Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

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Eleanor Hoh

Las Olas Wine and Food Festival

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Wok Star Eleanor Hoh at the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival last Saturday, May 2. The festival was a fundraiser to benefit American Lung Association. It was the first year the Festival had a Culinary Pavilion, so I was honored to be invited to participate in this worthy cause. Thanks to all the staff at American Lung Association who helped coordinate with me, not forgetting my friend, Linda who took all these photos and of course, many thanks to prolific writer, Sara Liss, editor of Urbandaddy who included us in their weekend mention plus her own blog, Allpurposedark. Oh, thanks for a lovely bottle of wine from Bonterra Vineyards as a gift for my participation.

Here’s a summary of the Festival for those who didn’t make it…

The Culinary Pavilion had all Viking appliances and cookware. But, being a Wok Star, I had my own Wok Star Kit and portable butane gas stove to show folks how easy and convenient it is to set a gas stove on an electric glass flat or coil cooktop which many of us have in South Florida. I wrote quite a lot about this topic under a Note about Heat Source because wok cooking requires HIGH HEAT which can only be achieved with a gas stove.

Gary Cuica is the Director of the Coconut Grove Art Festival, Culinary Pavilion and was instrumental in helping the Las Olas Wine and Food Festival’s Culinary Pavilion in their first endeavor, great job. Gary is also a graduate from Johnson & Wales but his day job is a financial consultant with Wachovia Securities!

Gary and I first met when I was sponsored to give a presentation pairing with Tiger Beer at the Anheuser-Busch VIP event during Superbowl in Miami. Subsequently, he’s invited me to present at the Coconut Grove Art Festival 3 years running, always so much fun but a real pleasure and honor since it’s attended by 40,000 visitors annually.

I am preparing Pineapple Stir Fried Rice using the Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet pineapple. Folks are constantly surprised to see pineapple in this dish but in Asia, it’s quite popular. The cubes give sweetness to the dish without adding sugar and the juice makes the dish moist and fluffy. Del Monte features my video on fruits.com which also has tips for other fruits and vegetables. You can submit your review and rate me there. I gave away San-J tamari (Japanese version of soy sauce) samples with a free recipe postcard for the Pineapple Stir Fried Rice and they were a big hit. San-J is my favorite tamari because of it’s rich depth, I’ve used it for 18 years and LOVE IT! They give me a lovely 5 oz. bottle to include in my Wok Star Kit, people really like all the goodies that come in their kit, like opening prezzies at Christmas.

Hayli, a Johnson & Wales student, has been assisting me in my Wok Star classes and volunteered that day to help chefs in the Culinary Pavilion together with Carla, another assistant who will be helping me as well (thanks Hayli and Carla). The wonderful thing about having these students is that they have food and service experience so makes my events go smoothly. Since Asian cooking is not covered a lot at the school, they are eager to learn and love what I do.

Even though there were forks, I insisted they try using chopsticks, as someone said,”slows them down”, ha, ha.

My buddy, Chef Hugh of Irie Spice specializes in Caribbean cuisine. We met at the Coconut Grove Art Festival and bump into each other frequently at cooking events around town. He made a delicious plantain soup and added enough rum in there to get me tipsy. I cannot really “drink” alcohol, just a little wine / beer and only when I am eating, not on an empty tummy, otherwise I’ll be like a ‘flashing beacon’. Sorry, I diverse.

Chef Hugh has a lovely personality and actually studied to be an architect! I know a lot of chefs who wore other hats prior to their current hat. For myself, I taught computers and helped Wang
launch products worldwide when I lived in UK for 17 years. What I did with computers (simplify a complicated topic, I am now doing with wok cooking (showing a simple approach.) My bio details more “hats” I’ve worn.

May Events (Updated) – Wok Star appearances

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Street Festival is FREE
$75 admission for wine and food tastings with over 60 restaurants
proceeds to benefit American Lung Association

The new Culinary Pavilion is on the corner of SE 9th Avenue and Las Olas Blvd. Do come out and join us in this very worthy cause to raise funds for American Lung Association. There are Romero Britto posters and festival tee shirts, all very affordable and you can never have enough tee-shirts! I love to support causes I believe in and donate gift certificates to many auctions. My Dad passed away from lung cancer, so Dad, this one’s for you.

Join me for a delicious, Pineapple Stir Fried Rice, an all-time favorite and most requested dish. Find out the “secrets to a successful stir-fry” using my Wok Star Kit, get a tasting, a free recipe postcard, a San-J tamari sampling and a chance to ask questions. See schedule for line up of wonderful chefs below.

3 – 4 Wok Star Eleanor Hoh

4 – 5 Chef Hugh Sinclair, Caribbean Cuisine, Personal Chef, Iriespice, Inc.

5 – 6 Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards

6 – 7 Milo Rodriguez, Master Mixologist, Bombay Sapphire Gin

7 – 8 Chef Alex M. Gulal, Executive Chef, Grill Room on Las Olas .Riverside Hotel

8 – 9 Chef Jean Pierre, CEO, Owner , Chef Jean Pierre Cooking School, Viking Range Celebrity Chef

9 – 10 Chef Paula DaSilva, 3030 Ocean Restaurant at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & contestant on national TV Hell’s Kitchen with Chef Gordon Ramsay

Visakhabucha Day Ceremony
Wat Buddharangsri of Miami
15200 SW 240th St, Miami, FL 33032
source and photo : watmiami.org

I’ve been to many events at this Buddhist Temple and it’s always fun and very serene and peaceful. There will be a few Thai families offering lunch so you can purchase from them but PLEASE remember to donate something towards the Temple! Visit their website for other events throughout the year and I hope to be there…

Visakhabucha Day is considered the most important day in Buddhism because it combines three important days of the Buddha’s life. These days are The Day of Birth, Enlightenment Day, and The Day of Death (Parinipana).

On this day please bring food and dessert to offer the monks and to share with others. The schedule for these days are as follows:

Sunday May 10th, 2009
10:30 a.m. Monks chanting in Pali and laypeople taking “RUB SIL”, monks collect alms.
11:00 a.m. “TUK BARD” (Offering foods to the monks in the alm bowl), followed by lunch for the laypeople.
1:00 p.m. “Wien Thien” (To walk/meditate around the religious hall with candle, incense and flowers in remembrance of the Triple Gem in the evening of the Vesak full moon day) ceremony, followed by the Dharma teachings (in Thai).
6:00 p.m. Monks and laypeople do evening chanting and meditation.

Practicing the Dharma and chanting is a way of building and accumulating your own inner power, peace and happiness that will be with you for eternity. We hope you can join us on this important occasion.

16th Asian Food Fair & Cultural Show
Sat. & Sun.May 9-10
$10 admission
51 N. Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444

I’ve not attended this event before but looks very interesting. Let me know what you think if you go. On their site, it looks more Indian, I love Indian food, yummy.

JAPAN CULTURE WEEK
FREE and open to the public
May 11th – 16th, 2009
The Alliance Francaise de Miami
618 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL. 33130
(305) 859-8760

Source: excerpt from press release issued by Japanese Consulate

For a complete schedule of activities, please contact (305) 530-9090 or check their website.

Wok Star cooking presentation, Friday May 15: 6:30pm-7:00pm when there is a sushi competition. There will be famous sushi chefs from local restaurants. Chefs will compete for the honor of Florida’s top sushi chef live on stage in the SushiMasters Florida Regional Competition. Attendees of this competition can sample delicious Japanese and Asian-fusion delicacies.

This week-long celebration to share Japan’s traditional and contemporary culture. Activities and exhibitions will highlight the best in Japanese art, music, photography, dance, fashion, martial arts, anime, robot technology, and cuisine.

Also, the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens will host an evening
full of wonderful activities designed with the museum in mind. Visitors will witness a special tea ceremony presentation and are invited to participate in an exclusive raffle and receive coupons for discounts in admission – courtesy of the Morikami Museum.

Link
Great Mother’s Day (May 10) Gift Idea…
Wok Star cooking class
Saturday, May 23: 12pm-3pm
$55 per person
Click here for reservations and prepayment or to buy a gift certificate

My latest thing is to bring together interesting groups in unique spaces. People are constantly saying one of the best things about my classes is how lovely it is to meet other neat folks, it’s like an exclusive, private party.

So, if you want to come…spaces are on a first come, first served basis, prepayment will guarantee your space(s). So, please don’t leave till last minute and be disappointed when you cannot get in…commit now.

Arclinea
upscale Italian kitchens by designer, Antonio Citterio
3140 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134

A perfect combination of socializing, entertaining and learning

Crash course in a recipe-free, stir fry technique to make weeknight, quick, easy meals in a lightweight, cast iron wok with little cleanup. You’ll see how everyday dinners can be delicious by simply using readily available fresh ingredients and a few seasonings. Get tips on how to organize ingredients, work-space and get the scoop on Asian ingredients. There’s a door prize for a lucky winner.

Wok Stars say “easy style” is very liberating and encourages them to be expressive, creative and to improvise.

Dining at home is much cheaper, cozier and healthier, plus you know what’s going into your food and you can cook it exactly how you like it! Even better when cooked in an Arclinea kitchen!!!

A Wok Star Kit will get you started so you can BE A WOK STAR! (also name of my blog)

3 dishes savored with Tiger Beer and Fiji Water
Rainbow lettuce wrap appetizer with ground turkey, hoisin sauce & crunchy pumpkin seeds
Simple Asian veggie stir fry served with soy chicken & char siu (roast pork)
Shrimp with asparagus, carrot & topped with cashews
Tilapia with zucchini, squash & bell peppers in spicy, brown bean sauce

For more details of Eleanor’s personal appearances as well as TV, radio and reviews:

Look forward to meeting you at this class…
Eleanor

April Events – Greener Miami and more…

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Monday, April 27 @ 8pm
FREE Monthly Arthouse Film Series (last Monday of every month)
The Standard Hotel
40 Island Ave, South Beach, FL 33139
305-673-1717
The Universe of Keith Haring directed by Christina Clausen

It’s always fun visiting this wonderful hotel & spa. You never know who you’ll meet. We went to a couple of Bingo nights when Jason Harler, their fun-loving GM would holler the numbers among other adhoc comments. Check out other cool events there, you can also see the beautiful Lido lounge where they hold these events.

I was unable to attend today but hope to in the future, sounds like another fun way to spend an evening and it’s FREE!

Sat. April 25 and 26th
Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
2 day admission $15 presale, $20 at gate
Miami Marine Stadium
3601 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL 33149
305-636-0902

Yes, there are TWO Dragon Boat Festivals annually, one in October at Haulover Park and this one which used to be at Brickell but moved.


Sat. April 25: 10am-7pm
Miami Goin’ Green Earthday Event – FREE
Bayfront Park
From exchanging gently used clothing and plastic bottles to tons of activities. Eco Stage featuring Yoga and Eco-Friendly Fashion show to 3 R’s – Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle.

I went with 2 galpals, it was fun to see how innovative people got with “greening” their merchandize. We all bought something to support this event. I also brought 6 plastic water bottles to swap for a Clear2Go water bottle with a replaceable filter. It was good to see many had done the same, there was a HUGE see-through barrel so you could see all the bottles.

Oh, the reason why I am writing about this? I am an avid recycler, even down to rubber bands. I will blog about how I used to have a great compost system that worked so well, a cooking student’s daughter used my compost for a Science project and won!

Here’s a rundown of some of the “green” stuff that were unique and stood out for me.

Ekotik is a family owned business with designer mother, a daughter who studied fashion merchandizing and Peruvian dad, very handy. They have a retail store as well as online. They put on a fashion show which we unfotunately missed! My galpals both bought a piece from them. They had a wonderful range of organic clothing from adorable kid’s outfits to an incredible, convertible so you have 2 designs, silk, wrap around skirt/dress. I love things that are not only beautiful but functional and this skirt/dress fit the ticket. It’s very light and can be transformed into a multitude of different ways to wear it, perfect for traveling. My pal got this, and with her “model” figure, she looked stunning, well, she’d look goregous in a sack. Darn, forgot to bring camera to take pix!

My other pal got a cotton sleeveless with a lovely texture, great for “breathing” in the summer. Amazing thing was, the minute I saw this top, I recognized it as an outfit a model/actress friend wore to a Crawfish BBQ last weekend. I’ll mention in another post.

I bought a beautiful recycled “eco wallet” made with rolled newspaper that’s waterproof by Green Veranda. What I like about going to these events is you get to meet the owners/designers who came up with the idea. I love her tag line: Yesterday’s News Today’s Fashion. I would have loved the round handbag or the briefcase looking bag but was a bit more than I wanted to spend.

Ecoist, One-of-a-kind handbags made from recycled candy wrappers and other waste-bound materials. Handmade. Fair Trade.

Eclectica, salvaged furniture & accessories for the savvy decorator on a budget was a very interesting booth. Katrina had recycled old record sleeves into sketch books on a spiral, some with hilarious looking musicians, a throwback to as she says, “Mork and Mindy days.” Also had gift bows made out of cartoon newspaper. She also offers classes on home Eco-nomics in her south miami venue.

PIE studio, project import export, inc. was created by, Bannavis Andrew Sribyatta, a Miami based designer. His furniture is hand-crafted mostly from natural materials and designed to imitate nature. I sat in one of his liana chair, very comfortable. I love the names: wabi sabi, sushi daybed, yummy.

Green Planet Events, all with eco-friendly in mind, from organic and locally grown catered menu options to recycled fabric. They plan with sustainibility, style and within your budget, umm…they did have a beautiful table setting.

I loved these amazing waist belts for cyclers made out of inner tires but didn’t have that nasty smell to it and were quite light. Whoever designed them was very clever, I liked the simplicity and look of the designs. At the time, they didn’t have a company name but I’ve got their email and will track them down.

You cannot mention Green without mentioning Rebecca Carte
r, founder and editor of Greener Miami and co-founder of ecorazzi, “a celebrity blog that covers the latest in green gossip.” Somehow, I missed meeting her that day but hope she’ll come to a Wok Star class because my lightweight, cast iron wok is considered ‘green’.

Lastly, I want to add a new organization, ecochamber started by Tia Diaz-Balart (wife of US Representative, Mario Diaz-Balart). They are a Chamber of Commerce to help businesses “go green” as well as educating and supporting all “green” ideas. Think about joining this ecochamber and be a part of an organization that takes care of the world.

Join the Care2 forum on non-stick cookware, easy greening. I am amazed how many celebrity chefs use their non-stick pans on high heat! You’ll also read sad stories of owners with little birds that have died from toxic fumes released from these teflon pans, so beware.