Your own brand
Here's a gift idea for the grill meister who has it all - monogrammed steak brands from Williams-Sonoma. These branding irons, forged by hand in Texas, come with either two or three initials, allowing the chef to literally put his mark on his handiwork.
Available at www.williams-sonoma.com for $34.95 each.
Catonsville woman gets top prize
Judy Murphy of Catonsville will soon be on her way to study at a cooking school in France, part of a $25,000 prize package she won in Nestle's "Best Dressed Meals" contest.
Her winning recipe for Roasted Pork Tenderloin With Walnut Curry Stuffing and Red Currant Glaze was chosen from nearly 700 entries nationwide.
Murphy, who has been entering cooking contests for the last 10 years, said this recipe was influenced by her love of Latin foods. Her prize includes $5,000 cash and a trip for two to the L'Ecole de Cuisine La Varenne cooking school in Burgundy, France.
To get a copy of her recipe, visit www.bestdressedmeals.com.
New wave of s'mores
Attention, all campers! Skippy Peanut Butter has created a new twist on that old campfire favorite - s'mores. This version (which actually uses a microwave) calls for 1/4 cup peanut butter, 4 graham crackers, 1/2 cup of finely chopped apple, banana or strawberries (or a mixture of each), 1/4 cup semisweet miniature chocolate chips, and 28 mini-marshmallows. Spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each cracker, top with remaining ingredients and microwave on high for 20 seconds or until marshmallows puff. Makes 4 servings.
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid, the most consumed kid's drink in the country, is celebrating its 75th birthday. The powdered drink mix was invented by Edwin E. Perkins, a Nebraska entrepreneur who specialized in selling small bottles of perfume and calling cards.
In 1927, inspired by Jell-O gelatin, he developed a concentrated powder for a beverage he called Kool-Ade. Originally sold in six flavors, the powdered soft-drink mix today is available in 22 flavors like Slammin' Strawberry-Kiwi and Blastin' Berry Cherry.
Forgot to clip a recipe?
You now can find recipes published in the Taste section online by clicking on "Taste recipe archive" at www.sunspot.net/entertainment/dining.
Events
Explore varietals of the Rhone Valley at a food and wine tasting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Donna's Cross Keys and Mount Vernon locations. On June 20, a food and wine tasting will focus on Australian wines. $10. For more information, call 410-532-7611 or 410-377-9599.
Celebrate Father's Day at Boordy Vineyards from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. $24.95 per person, $12.95 for children 2-12, free for children under 2. Price includes food, picnic beverages, wine tasting, tour and glass. Reservations required. Call 410-592-5015.
Celebrating Single: Perfect Picnics. A cooking class for single men and women 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. June 20 at Whole Foods/Fresh Fields, 1330 Smith Ave., in Mount Washington. $15. Call 410-358-4732 for reservations.
Learn tricks of the culinary trade at a three-day summer getaway at Kent Manor Inn on Kent Island, July 16-18, July 24-26, Aug. 6-8 and Aug. 27-29. Package includes preparation and consumption of three meals and accommodations. $499 per person. Call 800-820-4511.