ALERT: Delicious, Healthy, Do-Ahead Meals at the Commonwealth Club.

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EllieKrieger“Ellie Krieger: Fabulous Healthy Meals” kicks off the Commonwealth Club Winter Food and Wine Programs 2016 on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. Author of You Have It Made, Delicious, Healthy, Do-Ahead Meals, the award-winning Krieger writes for the New York Times. SunsetMagazine Food Editor Margo True will moderate the discussion with author at 555 Post St., San Francisco. Check-in is at 6 p.m. Part of the club’s Food lit series, the program will be followed by a 7:30 p.m. book signing. Tickets are $12 for club members, $22 for non-members. For more info, visit CommonWealthClub.org or call (415) 597-6700.

 

Hot Buttered Rum: Official Drink of Presidents Nos. 1 and 2?

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7-manly-cocktailsby Risa Nye

Here in the Bay Area, the rain and cold weather have finally made their presence felt — and just in time for National Hot Buttered Rum Day, Sunday, January 17. Why does this particular cold weather drink deserve its own day, you may ask. Have you ever had one? If so, you will appreciate how hot rum drinks warm the body and soul and make the long, cold, wintry nights easier to withstand. In addition, imbibing toddies and the like is a long-standing tradition in America, beginning with the earliest colonists – and a tradition well worth observing in the New Year. Continue reading →

Critics Corner: SON OF SAUL

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Son-of-Saul-poster

At last year’s Cannes Film Festival there was a strong selection of films to consider but one movie made a lasting impression with images and a story people cannot forget. László Nemes‘ Son of Saul won the coveted Grand Prix award and has been the film “you must not miss” at Toronto, Telluride and New York Film Festivals. Continue reading →

Son of Saul Reviews X 2, Hot Buttered Rum, A Mystery Writer’s Recipes, Berlin and Beyond, Who’s Oscar?

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Dear Friends,

In a matter of five days the Golden Globes gave some pretty strange awards, winners gave drunken speeches and the Academy announced the Oscar nominations with some overlap and surprises. The surprises were often in what was left out. We have asked filmmakers and other movie experts to offer their thoughts on what is missing. Continue reading →

Baker’s Dozen: The Secret Cake of the Brown Derby

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IMG_1362by Dianne Boate

You should always be ready for surprises. In researching the origin of one of my favorite cakes, chiffon, I discovered it was invented in 1927 by a caterer named Mr. Harry Baker, in the Los Angeles area.

Louella Parsons (left) dining at the Brown Derby.

Louella Parsons (left) dining at the Brown Derby.

He kept the recipe a secret for a long time and finally sold it to General Mills. But before that happened he had the brilliant idea to take a cake to The Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, where it became a popular item on the menu with movie stars – and Louella Parsons, one of the leading gossip columnists of the day. Whatever Louella wanted, Louella got, so her idea that grapefruit was nonfattening resulted in a grapefruit-flavored frosting for the popular cake. (Do we want to try that? Maybe…)

Continue reading →