FaustianBargain

Depending on which side of the issue one stands, that could just as easily be credit being hoisted. But, the way political issues snowball (especially in Chicago) I think it's naive to assume that Trotter's influence isn't being felt on this issue -- regardless of whether one would define it as blame or credit. =R= ← Wrong. A simple search will show you that this Legislation also is being considered in Oregon, New York, Illinois and Massachusetts that would make it a criminal act even to possess the delicacy. Activists recently persuaded about 10 restaurants to stop serving foie gras in Pittsburgh. ..appeared way before the Chicago Tribune article, Liver and let live(march 29th, 05). In fact, I would hazard a guess that the swirling rumours about the foie gras ban was what made Trotter's previous comments(I wonder *when* they were made) to Phil Vettel an interesting story for Mark Caro. Remember that it was he who approached Trotter and not the other way around. When it comes to media news, everything hinges upon who gets to the public first. If the pro-foie gras people make the announcement first, they get an upper hand. If the anti-foie gras people make the announcement first, they can grab the public's attention first. The article's very obvious pro-foie gras tilt and the fact that Trotter was approached by the media rather than the other way around is a classic 'pre-emptive' strike. I dont know whether it was intentional or if it just happened that way. Whatever it was, it had an effect that benefits one player in the story more than the other.

Good grief, woman! Now you are just toying with my feelings, aren't ya? AREN'T YA?

He can be anything he wants and that includes being sanctimonious and you can be anything you want. It will be a wonderful world.

Caro. Mark Caro. And you wrote well.

Every twice a week on Wednesday(or Tuesday, I might be wrong), a knife sharpener comes to Divertimenti, Marylebone. You have to drop it the day before and they will return it to you the next day. He comes quite early. Although, I'd suggest you make friends with your butcher and ask him nicelike... These are good too. I used something similar(read as 'cheaper')and I found that my knives became slightly serrated. It broke my heart. Finally, I had to 'fix' it by grinding the steel smooth, but I lost a lot of steel. I wasnt doing it right, apparently. Butcher, thats the way to go.

Really? Why are you reminded of this 'childless person'?

I believe that bourdain has stated that the "bad guys will win". I hope he's wrong about that. Mind you, I'm not indifferent to the treatment of animals. I want the farms raising ducks / geese for fois gras to adhere to the most humane practices possible. But the attacks on Laurent Manrique and his family cross the line ( way over the line) of civil behavior. I believe that there were similar incidents in Pittsburgh, though these amounted to harassment and vandalism and stopped well short of the stalking / terrorism * that chef Manrique was subjected to. If the ban is enacted, would it be fair to blame it on Trotter (at least in part)? It seems like whether he intended to or not, he lent the "anti" side a lot of credibility on this issue. I cannot believe that such a bill, in a city that is essentially a meat capitol, would even be considered and yet here we are. =R= ← Politicians of all persuasions are capable of pandering to the sentiment of the day. Maybe the Chicago aldermans' advisors should point out to them that the radical puritanical vegan vote is relatively small compared to the fine-dining constituancy. * I don't use the word "terrorism" lightly. If stalking the family of someone you don't agree with isn't terroristic, I don't know what is. ← Wow. Just one loony group terrorising a chef doesnt lump the rest of the 'anti foie gras' people and their ideology with the crazy ones. It is a major logic fart to try to connect what happened to Chef Manrique to those who are repelled by the idea of forcefeeding ducks. Regardless of how one may feel about certain ideas, it is prudent to give respect to people's right to make their own choice. Respect. Is it such a difficult concept to grasp?

If the ban is enacted, would it be fair to blame it on Trotter (at least in part)? That is ridiculous. Absolutely not. It is amazing to me that certain people in this forum(a general comment...i am not naming anyone) who thought nothing about instructing others and were for policing personal opinions/choices about the serving of foie gras in private establishments are distressed when their freedom to consume their favourite food is being threatened. What goes around comes around. Life is a bitch, aint it? The real issue is that foie gras production and consumption is incompatible with the food culture of America. The support for such a practice is not sustainable in the long run. Not only in the States, but all around the world. It is an irrational stance to clamour to hoist blame on *someone*. Foie gras isnt 'meat'.

Interesting principle. Where does it stop? If its fine and democratic to ban foie gras, how about other things that used to be within a free person's realm of choices? What difference is there in banning foie gras and banning pre-marital sex? I'd bet the polls on whether either is a good thing or a bad thing would come out about the same in a number of locales. It would be fine and democratic to criminalize it then, right? If the majority wants to govern conduct in your bedroom, then that is just fine, eh? It stops when the govt tells you what to put inside your mouth..what you can inhale, inject or swallow. I dont know if you are making that statement or if you misunderstood what I said. I never suggested that 'its fine and democratic to ban foie gras'. Although, if it is of any comfort to anyone, it is quite difficult to to ban consumption of foie gras. There are four federal agencies that can regulate food consumption, iirc. USDA, FDA, EPA and NMFS...There is very little wiggle room to squeeze in a ban on foie gras consumption. I think. It can also be argued that is unconstitutional.

I did find out the the way to make 'jasmine syrup', tho...basically steeping jasmine flowers in sugar syrup for 20+ minutes. But I suppose it would be rather delicate. It was a lovely recipe. Jasmine flavoured syrup drizzled over papaya. How beautiful is that... Great idea about the 'jasmine sugar'...will try it.

There has been an oopsie. The essential oils are not food grade, it seems. Thanks to everyone who replied. I am now determined to get the edible versions of essential oils.

I agree. Banning food and making them illegal is not a solution. It is undemocratic.

This came up after you posted though..apparently, foie gras is necessary for a 'serious foodie restaurant town'. un-fucking believable. the city council will take chicago down from a serious restaurant town to a laughing stock. arrogant, self-righteous fools. this both is ridiculous and scary ←

Yes! I was told that the jasmine costs almost ten times as much as the cinnamon oil. Unfortunately, there is no labelling. It looks as though it was peeled off...because it was a gift. All I can make out from what is remaining is the place of origin(Ooty, India) and that it comes from a place is famous for its Eucalyptus oil. I am going to have to ask some questions re origin/quality before I start playing in the kitchen. edited to add: I am rather suspicious about the edibility factor...because the cinnamon oil tasted sweet. I cannot imagine the essence of cinnamon being sweet. Definitely something synthetic in there. But..oh.my.god...the strength of the fragrance is amazing(sniffing as I am typing this). I want to trap it inside my lungs and don't want to exhale. And I don't even like cinnamon! And I love jasmine. I remember reading a recipe for jasmine creme brulee. I saw someone use it in dried form and it was more like dried tea leaves. Was not enticing at all, to be honest. I was beginning to think that jasmine in food has to come from something synthetic because once dried, it literally smells like tea. Fragrant tea, but nothing close to the heavenly jasmine I know and love so much. I was so excited when I got the jasmine essential oil, but I suppose I'll have to stick to tea like jasmine in food until I learn more.

Isn't it time for Vishu Kani again? I havent celebrated any festivals for a longish time. Vishu used to be one of my all time favourites. We are Tamil Iyers, but we celebrate Vishu. Go figure. Could be a border thing? I think I will make it home for Vishu this year. Any festival that involves good food and gift money cannot be bad. I cannot remember, but doesnt the Tamil New Year coincide with Vishu? I am told that Ugadi, the Kannada New Year is on April 09th this year. Are they all the same day? For some reason, I always think of Tamil New Year on the 14th April tho'. It has something to do with the regional/religious calenders? I am especially fond of chaka pradhaman. Setting up the Kani is one of my favourite memories and shopping for the vegetables, fruits and flowers. I love..LOVE..the combined fragrance of all them together. The yearly ritual became painful after my grandmother passed away. As matriach of the family, she presided over all the festivals throughout the year and Vishu more than any other festival was particularly difficult without her. edit: does Vishu have something to do with the Guruvayur temple or something about a boat race? I really wish I can make my memory cells work!

Aroma: The magic of essential oils in food and fragrance was recommended and it seems like its a good read.

I'm crying. Tears are streaming down my face. I'm laughing so much it physically hurts. Trotter's public posturing is getting stranger and stranger. At this point he's coming off as a wildly gesticulating Village Idiot. "Whup ass" I suppose in America a man can go around saying stuff like that without every having to actually whup some ass or fearing that his ass might be whupped for talking shit like that. But then again what sort of man says he's gonna whup ass? Oh yeah Trotter. Enough said. ← Tears, huh? From Urban Dictionary open a can of whup ass: 1. To establish physical dominance over another by beating them into submission and/or unconsciousness. 2. In sports: To go into another team's home stadium, beat their asses, and send their pretty boy quarterback home cryin' to his mama. /verb/ 1. to administer a beating on someone, usually using only hands, feet and other natural weapons 2. to verbally berate someone so badly that he is ashamed to show his face in public a total beatdown that not only causes physical injury but total humiliation

Yowsa! I'd be very careful if I was you, about applying essential oils to your skin.... the only ones that I know of that are safe to do so are lavender and tea tree. It's a concentration thing. With food grade oils, those that are safe to consume, they are still, most likely, not safe to apply to your skin. ← I know that NOW!! Ouch.

Gosh! I didnt think you were making them up. It is just that I didnt know what they meant and I wasnt sure if it was a typo from your part. I was just unsure. Sorry. Thanks for the info. I will check if they are food grade quality.

If ducks and geese do it to themselves, why not allow them to fatten themselves up so we can catch them before they migrate?

Tony, most of us were outraged. Fist clenching, brow knotting and nostril flaringly outraged!! I dont think any chef around the world would clap with glee about what happened. It is my belief that Chef Trotter too was sickened by what happened to Chef Manrique, his family and his business. It would have made it all the more difficult for him to stand up and tell the world his stance. You are going about this the wrong way. If what happened to Chef Manrique is what we are *really* talking about, it would have served you better to convince Chef Trotter to denounce the right wing fringe lunatics who completely hijacked the real issue that is the cruel practice of forcefeeding and deplorable rearing conditions. Can someone decide not to serve foie gras and still stand up for their fellow chefs. Why not? This is possible. Chef Trotter does not seem to me as the kind of person who would stand behind those who terrorise families and businesses. By acting paranoid about the 'bad guys winning', you are losing out on the support you can garner from influential sectors. By not allowing those who do not agree with foie gras production to hold their beliefs without defensiveness, you are losing the opportunity to raise a collective voice against the *real* bad guys. Let me simplify this as much as it is possible with a thought experiment, In a room, there are three kinds of people Group 1: Those who believe in violence against people who serve foie gras. (1 person) Group 2: Those who believe in freedom and choose not to serve foie gras.(2 persons) Group 3: Those who believe in freedom and mourn the possible loss of foie gras.(2 persons) If two are not enough to get the one 'bad guy' out, it makes sense to recruit the other two who are against the 'bad guy'. By alienating Group 2, Group 3 has lesser muscle to throw Group 1 out. By combining forces, the bad guy can be eliminated. Why you fight your own, everyone loses. Who is locking horns with their own kind? Think about it.

I dont know what 'dram bottles' are..but these tiny little glass bottles, the size of two medium sized thumbs in girth....and it is STRONG. I sniffed the cinnamon oil and I tested a drop to taste. I rubbed it over my lips instead of taking it in straight. When I licked my lips, it tasted sweet, but upon contact, my lips were on fire. The burning sensation lasted for a good 10-15 minutes.

Yes. Let us please understand what we are talking about. We are talking about learning to cook fine food without using foie gras. Maybe YOU are talking about Manrique, but in that case, you should have mentioned it in your interview with Caro. But then again, maybe you did. Mark Caro's previous piece leaves much to be desired when it comes to proper chronological order of presenting quotes. This too, the rest of us reading public will never know. Are you telling me that ALL those who are against forcefeeding and foie gras are responsible for the actions of a few rabid animal activists? Arent you generalising? Just because the 'bad guy' is winning the day, does a chef who doesnt feel quite right about serving foie gras lick the collective arses of the 'good guys' and stifle his own wishes? I urge you to travel. To India. You know, the country with one billion people, the majority of whom are vegetarians. I'll even take you in as a houseguest at very reasonable rates if you will wash the dishes and do your own laundry. Indians, only one nationality among many others, have lived on vegetarian food for many many generations. I challenge you to convince one vegetarian Indian that they are ingesting 'anti-food'. Let us simplify what you said: Trotter has-on two occassions-has chosen to disagree with your concept of food. Ok. Basically, this is a schoolyard fight between a ardent meat eater and an anti-foie gras person. It seems to me that you are trying to sell your case by exploiting the travesty that happened to Chef Laurent Manrique. Shame on you, bourdain.

Here is Bux's quote: To Robert Buxbaum, manager the eGullet site, the most interesting aspect of the foie gras flap has been the exposed underbelly of inter-chef dynamics. "Chefs in London are noted for stepping out of the kitchen and arguing with diners on the floor, but that doesn't happen in New York or Chicago as far as I know," Buxbaum said. "Most chefs are respectful to other chefs, at least in public." Two points, Bux: first, Why are we speaking about chefs arguing with diners? secondly, about 'chefs are respectful to other chefs, at least in public', I have to disagree. Books have been written with chefs mocking other chefs. A certain celebrity chef writer calling another celebrity television chef an 'ewok' was brought to my notice recently. However, allow me to quote bourdain from the latest article links that keep piling in my inbox: "He's easy to pick on," Bourdain said. "He's not exactly famous for his sense of humor. There is an element of schoolyard pile-on in this case, vicarious enjoyment of his embarrassment." Indeed. In fact, bourdain had his flaming shot at Trotter several months ago. I just recd what might be an answer to my previous question to bourdain. From Courier Mail According to Bourdain, Trotter's vegetarian cookbook, Raw, written with Roxanne Klein, is the most evil book published since Mein Kampf. "It's an obscenely evil document," he tells those gathered to hear him speak at Brisbane's Restaurant II. From Hartford advocate Ask him about chef Charlie Trotter and the raw-food movement. You get classic bone-gnawing Bourdain: "I think after World War II, in the English-speaking world, there was this sort of Puritan idea or concept that taking too much pleasure in food led to bad character. That in some way if you enjoyed yourself at the table too much it would lead to the harder stuff. Like sex. I think the French and Italians understood, 'Yeah! It just led to sex!' And they were absolutely OK with that. But, you know, let's take Charlie Trotter for example. You know what's wrong with Charlie Trotter's food? He cooks like a guy who's never been fucked properly." Food Fight via NY Observer. Restaurateur Charlie Trotter, whose unnamed seafood restaurant has yet to open in the Time Warner Center due to several postponements, endured the final blow of the food fight. "He has his waiters wear double-sided tape on their shoes so they’ll tidy up the carpet as they work," Mr. Bourdain revealed. "And the guy cooks like he’s never been fucked properly in his life." I think the issue is more complex and is multi layered than just foie gras. Play nice, boys.

I recently recd a few bottles of clove, cinnamon, bergamot and jasmine essential oils. Are the safe for cooking? The fragrance is intense and quite lovely. I usually drop empty pods of cardamom in drinking water or cumin in hot water for its light fragrance and I am thinking essential oils should do the same. Using it in food(cold preps) should infuse aromas even though there would be very little flavour infusion. I dont think they are toxic. Has anyone heard otherwise?