Farmers Who Grow Cocoa Beans Taste Chocolate for the First Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEN4hcZutO0It is hard to watch this video without smiling. Cocoa bean farmers from M'batto on the Ivory Coast, the world's leading producer of cocoa,  have never tasted the fruits of their labor. They harvest and process the cocoa beans without any idea what they are used for; most have never seen or tasted chocolate. The prevailing theory … [Read more...] about Farmers Who Grow Cocoa Beans Taste Chocolate for the First Time

Esquire Network's Knife Fight is making sure that Portland is well represented. On the August 5th episode, Greg Denton of Portland's OX Restaurant will be going up against Jason Wilson of Seattle's Crush. They will have to create at least two dishes in one hour that incorporate chicken gizzards, juniper berries, and eel. On July 29th, Adam Sappington of The Country Cat will … [Read more...] about More Portland Chefs Featured on Esquire Network’s Knife Fight

Duane Sorenson has closed the doors of Woodsman Market. Sorenson told Willamette week that they plan to re-open the market under the same name later this year, but with a new concept.From WW, "The direction didn't seem to click, or we couldn't figure out how to make the concept work. We've decided to shut the project down. Our hopes are to open by New Year's with a focus … [Read more...] about Woodsman Market Kaput for Now, Steven Smith Teamaker Expanding

Noisette Restaurant is closing - eventually. As of now they have not announced the exact closing date.Chef/owner Tony Demes has worked under famed chefs Thomas Keller, Michael Romao, Roland Cheneau and David Bouley. In 1995 he opened the lauded Couvron in Portland, which was known for its hours long tasting menus. In the late 90′s Demes closed the restaurant and opened a … [Read more...] about Noisette to Close

New Seasons Market is opening a new branch in St. Johns. From the press release:Locally owned  and  operated  New  Seasons  Market  announced  today  that  it  plans  to open  a  25,000-­‐square-­‐foot  grocery  store  at  the  southeast  corner  of  N.  Lombard  Street  and  N.  Westanna  Avenue  in  spring  2016.  The  new  store  will  serve  the  neighborhoods  of … [Read more...] about New Seasons Market to Open St. Johns Store