Hey Guys!

You know how Bryan knows pretty much everything about everything? Well, he totally does. Read all about Bryan's feelings on being a judge on Top Chef, and his predictions for the winner!

Read HERE.

And, because I know your weekly emotional arcs are basically shaped by these Friday Gadget posts, here's a few amazing/awesome/bizarre treats that caught my eye this week.

First up, we have a super cool gadget for all you parents of finicky eaters - The Chew Chew Train! Check it out here. 

Know how after you chop garlic you REEK of it for days upon days? Even AFTER you've used your stainless steel garlic mouse? Enter Garlic Zoom!

I've been looking for ways to create smallish, semi-manageable kitchen fires. You?

Welcome to the portion of this post where I tell you about insane ideas which will never go anywhere!

And finally, if you don't run right out and snatch these up IMMEDIATELY, we are no longer friends.

Happy weekend!

-Audie

Hey Guys!

Tired of not having an answer at-the-ready for folks who ask what your favorite packaged hot dog is? I KNOW! It's been a living nightmare! But fortunately, Bryan Voltaggio and a trio of other Top Cheffers have done all the hard work for us, and decided on their favorite dog of all dogs! Whew.

Bryan 'n friends agree that Omaha Steaks offer up the juiciest, plumpest, snappiest dog out there! This "high end" dog is available at a couple of locations, but otherwise, get yours at Omaha Steaks.com.

Read the whole article, including their choices for runner's up, right HERE. What's your favorite dog?

Dog lovers - rejoice!

-Audie

Hey Guys!

My apologies for posting two LA-centric posts back to back, but, well, it must be done.

I just wanted to give you all a heads up for the Taste of Beverly Hills event - September 2nd-5th - our very own Michael Voltaggio will be demonstrating his immeasurable cooking prowess at the event! And since the site offers a darling little description of the four day affair, why should I even try to paraphrase?

Here's what you have to look forward to:

Taste of Beverly Hills is a four-day festival that will celebrate all things epicurean in ALL of Los Angeles. The festival will consist of everything from local restaurant tastings and live cooking demonstrations from world renown chefs, to a series of wine seminars from top vintners and live musical performances from award winning artists.

The festival is designed to target everyone from true gastronomes and wine enthusiasts, to those who just want to get out of the house and experience an unparalleled day/night/weekend of food and entertainment.

We are pleased to share the the Beverly Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) is our key beneficiary and that a portion of our proceeds will go directly back to the BHEF.

Keep checking the site for ticket info!

-Audie

Hey Guys!

Normally we here at Voltaggio Brothers like to bring you insidery updates on our friends Michael and Bryan, but today it seems that both boys are just busy bees, hunkering down in their respective kitchens, and generally being workaholics. Neither brother blackened a thumb or welcomed an electric car to their restaurant this weekend, leaving me with little explosive new info for all their fans.

So, I thought I would take this opportunity to speak about something very important. Something life-affirming. Something I like to call Miso Marinated Black Cod from Katsuya Hollywood.

This sweet and salty fish is delivered to the table on a giant banana leaf - the crisped, almost maple exterior gives way to its tender, buttery flesh, the Miso marinade infusing each bite with a dark, umami kiss. Annnnnnd If I keep writing words like this, I'm going to have to make a reservation for myself. Tonight. Again.   

For all our west coast compatriots, please book your table this very minute. For all you non west coasters...well...stop not living in Southern California. We have a lot of excellent things here, so please begin your relocation process. Thanks so much.

Let us know all about it if you make the trek to Katsuya. Alternatively, have you had other thrilling cod experiences? Share them with us in the comment section.  

Thanks, everyone!

-Audie

Hey Guys!

Want to know the best way to deal with basil? Want to know a secret to cutting acidity? Bryan V was kind enough to perform a demo at the Urbana Music  Festival and you can read the review from the Frederick News right HERE!

Now, moving swiftly on to your favorite weekly recap of all things kitcheny and cool.

First up, we have the Smart Fridge. This big ticket appliance will actually create a recipe for you based on the ingredients in your fridge. I wonder what it can concoct with batteries, cream cheese, mint, and Vegenaise?

I guess this one is for people with failed olfactory senses? Kind of excellent, nonetheless.

If you're anything like me, french fries are part of the reason you wake up each morning. However, if you had fried food as much as your heart longed for it, you would become beefy, sloppy and generally grotesque. Enter the One Tablespoon Deep Fryer! Now we can all eat 2 pounds of potatoes and pretend they're good for us!

What is completely inessential yet beyond thrilling? THESE.

Happy coveting, and check back with us on Monday. And tell us, what's YOUR most useful gadget?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

-Audie

PS: The photo at the top is of an automatic spaghetti twirler. Not required. Barely awesome. Totally hilarious.

Hey Guys!

I know you've all been tooooootally wanting to work on your Kofta skills, right? Me too. And fortunately, Michael has a simple tutorial on making the most scrumptious Lamb Kofta. The only fancy-schmancy ingredient you'll need is a few lemongrass stalks, but otherwise, this is a very user-friendly recipe.

Watch his cumin-laden video HERE.

If you're inspired by this Mediterranean delight, let us know if you try making it at home. And we always love photos!

Thanks, all!

-Audie

Hey Guys!

I thought you'd might like to see a little clip of Bryan V talking about his experience with Top Chef. Check it out HERE.

Enjoy!

-Audie

Hey Everyone!
 
You know how you love the brothers Voltaggio AND super duper photos of their food? Well today's your lucky day!
 
Take a gander at more of their masterwork from the Food and Wine Classic HERE.
 
And if you want to send well wishes to Michael after he accidentally liquid-nitrogened his thumb into THIS blackened state, please send them along. He'll be ever so grateful! 
 
Enjoy!
 
-Audie