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Cookbook Award Finalists Have Been Announced

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By JEFF HOUCK | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

Finalists in the prestigious International Association of Culinary Professionals 2009 Cookbook Awards have been announced. The awards honor the year's most outstanding food and beverage publications.

Included is Marcella Rosene and Pat Mozersky's illuminating book "Cooking with Les Dames d'Escoffier: At Home with the Women Who Shape the Way We Eat and Drink" (Sasquatch Books). The authors include observations from Italian cooking legend and Longboat Key resident Marcella Hazan.

I'm proud to say that several nominees have been guests on my Table Conversations podcast. They include Thomas Keller, whose sous vide cookbook "Under Pressure" has been nominated in two categories, Lynne Rosetto Kasper, who's "The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper" is in the general category and Jennifer McLagan, author of "Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient."

(You can hear my interviews with them online at my blog, The Stew, at TBO.com, keyword: Stew, or subscribe for free on iTunes.)

The biggest snub? Has to be the Alinea cookbook by chef Grant Achatz, which not only included complicated recipes for his futuristic food but also lush photos and a companion Web site full of multimedia video, audio and slide shows.

Winners will be announced at the 2009 IACP ceremony on April 4 in Denver. To view a complete list of finalists, see the listing below or visit http://iacp.com.

DATZ NICE

Since 1961, The Junior League of Tampa has raised money for the volunteer and charity programs it supports through sales of its series of cookbooks. Their "Gasparilla Cookbook," and "Tampa Treasures," became local classics.

To help them sell more books, Datz Delicatessen on MacDill Avenue in Tampa will host a Junior League tasting and add a few dishes from the group's archive to the restaurant's daily specials.

Suzanne Perry, who moved from Kentucky to open Datz in February with her husband, Roger, is a former Junior League president.

The March 28 tasting, which will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature five recipes from the previous cookbooks. League members will be on hand to sell books and act as hosts. All proceeds from the sales go to the Junior League.

For more information about the Junior League, go online to www.jltampa.org.

ONSCREEN SUDS

Craft beer fans love big, bold, unique flavors found in handmade brew. But part of the enjoyment of quaffing comes from an unspoken proletariat thrill in drinking something that isn't made by a massive corporation.

On April 16, that David vs. Goliath battle will be showcased in a special live simulcast of the documentary "Beer Wars," which tells the story of independent makers Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head beer and Rhonda Kallman of New Century Brewing who "battle the might and tactics of Corporate America … to achieve their American Dream."

After the film, pundit, economist and actor Ben Stein will moderate a panel discussion that includes "Beer Wars" director, producer and writer Anat Baron, a former beer industry executive. They'll be joined by Calagione, Kallman, Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company, Brewers Association president Charlie Papazian, beer historian Maureen Ogle, and Todd Alstrom, the founder of BeerAdvocate.

The simulcast, which begins at 8 p.m., will be shown locally at Regency 20 in Brandon, Sarasota 12 and Hollywood Stadium 20 in Sarasota, Woodland Square 20 in Oldsmar, Lakeside 18 Cinemas in Lakeland, Grove 16 Cinemas in Wesley Chapel, and the Citrus Stadium Park Mall 20 in Tampa.

For more information about "Beer Wars" and to watch the film's trailer, visit www.beerwarsmovie.com.

PROPS TO SHEBA

Debby Magill of Tampa Bay Vegetarians passed along that the Queen of Sheba restaurant on Henderson Boulevard in Tampa was named the winner of the group's "Restaurant of the Year."

The group's next dinner is at 7 p.m. March 24 at Thai-Am Restaurant on Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach, a little bit north of John's Pass. Cost is $9 for members and $11 for non-members.

For reservations, call (727) 524-3879 or (813) 269-4665 by noon on March 21, or go to www.tampabayvegetarians.org to sign up by e-mail.

TIE ONE ON

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Taste the Best of Tampa Bay event is fast approaching. The April 4 event will showcase more than 40 restaurants as well as art work that will be auctioned to raise money for TBPAC outreach programs.

As in previous years, contests include an apron-decorating competition. I helped judge this two years ago, and I'll be doing so again this year.

It's always great to see how creative people get. My favorite in 2007 was a Last Supper depiction with James Beard, Julia Child, Mario Batali, Jacques Pepin and other culinary legends at the table.

Deadline for artwork is Friday. For details, call (813) 222-1275.

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