Category: General News

Others!, Bar TV Etiquette and Hot Beverage Culture

| Posted in General News, Profiles

The Portland Daily Sun has published an article about the guiding philosophy of Others! in Monument Square,

“Our mission is in our name. We try to leverage money that comes through here to help as many as we can through Fair Trade coffee and tea and try to have a direct relationship with the growers and farmers,” said McCurtain.

a lesson in bar TV etiquette,

To which he said, “It’s just the way things are done…you ask your neighbor in a bar if you want to switch the channel. You must not go out very much.”

and an article about hot beverages, seasonal and otherwise.

Although we are a soup-eating people, we really don’t have a strong culture of hot beverages. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate and the occasional cider are typically the only hot beverages that you’ll find on menus in this country. Hot broths and savory brews are really a home affair, made to order when it’s bitter cold. The only local exception I’ve found is the buttery rich tea that is served at Korea House.

Fish Co-op, Food & Dining

| Posted in General News, Fisheries

Today’s Press Herald reports on the decrease of fishing boats based in Portland and the efforts of the Fish Co-op to use it’s remaining funds to address one issue responsible for the exodus to Massachusetts. (listen to this piece from Maine Things Considered for additional information)

The cooperative, which is going out of business, is using most of the proceeds from its investment in a fuel and ice company to provide rebates covering Maine’s 5 percent tax on diesel marine fuel.

Today’s paper also includes the weekly Food & Dining section: gingerbread houses, holiday cooking, food book gift ideas and ideas for eating out over the holidays.

Food Security, Food Paintings and Seatinis

| Posted in General News

Today’s Press Herald includes articles about food security in Cumberland County,

The Campaign to Promote Food Security in Cumberland County is scheduled to release its report today after a yearlong study. It says the recession has dramatically increased the number of Cumberland County residents who aren’t sure they can put food on the table, or skip meals because they run out of money.

a Maine artist who paints portraits of family recipes,

With titles like “Mom’s Spaghetti,” “MaryLou’s Fish Chowder” and “Merriam Family Camp Apple Pie,” Erickson’s work preserves memories of holiday dishes, grandmothers’ treats and just good old home cooking.

Ocean Approved’s latest product the Dilly Kelp Pickles which you can buy on the OA website,

The newest product from Portland-based Ocean Approved features the company’s kelp noodles in a dill-infused vinegar brine. With a flavor that blends the essence of dilly beans and a subtle sea taste, the pickles have a slight crunch, and have the look of spinach noodles.

and an Appel on Wine column.

30% Rise in Enrollment at SMCC

| Posted in General News

Today’s Press Herald reports on the SMCC culinary arts program. The program has seen a 30% increase in enrollment in the last 3 years.

“The No. 1 driver is jobs,” said Chef Wilfred Beriau, a professor and former department chairman. “People are recognizing that food service is thriving in Maine, especially as part of the tourism industry. No. 2 is the Food Channel and all of the cooking shows on television. It’s showing people the color and excitement of food as an industry.”

Winter Markets & Terry Thiese

| Posted in General News, People

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article on Portland area winter farmers markets,

“As long as the (Monday) meeting goes well, we’ll be in the Irish Heritage Center starting Jan. 8,” said Lauren Pignatello of Swallowtail Farm, who is one of the coordinators of the Portland Winter Market and a vendor at the Brunswick Winter Market. “We’ll have lots of winter greens, root vegetables, cheese, yogurt, kefir, hard salami, pork, beef, chicken, lamb, rabbit, tempeh, bread, eggs, apples and flower bulbs.”

and an Appel on Wine column about wine guru Terry Thiese. Thiese will be in Portland Tuesday for a book signing with Rabelais and a sold out dinner at Bar Lola.

This is simultaneously the hardest and easiest column for me to write. Easy because it concerns Terry Theise, my personal wine hero (and writing hero, and life hero), and I have waited a long time for the opportunity to write publicly about him. Hard because the stakes are so high: if I fail to convince you to form a long-term relationship with Theise’s work, then I wonder why I speak about wine at all.

Winter Markets & Terry Thiese

| Posted in General News, People

The Food & Dining section in today’s Press Herald includes an article on Portland area winter farmers markets,

“As long as the (Monday) meeting goes well, we’ll be in the Irish Heritage Center starting Jan. 8,” said Lauren Pignatello of Swallowtail Farm, who is one of the coordinators of the Portland Winter Market and a vendor at the Brunswick Winter Market. “We’ll have lots of winter greens, root vegetables, cheese, yogurt, kefir, hard salami, pork, beef, chicken, lamb, rabbit, tempeh, bread, eggs, apples and flower bulbs.”

and an Appel on Wine column about wine guru Terry Thiese. Thiese will be in Portland Tuesday for a book signing with Rabelais and a sold out dinner at Bar Lola.

This is simultaneously the hardest and easiest column for me to write. Easy because it concerns Terry Theise, my personal wine hero (and writing hero, and life hero), and I have waited a long time for the opportunity to write publicly about him. Hard because the stakes are so high: if I fail to convince you to form a long-term relationship with Theise’s work, then I wonder why I speak about wine at all.

Maine Mead Works

| Posted in General News

Mainebiz has published an article about Maine Mead Works and its innovative fermentation process.

Improvements to the ancient art of alcohol fermentation rarely happen. What has worked incredibly well for centuries doesn’t scream for much tinkering.

But Maine Mead Works in Portland is hoping to soon patent an original fermentation system that its creators say makes mead production cheaper and easier, which could help popularize the uncommon drink.

Winter Farmers Market

| Posted in General News

The Portland Daily Sun published a report today about the Winter Farmers Market.

Now, the dozen-plus vendors slated for the winter market are poised to move into the the former St. Dominic’s church, located at 34 Gray St. The building boasts a lower level that can accommodate up to 300 people, and the sanctuary is its own draw, with 60-foot cathedral ceilings and stained glass windows.

If permitting goes as planned, the Portland Winter Market will relaunch Jan. 8 and will continue every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through April 23, when the outdoor Portland Farmer’s Market returns.