Chefs reveal eating secrets of world leaders

PARIS -- Barack Obama can't stand beetroot, artichokes are off the menu at France's presidential palace and Vladimir Putin does not take any chances with dishes that emerge from the Kremlin kitchens.

Those were just a few of the culinary tidbits to emerge from the latest reunion of the select club of chefs who ply their trade on behalf of some of the most powerful men and women on the planet.

The "club des chefs des chefs," which now counts some 20 members, was formed 35 years ago by Gilles Bragard, who revealed that Putin continues the tradition of medieval monarchs who, for fear of poisoning, were reluctant to eat anything that had not been tried first by someone else.

"Tasters still exist but only in the Kremlin, where a doctor checks every dish with the chef," Bragard told reporters this week ahead of a reception for the chefs hosted by new French President Francois Hollande.

Bragard's comments were confirmed by Putin's head chef, Vakhtang Abushidi, and it seems he is not the only modern-day leader who harbors a fear of what they may find on the plates put in front of them.

Anton Mosimann, a regular cook for the British royal family, recalled that a visit by a former US president resulted in him being "constantly followed around by two FBI guys who wanted to taste absolutely everything I was proposing to cook."

More recent interference in the palace kitchen has come from Britain's Duchess of Cambridge, the wife of Prince William, who asked the Swiss chef to lighten one of his sauces.

Mosimann also revealed that, long after her retirement, former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher harbored warm memories of the quality of the beef that was served during her time in Downing Street.

Typically, the grocer's daughter could also remember just how much it cost. "It was delicious, but, oh, it was expensive!" Mosimann recalled the Iron Lady exclaiming.

Bernard Vaussion, who has cooked for French Presidents and their guests for 40 years, confirmed that his new boss Hollande would gladly give artichokes a wide berth.

But he is delighted that cheese is back on the Elysee menu after being banished from the table during the term of Hollande's chocaholic predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Cristeta Comerford, the head chef at the White House, would not be drawn on US President Obama's aversion to beetroot (also revealed by Bragard), perhaps anxious not to undermine Michelle Obama's drive to get American kids to eat more fruit and vegetables.

By way of example, the first lady has established a vegetable plot and an orchard in the White House grounds.

Monaco's Prince Albert II -- a "fine gourmet" according to his chef Christian Garcia -- is another fan of home-grown cuisine, with much of what he eats drawn from his organic kitchen garden.

Offal is the only no-go area for Garcia, who has recently added the South African specialty bobotie -- a spiced minced meat dish baked with an egg-based topping -- to his repertoire of recipes following Albert's marriage to Princess Charlene.

source: interaksyon.com

Finland On A Plate

Will she be serving reindeer?" That was the buzz at Edsa Shangri-La's Heat restaurant when American-Finnish celebrity chef Sara La Fountain held her one-day exclusive lunch and dinner food festival recently.

The perky and pretty "cooking sensation" confessed that this was her original intent but alas, she could not source reindeer meat in our part of the world. And lugging it around from Finland throughout her tour wasn't quite practical. Sorry, no Rudolph today. Nonetheless, she did cook up a storm, serving Finnish comfort food that warms the soul on those frigid Norse winters.

To ease the creaking of bones, of course, there's steaming soup. Sara ladled Salmon Soup with Fresh Egg Roe, accompanied by a sliver of Archipelago Bread. This dark sweet bread flavored with malt and topped with herbs is for dipping into the soup. She had been carrying pieces baked from her grandmother's original recipe, yet the bread was as soft and moist since the day she left Finland.

For her next dish, Sara offers a comment: "Finnish food is all about seasonal flavors." The countryside abounds with produce, fruits, fresh vegetables and root crops. During the long months of summer and seemingly endless sunshine, they enjoy these fruits of the earth; to stock up for winter, these same crops are preserved by pickling or smoking. A bite of summer in deep dark winter was Vorchmack with Marinated Beets, a traditional dish served at weddings; it highlights minced beef, lamb and herring settled on a row of marinated and pickled vegetables.

A fusion of the old and new worlds arrived via Crayfish Salad with Boiled Quail Eggs, Radish, Avocado and Asparagus served with Dill Mayonnaise and Cilantro-Ginger Dressing. This summer salad starring Finland's ubiquitous but tiny crayfish complemented with creamy avocado is best eaten with toast.

The main dish of Karelian Stew was another treasured recipe Sara learned from her grandmother. Made with lamb, beef, cabbage and carrots and refreshed with sour cream, this stew originated from Finland's Karelian region.

For a flourishing Finnish finish, there’s a Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake. While rhubarb is not commonly found in the Philippines, Filipino taste buds need not be totally fazed, as its caramelized pinkish flesh on this cake tastes a lot like sweet pineapple.

For more of Sara's Finnish classics, check out her program New Scandinavian Cooking on the Asian Food Channel. For details and show schedules, visit www.asianfoodchannel.com.

source: mb.com.ph

Fun summer cooking with Tefal

Manila, Philippines - Introducing, Tefal Plancha UltraCompact, a reliable griller that lets you cook and enjoy your favorite summer treats! It features a wide non-stick cooking surface that allows you to cook more food at once.

With a detachable juice tray which collects excess oils and fats, you can be sure your meals are tasty and healthy as it should be! It also features an adjustable thermostat which puts you in control of the cooking temperature, makes for an easier, more convenient time in the kitchen.

Whether for indoor or outdoor use, this remarkable griller will definitely make for a great kitchen partner this summer!

Tefal is exclusively distributed nationwide by Rustan Marketing Corporation and is available in leading department stores nationwide.

source: mb.com.ph