According to the National Pie Council, – yes there is such an organization and you can even become a card carrying member – Saturday January 23rd is National Pie Day. We’ve already heard whispers that pie is all the rage, and this is a trend we can sink our fork into. Not interested…
Today is actress Linda Blair’s birthday. Though she has gone on to perform in other films, Blair is best known for her role as possessed child Regan in the 1973 classic horror flick, The Exorcist. No scene has grossed us more than that of Blair’s devilish character spewing a green…
Saber Rouin’s father always wanted him to be a doctor. Rouin was born in the North African country of Tunisia. His story begins on the deck of a cruise ship, a Love Boat of sorts, where he launched his early culinary career, and met his wife. From there, he journeyed on…
As avid film buffs we think that nothing compares to catching a new release on the big screen while munching on a large tub of the theater’s finest. It seems we’re not alone, according to the National Popcorn Board, the average American consumes 52 quarts of popcorn per year. Today is National Popcorn…
The 67th Annual Golden Globes will air this evening on NBC. The fashion misfires, the bizarre acceptance speeches, and the stage exit stumbles – we relish the opportunity to watch the beautiful people at their best and worst.With Julie & Julia nominated for Best Picture in the Music or Comedy category,…
Jordan Stejskal used to struggle with a multiple personality problem.For years, the Phoenix native worked for a Scottsdale architecture firm where she was a self-described office Super Girl in pencil skirts and heels. When she wasn’t in the office, Jordan turned into the hippie chef, a farmer’s market groupie who…
January evenings are chilly in Phoenix; not exactly ear muff weather, but certainly cold enough to justify a hot drink with a little kick. A Hot Toddy is a warm drink usually made with bourbon or scotch and a varying combination of sweeteners and spices. The Hot Toddy was believed…
Today Elvis Presley would have celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday and thousands of fans will gather to spend the weekend honoring the Rock and Roll music legend at his home in Memphis. Even if you don’t consider yourself a fan, there is no denying that Elvis Presley’s contribution to music was…
Jennifer VanInwegen was the wife who couldn’t cook. Jennifer ordered the magazine anyway and challenged herself to recreate the gorgeous gourmet meals featured on its pages. Her life changed the day she roasted the perfect duck. Last year, the Phoenix resident and mother of two young children put her culinary…
According to the Valley of the Sun United Way, over 260,000 Arizona residents lack resources needed to acquire food for the next few days. Eighty thousand will skip meals or consume meals that lack adequate quantity on a regular basis. Due to recent economic conditions, the demand on local resources…
Not satisfied with competing in the art of making stuffing, the Chow Bella staff is at it again. This showdown is all about Jell-O. So far we’ve brought you Sparkling Grapefruit Pie and Berry Good Holiday Pie. Today things get a little naughty with cosmopolitan-inspired Jell-O shooters. Come and get ’em,…
Whoever said you can’t get something for nothing hasn’t been down to the Phoenix Public Library lately. We’ve been feeling little light on cash these days, so we’re browsing the books, perusing the DVDs, and catching up with a few favorite magazines, all free of charge with our handy library…
With an open mind, and possibly a little liquid courage, we’re looking to discover those dumpy but delicious places that we might never set foot in alone. We’ve gathered a group of adventurous souls for cocktails and dive eating, and we’re calling it the Dive Bar Dinner Club. For…
We were looking for a holiday-ish date night and nothing says Christmas in the desert like strolling the luminaries at the Desert Botanical Gardens with a cocktail in hand. During the annual holiday event, there are several drinking and dining options available. The Patio Cafe, which offer snacks and wraps in a casual…
We’ve been eyeing the leftovers in our fridge, some of them of questionable lineage, possibly dating back to Thanksgiving (don’t worry — we’re talking about this Thanksgiving), and pondering whether we should tackle the fuzzy brown contents inside or just toss them, unopened, into the trash. Either way, we might…
Jan D’Atri and The Spatuloons might sound like an all-girl fifties band, but the phrase actually refers a trio of wooden kitchen utensils, the latest product offering from local cookbook author and television personality, Jan D’Atri. D’Atri will be hosting a cooking show and signing copies of her books this…
In search of some authentic Italian sausage worthy enough to play a supporting role as a side dish to our Christmas Eve dinner of eggplant parmesan, we decided to pay a visit to Phoenix institution, Schreiner’s Fine Sausages. Schreiner’s offers over sixty types of sausage, including Italian, Polish and German,…
When you grow up in an Italian household, you hardly need a holiday to come up with an excuse to stuff yourself. The only difference between a Thanksgiving gathering and your average Sunday night dinner is a slight variation of the menu and that the phrase “stuff the turkey” might…
The tequila tasting, pairing five courses with three tequila tastes, was hosted by Tequila Cazadores Ambassador Diana Jimenez. Like a wine tasting, Jimenez introduced each of the selections, describing the taste, color and aging process. Jimenez hails from the region of Mexico where tequila is produced which made her the…
