The Landscape of Dining: Topoware

by Kelly Amabile on
What do you get when a Canadian industrial designer and a German jewelery designer collaborate on a project?

A transatlantic tablewear collection, of course!

Here’s a perfect gift for your favorite travel-loving foodie! The sleek understated design of Topoware is sure to be a hit with distinguished travelers. The design duo set out to explore the journey of eating, by creating a collection that “outlines” the dining experience. The china is cleverly coded with a few choice words — a “full” line circles the bottom of a bowl; and a “child” loop indicates an appropriate kid’s meal portion. Other lines subtly force the eater to question whether he or she is “very hungry” or “done?”

Taking inspiration from the recent popularity of geography as a media of communication, the artists set out to explore the visual and social landscape of dining by using descriptions to question and push our eating experience. The collection debuted at the Milan Furniture Fair in April. Yummy stuff.

Anyone want seconds?

A Canadian in Beijing: Veggie Restaurant Redemption

by Ember Swift on

I thought it appropriate that I redeem the vegetarian restaurant that was the site of my “bad day” a few weeks ago.

First off, my friend Traci (an American and thirteen-year resident of Beijing) read my blog and had the following to say to me: “everyone has bad China days, Ember, so rest-assured you’re not alone.” That was good to hear. She said that even she has days when she struggles with the cultural differences and when she feels excluded or misunderstood because she’s a foreigner.

Last night, my friend Wei asked me if I was interested in going out for vegetarian food with him and since I feel like my cold is lifting and I’m feeling better, I accepted. He was the one who had originally told me about the “Lotus in Moonlight Vegetarian Restaurant” and I hadn’t realized that he meant we should go to that same one in particular. Of course that makes sense, though, since it was his recommendation in the first place. He picked me up in a taxi and I didn’t notice our destination until I got out of the taxi and saw the same line of bicycles that had been my parking spot just a couple weeks ago.
I didn’t indicate to him that I had been here before, but I did think to myself that it was a good opportunity to redeem the experience and I coached my open mind to remain that way. I’m so glad it complied.

The food was excellent and the service was impeccable. I saw no sign of the previous waitress and I would definitely return to eat there again, even though it was rather pricey.

Wei is Chinese and his English is pretty terrible. His pronunciation is painful and I find him more comprehensible in Chinese than I do in English. When he tried to use his English, I often have to hear what he’s trying to say in Mandarin before I can understand him (or correct him) in English. He and I met at a live music venue the second week I had arrived and he was really helpful in explaining some words to me and writing them down. We became friends and have since spent a bit of time together. When we hang out, it forces me to speak only in Chinese, which is something that is really important for my language development.

He taught me this very valuable expression “dabao” which means “I want it to go.” It’s apparently more colloquial than “na zou” (literally: take to go) and is a request for your food to be packaged up and sent home with you. I used it with the waitress who gave me a huge smile before nodding and returning with the container and a small bag with handles.

I have to admit that I can only spend about two hours in Wei’s company before I feel like my brain is going to stage a mutiny, carve an exit from my skull and then roll off my head and out the door. It’s not his company, of course, but the forced constancy of speaking Chinese that draws that feeling. The mental exhaustion feels physical and it’s a kind of tired that I’ve only experienced when I’ve been in immersion settings in my second or third language. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen to me anymore in French and I will eagerly await the day when it stops happening in Mandarin!

He treated me dinner (which was very sweet) and then I had to take my leave because I could no longer function in a conversation. He was understanding and waved me into a taxi. We’ll likely hang out again in the next couple of weeks. He remarked on my improvement with the language, so he’s a good gauge of my development. We’ll see if he says the same thing to me next time!

World Championship Barbecue-Cooking Contest, May 17-19

by Willy Volk on

Also known as “Super Bowl of Swine,” the World Championship Barbecue-Cooking Contest sounds like a mighty fine time — at least, if you like pork. Shredded, pulled, piled high, or on a slab, this Memphis tradition features opportunities for you to pick up some BBQ tips for yourself (if you sign up for the Cooker Caravan, a free guided tour of the teams), as well as the chance to help select the winner.

Don’t be so preoccupied stuffing your belly that you miss the Ms. Piggie Competition. Unlike any beauty contest you’ve ever seen, this contest pits grown men squeezed into tutus and snouts parading around a stage, singing. Is it hilarious…or awful? You be the judge.

Either way: it’s in Memphis. This is also a great opportunity to check out Beale Street and Graceland. When I was at Beale Street a few years ago, each time we walked into a bar, any band that was playing immediately went on break. Was it me?

Cinco de Mayo: Margaritas and More

by Jamie Rhein on

I’m thinking about margaritas. Cinco de Mayo, a little guys wins over the big guys story, is this Saturday. On May 5, 1862, when it seemed that a band of Mexican soldiers was going to be trounced by the French army double or more it’s size, the Mexican’s won. This was the Battle of Puebla, one of many struggles in Mexico to ensure freedom.

In Mexico it’s a national holiday. In the U.S. it’s a time to head to a Mexican restaurant or hit a celebration if you can find one. Last Cinco de Mayo my husband, kids and I happened to be in Talitas, a small neighborhood Mexican restaurant in Columbus, eating half-price appetizers and drinking Dos Equis. Yep, we live large. This year, I’m getting the margarita. Truthfully, Columbus, Ohio isn’t really a Cinco de Mayo hot spot. There’s not a splashy festival that I’m aware of–not like in Denver, Colorado where hundreds of thousands of people show up at Civic Center Park for food and entertainment.

Denver’s festival claims to be the largest Cinco de Mayo happening in the U.S. While Denver has a huge festival with several musical performances, New Mexico, Texas and Arizona are also Cinco de Mayo bonanzas. Utah is joining in. Every city and small town seems to have one, and many are free. There’s an assortment of parades, piñatas, and cook-offs besides a lot of mariachi bands and dancing. I’d bet wherever you can find a town plaza, you’ll find a celebration of some sort. See link. This link has links to links.

Here are some of New Mexico’s smaller town versions that caught my attention.– Artesia, Raton, Roswell and Socorro . Like I said, head to the plaza.

For Texas hotspots, here’s a link to those. Denton looks like it’s hopping and San Marcos has a menudo cook-off.

In Utah, head to Midvale and in Arizona, for a smaller city version, go to Chandler. Here, there’s a chihahuahua race in additon to the traditional fare.

For a margarita enjoyment. How about this? On the Santa Fe Southwestern Railroad, they’re serving up margaritas on the High Desert High Ball train.

10 Weird Summer Festivals

by Willy Volk on

From a baby-jumping festival in Spain, to rocketing down a hill after cheese in England, to chuckin’ cow chips in Wisconsin, here are 10 of the weirdest festivals you can hit this summer.

Be sure to take a camera. And some Band-Aids.

* May 14-15: The Pulilan Carabao Festival

Many farmers in the Philippines rely on carabaos, also known as water buffalo. Throughout the year, the beasts plow, sweat, and toil in the fields, getting muddy, and receiving little in return for their efforts. However, each May, the town of Pulilan celebrates its favorite farmyard animals.

For two days, the animals are the center of attention. On Day One, farmers shave their carabaos, soften their skin with oil, apply perfume to them, and decorate them with paint and ribbons. In the afternoon, farmers lead the carabaos to the town square to participate in a parade and kneel for blessings before a church. On Day 2, the froo-froo stuff is out the window as the carabaos compete in a race. Close to Manila, you can catch this “no bull” event easily.

* May 18-19: Mike The Headless Chicken Days

In 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen went to the barn to fetch dinner for his wife and mother-in-law. He spied Mike The Chicken and decided that he would do nicely. He raised his ax, swung it, and lopped off Mike’s head. However, Lloyd accidentally left one ear and the brain stem intact, meaning Mike didn’t die. For the next 18 months, Lloyd and Mike toured the region, charging spectators a quarter to take a gander at the headless bird, which could still eat and crow — sort of.

Today, the city of Fruita, Colorado, honors that poor, brainless bird’s moxie with its annual Mike the Headless Chicken Days that includes a Chicken Dance Contest, a Chicken Recipe Contest, a 5k “Run Like a Headless Chicken” race, Chicken Games, and more. Attending this event is definitely a “no-brainer.”

* May 28: Cooper Hill Cheese Rolling

Though it sounds benign (and kind of goofy), cheese-rolling is very dangerous. Running full-tilt down a very steep hill behind a madly spinning 7-pound wheel of cheese can be well-nigh lethal. In fact, police have attempted to ban the event, but participants have refused to observe the ban. Men and their cheese wheels can not be separated easily, evidently.

So what happens during a cheese roll? Simple: the cheese is set to rolling, and racers zoom down the hill after the cheese. However, as the cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, it rarely happens that someone catches the cheese. First to the bottom wins the cheese. Glorious.

* June 8-9: The Baby-Jumping Festival of Calacho, Spain

In celebration of the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi, grown men leap over newborns, with full parental consent. Donning scary, vaguely Elvis-like costumes and wielding whips and truncheons, the men attempt to “cleanse” the babies of evil. Evidently, recklessly leaping over them is the best way to achieve this.

The town has observed the strange practice (called El Colacho) since 1620, and any onlookers who seem to be in need of a quick exorcism are pulled into the event, as well — so look normal, by God! And leave your babies with the sitter.

*June 16: The Hollerin’ Contest

Spivey’s Corner, North Carolina (population: 49), celebrates the art of hollerin’ each June; this year, the event falls on the 16th. On that day, participants can showcase their own personal “hollerin’ style” in any of 5 contests, including the Junior Hollerin’ Contest, the Ladies Callin’ Contest and, of course, the (men’s only) National Hollerin’ Contest.

Also featuring pageants and games — think: a biggest bell pepper contest, a watermelon roll (no idea if this involves a steep hill or not), and a square-dancing jamboree — the event draws an international crowd. Sounds like a knee-slapping good time.

* July 5-8: The Amazing Roswell UFO Festival

I visited the freaky, little outpost of Roswell, New Mexico a few years ago and had a out-of-this-world time. This July, the faithful (and the cynical) will gather at the Roswell UFO Festival to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the “Roswell Incident,” when a UFO was said to have crashed into military grounds nearby.

Featuring experts, authors, researchers, and lecturers dissecting the infamous incident, the celebration will also sport an alien parade, an alien costume contest , and an alien hot air balloon ride. I’m sure someone will be previewing Close Encounters.

*July 28 and 29: BLMA’s 12-Hour Endurance Race

In July, over 40 teams will test their mettle in The British Lawn Mower Racing Association‘s flagstone event: the 12-hour endurance race. Racing mowers? Isn’t that kinda pointless? Actually, since the event begins at 8 pm and lasts through the night, it’s downright grueling. See for yourself.

* July 29: Fiesta of Near Death Experiences

This unusual festival is for people who have come close to death but lived to talk about it. Bizarrely, they attend church in a coffin, borne aloft by members of their family. (Sadly, if you have no friends or family, you have to carry your own coffin into the church.)

Held in Las Nieves, a small town in Galicia near the border with Portugal, thousands of people fill the narrow streets on the day of Santa Maria to hear the sad and sometimes disturbing stories of the survivors. After the somber event, though, things start to turn fun, as fireworks and street food compete for the attention of participants.

* August 1-5: The Testicle Festival

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Clinton, Montana’s elegantly-named Testicle Festival. This 21-and-up-only event features lots of beer (like Bull Snort Brew) and all the bull balls you can eat. What?

Yup, attendees dine on Rocky Mountain Oysters — more commonly known as bull’s testicles — which are usually served deep-fried. Spectators also thrill in Bullsh*t Bingo, in which the crowd bets on when a bull will poop. Wow! Just think of the souvenirs available to you!

* September 1-2: The Wisconsin State Chip Throw

During Labor Day weekend, residents and visitors of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin gather to hurl dried cow poop during the Wisconsin State Chip Throw. Contestants are NOT allowed to use gloves, but they MAY lick their fingers prior to chucking their chips — which could be kind of gross when working on your second throw of the event.

Of course, the event also features a bovine-inspired Tournament of Chips parade, but who can bother watching the passersby, with all the turd-tossing?

Sounds like summer is going to be lots of fun!