All Aboard!

Summer Cruising Fun!

Have you ever kissed a Sting Ray or eaten Turtle Soup?  I never thought I would do either but while on my summer vacation, I was fortunate to have taken my first ever cruise to the Western Caribbean. It is an amazing way for a couple to spend their Honeymoon or a family to spend some quality time with their loved ones.  I was fortunate to have my daughter come visit me, and felt a cruise would be the perfect way for us to enjoy the summer sun!  One of our stops was to Georgetown, Grand Cayman Island where we visited a Turtle Farm.  Wouldn’t you know they  have a restaurant on property where I tried their Turtle Soup recipe.  Weird, I know!

We were adventurous and tried it.  Guess what it tastes like – of course everyone said – chicken!  I thought it tasted a little like conch chowder myself.

Next we were off to Sting Ray City and the sandbar.  Sailing the aqua blue seas, we were taken to a huge sandbar where we swam and snorkeled with amazing, huge sting rays.  They were swimming under and all around us.  We even got to KISS and pet them.  As soon as a boat came close to the sandbar they started swimming towards us where the guides always have food for them.  It was a weird twist on the Pavlov’s  dogs theory.  I think the stingray kiss was one of the highlights of my trip!

With so many cruise option to choose from, I encourage you to check one out.  If you’re already a pro, then check out the new Norwegian Epic, featuring our friends from Cirque Productions for the ship’s Cirque Dreams Dinner!  It’s on my list for next summer. :-)

Cheers!

Cook it Up for Kids…

Was A JOY!

The United Way of Miami welcomed over 900 foodies to the annual Cook it Up for Kids festival at The Falls, Sunday, March 14, 2010. The event raised $60,000 in support of the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education. A report card definitely worthy of a few gold stars and happy faces!

A ticket for the evening gained guests access to tasty bites from over 25 local chefs and restaurants in just one walk of the mall. Not exactly the calorie burning intention of the average Mall Walker but surely the waistline forgives in the name of good deeds for children.

A Joy Wallace’s contribution was made with the hearts of a child. Our design team, in collaboration with Chef Elgin, invited kids and adults alike to have a taste of the imaginative world of Willy Wonka. Serving our BBQ Company’s trademarked sweet treat, they created Dickey Doo’s Kettle Corn Factory complete with faux fire, popping corn and conveyer belt. And…testing the tongue to a frozen pole theory, our Popsicle Lab offered icy versions of Pomegranate, Lemon and Chocolate Popsicles delivered straight from the beaker in a Wonka test tube.

“Come with me… And you’ll be… In a world of Pure imagination. Take a look… And you’ll see… Into your imagination…” - Willy Wonka

One of the nights biggest highlights for us, celebrated our very own Joy for her distinction in local do-gooding. She was presented with the 2010 Chefs Cook it Up for Kids Excellence Award for her dedication and service to the South Florida Community. We couldn’t be prouder of our favorite red-head and neither can the local press!  She leads by example and her joy in giving serves as a lesson to us all. Congrats Joy!

Pictured (l-r) Harve Mogul, United Way; Penny Shaffer, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida; Joy Wallace; Julie Goldman, The Falls; Laurie Jennings and Trent Aric, WPLG.