardin chef and Top Chef vet Eric Ripert welcomes F&W's Gail Simmons for tequila Bloody Marys, fried eggs in Guinness cheese sauce and PG-13 chit chat about the real reasons Gail didn't become a ballerina. Plus: excerpts from Ripert's recent Facebook chat about foods obsessions and cooking barefoot in the Caribbean. More >

Kitchen Insider

Marcus Samuelsson on Writing and Partying for July 4th

BY Justine Sterling | POSTED JUNE 29, 2012 AT 9:00AM EDT

Superstar chef and emerging media mogul Marcus Samuelsson spent five years working on his new memoir Yes, Chef. “My journey inspired me,” says Samuelsson. “The people of my community, my past and where I want my future to go.” In an exclusive chat with Food & Wine Facebook fans this week, the owner of Harlem’s Red Rooster revealed insight into his new book and shared his blueprint for a stress-free July 4th party—with a great playlist.

Chat Live with Chef Traci Des Jardins

BY Justine Sterling | POSTED DECEMBER 7, 2011 AT 5:01PM EST

Today at 2 p.m. ET on Food & Wine's Facebook "wall," Top Chef Masters alum and F&W Best New Chef 1995 Traci Des Jardins will answer questions live as part of our Kitchen Insider chat series. Raised on a California farm, Des Jardins highlights locally grown food at her restaurants, anchored by San Francisco’s famed Jardinière. Her version of comfort food features a few great ingredients: Juicy Pan-Roasted Chicken with Polenta Cakes.

Plus: Christmas Recipes

Cocktails

Julie Reiner’s Summer Cocktail Tips

BY Alex Vallis | POSTED SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 AT 9:18PM EDT

All-star mixologist Julie Reiner stopped by Food & Wine's Facebook page last week for a live Kitchen Insider chat about cocktails and home-bartending. The force behind NYC's Flatiron Lounge, Clover Club, and now Lani Kai shared these great tips and recipes for Labor Day.

Mixologist Julie Reiner.

The perfect poolside cocktail for Labor Day weekend, using St. Germain: My sister-in-law is obsessed with St. Germain! She has been making a pitcher drink with Gin, St. Germain, grapefruit and lime juice, and soda. I like to mix a little bit of St. Germain with Champagne or white wine as well.

When it's over 100 degrees: Wow! That is hot. The Southside Royale would be great, but you may want to substitute club soda for the Champagne. With that kind of heat, it's better to cut the alcohol content a little bit. With soda, it is called a Southside Fizz. A Pimm's Cup is another good one, or a simple daiquiri. Also, I made a daiquiri last weekend with Rhum J.M. Blanc which was delicious! It's an Agricole rum. Margaritas are my favorite cocktail with barbecue!

Favorite drinks for a group: When I am entertaining a large group of people, I like to serve a punch, or a pitcher-style drink. They are easy to batch out ahead of time so that you can enjoy yourself as well. I have been making raspberry Tom Collins all summer for groups of friends at the pool. Very simple, but a real crowd-pleaser: Gin, fresh lemon, raspberry syrup and club soda.

Fun watermelon cocktails: Watermelon is certainly refreshing. I find that it blends best with white spirits, but be sure to muddle it into the drink. I once put a watermelon drink on my menu and realized that if you juice the watermelon ahead of time, it begins to taste like cucumber in a very short time frame.

Best mixes to keep on hand for guests to make their own drinks: It's always nice to have a selection of juices, sodas and vermouth. You may also want to put out a cocktail shaker so that your guests can mix their cocktail if they would like to.