| Entree into the kitchen
The question is a hot topic in certain food circles: Why are outsiders being hired to open certain top-drawer Washington restaurants? Isn't the reputation or education of home-grown talent good enough?
Celebrity chefs Eric Ripert and Wolfgang Puck are scheduled to head up two first-class eateries in the District next year, following others who have come to the region from other large cities.
It's not the quality of local cooking schools that is in question, suggest District chefs Jeff Tunks of Passion Food Hospitality, a restaurant group that includes Ceiba, DC Coast and TenPehn, and Vikram Garg of Indebleu, but the high stakes of being successful in an extremely competitive field where problems include keeping young chefs who often think moving from job to job builds a more impressive resume.
Sugar Creek Arts Festival expands and grows
NORMAL -- "More" is the word to describe the Sugar Creek Arts Festival this year. There will be more artists, more food, more entertainment and more ground to cover during the festival's run Saturday and Sunday."Every aspect has expanded," said Doug Johnson, executive director of the McLean County Arts Center, which coordinates the show with the town of Normal and WGLT radio. "It puts us in the big league."The festival will feature a record 210 artist booths. The lineup will begin on North Street, west of Constitution Trail, and, for the first time, continue onto the Illinois State University quad."The partnership with ISU is really ideal," Johnson said. "It gives us extra space, expands the size and exposes the public to the quad. The Fell Arboretum (on the quad) is really one of the prettiest areas in town."The move also helps the festival work around construction in uptown Normal.Johnson and Normal's Community Development Director Steve Westerdahl have been working on alternatives for this year's festival for four or five years, knowing the uptown redevelopment plan would influence the space."The university came to us knowing we were pressed for space," Westerdahl said.
Devastated New Orleans mourns Katrina dead
Hurricane victims attend a candlelight vigil marking the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at Jackson Square in New Orleans. AFP NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - New Orleans Wednesday mourned the huge losses inflicted by Hurricane Katrina two years ago, as US President George W. Bush sought to dispel lingering anger, vowing better days lay ahead. Scores of tiny blue hand bells tinkled, as Mayor Ray Nagin led a poignant memorial service to the 1,500 dead across the Gulf Coast and remembered the devastation which laid waste whole communities. Two years on, much of the city famed for its jazz and Creole cooking still lies abandoned after surging seas whipped up by the hurricane breached its levees on August 29, 2005. Bush, who was sharply criticized for failing to respond swiftly to the enormous tragedy unfolding before the nation's eyes, on Wednesday paid his 15th visit to the city since the storm hit.
Outdoors
ON HORIZON Kayak trip: Little Sarasota Bay Enjoy a quiet water kayak trip tour led by John Sarkozy of the American Littoral Society 8:30-11:30 a.m. Sept. 2. Take a break on the "crown jewel" of our local beaches and take a swim, a walk or do some birding before paddling back tot he mainland. All equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Cost: $20 members, $25 nonmembers. Information/reservations: 966-7308. Kayak trip: Sister Keys, Longboat Key Take a quiet water kayak trip around the Sister Keys with naturalist John Sarkozy of the American Littoral Society 8:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 31. Explore the area and see bird and marine life. A short training course provided for beginners. All equipment provided. Wear sunscreen, wettable shoes, and bring water to drink.
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