Celebrity Foods Alumni

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

-h

"It's easy to identify people who can't count to ten.  They're in front of you in the supermarket express lane."
--M. Grundler

If you live in California, you’ve been out to a restaurant or any fast food eatery and probably have seen the big blue letter grades slapped in a prominent place near the entrance to the establishment.  In my own personal experience, I usually see only an ‘A’ Grade, with the seldom occurrence of a ‘B’ Grade.  I guess it’s comforting to know that we are able to see how the places we choose to dine measure up in terms of taking steps to ensure the safety of our food, and the environment in which it is prepared.

Now, have you ever seen the same grading of supermarkets?  I don’t know about you, but I have never seen a letter grade when I enter the supermarket.  I guess we are responsible for our own safety with the food we prepare ourselves, but what about the good folks that handle the food until we come in to purchase it?  Well, MSNBC recently published a story about how the top supermarkets stood in terms of general safety practices.  It is a rather surprising, yet eye-opening article.  You can check it out here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10976595/.  There are also some other links in that story that are rather interesting as well…

And, while your clicking, make sure you check out some of Celebrity’s sites:

http://www.celebrityhomedelivery.com

http://www.celebrityfoodsbeef.com

Yeah, the very thought of that is something that can make you swear-off mass-produced, cream-filled pastries for good!

But, there is an interesting article I came across in the Journal of Food Safety having to do with preservatives, and how there may be a natural alternative to them – spices.

Research has found that commercially available, powder-form versions of garlic, turmeric and ginger can act as a deterrent to Salmonella in ground beef.  Now, there is a lot of Science-Speak in the journal entry, but it is good reading and really rather interesting.  I suggest you check it out either on the web at http://ift.confex.com/ift/2005/techprogram/paper_30757.htm or in print.  The article reference can be found at the end of this post.  And, you can always find interesting information about Celebrity Foods and our commitment to food safety by visiting Celebrity Foods Safety.

And don’t worry, your Twinkie is safe, for now… but how DO they get that cream filling in there??

Oh yeah, and you can find that article here:

Journal of Food Safety

I really lament not having the Internet as a research tool until my later years of college.  I mean, just think of all the money I could have made selling research papers!  Okay, so maybe I have more of an ethical side than that, but it is amazing just how powerful a source of information the Internet truly is.  I was perusing the 'net (that's slang for Internet for all you technophobics out there) the other day in search of some information on food safety and the difference between organic and non-organic beef products when, Boom!  I find a site from our good friends at Celebrity Foods detailing just what I was looking to find. It was a very interesting read, and I suggest you check it out. Just follow this link to Celebrity Foods Safety and be edified!

"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."  –James Beard

With the recent Memorial Day holiday, we begin the season of grilling!  What a wonderful time of year.  The weather is pristine with crisp, blue skies, puffy clouds, vibrant green hues of gras, and the wafting smell of a grill filled with steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs and corn-on-the-cob.  It is a classic method of cooking that inspires memories in me.

I think back to pool parties with friends - my dad acting as the grill master, as well as master of the 'biggest splash' once the feast was finished!  I remember my mother preparing the meats for grilling, and then the fun that would come from just sitting around the table, laughing and sharing with friends and family.  And what better way to finish up a barbecue than with a slice of cold watermelon?  Doesn't that sound great?

I am sure that you have memories of family barbecues as well.  Food truly is our common ground.  We have all had similar experiences, only the names and faces are different.  Think about a fun barbecue that you hosted, or one that you crashed!  Write it down and share it!  We love love to hear about it.

Until then, happy grilling!