John Edwards @ Clydes, Dancing With the Stars, and Shoe Addiction



Hello Sunny Days

Map out your spring adventure in these places:

1) The National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD - It has been one of the most delightful treats to the DC area community. Whether you are in the mood for a casual stroll, succulent suppers or a shopping spree, the National Harbor has it all.
2) Georgetown, Washington, DC-This place never sleeps, in fact, it has a non- stop energy of people hustling and bustling up the streets to shop, eat and play. You can be casual by day and by night it transforms into a playground of evening fun.
3) Old Town Alexandria, Virginia- It’s quaint, it’s small and it has a wealth of American history which makes it a perfect pick for an outdoor exploration. In addition to unique boutiques and restaurants, Alexandria is a great place to experience outdoors.
P.S. All of these places are located by the water. There is nothing more enchanting then winding down your sunny days to a lovely sunset (sigh).
Who Has the BEST Cupcakes in DC?
And BTW, what should Vanessa and I taste test next? Ribs? Wings? Burgers? New York City Hot Dogs? Go to DC50TV.com and tell us what you think!
Why do we celebrate St. Paddy's day?




1. Remove slab bacon from plastic bag. Cover with cold water.
2. Bring to boil and drain.
3. Cover with fresh cold water. Bring to boil and then simmer for 25 minutes per 1lb plus 25 minutes over.
4. Remove outer leaves of cabbage. Cut in half, add to the saucepan and simmer for the last 20 minutes.
5. Remove bacon to chopping board and carve into thin slices. Drain cabbage, season with salt & pepper, chop and add a knob of butter.
6. Serve the bacon with the cabbage and boiled potatoes as well as your choice of sauce.
Top of the Morning: Hollywood invention, never used in Ireland.
And the rest of the day to yourself --Also Hollywood.
Slainte: means Good health ---Slainte is the Gaelic word for health.
Slan: meaning farewell Slan is the Gaelic word for safe so it means keep safe.
Erin go Bragh: Means in Gaelic "Ireland forever."
A Hundred Thousand welcomes -- from the Gaelic Cead Mile Failte which means literally that.
Dia is Muire Dhuit: Means hello in Gaelic, literally means "God and Mary with you."
Dia is Mhuire Duit agus Padraig; How the person responds,"God and Mary and St. Patrick with you."
Pog Mo Thoin --Yes it means what you think it does, Gaelic for kiss my ...
La Fheile Padraig brea dhibh go leir -- Have a great St. Pat's everyone!!!
What Ever Happened to BET's Jacque Reid....

Well, as it turns out the former BET Nightly News anchor is doing just fine. She is blogging for Essence.com about healthy hair, recently debuted on the VH1 reality series, "Let's Talk About Pep," and she's co-hosting D.L. Hugley's morning radio show on KISS-FM in New York.

--Markette
Gastronomical Adventures




Leading up to the main event is Challenge Sweden, that was held last Sunday, when 7 embassy chefs cooked head-to-head, Top Chef-style. The cook-off took place in the kitchens of Occasions Caterers in Northeast Washington. Chefs from Belgium, Ghana, Hungary, Korea, Panama,Qatar, and defending champion Morocco, each received salmon and a basket of surprise ingredients, drawn from Swedish cuisine. They had two hours to prepare a main course. You think that sounds like a lot of time. But judging by the sweat, and mad rushing around at their stations, the chefs said the time went by faster than expected.
The judging panel, at this year's event included Martin Johansson, Embassy of Sweden, Chef Joe Yonan, Food and Travel Editor for the Washington Post, and Chef Sina Molavi, Executive Chef, of Occasions Caterers. The competition was fierce and the food looked amazing but only one chef can take home the prize of Embassy Chef 2010.

I asked Washington Post judge Joe Yonan if he could give me a small hint as to which chef came out on top and he coyly replied "I can only tell you, and it's a secret (long pause) that the winner of the competition, is standing in this room ." Ha ha thanks a lot Joe!
Now on the 18th , all 12 chefs, including two ambassadors, prepare hors d’oeuvre for Embassy Chef Challenge guests and the judging panel, including Joe Yonan, The Washington Post food and travel editor; Michel Richard of Citronelle; Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora; and Chef Carla Hall of Alchemy Caterers and a Top Chef finalist. Event patrons vote for the People’s Choice Award, while the judges nominate their favorite.
Finally, chefs competing in both Challenge Sweden and the Embassy Chef Challenge are eligible to win the evening’s grand prize, Embassy Chef 2010. Will just have to wait to find out as the winner will be announced at the main event on March 18th. So don't forget to buy your tickets!!
--Vanessa


