Extreme Chef Meets Top Chef

Extreme Chef, Winner, Chef Amadeus, welcomes Top Chef, Chef Tiffany Derry to his Radio Show Southern Passion Lounge

Extreme Chef Winner, Chef Amadeus will interview Top Chef and Fan Favorite, Tiffany Derry on his Radio Show Southern Passion Lounge, Monday August, 20th, 2012 at 4:00pm EST. “This is an exciting interview for me,” says Chef Amadeus, “just to talk about Chef Tiffany’s experiences and finding out what ventures she has in plan, is great way to educate aspiring chefs of the opportunities that are possible for them in their career.” This week’s topic is females in the kitchen.

Chef Tiffany Derry has been in this business since the age of 15 and progressed through the kitchen ranks at the International House of Pancakes, eventually becoming the youngest person in the organization’s history to be promoted to a management position. . Derry continued to prove her determination to succeed by competing in American Culinary Culinary Federation competitions in order to pay her way through the Art Institute of Houston. While completing her studies at AIH, Derry began working at Pesce Restaurant where she advanced from garde-manger to Jr. Sous Chef. Shortly after graduating at the top of her class, Derry became the Executive Sous Chef at Grotto Cucina Napolitano. Following a move to Dallas, she returned to the Art Institute as an instructor in the Culinary School, inspiring a new generation of young chefs.

Tiffany Derry expanded her fan-base and gained international notoriety when she appeared on Bravo’s Top Chef- Season 7 where she was voted “fan favorite” and achieved a place in the competition’s final four. Derry’s quiet confidence, warm southern charm, and genuine natural ability in the kitchen made her a natural selection for Season 8’s Top Chef All-Stars, where she was again a finalist. Tiffany Derry’s diverse and fast-paced experiences have perfectly positioned her to become one of Dallas’s most beloved chefs.

About Southern Passion Lounge Is where the industry comes to hang out per say. Chef Amadeus discusses a myriad of topics from cooking, golf, lifestyle, to culinary technique. The show is designed to educate and entertain it’s listeners, every week there is new hot chef and every week the topic changes. Southern Passion Lounge airs on Blog Talk Radio at 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time and is sure to be great time for all listeners.

For More Information

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chefamadeus http://www.twitter.com/chefamadeus http://www.facebook.com/amadeus                http://www.chefamadeus.com

 

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Green Wedding Trends

At every point in the wedding process, there are ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your big day.
New wedding trends put the words ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ right up there with “I do.”  “I am seeing a rise in the eco-friendly style of weddings,” says wedding planner Amanda Hollowell of Savannah, Ga. “Couples are well-versed on their options and how they affect the environment.” At every point in the wedding process, there are ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your big day.

Here are a few ideas for your green wedding: 

Stay local for venue, food and flowersHollowell advises planning the ceremony and reception in one location to cut down on the need for travel between the two.  She suggests parks, museums or historic buildings for venues that provide a fabulous event site and an opportunity to give something back to the community where your wedding takes place. “When you use these types of facilities the site fee or rental fee usually goes back to the preservation of the site or surrounding buildings,” she says, citing the Roundhouse Railroad Museum and Old Fort Jackson in Savannah as two great local examples.  “It’s a great way to donate and help preserve.”   

Small farms also are increasingly popular for hosting green weddings. Fees help support the farm, and food grown on site makes for a fresh, local, seasonal meal.  Go local, seasonal and minimalist with flowers as well. Plan to reuse the flowers from the ceremony at the reception.  For centerpieces, skip the cut, shipped blooms in single use containers.  Instead, dress tables with live plants that people can take home and organic candles that fill the room with light and scent.        

Communicate electronically Skipping the printed invitations saves money, trees and other resources used by snail mail delivery. Custom websites are a popular way to keep guests informed and engaged far in advance of the event. Slide shows and short videos can serve as a creative invite. Companies like Eventbrite allow you to send invitations and track RSVP’s all in one place. Connecting guests online also help couples who wish to be more environmentally-conscious about their gifts.  Links to services like Amazon’s Universal Wishlist help couples include more store selection to request things that are really needed beyond the typical department store choices.  Honeymoon registries, like Starwood’s Honey Money are more personal than gift cards and offer the chance for guests to contribute to once-in-a-life time trips.  

Borrow more“Using an heirloom dress or ring helps with some of the dangerous manufacturing processes of gold and fabric,” suggests Hollowell. If there aren’t viable options among members of your family, vintage stores and antique jewelry shops have plenty of selections. Wedding dress designers like Seams Couture rework older dresses perfectly for new brides, combining older fabrics with new and sustainable options. Purchase the dress in person, but if that’s not possible, deal only with websites that have clear return policies just in case items are not what they seem. 

Share the love Party favors are a wonderful way to honor your guests if they honor the planet as well.  Choose planting seeds over fattening treats. Or, forgo tangible items and instead make charitable donations in your guests’ names. No one really needs you to buy them that tiny picture frame, and donating the money you would have spent on favors is a great way to share the love on your wedding day. In addition to saving our planet, green weddings save money as well.  And you’ll feel good knowing that —from the very beginning —your marriage is already enhancing our world. Have other tips for green weddings? Leave us a note in the comments below.

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Introducing Celebrity Chef Amadeus

Hey All!

I have recently had the pleasure of working with Chef Amadeus out of Jacksonville, FL. He recently won Extreme Chef on FoodNetwork. It was Episode 1 Season 1 Mexican Showdown. This chef is a true talent, please read below some information about this chef and great spices!

The Show

“Mexican Showdown”
Host Marsh Mokhtari greets three chefs in a rustic village in Saugus, Calif. where the competitors must use live mealworms, crickets and scorpions to make a dish in only 25 minutes. Then, the chefs must travel to the edge of town to fetch materials for their next dish, but must use a donkey as transportation. With twists including using a habañero pepper as a spicy ingredient, gathering materials from sixty swinging piñatas and making homemade tortillas, the three chefs battle to create dishes celebrating the culture and people of Mexico. After one competitor is eliminated, the two remaining chefs must prepare a perfect single bite using four ingredients native to Mexico. After searching through pots to find their ingredients, the chefs must remain focused as a local mariachi band plays raucously in the background. Only one chef can avoid the distraction to master the perfect bite and garner the title Extreme Chef.
Chefs: Jason “J” Harley, Owner/Chef, PICI Enoteca (Los Angeles); Gina Keatley, Founder and Head Chef, Nourishing NYC (New York City); Amadeus, Private Chef (Seattle)

 

About Chef Amadeus

Raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up cooking with his grandmother who was from Puerto Rico and mother from Philadelphia. This is where he acquired his love of creating his tasty creations. Chef Amadeus joined the US Navy in 1986, this is where he had the opportunity to travel to several countries and other US cities. After that time Chef Amadeus came back to his hometown and worked in some of the best restaurants in town.Chef Amadeus has also created his own blend of salt free spices called SOUTHERN PASSION. This line of well blended spices are loved and enjoyed by clients and friends all over the country.Chef Amadeus also has a blog talk radio show that airs every Monday at 4:00pm on Blog Talk Radio http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chefamadeus

For booking information email amandah@jleventsllc.com
 

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New Wedding Pics Up! Check them out!

Full albums on Facebook. This is one of the many things I love doing!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297080346977388.76991.145733358778755&type=1#!/pages/JL-Events/145733358778755

Burlap is the New Black!

Written by : Amanda Hollowell of JL Events

Most planners know when you are designing events on a tight budget and the venue gives you the option of free or affordable floor length black linen. You choose that option. Black table linen helps accent any centerpiece or give a great contrast in a room. Do not get me wrong, I love black, it is a mixture of all the colors and by Merriam Webster Dictionary definition it is the achromatic color of least lightness characteristically perceived to belong to objects that neither reflect nor transmit light. HOWEVER, BURLAP is my new favorite for weddings and events.

To be clear I consider Burlap a kind of color and a texture of fabric. It is versatile it works for outdoor, indoor, any season of the year and did I mention it is my favorite. Burlap’s definitions are a coarse heavy plain-woven fabric usually of jute or hemp used for bagging and wrapping and in furniture and linoleum manufacture or a lightweight material resembling burlap used in interior decoration or for clothing (http://mw1.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burlap.) My definition of Burlap is affordable, malleable and the chameleon of the fabric world. I have planned a few events with Burlap, I picked some to feature below.

 Going outside for dinner?

The picture featured is at an outdoor event at La Quinta Resort & Club (A Waldorf Astoria Collection) in La Quinta, CA. 

 

Tables were long presidential seating tables with about 50 on each side. The event was an outdoor wine dinner for 200 guests. There was not a huge budget for this event so every element needed to pop. We needed texture and substance to the tables. Insert BURLAP! Tables were draped with 90×156 Burlap linen that went to the floor. Centerpieces were a mix of orange, reds, burgundy and some green filler in a rust vase. The napkins were burgundy lamour linen. The chairs were a mahogany wood folding chair with an ivory pad cushion. This was a naturally elegant outdoor evening.

Burlap for my wedding?

Yes, Burlap for your wedding. The wedding featured is an outdoor event at Ole Fort Jackson in Savannah, GA.

Tables were banquet tables seating at 16 at each table for a total guest count of 100 or so. Tables were covered in ivory table linen that reached to the middle of the table. Down the middle of the table was a custom made Burlap runner with frayed edges, two small mason jar centerpieces filled with a mix green floral arrangement (set at either end of the table) and in the middle of the table a dark wood lantern with white wax candle. The Burlap also accented the S’mores Station that was placed by the campfire.

When given the chance Burlap can add texture to any of your tables. You can buy Burlap online by the yard it ranges between $5.00 – $7.00 depending on the site. At Joann’s Fabrics it is around $8.00 per yard. You can also rent it from any linen rental company. Cloth Connection out of Arizona offers Burlap linen in multiple colors, sizes and shapes for rental (I love their multiple colors options.) There are plenty of great linens out there that are cost effective and DIY friendly. Try to research your local fabrics stores and look for online vendors that offer great rates.

Amanda Hollowell – Owner Planner JL Events, LLC out of Savannah, GA www.jleventsllc.com or amandah@jleventsllc.com or @mandarellla 

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The “Spiderman” of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is coming to Savannah, GA

Image via Wikipedia

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Jonathan Torres (JT Torres) will be hosting a

BJJ Seminar at Champions Training Center

 

JT Torres of Team Lloyd Irvin out of Camp Springs, MD and the first non Brazilian to medal at Brazilian Nationals in the Black Belt Lightweight Division is coming to the Low Country. JT Torres will be hosting a BJJ seminar on August 13^th, 2011 at Champions Training Center in Savannah,GA.The seminar starts at 10:00am and will cost $75.00 for non members and $60.00 for members.

 

“This is a big deal for us in MMA/BJJ industry, JT Torres is the future of International BJJ and his accomplishments in the sport are enormous,” says owner of Champions Training Center and MMA Fighter, Muhsin Corbbrey. The class will go over technique, training essentials and Q&A for JT. This will be open to the public GI/NO GI uniform attire.

The “Spiderman” nickname was a name awarded to him because of his grip strength. His grips are so strong that his team mates said it resembles a spider as it webs up it’s victims. JT Torres has taken his unique style and won the following titles; Pan American Nogi Champion (2010 black), World BJJ Nogi Champion (2008 brown), European Champion (2009 brown), 2x New York Open Champion (2010 black, 2009 brown) and Miami Open Champion (2010 black). Other Important Achievements: Bronze BJJ World Silver Medalist (2011), World Silver Medalist (2009 brown), World Nogi Silver Medalist (2009 black), Brazilian National Silver Medalist (2010 black), 3x Pan American Silver Medalist (2006 blue, 2007 purple, 2009 black), World Nogi Bronze Medalist (2010) and Pan American Bronze Medalist (2009 brown).

About Champions Training Center

Located on 525 Windsor Rd, in Savannah, GA. Champions Training Center offers professional fighters in a variety of Mixed Martial Arts that specializes in MMA system and curriculum. CTC teaches real Muay Thai under our affiliation with 6 time World Champ Manu Ntoh. We offer separate classes of Judo, Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our affiliation as part of Team Lloyd Irvin, one of the country’s most competitive and well respected Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Submission grappling team, gives us a cutting edge on the competition. With some of the finest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Submission Grappling practitioners, top level instruction to the ever evolving and refining sport of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is never a problem. CTC also offers a pro and amateur boxing program instruction given by former world boxing champion Norman Jones as well as All Army Champion notable trainer Frank Bell.

 

***

For additional information contact Amanda Hollowell at amandah@jleventsllc.com

www.ctcsavannah.com

www.lloydirvin.com

JT “Spiderman” Torres vs Lucas Lepri 2010 Brazilian Nationals Black Belt leve Division

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF0VSvLD3xA

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I will leave one more message… then forget it…

The last-minute dash to interview the people behind bringing R. Kelly,  Marsha Ambrosious and Miguel to Savannah

At around 3:00pm on Monday, July 18, 2011, that is how I felt. Just leave one more message and if the muscle behind Fa Sho Entertainment does not call me back then, on to the next Savannah music event. In between 3:15pm and maybe 3:20pm, I get the call. Hi, I am looking for… I answer back wrong number that is not me, phone goes click. I wait, pick my phone back up look at the number and realize oh no… that was for me. I had called the contacts for Fa Sho Entertainment since last Friday, just trying to get an interview. Here they are calling me for the wrong person. I love a serendipitous adventure. I picked up the cell and highlighted their number and pushed send. The conversation was brief and they were friendly. I asked them to give me an hour and I will see you shortly, they gave me name of the undisclosed location where we could meet.

I was rushing to get there. I entered the lobby to see them sitting on the couches and I get right into it. I introduce myself and first foremost thank them for bringing such a great event to the Low Country. July 30th, 2011 The “Love Letters Tour” featuring R. Kelly. R. Kelly is great; by far the Marvin Gaye of our times, however the featuring acts are what got my interest. I have been to Coachella Festival in Indio, California, and have heard many undiscovered or lost talent in many bars throughout the country. I remember a year ago texting my fellow music head look out for Marsha Ambrosius and Miguel, new twist to R&B but your ears will love it. This whole set list is full of talented performers, all are worth their asking ticket price because they know how to put on a show.

I have one contact negotiating the rooming list. I have two starring me down and one ready to answer my questions. This is my interview with Fa Sho Entertainment.

Who is Fa Sho Entertainment?

We are based here in the Southeast and we are dedicated to bringing the best events to the Savannah Area.

What is the company all about?

We are setting the stage to bring primer events to Savannah. Savannah is an untapped market and its residents are very appreciative when “good” named talent stops in to perform.Savannah is the hostess city, after all.

What is significant about this concert?

Two things July 30^th, we are the last stop for this tour. Originally, it featured Keyshia Cole. The concert we are hosting is featuring Miguel, who has a great draw and heavy play on the radio.

How long have you been planning this event?

We have been putting this together since May, to be a week out and see it in full swing is truly a blessing. We were inspired by R. Kelly’s last performance in 2008, it was amazing. We wanted to give that same experience again, plus more.

Are there any special giveaways or contests with this event?

Yes, we have two. We are hosting an essay competition to find someone to introduce Marsha Ambrosious, an English singer/songwriter and former member of Floetry. We are asking participants to write 100 words or fewer on why you should be chosen as the announcer. The winner will be announced July 28.

The second giveaway is to 25 women who are members of the SAFE Shelter program. SAFE Shelter is a private, non-profit agency dedicated to victims of domestic violence and their children. Open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, the shelter offers 48 beds, all meals and clothes and other services, all at no charge to clients. We are giving them tickets at no charge to this event. Local sponsors helped with this giveaway as well; Nancy’s Seafood, NY Boutique, Top Dollar Recycling, Shell Gas Station on Ogeechee Road, Port City Pawn Shop, Alderman Van R. Johnson, II and Dreamland Construction. We definitely wanted to make sure we were giving back to the community.

Are there future events planned?

There sure are future events planned. We will be hosting one in the Fall, Spring and Summer. We plan on being around for a longtime. People should expect this caliber of entertainment from us.

We wrap up shake hands and I tell them to be expecting to hear from me soon.

For more information about this event call 912-651-6556 or 800-351-7469, or go to www.savannahcivic.com or www.etix.com.

The event will be held at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, GA.

Ticket prices $53.50, $68, $78 and $95

To contact Fa Sho Entertainment email them at ent4sho@gmail.com

 

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