Sometimes, to quote that awful Taco Bell commercial, you just want something cheesy and melty. But if you're like me, there's little—short of being very, very broke or very, very drunk—that will persuade you to patronize Taco Bell, so when the craving hits, you must look elsewhere. And as entertaining as it was to watch Mayor Nutter really enjoy his margaritas at the Love Park Mexican Post last week, I didn't find my meal......

We love food. Not just because it's a necessary substance for sustaining life. Perhaps, we should say we're in love with food. That's why we would risk personal relationships for an ourstanding meal, why The Food Network is one of the only TV stations we can find without using the guide, and why we comb the pages of picture-heavy cookbooks the way most people thumb through the latest edition of Playboy (NSFW). And so......

Even though our Birds let us down this year, we’re still really psyched for the Super Bowl this weekend. In true Philly fashion we are rooting for the Giants, not because we like them that much (although the Q-back is our husband’s little brother), but because we’d love to see the Pats fail. Ahem. Anyways, this Saturday 24 current and former NFL players will offer up proof of their culinary prowess at “Taste of the......

Disclaimer: This post relates to an event put on by First Person Arts, of whom Editor Jill is an employee. However, Editor Jill did not have a hand in writing or editing this post. (With the Festival going on this week, she wouldn't have time to, even if she wanted to.) A little while back, we told you about the First Person Story Tour and its colorful "mascot," the Story Tour Van. The Story Tour......

What's new and/or interesting on TV this week. Nova (Tue, 8PM-9PM, PBS [WHYY & WLVT]) - This episode, entitled "Sputnik Declassified," is a look back at the early years of the space race, and includes segments on the launch of Sputnik, the failed attempt by the US to launch a satellite eight weeks later, and the contributions to the US space program by Wernher von Braun, former head of the Nazi rocket program. Secrets of......

I am writing this post in El Paso, Texas, from the bedroom that was exclusively mine from the ages of just-turned-thirteen to nearly-nineteen. My mom has since taken it over as sort of an office/storage space for all her teaching supplies. I can't blame her: I'm home, at best, three weeks out of the year these days. If you're a regular reader of Foodsday Tuesday, you already know that I have a strong penchant......

In town this week to promote his hot-off-the-presses book “The Food You Want to Eat 100 Smart Simple Recipes”, Ted Allen (www.tedallen.net) graciously discussed his adventures in book making, some helpful culinary tips and shared some personal tidbits on how he got started in the food biz with Phillyist.Phillyist: What prompted you to write a book?... We took that philosophy and turned it into not only 100 recipes, but included helpful sidebar hints (the definition of al dente), cost and time saving tips (make big batches and freeze for later uses) and gave wine suggestions (light, crisp whites go great with salads).Phillyist: Your book truly does have a really great approach to those who may seem intimidated at the thought of trussing a chicken or mixing cocktails.... Like everything worthwhile, it took an enormous amount of energy, but everyone involved was extremely enthusiastic about it and upon its completion were proud with the finished product and the book tour has been great – we’ve been getting nice turnouts and I have been having loads of fun.Phillyist: Have you always had an affinity for the kitchen?TA: I learned from my Mother, who cooked in great Southern tradition and I got hired at Chicago Magazine (add Chicago Magazine link) where, as a dining critic and editor, I fully got steeped in food culture....

" alt="The Book and the Cook Cafe Society" width="234" height="182" align="right" hspace="10" vspace="10" border="0">Former editorial director for food and entertaining at Martha Stewart Living and founding Food Editor of “Martha Stewart Living” Susan Spungen is certainly a local girl who made good. Her new book “Recipes: A Collection for the Modern Cook” presents a collection of easy recipes for home cooks represented in her classic, simple style just in time for holiday entertaining!This Thursday,at 6:30,she will be upstairs at DiBruno (1730 Chestnut) in the Kitchenaid® Theatre as part of the Book and the Cook’s Caffe Society Program.The series educates and exposes culinary enthusiasts to quality products, new recipes and techniques as well as the opportunity to meet many diverse personalities of the food world. The $55 ticket includes meeting the Chef, the demo, a multi course meal, wine, bottled water , coffee and a personally autographed book.Phillyist readers can get two tickets for the price of one if this blog post is mentioned....

She attended UCLA as well as Cordon Bleu in Paris, which led her to working in a number of restaurants including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/rest/fine/spago/bh/index.php. From there, she started her own catering company, GDL Foods (look up link), and has had her own show, “Everday Italian” http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_ei/0,1976,FOOD_9958,00.html on the Food Network since 2003.Phillyist: Your day to day must be a bit overwhelming at times. As a famous personality with a Food Network show, a successful catering company and now a new cookbook“EveryDay Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes” how do you juggle it all?GDL: I would never take all the credit and say I make it happen all by myself.... It just seemed like a natural progression to venture into something that has been so rooted in my own family history.Phillyist: I notice your new book features some of my own personal favorites in terms of ingredients....