Class Photo 2017 ~ Oscars' Nominee Luncheon

Class Photo Oscars'® Luncheon 

Today is the day the nominees gather together for lunch, photos, and anticipation for the Oscars® Award show. The rain did not damper this time to savor the great accomplishment in their life. Time to mingle eat, and celebrate being best of the best in films with the class photo.  

Many of the nominees attended the afternoon lunch. Lead Actor and Actress nominees, Casey Affleck, Ryan Gosling, Isabelle Huppert, Viggo Mortensen, Ruth Negga, Natalie Portman (looking beautiful in a black dress with a belt) , Emma Stone (wore stunning in her pant suit), Meryl Streep and Denzel Washington (wore a single breasted suit). Supporting Actor and Actress nominees Mahershala Ali (very dapper in a double breasted pin-stripe suit with a burgundy tie and handkerchief), Jeff Bridges, Viola Davis, Naomie Harris, Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, (gorgeous in a Chanel grey tweed suit dress with a metallic belt with silver Jimmy Choo shoes), Dev Patel, Octavia Spencer and Michelle Williams. All five nominees for Best Director Damien Chazelle, Mel Gibson, Barry Jenkins, Kenneth Lonergan and Denis Villeneuve attend the pre-Oscars® 2017 luncheon. 

Lunch at the Beverly Hilton included: 

• Baby spinach salad with chopped radicchio, pickled red onions, pecans, and blue cheese.
• Chilean Sea Bass with cous cous, seasonal vegetables,  heirloom carrots, and oven roasted tomatoes.
• Fresh banana cream and cinnamon graham tart with sugared almonds, coconut caramel and chocolate sauce, assorted sweets.
• Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc, Hahn Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, and Piper-Heidsieck Champaign Brut.

After lunch they gather for the traditional "Class Photo." This photo is a great memory of their place in film history as an Oscar® nominee. Who is your prediction for Best Picture? Post your answer here #4ChionStyle. 

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Portobello Mushroom Stuffed Caprese ~ Recipe

Ingredients Portobello Caprese  

Caprese is an Italian salad, made of sliced fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and green basil, seasoned with salt and olive oil. This represents the Italy flag. Our Caprese salad takes a little twist that is perfect for meatless Mondays, main dish, side dish, or appetizer. We enjoyed these treats with our Super Bowl party. Let's Play Ball.  

Portobello Mushroom Stuffed Caprese 

Recipe

8 Portobello Mushrooms

You can use 16 mini portobellos for appetizers. Wash mushrooms well. Remove the stem to flatten inside of bottom of mushroom.

1/2 c butter (adds sweetness) or Olive oil (makes more savory)

Heat the butter till melted or oil until slightly warm.

1 clove of garlic finely diced add to oil or butter

Dash salt and pepper

1/4 c Italian fresh parsley finely chopped. Add to oil or butter.

Mix the the oil/butter well

Brush 1/2 on mushroom tops and bottoms. Set aside for 10 min. Re brush with remaining oil/butter.

Place in a heated Grill use the colder spot on grill or place in oven at 350 degrees on a baking sheet. Grill or oven ten minutes each side.

 

While baking grate:

1/2 cup mozzarella or Italian seasoned mozzarella.

32 slices cherry or grape tomatoes. Remove from oven. Place bottom side up. Place cheese to your desire on each mushroom and sliced tomatoes cover the top. Return to grill/oven until cheese melts. Just before removing add 1/8 cup diced fresh basil or dried basil. Sprinkle in top of tomatoes let sit 1 min. Remove and plate. Lightly drizzle with sauce.

Caprese Stuffed Mushrooms

Sauce

This can be made before starting mushrooms serve heated or room temp.

In a sauce pan mix and heat till sauce is thick

1/2 Balsamic vinegar

1/8 cup of extra virgin olive oil 

2 tablespoon dark brown sugar or honey

Dash salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve as a main dish, side dish or appetizer.

We enjoyed with Oregon wine Naked Winery Foreplay Chardonnay 2015. 

Naked Winery Foreplay

Suggested red wine Syrah/Shiraz.

Thank you to: 

Whole Foods 365 Everyday 

      Balsamic Vinegar 

Boars Head

     Italian Mozzarella Cheese

Naked Winery

Simple Truth Organic

     Tomatoes

     Portobello mushrooms

     Basil    

Riedel Glasses

Enjoy your Super Bowl and dining! 

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Champagne & Dinner ~ SAG Awards

23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

23rd SAG Awards honoring the best in film and television will be a night of red carpets, awards, toasting, and dinner. The elegance at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall with 17,100 square feet of the red carpet, attendees (247 actors, 525 performers, and 700 staff), and dinner. 

The dinner prepared by Wolfgang Puck will feature the top ingredients. Dinner is a twist on surf and turf with chicken and salmon as proteins. The salmon preparation is Green Tea Marinated Salmon with Bulgur Wheat, Tofu and Sweet Soy. You can enjoy the Green Tea Marinated Salmon the recipe is here.  The chicken dish is Spiced Chicken with Moroccan Couscous and Saffron Aioli. The final touch roasted acorn squash with toasted farro topped with lolla rossa lettuce, almonds and cider vinaigrette. Stars like Lily Tomlin, Viola Davis, and  Ryan Gosling will dine in elegance.

Dinner Service SAG Awards

The room will bring the feel of elegance with a theme of black. The draperies will be black with chains. The floor covered with black carpet. The stage floor covered with formica. The ceiling graced by chandeliers and chains gracing the beautiful tables for the celebrities. 

The tables will carry the elegance with CJ Matsumoto & Sons nature inspiration with the every changing textures found in nature. This is simple setting with tiny lights creating varied spectrum of color playing off the structure off the 300 white rose arrangements . Creating this decor takes the following:

• 12 craftspeople working countless hours
• Over 3,000 blossoms and blooms of cymbidium and dendrobium orchids
• More than 2,000 stems of miniature white calla lilies
• At least 1,000 stems of Star of Bethlehem
• Over 900 stems of aspidistra
• Approximately 5,000 stems of equisetum, spotted leaves, galax leaves and various grasses

An evening of Toasting Champagne and Wine.

The evening service will include Fiji Water, Sterling Vineyards, Champagne Taittinger, Dove Chocolates, and Chopin Vodka and Clase Azul Tequila. The cocktail this evening the "The Outstanding Performance." This drink includes Chopin Potato Vodka with cucumbers, aloe water, elderflower, and lime juice, and each glass is topped with a lemon peel. The other cocktails for the evening include: The Actor Goes To, The Classic, and Fix It in Post. There is plenty of alcohol to toast the evening wins, achievements, and honors of being nominated.How much it will take to wine and dine the SAG audience?

• 200 pounds of Alaskan King Salmon
• 400 pounds of Jidori Chicken
• 50 pounds of Couscous
• 80 pounds of Tofu
• 2 pounds of Saffron
• 50 pounds of Bulgur Wheat
• 2,600 Homemade Lavosh
• 3,200 Homemade Breadsticks 
• 315 of Earth’s Finest™ redesigned signature silver sleeves adorning the tables
• 175 of FIJI Water’s new 1-liter bottle making its SAG Awards debut
• 1,500 custom FIJI Water Straws visible and in use along the entire red carpet
• At least 4 cocoa beans are required for each individual DOVE® Promise
• 160 magnums of Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française at the official Post-Awards Gala hosted by People and the Entertainment Industry Foundation
• 500 million bubbles!
• 480 standard 750 ml bottles of Champagne Taittinger Brut La Française
• 5,880 glasses of luxury Sterling Vineyards wines 
• 372 bottles of Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015 
• 396 bottles of Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 
• 192 bottles of Sterling Vineyards Vintners Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2016 
• 216 bottles of Sterling Vineyards Vintners Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 
• 60 bottles of Clase Azul Plata Tequila
• 60 bottles of Chopin Potato Vodka
• 40 bottles of Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
• 23 bottles of Chopin Wheat Vodka
• 65 gallons of Perricone Fresh Lime Juice
• 22 gallons of Perricone Fresh Lemon Juice
• 12 bottles of La Pinta Pomegranate Liqueur
• 15 gallons of agave nectar25 bottles of aloe water
• 12 bottles of elderflower liqueur
• 25 fresh cucumbers
• 22 fresh lemons and oranges
• 2 pounds of fresh jalapeños

This grocery list contains the top ingredients for the evening. The SAG Awards will be an evening of elegance of food, talent, fashion, and entertainment. Who do you think with be taking home a SAG? Post your response here with #4ChionStyle. 

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SAG Awards

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Melania Trump ~ Inauguration Day

What will the powerful women wear at the inauguration is as traditional as America's peaceful transfer of power. Today that great traditions continues as Donald Trump takes the presidential oath. A recent change by President Trump is the first family. American designers create for the women of the first family for the inauguration day ceremony. 

Melania Trump Wearing Ralph Lauren

First lady, Melania Trump, wears a beautiful powder blue suit designed by Ralph Lauren. The suit, pointed stilettos, and leather gloves are monochromatic in color. Her long hair in a loose up do. Nicole Bryl, her make up artist, kept the makeup simple and elegant. The pale lipstick a great color. She is a confident beauty on the arm of her husband as they attend church, tea, lunch, and swearing in ceremony. 

Melania Trump Inaugural Ball Gown

The structure cropped jacket and dress brings a modern look to Jackie Kennedy Onassis' first inauguration for President John F. Kennedy. She is in tune with style and fashion. Herve Pierre, designer of her ball gown, stated, "She knows about fashion. She is aware about constructions." Melania consulted with Pierre on the inauguration ball gown. Pierre stated, "We already have the same vocabulary." Her personal style is often asymmetrical and tailored. She will be an iconic first lady. 

Oscar de la Renta dressed the first daughter, Ivanka Trump. Ivanka wore a long tailored asymmetric white suit with skinny suit pants and black pumps is fitting for the winter afternoon. The final touch is a small American flag pin, and black leather gloves. Tiffany Trump's suit is a double breasted jacket, white gloves, and pearls. Sisters both wear their long hair down.

White suits the color of the day. Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump, and Hillary Clinton wore white suits. This takes a turn from the old styling rule, 'not wearing white after Labor Day.'

American designers create a looks for each woman's personality and style to stunning beauties. These are some of American's most influential and intelligent women looking beautiful on this historic day.      

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Party Time ~ Popcorn Popping

Popcorn

Popcorn a treat enjoyed after school, in the evening, or at the movies. This marvelous treat is honored today in America. Popcorn expands into a great food adventure. 

Popcorn is created from pressure inside the kernel that explodes out. This is not the only food that can explode out of the kernel amaranth grain, sorghum, quinoa, and millet. This experience can create a great addition to any meal, dessert, party, and movie.  

There are many theories on how to create the best popcorn. You can buy it in a tin with various flavors, pop it in the microwave, use a popcorn popper, or on the stove. As a child my great grandma loved the Jiffy popcorn in tin you shook over a burner on the stove. Our favorite way is a paper bag in the microwave.

Jiffy Pop on the Stove Top

The oil ratio used to cook is key many feel to create the best texture. Many love butter and a little salt to complete this evening snack. There are so many way to use the popped treat in your dinner, parties, and sweet treats.  

Dinner time this treat can be made savory and elevate your meal with truffles, grits, and served with ceviche. The will bring a great conversation at your dinner table as well as elevate popcorn to a new class. 

Caramel Popcorn

Popcorn is a great sweet treat. Creating a great dessert, caramel popcorn, with brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. You can create a gooey or a more solid caramel popcorn with baking soda. Popcorn balls  a great childhood memory. The use of Jello makes a colorful sweet popcorn ball. Popcorn can be elevated with additions like salt or an adult treat.

A wonderful game night, birthday party, or just because treat is a popcorn bar. This is a great way to try new popcorn adventures or meet your guests needs for sweet or savory. This can include:

• Sweet
  • Candy
    • Nerds
    • M&Ms
    • Skittles
  • Chocolate
    • Chips
    • Candy Bars
    • Reese Peanut Butter Cups
  • Fruit and Nuts
    • Coconut
    • Dried Fruit
    • Peanuts
    • Walnuts
    • Cashews
  • Other choices
    • Vanilla
    • Toffee
    • Carmel
• Savory
  • Cheese
    • White Cheddar
    • Cheddar
    • Nacho Cheese
  • Seasonings
    • Garlic
    • Ranch
    • Dill Pickle
    • Jalapeno 

Popcorn is a treat that is savored and enjoyed. This treat has been around for 9000 years and enjoyed as Pearls or Nonparei in the early 1900s. Today we have taken popcorn from a simple butter & salt treat or to elevated dinner. Enjoy popping up a bowl full tonight. Share you photos #4ChionStyle 

Serving Up The Golden Globes

Golden Globes start off the 2017 award season. This is the time of the year that Hollywood gathers to recognize the talent in film and television. Golden Globes will kick the season off with a red carpet, dinner, and award ceremony at beautiful Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Dinner this evening will be served.

Executive Chef Alberico Nunziata, at The Beverly Hilton, will serve 1300 guests a surf and turf  Italian themed menu. Executive Pastry Chef Thomas Henzi will continue the Italian them with a trio of  Italian desserts with a modern twist. The evening will pop with Moët & Chandon champaign. Olivia Culpo has crafted a champaign cocktail to sparkle up the evening. 

Chef Nunziata states, "it is an honor to cook for this a big event." Chef Nunziata is know for creating a harmonizing meal with raw ingredients. The evening will start with the a golden beet salad. This salad will tie with the gold theme of the night. It is prepared with winter greens, golden beets, watermelon radish, goat cheese, grapefruit and roasted pistachios, and ceviche lime dressing. The main course includes risotto with porcini mushrooms and parmesan reggiano, broccolini flowers, grilled filet mignon, and Chilean sea bass, "the king of the fish," Chef Nunziata. The Italian theme continues to dessert. 

Executive Pastry Chef Thomas Henzi says, "the days before are like an orchestra." The dessert includes: a twist on a tiramisu with gianduja crunch bars with chocolate, Nutella mousse on top, lady fingers with coffee and caramel, and mascarpone cream, a Neapolitan almond cake with orange mascarpone cream and  orange gelatina on top, and and profiteroles filled with amaretto vanilla cream and topped with crunchy sugared almonds. The evening meal is almost complete. 

Bringing the award ceremony, dinner, and dessert full circle is a champaign cocktail. Olivia Culpo creates a great cocktail with champagne, cherry bitter and orange liqueur. This will tie the citrus flavors found in the appetizer and dessert courses. Want to celebrate with the state you can create the sparkling drink:

½ oz. orange liqueur
2 dashes cherry bitters
3 oz. champagne
1 orange twist
1 rock candy stick

Pour orange liqueur into a champagne flute and add cherry bitters. Gently pour chilled Champagne. Garnish with Rock Candy stick and orange twist. Share your cocktail photos here.

The room will be filled with beautiful orange roses. Mark Held from Mark's Garden states, "we wanted to start 2017 off with a really happy color. The orange will really be a pop of color, dramatic, and look good on television."  This will tie the meal, cocktail, and room decor. Italy meets LA this evening at the Golden Globes. 

The Golden Globes is a night filled with glamour, entertainment, and a few surprises. Share your insights, party, and stories about the night with #4ChionStyle. 

@4ChionLifestyle

Holiday Cookie Baking

Holiday time is baking time. All the cookie exchanges, pot lucks, family parties, Santa Claus, or treats for neighbors. Cookies bring a lot of great memories and warmth during the winter. There is nothing quiet like a nice scoop or ice cream or glass of milk with a warm cookie. 

The holidays bring out the old recipes and many varieties. Baking cookies is an art from conception to decorations. The basics to cookie baking will make your cookies the talk of any holiday party. 

Butter handling and use is the key to a successful cookie. Most recipes call for softened butter. This is best achieved by setting on the counter for about 60 min before starting. You will know it is the right temperature when it leaves a slight indentation when touched lightly, but maintain it's shape. Microwaving will rush the process, but not achieve the proper results.

The butter must be handled with care. When purchasing butter for baking it is best to purchase unsalted butter. This allows for you to control the amount of salt in your recipe. Softened butter should be softer, but still cool. It is best to avoid using margarine when baking. This has a high content of water and more chemicals than food basis. 

When using white and brown sugar you want to make sure that they are recently purchased. Measuring brown sugar must be placed in a measuring while pressing it into the measuring cup. When this is placed in the mixing bowl should hold its shape. White sugar should be spooned into the measuring cup for accuracy. 

Whipping the sugar(s) and butter is key to your cookie success. It is best to use a beater for this process. It should take about 3-5 minutes of beating to achieve the proper mixing. If the butter is to soft or to hard it will not mix well in the batter. 

Eggs in your cookie batter emulsifies the fat in the butter. Make sure your eggs are fresh. You can check your eggs for freshness by placing cold water in bowl and an egg. If the egg sinks to the bottom and lays flat on the sides the eggs are fresh. If they are a few weeks old (still good)they will stand on one end at the bottom of the bowl. If they float to the surface they are no longer eatable. This is a good test if you get eggs from a farm. The 3 digit number on the side of egg packages represents the day in year in numbers. 001 means eggs are packaged on January 1 of the year. 

Mixing eggs into the butter and sugar mixture requires adding them one at a time. This allows for the emulsification to be completed. The egg brings the structure, richness, tenderness, and flavor to your cookie. You can substitute eggs with 1/4 cup of applesauce per egg if necessary in your cookie batter.

Flour , raising agent, spices, and salt should be mixed in a separate bowl.  Measuring the flour is extremely important. Measuring the floor by spooning into the measuring cup until it is over the top. Use a straight edged utensil to level the flour across the top of the cup. Flour can be sifted to add air if you do not have a sifter toss lightly with a fork will work. All purpose flour is the best type of flour for your cookies. Whole wheat flour will absorb more liquids and most recipes are calling for all purpose. 

Raising agents for cookies is baking powder or soda. Making sure that your agents are still fresh can be tested. Use 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of raising agent. The agent is fresh if it bubbles when added to the vinegar.   

Toss the dry ingredients till well mixed. If you use salted butter you may want to reduce the salt in the recipe. Slowing mix the dry to the wet ingredients by adding slowly. Mixing all the dry at the same time will create more gluten and a denser cookie. 

When making cookies with additions like walnuts, chocolate chips, and fruits make sure to fold them. This will prevent over mixing of the cookie dough. 

The best key to your oven is to ensure that it is up to temperature is turned on before starting the mixing process. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper or silicon cookie sheet lingers.   Measure with a small ice cream scoop and leave plenty of room on the tray for the cookies to bake without touching. Remember some cookies will spread out on the sheet as they bake. 

The cookies may be complete once cooled, but other may need a glaze, icing, painting, or decorating. There are many ways to complete the cookies. A favorite at our home is sprinkles. There are so many varieties that you can use to make it a fun unique cookie. 

Bake the cookies according to the instructions provided. Rotate the cookie sheet during baking to ensure proper baking. When you take them out of the oven they need to cool on a cooling rack. We recommend Variations Bakery, in Phoenix Arizona, for your cookie needs if time does not permit. Enjoy one with your favorite glass of milk or ice cream before getting them together for your holiday event.  

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