Review: Vegetarian Viet Nam Cookbook by Cameron Stauch

By REESE AMOROSI

Chef Cameron Stauch has a unique and diverse background: he has prepared meals for royals and dignitaries while cooking for the Governor General of Canada, and he has immersed himself in local cuisines while living in Southeast Asia. Now, Stauch combines his culinary expertise and life experiences in a new cookbook, Vegetarian Viet Nam (W. W. Norton & Company).

El Compadre Restaurant to Launch Taller Grafica Popular Art Show

By A.D. AMOROSI

When immigration rights activists and wedded restaurateurs Cristina Martinez and Benjamin Miller opened shop, part of their goal was to act as presenters of the art of protest. The marrieds presented gallery shows at their former restaurant, South Philly Barbacoa (just off East Passyunk Avenue’s culinary mile), and now at El Compadre in the Italian Market.

Philly Restaurants Named as Semifinalists for James Beard Awards

By A.D. AMOROSI

Philadelphia is a world-renowned culinary destination with annual nominations for James Beard Foundation Awards for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing, and culinary education in the United States. For 2017, a handful of new and lesser-known (for now) in Philly’s restaurant scene join several notable veterans on the semifinalist list.

PBS Chef Christina Pirello to Host a Series of Culinary Pop-up Events

By A.D. AMOROSI

Many chefs and restaurants are currently using farm-to-table menus and healthy eating as a marketing tool. Christina Pirello, however, has been doing that for ages. Since the 2001 launch of her PBS series, Christina Cooks, the Philadelphia chef has prepared gourmet vegan dishes. On Friday, February 12, 2016, she'll start hosting culinary pop-up events dedicated to healthful eating. The first of these moveable feasts is a romantic, 5-course, pre-Valentine's Day dinner/cabaret with live music at Caffe Valentino in South Philadelphia.

Vetri Named Best Italian Restaurant in America

By A.D. AMOROSI

Executive chef and culinary entrepreneur Marc Vetri is known nationally for his annual Great Chefs Event for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and his Eatiquette program that provides healthy dining options to school cafeterias. This week, however, Vetri and his business partner Jeff Benjamin won acclaim for something more personal: Vetri's self-titled boutique restaurant at 1312 Spruce Street in Philadelphia was named the Best Italian Restaurant in America by Time Out Magazine.

Pope Francis in Philadelphia: It's Hard Out Here for a Pope

It's Hard Out Here for a Pope sticker in Philadelphia

By A.D. AMOROSI and REESE AMOROSI

For the third and final leg of his visit to America, Pope Francis hit Philadelphia for a two-day stop – September 26 and 27 – and an itinerary that includes a mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, a prayer stop at Independence Hall, a concert in his name at the Festival of Families event at Eakins Oval and, on the 27th, a large outdoor mass that begins at 4 PM on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. For all the deserved holy pomp and circumstance, there are many humorous elements on display during Papa Franciso's visit.

'Top Chef' Alums Mike Isabella and Jennifer Carroll to Open Restaurant

By A.D. AMOROSI

Bravo TV's Top Chef alums Mike Isabella and Jennifer Carroll will partner on Requin, a French Mediterranean concept that will first exist as a pop-up in Isabella's second location for his Kapnos Kouzina restaurant (due to open early in 2016) in Fairfax, Virginia. Requin, which means "shark" in French, intends to feature Mediterranean fish along with local seafood including an area favorite, Maryland crabs. After the pop-up, Requin will open in 2017 as part of Washington D.C.'s Wharf Development Project as a Southwest Waterfront boardwalk location. The Requin launch dates have yet to be announced.

Food Network Launches 'Great American Food Finds' with the Erace Brothers

Adam and Andrew Erace, hosts of Food Network's Great American Food Finds

By REESE AMOROSI

On August 4, the Food Network launched Great American Food Finds, a weekly series with Philadelphia-based green grocers Adam and Andrew Erace traveling the country in search of choice goods.

Interview: Chef Ron Duprat Discusses Food, Fame and Philanthropy

Chef Ron Duprat

By REESE AMOROSI

Chef Ron Duprat fell in love with food as a child in Haiti helping in his Grandmother's kitchen. He moved to the United States at 16, went to culinary school (College Aimee Cesaire, La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine, The Culinary Institute of America), and became a household name in 2009 on Bravo TV's Top Chef: Las Vegas. Since then, he has traveled the world as a celebrity chef, prepared meals for notables including President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and signed on as Executive Chef at the Montauk Yacht Club. He uses his celebrity to help numerous causes, most notably in his dedication to Haiti, which is still rebuilding after a devastating earthquake in 2010. Glamorosi Magazine recently caught up with Chef Ron to discuss food, fame and philanthropy.

Chef Luke Palladino to Open LP Steak at Valley Forge Casino Resort

Luke Palladino's Bistecca Alla Fiorentina for Two

By A.D. AMOROSI

Chef Luke Palladino is already famous for Italian restaurants at several casinos in Atlantic City, NJ, a steakhouse in Northfield, NJ, and a still-new eatery in South Philadelphia, Palladino's on Passyunk. On July 14, Palladino announced another project: just like George Washington did when he was still a general, the chef is moving into the Valley Forge, PA area. Only for Palladino, it is a steakhouse – LP Steak – that brings him to Pennsylvania's Valley Forge Casino Resort starting in October, with another as-yet-unnamed concept to follow soon after.

Anthony Bourdain Joins 'Roads & Kingdoms', Brings 'Parts Unknown' to New Jersey

Anthony Bourdain brings his CNN show, Parts Unknown, to New Jersey

By A.D. AMOROSI

Everything that Anthony Bourdain does is for the sake of food. We first came to know him as a chef in 2000's Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly with its raw-knuckle tales of the Manhattan restaurant scene. Then it was for his culinary globetrotting for his Emmy-winning CNN show Parts Unknown. Now, he's investing in food, or at least a website about it – Roads & Kingdoms – and has been named as is its editor-at-large.

Weekend Pick: James Beard Foundation Launches Better Burger Project

By A.D. AMOROSI

What could be a better food pick for the Memorial Day weekend than news about hamburgers? On May 25th – Memorial Day 2015 – the James Beard Foundation (JBF) launches the Better Burger Project, a contest and challenge held in restaurants across America, to make the best hamburger by blending ground meat with cultivated mushrooms for sustainable, healthier meals. The Better Burger Project runs through July 31, 2015; you can vote for your favorites through Instagram.

Weekend Pick: Philadelphia Goes to the Dogs - Pet Adoption Events

Fliers for pet adoption events in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 17

By REESE AMOROSI

On Sunday, May 17, Philadelphia goes to the dogs, in a wonderful way, when two organizations – Street Tails Animal Rescue (via SPADO) and Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia – hold separate outdoor events highlighted by adoptions for pet lovers to find four-legged family members.

'The Mountain' from 'Game of Thrones' to Appear in Philadelphia May 14-17

Hafpor Julius Bjornsson plays 'The Mountain' on Game of Thrones

By A.D. AMOROSI

Game of Thrones fans looking for action before their usual Sunday night of viewing can check out Hafpor Julius Bjornsson live in Philadelphia, PA, between May 14 and May 17. The world class wrestler-turned-actor who plays "Gregor Clegane" aka "The Mountain" on the HBO hit series will be at Devil's Den (1148 S. 11th St.) on May 14 from 5 to 6 PM, and will also take part in the first Philadelphia Renaissance Faire (4100 Chamounix Drive in Fairmount Park) on May 16 and 17 from noon to 8:30 PM.

Weekend Pick: 'Almost Midnight Madness' Wine Dinner at Il Pittore

Chef Chris Painter at Il Pittore

By A.D. AMOROSI

On Saturday, May 9, famed restaurateur Stephen Starr and co-owner/Chef Chris Painter will stay up late when they hold an Almost Midnight Madness dinner at their Il Pittore in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse area (2025 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103). The four-course dinner will begin at 11 PM, and will feature wine pairings by Roberto Damonte, the owner and winemaker of Piemonte’s Roero Vineyards.

New Chefs, Drinks and Dishes Debut at Taste of the Nation 2015

Creekstone Farms' David Katz and Philly chef Jen Zavala at Taste of the Nation

By A.D. AMOROSI

On May 3, Taste of the Nation, the largest charity event from Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry initiative, held its annual festival in Philadelphia at Loews Hotel with 50 of the city's best chefs, bartenders and restaurants giving away food and drink for a good cause. The event raised over $35,000 for No Kid Hungry and its beneficiaries, which equates to giving children access to 350,000 meals, according to Samantha DeNafo from Share Our Strength.

Weekend Pick: South Street Spring Festival on Saturday, May 2

 Glamorosi Magazine Weekend Pick: South Street Festival on Saturday, May 2

By A.D. AMOROSI

On Saturday, May 2, the street where hippies meet will host the annual South Street Headhouse District Spring Festival from 11 AM to 8 PM, between Front and 8th Street and along Headhouse Plaza. As always, the day-long party is a celebration of that famous neighborhood with live music and shopping including 150+ vendors, 40+ bands, and 30+ restaurants and bars participating.

East Passyunk Celebrates Flavors of the Avenue and Grace & Pat's Opening

From Plenty: Crostini with Tasso ham, fig jam, sliced green apple and Gruyere

By A.D. AMOROSI

On Sunday, April 26, East Passyunk Avenue (EPA) – home to South Philadelphia's famed Restaurant Row – will show off its finest culinary wares in one place at the 8th annual Flavors of the Avenue under the big top tent between Tasker and Morris Avenues from noon to 4 PM. That same day will also be the debut of East Passyunk Avenue's newest eatery, Grace & Pat's ristorante, across from EPA's Singing Fountain.

Real Estate: Will Cavanaugh's Purchase Katmandu in Philadelphia?

Journalist A.D. Amorosi and Mayor Michael Nutter at an event in 2013

By A.D. AMOROSI

When Mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia developer Michael Samschick announce, on April 16, the development of a new 3,000 capacity Live Nation concert hall – the 2,500 person Fillmore and its 500-person artist development Foundry – at Frankford and N. Delaware Avenue, that won't be the only juicy news on the block. There's some great gossip going on just down the street from the Samschick/Live Nation workplace at the old Ajax Metal Company on Delaware Avenue: the rumored sale of the legendary Katmandu at Pier 25 to the folks behind the Cavanaugh's family of clubs.

The Sweet Life Bakeshop Moves to Philly's Famous South Street

Megan Kennedy of The Sweet Life Bakeshop on South Street in Philadelphia

By REESE AMOROSI

After four successful years in their original South Philly location, The Sweet Life Bakeshop has moved to an airy pink and white space on Philadelphia's famous South Street. Since opening their doors on March 2nd, they've been doing brisk business welcoming fans old and new, all who stop by for the Southern-inspired American desserts made by Sweet Life's owners, the married team of Megan and Antonio Kennedy.