London Free Press

Layer by layer

By ELIZABETH BAIRD, Special to QMI Agency

Onions, shallots, green onions, chives, leeks - all members of the lily family, and all great bearers of flavour. Here are some ways to highlight them in your kitchen.

'Cheers' to the couple

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

It's the wedding of the century that we're all invited to! The impending nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton have sparked a regal revelry worldwide, especially in Canada, where parties are being planned everywhere from homes to hotels, offices and even coffee shops.

Mexicanada remains true to traditional preparation

By FRANK FERRAGINE, Special to QMI Agency

Last Saturday I could have sworn I was in Mexico -- and trust me it wasn't the tequila.

Champagne from shipwreck up for grab

By Leslie Gevirtz, REUTERS

Two bottles of champagne, thought to be about 200 years old and part of a cache of 150 salvaged from a 19th century shipwreck in the Baltic Sea, will be auctioned in Finland in June.

TV chef Ken Kostick dies

By QMI AGENCY

Canadian TV personality chef Ken Kostick has died, according to a statement issued Saturday.

Chef standards

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

She's a Food Network star, author of the James Beard award-winning cookbook "dish entertains" and busy mom -- if anyone knows how to whip up culinary magic in minutes, it's Trish Magwood.

Harvest box program a growing concern

By Kelly Pedro The London Free Press

Full of fresh, local veggies and leaving a low carbon footprint, community-supported agriculture boxes (CSAs) are growing in popularity.

What's in an egg?

Whether they're painted or in chocolate form, eggs are a big part of Easter. But how much do you know about them?

Easter food for mood

By JOANNE RICHARD, SPECIAL TO QMI AGENCY

Easter keeps Gary Mitchell hopping. Mitchell is head chocolatier at Purdy's, the chocolate company known across the country for its sugary confections.

Indulging in Easter

By JOANNE RICHARD, Special to QMI Agency

Easter is a girl's best friend. The holy holiday has become synonymous with chocolate. Celebrated since the second century, Easter is an egg-cellent opportunity to throw caloric caution to the wind and indulge your sweet tooth.

Thinking outside of the egg

By ELIZABETH BAIRD, Special to QMI Agency

Chocolate truffles may not be shaped like Easter eggs, but they are still a divine spring treat. This season, enjoy a choice of truffles, bittersweet, milk or white chocolate.

A celebration with chills

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

One thing about the royal nuptials taking place next week, is that from dressmakers to pastry chefs to idea gurus and more, everyone's getting in on the act.

A brunch fit for a princess

By JILL ELLIS, Special to QMI Agency

What's with the royals and morning weddings? If it's 11:00 a.m. BST there, then everyone in Canada has to be up between 6:30 a.m. in Newfoundland and 2:00 a.m. in British Columbia. What's a hostess to do? You may be a staunch royal-watcher and woke up at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. for Charles and Di's nuptials, but that was 30 years ago!

Schooled in beer

By JORDAN ST. JOHN, Special to QMI Agency

Wednesday marked the official opening of the Niagara College Brewmaster and Brewery Operations Management program's teaching brewery.

Hostess in a minute

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

I love having company over -- pulling together huge platters of Italian cold cuts, olives and spread, plus thick crusts of bread.

Rushed school lunches a letdown for parents

By Jennifer O’Brien The London Free Press

The opening of the lunch bag — an after-school moment many parents dread.

New sensor tells you when meat goes bad

By QMI Agency

German researchers have come up with a sensor film that will tell you when a piece of meat has gone bad.

Regal treats to relish

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

Word is the late Diana, Princess of Wales always dreamed of throwing a lavish, fairy-tale type wedding for her son, Prince William. They say she fantasized this even during her pregnancy.

A wholesome feast

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

Record crowds will be taking in the upcoming royal nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There's nothing like rhubarb

By ELIZABETH BAIRD, Special to QMI Agency

For some, the Blue Jay's opener spells spring. For others, it's the first robin or the shift from shoveling snow to avoiding mud. But, in truth, rhubarb is the real harbinger of spring.

Chef looks to expand South African cuisine

By Richard Leong, REUTERS

Relying on the past is not enough for chef Reuben Riffel, who wants to incorporate more local influences beyond his childhood in his exploration of South African food.

App calculates calories through photos

By Bernd Debusmann Jr., REUTERS

Worried about how many calories you are going to consume in that slice of pizza, chocolate cake or bag of fries? A new iPhone application may help.

The beer packaging debate

By JORDAN ST. JOHN, Special to QMI Agency

One of the great difficulties in attempting to be environmentally conscious is the sheer amount of thought that goes into the process. Just take, for example, the question of whether to use paper or plastic bags at the grocery store.

All-day breakfast

By RITA DEMONTIS, National Food Editor, QMI Agency

A recent survey conducted by Ipsos Reid on behalf of General Mills has found that 86% of Canadians are looking for an easy way to help manage their family's cholesterol.