Chefs hit the beach for the "Food & Wine Cayman Cookout."

Photo: courtesy of the event

Posters advertising the second annual "Food & Wine Cayman Cookout," held last month at The Ritz-Carlton on Grand Cayman, show a striking image of Eric Ripert, standing in the ocean in his white chef coat, azure waves up to his knees. Strolling down the magnificent beach as the event got underway, some guests did a double take. There was Eric, standing in the ocean with a cigar in his mouth, chatting with friends and surrounded by his kids.

“Excuse me,” ventured one passing guest. “I saw you cooking lobster on the beach yesterday and it smelled incredible. I just caught some lobsters today. What is your recipe?” The affable Ripert, executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton’s signature restaurant, Blue, explained his simple preparation, and welcomed other inquiries. Just up the beach Anthony Bourdain was playing with his daughter and the normally inaccessible David Chang of Momofuku fame was catching some rays. Chefs were everywhere – relaxing at the spa, sitting at canopied dining tables that float on the ocean and toiling away preparing feasts for the guests. It was foodie heaven.

The long weekend’s activities began with a beachfront feast –and while there was Angus beef and local lobster tails whipped up by the Ritz Carlton chefs; the sand and sea gave a new dimension to the concept of surf and turf. The following day saw a marathon of meals including a Spanish feast courtesy of José Andrés (LA’s The Bazaar) and a taco tasting created by Dean Fearing (Fearing's in Dallas).

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto introduced a new lunch menu full of noodle bowls, sandwiches and bento box options at his namesake restaurant. Think duck curry udon, salmon dashi soba and braised pork belly sandwiches. Check out the menu here. Lunch is offered Mondays–Fridays from 11:30 AM–2 PM. Let the mouth-watering begin!

• – Eleven Madison Park sous-chef James Kent will represent the U.S. in the Bocuse d'Or. [NRN, Eater]
• – Customers are interested in so-called "fast-food diets." [NRN]
• – Restaurateurs in New York are nonplussed about the impending introduction of health-inspection letter grades. [Diner's Journal]

• – The FDA wants listed serving sizes to reflect reality. [NYT]
• – One in five Britons mistakenly claims to have a food allergy. [Telegraph]
• – Dairy farmers ponder going co-op. [NYT]
• – Beer. Good for the bones. [Indpendent]
• – Scenes from this year's Wing Bowl. [SE]
• – Josh Ozersky has some issues with "new naturalist" cooking. [Time]
• – Health magazine borrows from sister publication Real Simple. [NYT]
• – Culinary workers smoke. A lot. [Post-Gazette]
• – The long history of candy and Valentine's. [SlashFood]
• – Which were your favorite food-related Super Bowl ads? [SE]
• – Gross food stories in list form! [Consumerist, via ColdMud]

Though many farmer's markets on the East Coast shut down or move inside for winter, the Piazza at Schmidt's in Northern Liberties is hosting an outdoor market this season. Head over to the Piazza (home of such eateries as Darling’s and The Swift Half) on Saturdays from 10 AM–2 PM and check out local providers and growers selling winter fruits and vegetables, veal, beef, quail, heritage free-range chicken eggs and more. Though the market is canceled this Saturday, February 6, due to weather advisories, be on the lookout in coming weeks for the opportunity to buy fresh produce direct. For a full list of participants, check out the Piazza's Facebook page.

• – Finally! Heinz has redesigned the ubiquitous ketchup packet. [NYDN]
• – Foregin food aid is hitting Haiti's black market. [NYT]
• – The number of restaurants in the U.S. has declined, but not as much as was expected. [NRN]

• – Burger King and its franchisees may still be bickering, but profits are up. [NRN]
• – How Rachael Ray magazine's March Madness pizza decisions were made. [Slice]
• – There isn't going to be an Alinea bar anytime soon and if it does open, it isn't going to be called "Boom." [GS: C]
• – The E.U. is pondering banning all commercial bluefin tuna fishing. [NYT]
• – Touchscreens, the future of vending machines. [WP, via GS: B]
• – The "drunkest" cities in the U.S. [USAT]
• – Shatter-proof pints may help reduce drinking-related violence. [Independent]
• – Ever wonder what it would be like to eat two pounds of meat, two sides, a cupcake and a 32-ounce drink within an hour? Wonder no more. [GS: NY]
• – NBC is in some hot water for a now-removed Black History Month menu. [Vulture]
• – Making due in Afghanistan for six weeks on Spam. [Guardian]
• – Related: Army chefs recreate Iron Chef in Iraq. [FTL Lamp, via Eater]
• – Google Maps is now photographing the inside of stores, are restaurants next? [SearchEngineLand, via TechMeme]
• – Cat food taste test. [Fork in the Road]

2010 marks the Year of the Tiger

Photo: Denver Aquino

Believe it or not, there’s another big holiday happening on February 14 – Chinese New Year. We suggest you celebrate the lunar year of 4708, otherwise known as the Year of the Tiger, with a banquet full of good-luck foods at one of the top-rated Chinese restaurants in the area.

On February 13, Old City wine boutique Pinot hosts a Valentine's-themed wine and chocolate pairing with wine educator Marnie Old. Guests will learn tips on how to properly match white, red and sparkling wines with various decadent chocolates (6:30–8 PM; $75 per person; 227 Market St., 215-627-9463).

• – How to find a quiet table in the increasingly noisy world of restaurants. [WSJ]
• – Looking back on 30-plus years of restaurant criticism. [CJR]
• – The most popular food on Super Bowl Sunday? Veggies. [NYDN]

• – Pre-washed salads ain't as clean as you'd expect. [Consumer Reports]
• – Japanese whiskey makers would like your attention, please. [WSJ]
• – Goose Island goes green. [The Stew]
• – Why isn't Californian wine selling as well as it used to? [Cellarist, via GS:SF]
• – Americans are drinking less top-shelf booze. But they are still drinking. [WP]
• – Miss America represents for IHOP. [NRN]
• – Why single women eat salad. [Guardian]
• – True story: Heart Stoppers restaurant is being sued by the Heart Attack Grill. [Sun-Sentinel, via Cold Mud]
• – Gordon Ramsay, twitterer. [Eater]
• – Showing your obsessive foodie cred...in ink. [SE]

Whether you're rooting for the Saints or the Colts, Drew Brees or Peyton Manning, there's no question everyone will be watching the Super Bowl on February 7. Here are some spots for you and yours to gather (without having to worry about cleaning up afterward).

Bourbon Blue: This Cajun-Creole in Manayunk will have things going full blast in its Canal Lounge where nine TV screens will be showing the big game (215-508-3360).

Brauhaus Schmitz: Enjoy "meter and liters" – that is, two liters of beer and a meter of bratwurst for $35 – at this South Street German (267-909-8814).