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New Chef Announced at Oceanaire Seafood Room in Dallas

Welcome new execuchef Aaron Valimont to The Oceanaire Seafood Room in Dallas. His resume:

Chef Valimont began his culinary career in Tacoma at The Lobster Shop, later working under Executive Chef Will MacNamara at Seattle’s Washington Athletic Club before taking his knives to the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge Golf Club.  He then trained under Food and Wine “Best New Chef” Gordon Naccarato, opening The Pacific Grill in Seattle first as Sous Chef and ultimately being promoted to Pacific Grill’s Executive Chef.

His quote:

“Each day is a culinary adventure as we create our menu with the fresh seafood the market provides while emphasizing the simplicity of seasonal preparations, regionally inspired dishes and generous portion sizes,” Chef Valimont said. “In addition, our seasoned wine stewards will help select the wine that best compliments our guest’s meal.”

Go in peace.

Former Oceanaire chef Chad Kelly will be the lead chef at Shannon Wynne’s new restaurant The Moth.

Restaurant Review: Park Restaurant on Henderson Avenue in Dallas

Marc’s famous mussels by Kevin Hunter Marple.

Are you crazy about chef Marc Cassel’s mussels? Do you love Spam on your pizza? Is bocce a cheese, a font, or a game? Extra, extra, read all about it.

Wine Dinner Wednesday

This week we feature events from Hector’s On Henderson, Adelmo’s, Urbano Café, Tre Amici, Dali Wine Bar & Restaurant, Le Cordon Bleu Dallas, Seventh Street Shuffle in Fort Worth, Tramontana, Cru A Wine Bar, Taverna in Fort Worth, and Lawry’s The Prime Rib.

November 4
Hector’s On Henderson. Wednesday, November 4, Chris Chapman will feature 8 wines from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. All featured wines are $6 per glass and I provide FREE appetizers at the bar. There’s no better deal.Stay for dinner and enjoy our Two for $20 Meal. It’s two courses with choices (including vegetarian) for only $20. Can’t beat it.Enjoy the music of John Freeman from 7 to 10 PM. 214-821-0432

November 6
Adelmo’s. Featuring a five-course, five-wine dinner on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:30. $50.00 per person plus tax and gratuity. The menu is here.

November 10
Urbano Café. Mitch and Kristen Kauffman love to do their own thing. They are hosting a BYOB five-course wine dinner on November 10th. Customers are encouraged to bring a nice wine and share with others. Details on their website. 214-823-8550.

November 10
Tre Amici. Tre Amici welcomes Robert Rex, winemaker and owner of Deerfield Ranch Winery. Piano music by Adrian King. $99 per person. Full menu and details below. 972-250-4400.

November 10
Dali Wine Bar & Restaurant. Announces Hirsch Wine Tasting featuring the highly acclaimed wines from Hirsch Vineyards, Sonoma County. Special guest is Jasmine Hirsch, daughter of founder David Hirsch, and will offer a complimentary tasting of the famed Hirsch wines from 5:45 until 7:45pm.  For your convenience, Dali is pleased to offer special retail pricing and sales of these allocated wines. Details below. 214-6461947

November  16th
Taverna in Fort Worth.Black Truffle Wine Dinner. $65.00 per person plus tax & gratuity. Full menu and details below. 817-885-7502

November 17
Le Cordon Bleu Dallas. Cognac and Armagnac Dinner and Tasting. Please Join the Le Cordon Bleu Slow Food Student Chapter for a Cognac and Armagnac Dinner and Tasting. Only $24 per person. The dinner menu detailed below.

November 17
Seventh Street Shuffle in Fort Worth. Dining critic, cookbook author, and food/travel journalist June Naylor and her partner Cynthia Wahl will kick-off their new culinary adventures company, Texas Toast , with a progressive dinner. The evening begins at 6:30 at Eddie V’s and proceeds to Saint Emilion and Lanny’s Alta Mexican Cocina in Fort Worth. Tickets are $75. Details on their website and below.

November 17
Tramontana. Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Wine Dinner. Enjoy an evening of great food and wine and taste the California family’s wines that honor their Italian heritage. Advantage wine representative Bill Rich will talk about the wines and the family’s interesting history, which of course includes the water spa that bears their name. $50 per person. Menu below. 214-368-4188.

November 17& 18
Crú, A Wine Bar. A wine dinner featuring Barolo wines paired with rare white truffles from Oregon. Cru’s Truffle event is truly remarkable due to the rarity and high demand of the magnificent white truffle. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy the best in Italian Barolo wines and this exceptional culinary treat! Shops at Legacy (Plano) on Tuesday, November 17th; West Village (Dallas) on Wednesday, November 18th; Watters Creek (Allen) on Wednesday, November 18th. Featured Guest Speaker: Alfonso Cevola. Details below.

November 19
Lawry’s The Prime Rib. Join Lawry’s For The Release Of The 2009 Nouveau Beaujolais Wines. The world celebrates with France each year on the third Thursday of November. This day marks the release of the nouveau Beaujolais wines. The harvesting of the grapes this year took place from August 27th through September 22nd.  Join Lawry’s and guest speaker Steve Giancotti to be among the first in Dallas to enjoy this years vintage; said to be the best in the past 50 years! Menu and details below.

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Andrew Chalk: Charlie Palmer Talks About Making Wine at His Private Vineyard

Surrounded by Dean Fearing, Kent Rathbun, and Sharon Hage, chef Charlie Palmer talks with Andrew Chalk about making Pinot Noir at his house. (Nice gig, eh?)

Andrew Chalk Report: Celebrity Chef Soiree Last Night at Charlie Palmer at the Joule in Dallas

Scott Romano does a much better job of describing them in this video than I could. Excuse the poor technical quality – it was shot under battlefield conditions.

Last night celebrity chef Charlie Palmer was in town week to meet with his staff, chat with his public, and throw a little tasting party for area chefs. I spotted Dean Fearing, Kent Rathbun, Sharon Hage, and time love sampling appetizers at the bar long after the customers had cleared. Executive chef Scott Romano set out a spread that included peppered filet mignon with Armagnac sauce, pepper-seared mahi mahi, bacon-wrapped quail legs, shrimp mousse lobster corn dogs (lobster corn dogs?), and more. However, for me, the most exciting food was the large selection of charcuterie and salumi made in-house. Dishers, these samples were not contrived to please our local chefs, the food is currently on both the bar and restaurant menu.

DISCLAIMER: This event was provided by the restaurant and I was not anonymous. However, I personally took out a mortgage on my house to cover the valet parking charges.–Andrew Chalk

New Mansion Chef Bruno Davaillon Dishes on Dallas

He’s heeerrrreee…new Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek restaurant chef Bruno Davaillon is officially in ‘da house. We got to ask him a few questions this afternoon after he finished serving lunch to the Hunts. (All in a day’s work.) He’s French, he’s got a great accent, and most importantly, he’s got Dallas’ first Michelin star. Jump for it.

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First Taste at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek With New Chef Bruno Davaillon

Technically the fanfare will not begin until later this week, but we just couldn’t wait. We knew chef Bruno Davaillon was headed to the   kitchen at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in early November and, given the silence, we figured he must be here testing new recipes. So we took our chances and headed over to the Mansion for dinner. Oh, yes he was there and so were some of  his new dishes such as seared Day Boat scallop with cauliflower three ways (puree, “salad,” and lightly roasted); king crab and butternut squash bisque with glazed chestnuts and crispy spring roll; bison tenderloin “au poivre” with autumn vegetables; roasted veal tournedos with crispy sweetbread, fig chutney, and chanterelle mushroom; Maine lobster salad with avocado, tomato confit, and caviar cream; and Mansion shrimp cocktail with horseradish panna cotta and spicy tomato syrup. We can only speak for the first two; actually, chef Davaillon was serving only the bisque tonight, but when we confessed we had come in for a advance taste, he offered the scallops as well.Jump for more of Davaillon’s creations. (more…)

Making Soba Noodles at Tei-An at One Arts Plaza in Dallas

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Last week Andrew “Baby Face” Chalk attended the soba noodle making session held at Tei-An. The event was a big deal— Akila Inouye, Master Chef of Tsukiji Soba Academy in Tokyo, visited Tei-An restaurant at One Arts Plaza to give a demonstration of the technique of making soba noodles. Inouye’s brief U.S. tour only included New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Why Dallas? Tei-An owner Teiichi Sakurai is a student of the master. Here for your viewing enjoyment is Soba Noodles: The Movie.

Foodie in a Warzone Says Hi to Dallas

Make pasta not war.

Earlier in the week, I introduced you to Susan Marx and the Foodie in a Warzone blog she writes from her kitchen in Kabul, Afghanistan. Today she sends you a message:

I just saw your lovely post and link to my new blog on the Dallas Food and Wine blog and wanted to thank you very much for the support!  This is something that is quite close to our hearts, and in light of the recent attacks in Kabul, something we do for sanity as well – your support is much appreciated. Warm regards,Susan.

Dishers, I say we add her to the blogroll on the right. Perhaps with a little support from us, Susan can find a little peace. And we can get some great recipes! What do you say?

The Naughty Kitchen With Blythe Beck is Not Canceled

A Disher tuned in to watch the Central 214 chef Blythe Beck’s reality show The Naughty Kitchen with Blythe Beck on Tuesday, and found a Hugh Grant movie running on Oxygen. (Snicker!) She asked me if the  show had been canceled? I went straight to the source via Twitter.

ChefBlytheBeck how you feel about it not being on this week. The naughty Army on Facebook is pissed!! How do the twitter peeps feel??10:42 PM Oct 27th from web
ChefBlytheBeck The Naughty Kitchen will be back next week with a whole new episode but I think that the Naughty Army should go to Oxygen.com and tell them10:41 PM Oct 27th from web
DSideDish Nancy…the show took a break last night and will be back with an all new episode next week. It has something to do with sweeps week. about 16 hours ago
DSideDish Yes Nancy I knew it was taking a break. Oxygen had told me a while ago!! Thanks for checking though! I appreciate it!! about 13 hours ago.

Shameless Plug for D Home’s Restaurant Issue

Perhaps you read the print product, D Magazine. If so, perhaps you are familiar with our home magazine, D Home. If not, this month is an excellent time to head to the nearest newsstand to pick up the November/December issue, with the 2009 Restaurant Design Awards on the cover. Then, while flipping through the pages, you’ll also see Todd Johnson’s foodie gift guide. Or you’ll notice how I went to the home kitchens of four of Dallas’ top chefs. Sure, you can read these stories online, and it’s my duty as a member of the web team to encourage traffic. But, really, these online stories hardly do justice to the magazine. It’s a good one. And as food enthusiasts, you will appreciate it. IJS.

The Celebrity Chef Tour Comes to Dallas This Thursday

From the copy and paste press release department:

The Celebrity Chef Tour benefiting the James Beard Foundation is coming to Dallas on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 7 pm for a fun night of culinary celebration.  Bravo Television ‘Top Chef’ Winner Hosea Rosenberg and Host Chef Chris Vogeli of III Forks Restaurant will team up to cook a multi-course meal. Tickets are $175 per person and can be reserved by calling (720) 201-1853 or by visiting www.celebritycheftour.com.

The chefs plan to incorporate their styles by balancing Rosenberg’s quest for the best seafood with Vogeli’s love for premium meat and game.

Says Chef Rosenberg, “I loved my cooking experience at the James Beard House and I look forward to bringing that same spirit and energy to Dallas.” Says Chef Vogeli, “I’ve seen Hosea’s talent on ‘Top Chef’ and i look forward to collaborating with him in my kitchen.” Jump for more. (more…)

Foodie Blog From Afghanistan

Make pasta not war.

Meet Susan Marx. She doesn’t live in Dallas, she lives in Kabul, Afghanistan. Her only connection to our fair city is that she is good friends with D Magazine’s director of online technology, Jason Alexander. Susan is an aid worker and she has “cooked and baked” her way across the warzones of Iraq and Afghanistan for five years. She has started a blog—Foodie in a Warzone —and she deserves to be read.

Update on Chapman Chile Kitchen in Dallas

I stopped by Shed 2 at the Dallas Farmers Market on Saturday to catch up with Fran Chapman. She was there with the other specialty food vendors selling 32-ounce containers of Chapman’s bison chili (mild, spicy, and 50/50) and their stuffed jalapenos. Things are picking up for the Chapman—Randal still runs the store on Carroll Ave. near Munger Place and Fran works the DFM on the weekends. They plan to ramp up production for the Farmers Market and hope to sell to other local outlets as well. (Attention Central Market, Whole Foods, and locavore restaurants—local bison chili is now available.) Between running a restaurant and the stand at the DFM, Fran and Randal have four kids. Saturday they all came down to help Fran shut down the stand.

Kent Rathbun Wants to Take Dallas “Past Austin.” Pray For Him!

From a co-worker:

Last night at the Kent Rathbun party for the upcoming March of Dimes “gala”–where he’s offering one of the chef-package auction gifts–Rathbun told the crowd:

“Two weeks ago, I was at the Paws Up resort in Wyoming, [He said Wyoming, but Google says Paws Up is in Montana] where I met a woman from the Napa Valley wine commission. [I discovered a Napa Valley Vintners group via Google, but no 'wine commission.'] We discussed how the Super Bowl was coming to Dallas in 2011, and how we’re gonna have a big year next year in Dallas because of it. She said that she’s got 100 Napa Valley wineries coming to Dallas for a conference next year, and so she wants to do a big March of Dimes event here around the Super Bowl. It’s not a done deal by any means yet, but we have our foot in the door. It’s something that would take us right past Austin, Texas! I’m gonna work on this. Say a prayer.”

How about “March of Wines?”

Making Soba Noodles at Tei-An: Master Chef Akila Inouye Visits Dallas

From the reporter’s notebook of Sir Andrew Chalk.

Noodles are an important part of Japanese cuisine. So important in fact that the Japanese have academies to teach the correct hand making and preparation of them. Yesterday, Akila Inouye, Master Chef of Tsukiji Soba Academy in Tokyo, visited Tei-An restaurant at One Arts Plaza to give a demonstration of the technique of making soba noodles. His visit to the US encompasses only New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The reason for Dallas’ place on the exclusive list is that Tei-An owner Teiichi Sakurai is a student of the master. When he sold his previous restaurants, Tei-Tei Robata Bar and Teppo Yakitori and Sushi Bar, he took time off before opening Tei-An to take a five week noodle course at the academy in Tokyo.

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Chef Gaspar Stantic Leaves Cadot Restaurant in Dallas

Cold Shoulder?: Jean-Marie Cadot and Gaspar Stanic have broken up.

Chef Jean-Marie Cadot just confirmed that his former partner, chef Gaspar Stantic, has left Cadot Restaurant. “He wanted to be on his own,” said Cadot. “I was ready to work with him and make it happen but he wants to move on.”

When they formed the partnership to open Cadot, the two veteran chefs thought it would be a great idea. Stantic is in his mid-60s and Cadot has a family. Both chefs felt that the situation would allow them to trade shifts and make the job of running a restaurant a little easier. “I have two kids and I was hoping to spend time with them,” said Cadot. “It was a dream and we tried. There is nothing wrong to try and see what you can do and make it happen.”

Chef Cadot plans on changing the menu and adding “lighter and more elegant” French dishes. “A lot of things will be the same but I will not use things like pico de gallo,” said Cadot. “I am French. I was at Lavendou for 12 years and I want to do something different from what I did up the street.”

According to Cadot, Stantic has been searching for locations in Dallas.

Wine Dinner Wednesday: Thursday Edition

Sorry I’m a day late. Below you will find a list of upcoming wine dinners from Urban Crust, La Buena Vida Vineyards, Abacus, Sevy’s Grill, The Grape,  two at  Stephan Pyles,and Pappas Bros.

October 22, 2009
La Buena Vida Vineyards. “A Night in Tuscany Italian Wine Dinner.”
Escape all of your worries and join La Buena Vida Vineyards Thursday, October 22nd from 6-8PM as we venture into the Old World of Italy. Be the first to taste our newest feature wines from Italy while having them perfectly paired to traditional, savory Italian dishes, from Tomato Mozzarella to Italian Penne Pasta. Experience Italy right here in Grapevine as guest speaker for the evening Dean Underdahl, wine connoisseur, takes you to all the major wine regions of Italy. Don’t miss out on this special night and make your reservations today by calling 817-481-WINE (9463). Details below.

Oct 26
Urban Crust. Tour Of Italy Wine Tasting. Join Urban Crust’s World Master Chef, Salvatore Gisellu, and wine expert Alfonso Cevola for our very first wine tasting. We’re really excited to have Chef Salvatore in the kitchen with creative freedom.  He’ll be able to showcase unique Italian food that pairs with the wines Alfonso selects.  Jump for details.

October 26
Abacus. Antinori Wine Dinner with Alessia Antinori. Full menu and pairings below.

October 26
Sevy’s Grill. Join us on Monday, October 26th at 6:30 p.m. for a taste of our
“California Dreaming” inspired menu.  Four courses plus reception, $59.95 per person (plus tax and gratuity), seating is limited and reservations required (no OpenTable reservations, please). Contact (214) 265-7389 or SevysCatering@aol.com to save your spot! Menu detailed below the jump.

October 28th
The Grape. The Grape hosts a “Wines from Deutschland” wine dinner on Wednesday, October 28th.  Hand-selected boutique wines from Germany to include Riesling, Pinot Noir and Eiswein. Chef/owner Brian C. Luscher will compliment the highlighted wines with a 3-course German- inspired menu. The popular a la carte menu will also be offered that evening. Special guest and industry expert Steve Mansir of Republic Beverage hosts this special event. More info below.

October 30
Bailey’s Prime Plus at Park Lane. Four-Course Wine Dinner featuring the wines of B.R. Cohn. Executive Chef Israel Voirin and Sommelier Jeff Ivy present an exciting wine pairing dinner. Full menu and pairings below.

November 8th
Stephan Pyles. A Decade Of Dining. 10th Anniversary Of Stephan Pyles Celebrity Chef Dinner
Stunning Dinner and Auction Funds $15,000 Stephan Pyles Culinary Scholarship. Five celebrity chefs from throughout the state including Chef Pyles will present a spectacular five-course wine dinner along with a live auction to fund one of the nation’s largest culinary scholarships.  Five-course menu, chef line-up, and details below.

November 9th
Stephan Pyles. Stephan Pyles will host a special five-course dinner paired with Truchard wines in the restaurant’s private dining room on Monday, November 9.  Truchard Vinyards is a small, family-owned winery that has been producing exceptional wines in the Carneros region of Napa Valley for over 30 years.  Tony and Jo Ann Truchard will join Chef Pyles to educate diners on the wine and food pairings.

November 13
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse. Bubbles bring in the holidays! Our last tasting of the year celebrates all things sparkling, so join us as we get ready for the 2009 holiday season. This “sparkling” tasting, on November 13th, $45 per person plus tax and gratuity, begins at 6:00 p.m. Reservations are required. Call 214.366.2000 or visit pappasbrosdallas.com. Jump for more info.
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Stephan Pyles Announces Holiday Cooking Classes in Dallas

Make your reservations now for the Modern Thanksgiving and Holiday Entertaining Cooking Classes taught by Chef Stephan Pyles, a pioneer of New American Cuisine and legendary founding father of Southwestern Cuisine. During each class, Chef Pyles will share his personal insights and experience on fall and holiday entertaining. Demonstrations will include a four-course meal or holiday buffet with matching wines or beverages.  Participants will also learn recipe techniques from the restaurant, as well as those inspired by his travel experiences. Classes will take place in the restaurant’s private dining room, where dividing walls open to a state-of-the-art kitchen for demonstrations.
Modern Thanksgiving – Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Holiday Entertaining – Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Classes are $95 each. Space is limited, please contact Randall McGehee, 214.999.1229 x112, rmcgehee@stephanpyles.com

Fall Cooking Classes at the Dallas Farmers Market

The American Institute of Wine & Food and the Dallas Farmers Market Friends have released the schedule for the 16th year of  cooking classes at the Dallas Farmers Market. The classes feature local chefs and begins on Saturday, October 24th.  Classes are held every Saturday from 11:30am until 1:00pm. This season will feature Samir Dhurandhar (Nick & Sam’s), Tiffany Derry (Go Fish Ocean Club), Garreth Dickey (Hibiscus), Tre Wilcox (Loft 610), and Anthony Bombaci (Nana). Jump for details. (more…)

Whistle! Foul on Blog Editor Mike Hiller! Dishers, I Need a Ruling.

Dining critics at work.

Yesterday l linked to a post by chef Brian Luscher on former DMN dining critic Mike Hiller’s website Escapehatchdallas.com. While most of the people who left comments agreed with Luscher, I received several e-mails from “professionals” who were a bit concerned about the line “Taking scalps just because you have a hatchet isn’t the same as writing a fair review.” I wrote to both Hiller and Luscher and asked them to clarify and Hiller responded in the comments section. He writes:

“It seems to me Luscher was directing his comments primarily at those bloggers and casual Web commenters who don’t feel any obligation to present fair, comprehensive reviews.” And on his site he writes“…the scalp/hatchet comment, well, that was added for spice in the final edit and has since been removed.”

Couple of questions. If Luscher was directing his comments primarily at bloggers, why does the opening sentence contain “professional restaurant critics and amateur online reviewers”? Also, Hiller admits to adding what I feel is a pretty provocative line (scalp/hatchet) to post with Luscher’s byline. Methinks he put the restaurant owner in a hot seat.  And putting words he didn’t say in his mouth. Foul or fair? Hit it.

Official Word From Screen Door

SCREEN DOOR ANNOUNCES NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM

Restaurant veterans Michael “Mico” Rodriguez and Chef/Partner David McMillan join One Arts Plaza restaurant

(Dallas, TX) – Screen Door, a modern southern kitchen located in the Dallas Arts District, announces the appointment of a new management company.  With a newly formed company, MCM Restaurants, Michael “Mico” Rodriguez will now serve as Screen Door’s Executive Director, overseeing the day to day operations of the One Arts Plaza restaurant.  Chef/Partner David McMillan will bring his renowned culinary and management skills to Screen Door’s kitchen.

“We are so fortunate that these two great talents have come together for a merger.  At Screen Door we have a great dining concept that is ready to be leveraged and enhanced into the home cooking heart of the Arts District.  I am genuinely thrilled about the possibilities that these industry stalwarts bring to Screen Door,” remarked Lucy Billingsley, partner, Billingsley Company.

MCM Restaurants is a newly formed restaurant brand development company combining the forces and expertise of veteran restaurateurs Mico Rodriguez and David McMillan, along with contributing partners Robert Colombo and Teiichi Sakurai. With a goal of developing creative restaurants that are conceived and run the best way possible, Screen Door is MCM Restaurant’s first project. (more…)

Somebody Help This Poor Girl: Cooking Class Birthday Party

This could be fun or a disaster. Y’all help her decide.

Do you know who might be doing in-home cooking classes/birthday parties?

Dallasfood.org Plays a Guessing Game: Loft 610 vs. Abacus

The Great Scott over at Dallasfood.org, the vortex of local food knowledge, has posted a fun guessing game.  He has printed a menu and asked readers to pick which items are on Tre Wilcox’s new menu at Loft 610 and which items are on the menu at Abacus. (For new players, Tre was once the execuchef at Abacus.) Go and play. It’s perfect for a rainy day.

Cobb Switch BBQ Announces Launch of Catering Division

Dotty Griffith Ranches Up!

Just when you think the going is tough, the toughest open a catering company. As a recovering caterer, I identify with the “need to cater.” It makes people happy. It makes you happy to make people happy. Catering is an affliction, an addiction that should not be exposed to rookies or people without strong resolve.

Which brings me to the veterans behind Cobb Switch BBQ in Carrollton: Blair Black, Janet and Phil Cobb, and switch hitter, former DMN critic, Dotty Griffith. These people have schlepped a few meals to various locations. So, without further ado, the envelope with the press release please:

Jump. (Oh, and Kirk get out your red pencil!) (more…)