Autobiography of Thomas Blanc.

BLANC, Thomas, The frying pan that changed my life... when a terrifying French chef battered me with it, The Daily Mail, January 28, 2012.

Abstract : This article is an autobiography writes by Thomas BLANC, a french Chef who went in London. He tells his experiences : with two Michelin stars, he is named European Chef of the Year in 1990. He'll be on the BBC2 every Thursday at 8pm.

Quotation :
"You know, if it wasn’t for a giant chef with a fierce temper and a heavy frying pan, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He was a huge man and the hairs on his moustache bristled when he was furious, which was often, and I was a curious young waiter. We worked in a restaurant in Besançon, in the beautiful and rugged Franche- Comté region of France.
One day I tasted the giant’s sauce and said, ‘Chef, I wonder if this is a bit too salty.’ The frying pan, which was an extension of his fist, hit me hard in the face – whoosh and then whack! I fell, my jaw badly smashed.
No, he wasn’t particularly pleasant, but I am indebted to that chef because he changed my fortunes. Soon afterwards the restaurant owner told me I couldn’t come back because I had upset the chef. However, he said he knew a restaurateur in England who would give me a job. So, when I had recovered, I crossed the Channel. My English was so poor it took me three days to drive to Oxford, or ‘Hoxfor’ as I called it. That was in 1972, and it was the turning point in my life. [...]"

Index Terms : French chef, french cuisine.

Found with : Google alert "French chef".
URL : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2092066/Raymond-Blanc-A-terrifying-French-chef-battered-frying-pan.html

MP

The "Petit Robert Bistro".

TOM, Mike, Paris in Boston : Petit Robert Bistro, The Daily Free Press, January 25, 2012.

Abstract : This article deals with the chef Jacky Robert, who brings French cuisine at a reasonable price to Boston University's campus. He cooks traditional french dishes and his café, the "Petit Robert Bistro", is the perfect place to take a date, for an anniversary dinner or somewhere to go out to eat with a few close friends.

Quotation : "From a family of well-practiced and renowned French chefs, executive chef Jacky Robert brings genuine French cuisine at a reasonable price to Boston University’s campus. Robert is a well-seasoned French chef who pours his passion for fine, authentic French cuisine into every dish he creates, and you can taste it. General Manager Ishmael Guessous said, “We try to give customers a taste of France in an affordable way.”

The restaurant itself is a small yet elegantly understated café-style restaurant that serves traditionally home-cooked food with a price that will surprise even the most frugal of college students.

The chrome finish signage reading “Petit Robert Bistro” found above the large, unadorned windows makes the restaurant seem like it might serve modern French fusion cuisine. Upon entering the bistro, however, the pastel-yellow walls are reminiscent of a Mediterranean style and framed, vintage French ads, hung above tightly packed tables with space for no more than three or four to sit at, imply that the French bistro experience will be a genuine one. Guessous explains that a lot of smaller restaurants in Boston seem to slap the word “bistro” onto their store fronts in hopes of making their eateries more appealing and high-brow to the ignorant patron. At Petit Robert, on the other hand, Chef Robert takes great pride in serving the home-cooked style food that is traditionally found in bistros around France. Robert takes advantage of his years of culinary training while keeping in mind the desires of the customers by creating dishes that are rooted in traditional French recipes but can be ordered for a reasonable price. [...]

Petit Robert Bistro is a great way to step out of the city of Boston and into the city of Paris. You can taste some authentic dishes that are made with care and careful preparation as well as some non-traditional dishes that are made with the same amount of care. Although the space seems cluttered with chairs and small tables, it adds to the feel of a crowded French café—along with the light-up replica of the Eiffel tower just outside the front windows. The ambiance and atmosphere is very intimate and romantic.  At sundown, the house lights are dimmed and the candles are lit. This small eatery is the perfect place to take a date for an anniversary dinner or somewhere to go out to eat with a few close friends. The price range is a little steep for the typical college student, but considering the amount of time and hard work that goes into every dish—let alone the amazing flavor—the cost is very reasonable."

Index terms : French chef, Café, Bistro, Jacky Robert, University, Boston.

Found with : Google alert "French chef".
URL : http://dailyfreepress.com/2012/01/25/paris-in-boston-petit-robert-bistro/

MP

Occupy D.C. rat infestation prompts calls to clear out protesters

By Simon, R. The Los Angeles Times. 13th January, 2012

Abstract : Returns to a problem that happened to Occupy DC : the rats.

Extract : "The rat infestation at Occupy D.C. has become so serious that protesters should be cleared out of their encampment at a federal park near the White House, said Washington Mayor Vincent C. Gray."


Index : tents / occupy / Washington


Found with : Twitter


URL : http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2012/01/occupy-dc-rats-washington-mayor.html

Alan Moore meets the Occupy men and women behind his mask

By Cavna, M. The Washington Post. 1st December, 2011

Abstract : This article shows a video that returns to the origins of some symbol used by the Occupy movement.

Extract : "Channel 4 News says it brought Moore from his Northampton lair to an Occupy London camp. And on the video, the comics icon and self-described anarchist can be heard telling those who have donned his Guy Fawkes mask:”I think this is the best-organized and most forward-thinking protest that I have ever had [the] experience of.”"

Index : video / occupy / marvel

Found with : twitter

URL : http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/must-see-video-alan-moore-meets-the-occupy-men-and-women-behind-his-mask-updated/2012/01/12/gIQA6CF3uP_blog.html

Occupy Protesters Swarm U.S. Capitol in Washington

19th January, 2012. The Chosun Ilbo


Abstract : Returns to a a minor scuffle that happened in Washington DC


Extract : "A minor scuffle broke out between police and protesters in Washington Tuesday as hundreds of people from around the country  gathered at the Capitol to draw attention to what they say is a broken political system."


Found with : twitter


URL : http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/01/19/2012011900562.html

AP

City wins bid to evict Occupy London protesters

18th January, 2012 

Abstract : Returns to the decision of The City of London Coorporation to put out the occupy protesters from the City


Extract : "The demonstrators, who are campaigning against corporate greed, have been occupying the central London site since 15 October.

The corporation sought a possession order after the Occupy London group ignored an order to clear its tents from the public highway."

Index terms : occupy / city / London / bid

Found with : twitter

URL : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16592534#TWEET64256

AP

The Belo Monte Dam

By the photographer Phil Clarke-Hill   

The 19 January 2012 

The construction of the Belo Monte Dam in the Amazonian state of Para, Brazil has been a contested issue for over 20 years.

Its is due to be the third largest hydroelectric project in the world, requiring more earth to be moved for its construction than that to build the Panama Canal. It will product over 80% of its electricity of country, but indigenous and urban communities still oppose to this construction.

Index term:

Brazil / Belo Monte Dam / South America / Architecture / Renewable energy

Source found by RSS: FOTO 8

URL : http://www.foto8.com/new/online/photo-stories/1503-belo-monte

Site of photographer: http://www.philclarkehill.co.uk/