Abbot's’ Post

Khushbu Shah is a journalist and the author of a terrific new book, Amrikan: 125 Recipes from the Indian American Diaspora. She was most recently the restaurant editor at Food & Wine magazine, where she crisscrossed the United States several times over on the hunt for the country’s best new chefs. In this very impressive debut book, Khushbu covers Indian-American home cooking through a very personal lens, offering recipes that blend South Asia with suburban Michigan sensibilities. In this episode we talk about what inspired her to take this journey, and about her deft recipe development chops. 

MH Hoeflich, Legal Feats (The Lawbook Exchange, 2023) 'In this book, the author discusses the history and significance of gatherings of lawyers to share food, wine, and conversation. Conviviality is a cornerstone of these gatherings. He includes sample menus with commentary and sample recipes of dishes listed in these menus. This volume should entertain and instruct every lawyer and person interested in the legal profession, the law, food, and social occasions.' See https://lnkd.in/gV4Czw47

I like to go where it all began, the place where a famous dish was invented. And there's one thing I notice time and again that still never fails to astonish me. They tend to be awful! It seems counterintuitive to say the least. After all, how could a recipe that has become so famous have its beginnings be so pedestrian at best? From the original Eggs Benedict at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, Boston Cream Pie at the Parker House on School St. (the Parker House Rolls are amazing, however), to the original hamburger that is credited to Louis' Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut. Some of my favorite dishes, but certainly not my favorite versions. It's not to say that they're truly bad. Louis' Lunch actually has some of the best pie I've ever had (the current owner's wife makes them) and their potato salad is amazing. It's also a really cool place. But the hamburger itself has been greatly improved upon since Louis' rolled out their first one in 1895. You see that same scene play out in other arenas as well. Music, for example. How many times have you listened to the original version of one of your favorite songs, and wondered how it could have inspired such a wonderful version? Such is the nature of things. The idea is great, but the execution doesn't quite live up to that. And that's why it's so important to align yourself with others. You might have a great idea, but it takes someone else to really bring it to life. Anyone who thinks of themselves as an expert in everything is rarely so much as competent in anything. Recognizing not only your own limitations but also the value that others offer is what brings you from mediocrity to worldwide acclaim. #business #innovation #inspiration #growth #personalgrowth

👋 Have you tried Fig. at the Kiewit Luminarium yet? 🥗 The new restaurant is focused on using locally sourced ingredients in familiar dishes but with an inventive spin. 🗞 You can learn more about the menu in this week's issue of the Midlands Business Journal, in print and online. #localbusiness #locallysourced #smallbusiness #journalism

👋 LinkedIn, here's the persuasive essay on Cosmopolitans no one asked for. Many thanks to COVETEUR for having my back on this important issue! #cocktails #cosmopolitans #freelancewriter

A whopping 65% of all human communication is stories and gossip, so why shouldn’t the story behind your wine be a part of the conversation? The next time you’re discussing wine with friends or colleagues, try asking this simple question: Do you prefer red or white wine, and why? That’s where the magic happens! As storytellers, winemakers can create an emotional connection with wine lovers. Think about it: What will a wine lover tell their friends about your wine? Stories matter. #storytelling

Hello Everyone, We'd like to invite you to take 5 minutes to share your thoughts on beer consumption in our exclusive survey as a part of our academic requirement. Your opinions matter, and by participating, you contribute to shaping the future of beer experiences. Whether you're a casual sipper or a seasoned connoisseur, your insights will help us understand the diverse perspectives on beer. Pour yourself a virtual pint and let your voice be heard – your refreshing opinions matter to us! Cheers to your valuable input!  #BeerPerspectives Link_in_the_Comment https://lnkd.in/dqjwxbuu

Baffled by the business decision from Wendy's to introduce dynamic pricing with a brand that has declining sales, declining consumer share, struggling to update their menu, aging brick and mortar portfolio and poor customer experience. For sure dynamic pricing looks like a good idea and easier than tackling the real and hard problems the brand is facing. #customerexperience #badabusiness #quickfixes

This #BlackHistoryMonth we’re honoring the deep connection between food and the Black experience. Chef Carla Hall highlighted this beautifully at 'The Joy and Power of Food: A Salon,' a FoodCorps event in New York City celebrating #food through the Black experience. Carla spoke about the power of sharing #cooking lessons with kids: “Cooking is not just about taste and culture and all of that,” she said. “[Kids] learn process in food. They learn empowerment and confidence in food when they’re doing a #recipe, and it turns out, and then they give it to somebody and they’re praised for it. They learn their cultural history. [Because] if you don’t know where the dish is from, you really don’t know the dish.” “For me it’s really about them connecting and seeing their pride in that food so that they share it,” she continued. “Because if you don’t love something, you tend to not share it. We need them to share it, and we need those kids to want to be the #culinary historians of their family.” Interested in bringing this conversation into your classroom or cafeteria? Here are some questions to explore with kids about their connection to food and cooking: 🥕 Why is food so important in our lives? 🥕 What is a special food that your family eats and when do you eat it? 🥕 What is a food that you know how to cook or make? 🥕 What is your favorite food memory with someone you love? Let us know in the comments what conversations you’ve had with your students about cooking!

Writing tip regarding placement of the question mark. I spotted this in a restaurant: Did someone say "Fish Fry?" Disregard the quotation marks and the letter capping. (Fodder, perhaps, for another post.) For now, I want to focus on the location of the question mark. It should be outside the quotation marks, because it applies to the the entire sentence, a question. Did someone say "Fish Fry"? It is possible to have a question mark inside -- and outside -- quotation marks: Did you see the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"? The question mark applies to the entire sentence. It remains outside anything that is emphasized with quotation marks, parentheses or other tools. #writingtips #communicationskills