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hathor

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Posts posted by hathor

  1. Regarding jgould chain of mark up: I work in the 'fashion industry'. Mark up goes like this: small factory in China produces a sweater but they need to pay an 'exporter' for the rights to ship, I'm a middle man (design/prod company), and I get a mark up for design, overseeing prod, shipping, I sell to a 'manufacturer' (say Liz Claiborne), who in turn sells it to a retailer (Saks). So costing goes like this: $2.00 ex-fty, $3.00 ex-exporter, $6.00 ex-middleman, $15.00 ex-manufactuer = $45.00 at the retailer. That's pretty normal type of mark up structure. Depressing...but, hey you asked!

  2. Regaring jgould's comment that no other industry has a mark up structure like wine... think again. Virtually anything you buy at retail has been thru a similar chain of production and distribution.

    But I have a question, that may be off-topic. What about restaurants in the EU? Are the required to go thru distributors as well? I know that in Italy you can go to the winery and buy directly, but what about an Italian restaurant that wants French wine? How does the UK get their wine? Is it as heavily taxed (penalized) as it is in the U.S?

    Thanks.

  3. For my husband's 50th we threw an Arabian Nights party. I agree, costumes make everything more fun.

    I created a 50 yard 'tent' that ran the length of the back yard, seating was on the ground with a narrow 50 yard long table, hundreds of pillows, thousands of candles. It was beautiful and fun. We were amazed at how everyone went completely over the top with the costumes.

    Food was lamb, and olives, salads with mint...a very easy and flexible 'theme'.

    So smart to make it a "controlled" potluck Woodburner! Have fun!

  4. Last weekend, we took a trip up to DIA:Beacon, the new museum dedicated to large scale art. I'm curious who determined that an arrangement of flourescent light bulbs was art. I'm sure discussing the essence of art is an ancient discussion, along with what is truth or beauty.

    When I cook, I want balance in texture, color, like a painting; an interplay of flavors that develop much like the plot of a story, the drama of the heat of chili being soothed by the sweetness of an apple. When it all comes together, as I've intended, isn't that art?

    After working in the kitchen for many hours, producing 'culinary art' that gets destroyed (eaten) by my guests, I sometimes feel like those Tibetan sand painters. Just at the moment you get it all done, it's gone.

    Food is a necessity and pure, raw hunger doesn't require art. I live in a time and place where food is plentiful, so now I have the leisure to create art. I don't have to live with bare walls, or dress in a potato sack, I can't paint or sing, but I can please the eye, the palate, so to me, this is an art.

  5. Smelts are really good. Go with head on and gut. We used to deep fry them on Catholic Fridays when I was growing up. My mom would leave the house and my father and I would have a feast. Lots of salt, grease and lemon. What could be better??

  6. My husband and I have been going to Col Legno for a long time as well. Thought it was 'our secret'.

    The artichokes are fabulous, we order them before we take off our coats, we order them for friends that are late, and we eat their share. Then again I would eat artichokes at every meal if it was possible, make that practical.

    Also highly recommend the roast quail, its almost as good as a favorite restaurant in Italy.

    Regarding authenticty: authenticy is in the eye of the beholder in my opinion. Each cook or chef has a particular take on a dish, even within the same region, so if you eat one's dish and do not sample or know of the nuances of the guy's next door, you may come away with entirely different perception of 'authencity'. ...hope that makes sense.

  7. Methinks that there would be much more money to fight it if it became more of a mainstream voice.

    What do you mean when you say money to fight it? Do you mean fight the mainstream mentality? Do you mean fight the quantity over quality mentality? Does anyone know if Slow Food partners with the Green Market group? That's certainly going more and more mainstream and would give Slow Food more exposure.

  8. Sorry... I can't find the old okra thread, but I tried the fried okra recipe that I think Mayhaw Man posted. Tried it out on some guests and they inhaled them! The comments were along the line: I've never thought okra could taste good. I would never think of eating okra.

    I'm ready to step up to the plate and defend okra.

    You'll have find someone else to help you with the lima defense...

  9. Thursday night:

    very spicy blue tiger prawns served with an avocado whipped cream and fried polenta. green salad. 1997 Brutaco Merlot that really held up to the spices.

    Friday night: we're going out! I'm off duty on Friday nights!

  10. Many thanks for the details on the mussel jelly. Will give it a try this weekend and see how it goes.

    How big are the crawfish tails that you get?? I only know how to get little bitty ones...usually frozen.

    Good luck with dinner!

    Sure we will all miss the photos and the sunshine, but look forward to next week's adventure.

  11. OH...that kind of kudu!! I don't why I was thinking of some kind of viney plant.

    wonderful, wonderful blog! Believe you should be crowned Blog God!!

    Can you detail the mussel jelly a bit more... what are you straining and reserving? Can you do the same thing with clams? oysters?

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