You Look Hungry

How to throw a SWAGU party.

First things first.

Do you know what swag is? Are you swagged out?

In case you were wondering, here’s the real talk: swagu goes great on swaghetti. 

If you’re still scratching your head, check your cultural references over here. You can also listen to this jam and get up to speed with getting swagged out in general. 

The evidence below is what happened this past Saturday night as I teamed up with the illustrious Jen Pelka, (Tumblr Food & Drink Evangelist) and Details Magazine to take a blinged out culinary journey into the true meaning of all things swag.

Think massive tins of caviar (that would have Rick Ross shedding a tear (or a river of sheer joy), magnums of champagne (Jen Pelka is pro enough to saber them) appropriate for your dream yacht, and who could forget, prrrrrrple drank. 

You can check out lots more on what went down at this dank party (and the dank people involved) if you bounce over to Details Mag.

Big ups to Sky Dylan-Robbins (of Tumblr’s Storyboard), all around photo boss for these bangin’ images.

Tristan Willey of Booker & Dax on U Look Hungry Radio

       

(Photo via TheWilley)

If you’re a dedicated Heritage Radio Network listener, you’ve probably checked out Dave Arnold’s informative show, Cooking Issues. If you haven’t, you’ve got some sweet radio waves ahead of you. When Dave isn’t resolving and explaining culinary queries on the microphone, you can find him at the culinary technology department at the FCI, or inventing cocktails with the aid of technology and science, through tools like a flaming hot poker or liquid nitrogen at his bar inside Momofuku Ssam Bar, Booker and Dax. 

That’s where Booker and Dax Bar Manager (and New Mexico native), Tristan Willey comes in. Working on the cutting edge side of the cocktail world, Tristan is at the helm of working with technology in the midst of mixology. BUT this ain’t your local bartender. Tristan has also been known to distill moonshine and bourbon for the award winning Kings County Distillery (based in Brooklyn) when he’s not stirring (or lighting) up the meanest cocktail you’ve ever tasted. And by mean, I mean amazing. 

Tune in live to U Look Hungry today, Thursday August 16th, 2012 at 6 pm (EST) on the Heritage Radio Network to hear me chat with Tristan about the contemporary cocktail culture scene, how to make a kickin’ moonshine that will make you grow hairs on your chest, what to eat and drink in Albuquerque when you’re not on the Breaking Bad tour, and so much more.

You can listen to the live broadcast via Heritage Radio, or take your time and download the podcast version of the interview by subscribing to U Look Hungry radio on iTunes. It’s free after all.

Momofuku Milk Bar Cookbook revealed on U Look Hungry Radio

      

Crack pie, candy bar pie, BBQ soft serve, cereal milk. If you live in the NYC/Outerboroughs, I hope you’ve had the chance to try out Pastry Chef Christina Tosi’s wacky and delicious creations at one of her Momofuku Milk Bar locations.

Remember that time David Chang released the Momofuku cookbook? Well, Christina Tosi is about to do the same thing by releasing the highly anticipated Milk Bar cookbook, chock full of all your favorite Milk Bar creations, amazing photographs, and so much more.

Tune in live today at 3 p.m. (EST) to U Look Hungry on Heritage Radio Network to hear me chat with Christina Tosi and her pastry Sous Chef, Courtney McBroom, as they discuss their thoughts on creating the cookbook, what’s inside it, and so much more.

If you miss the live broadcast, download the podcast via Itunes right here. 

Netflix is the new take-out. Except it’s take-in.

+

In this day and age, we’ve got most things at our fingertips. Yes, it’s a good and a bad thing as globalization takes over, and your waist line expands from convenience: the grocery delivery, iPad instant reading (so that you never have to go to another bookstore), and Netflix, something that turns me into a drunken woodchuck who’s just discovered the largest wood-pile every time I see the limitless list of options: do I watch Silk-Stalkings (season one), or a documentary about the end of the world? Either way, I’m turning into the Big Lebowski, bath robe and all. 

What else can I say? Netflix is the new take out, except it’s take in. Herewith are 10 of my favorite (and not so favorite) food focused selections that may keep you inside your house or apartment for the next month-and- a- half. My apologies in advance. 

——————————————————————————————————-

The Ramen Girl (Comedy)

Having worked for David Chang myself, and watching many a friend work the line at his restaurant’s, including Noodle Bar, I can honestly say that I’m almost 101% sure that none of them suffered as much heartache/pushing it to the limits like Britney Murphey did as a Ramen girl in Tokyo. Not only does her boyfriend leave her in Japan with 6 months free rent, but she also gets to harass a master ramen chef for about 80% of the movie. It makes me want to cry into my take-out bowl of Ippudo ramen as I watch it in my sweatpants. Please pass that box of oreos.

Check out the trailer right here.

Queue it up at Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

Artois The Goat (Rom-Com?)

Move over Judd Apatow, no one needs to see another bro-mance about dudes suffering from serious bouts of arrested development. What we need to see is more cheese. It’s no secret I’m lactose-intolerant, and obsessed with cheese, so what could be better than combining my two favorite subjects into one audible, visual food porn flick? The cliff notes are these: poor Artois is down on his luck with a lady, so what is he gonna do to win her back? Obviously create the most perfect goat cheese in the universe. I recommend keeping an epi-pen by your side if the curds and whey get too haute for you. 

Check out the trailer right here.

Queue it up at Netflix. 

——————————————————————————————————-

Pizza (Comedy/I Don’t Know What to Do with This Category)

I know what you’re thinking: Ethan Embry is still alive?!?!? I heard that rumor too, but apparently he’s still gracing the screen with that baby face after all these years. No, it’s not Mystic Pizza, and yes, you may be a little post modern if you order pizza and watch pizza at the same time … Wait, what?

Yes, another slightly romantic film surrounding food in which a “chubby” girl wins the heart of the pizza delivery boy. It could happen to you too, while you’re queuing up the film and waiting for your own pizza to be delivered. Have I blown your mind again? 

Check out the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix. 

——————————————————————————————————-

Pressure Cooker (Documentary)

This is a great documentary. It follows a high school “culinary tech” class in the inner-city school system of Philadelphia as they compete in various culinary competitions, with one of the toughest and sweetest teachers as their Captain. I’m terrified of her, but also kind of wish she was my mom. After watching it, I feel like the laziest person alive, because these kids work really really hard. I’ve also got a bit of anxiety because I’ve realized that I can’t carve potatoes or make perfectly shaped crepes quite like they do.

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

Crazy Legs Conti (Documentary)

If you didn’t lose your lunch before, you’ll probably lose it at dinner if you turn this on. I’ve always been perplexed by competetive eaters, because they seem like they’re in the middle of an existential crisis-can they ever just eat something and enjoy it? Obviously, I’ve been completely incompetent on this subject, up until I watched this crazy beast of an eater get to work. I have to say, I’m impressed. I can’t, however, look at a stick of butter the same way for a while. 

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

 

McLibel (Documentary)

I’ve been avoiding the food ethics centered films, because the minute I begin to watch them, I become Woody Allen and start to worry about getting sick, and how evil I am for contributing to the machine, and how the world may end in 2012, and… and… regardless, you should watch this. This documentary chronicles the world famous lawsuit that McDonald’s placed upon British activists Helen Steel and Dave Morris. All I can say is, no, I don’t want fries with that.

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

The Happy Poet (NR)

Okay, so I’ve got a little bit of home-town bias since I’m from Austin, but hot damn, we have more food trailers than anywhere else in the country, and it’s about time that some filmmaker created a movie set around that theme!!! Yes, I’m turning into a crazy cat lady that never leaves the apartment based off of how many rom-com type movies I have recommended, but this is great. If you hate it, at least you get the rundown on all the cool food trucks around Austin. Or you could just read about them right here. 

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

How to Cook Your Life (Documentary)

Yeah, the title is a little scary, but there’s no eating of the soul here. This is the real Mr. Miyagi of all things food and all things you… Woah.

It’s like… we’re all connected man… Wax on, wax off, bro. 

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

Kings of Pastry (Documentary)

Just when you thought Sorority boards were tough judges, think again. This documentary is like the Mighty Ducks of all things sweet. And French. Watch as these Titans… no, Kings of saccharin, compete for the crown, a.k.a. the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (the legendary French pastry competition) for the title of best Patissier. If that’s not enticing enough, you’ll also get to see grown men cry over candy. 

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

Blood into Wine (Documentary)

Don’t worry booze-hounds, I didn’t forget about you. If you’re into the band, Tool, feel like a tool, or are just into tannins and hangovers, this documentary about James Keenan, (Tool’s frontman turned wine vitner) is for you. Watch as the story of rocker turned magician of boozy grapes unfolds. Be sure to drink a lot of water when you’re done.

Watch the trailer right here.

Queue it up on Netflix.

——————————————————————————————————-

That’s all for now. If you haven’t left you’re couch in a week because you’re completely consumed by all of my selections, I owe you a gym membership and a self-help book… but don’t worry, you don’t even need to leave the house to find one.