Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner…what is the secret to the best barbeque sauce in town? This pre-summer issue features grilling tips for a safe barbeque, a photo display of vintage ice cream trucks, and the insider’s scoop on your local farmers markets. Plus, take a peek at all of the cool New Professional events occurring at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo!
May 1, 2011
The Menu
Backyard Barbeque
What is the secret to the best barbeque sauce in town? Barbeque recipes have been passed down from generations and vary from region to region. Kansas City-style barbeque is famous for its thick and sweet sauce made with molasses and tomatoes. A mixture of brown sugar, vinegar, and yellow mustard are the ingredients in the "Carolina Gold" barbeque sauce from central South Carolina. Lexington-style barbeque, nicknamed Piedmont or Western Carolina, is renowned in North Carolina for its cabbage and ketchup sauce.
Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. Take a whiff and inhale these barbeque sauce traits courtesy of the Serious Eats website.
Texture: Depending on the ingredients of the sauce, the texture varies from molasses-thick to very thin.
Aroma: Mmm. The best barbeque sauce can be smelled from miles away. A really good smelling sauce enhances the flavor of the meat.
Flavor: If the pulled pork, brisket, or ribs are grilled to perfection, but the sauce lacks flavor, it's time to give up your champion barbeque title. Flavor depends on sweetness, after taste, and heat.
Interested in learning grill safety tips? Read this website to gain insight on how to properly use a propane, charcoal, or natural gas grill. Have fun and be safe!
Chew on Bamboo
The bamboo shoot, a primary ingredient in traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian cuisine, offers a crispy and crunchy texture with a sweet flavor. Bamboo shoots are used in hot curry, soup, spring rolls, and stir-fry. According to researchers at Panjab University in India,the bamboo shoot might also be the next functional food. Rich in protein, minerals, and fiber, it is among the fastest growing plants offering a range of health benefits. The bamboo shoot is filled with anti-oxidants and is thought to stimulate appetite, aid in digestion, and contain anti-bacterial properties. So add a couple of bamboo shoots to your next meal. View the abstract here in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety.
"Meadieval" Times
It was the beverage of choice for Canterbury Tales author, Geoffrey Chaucer. Mead, a fermented honey wine, has long been associated with the Renaissance era. Why is this drink reemerging into the mainstream? According to Cary Green, chief operating officer of the WineAmerica trade association, "The idea of locality… of using the agriculture of the local area, that is something that's also caught on in the last decade. Mead is definitely part of that."
Over the past decade, more than 200 meaderies have developed across the United States. "Mead goes everywhere from dry to sweet and everything in between," says mead master Woody Drake of Brothers Drake Mead in Columbus, Ohio.
Read the full article from National Public Radio here.
Longhorn Section IFT
By Holly Deal, Scientist, Frito-Lay
On April 14, the Longhorn Section IFT hosted the South Central Region College Bowl at Frito-Lay's headquarters in Plano, Texas. More than 95 students from Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, University of Arkansas, and the University of Missouri participated in the competition. Students from the University of Arkansas won the College Bowl Competition and will advance to the finals at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo. Students toured the Frito-Lay R&D facilities and were treated with a special guest appearance from Chester the Cheetah. IFT staff Sharon Kneebone and Anna Ylijoki were guest speakers at the College Bowl welcome dinner.
Students from the five universities were also part of the inaugural class of Mentorship Connection. The IFT Longhorn Section's IFT mentorship program pairs an IFT New Professional with a university student. More than 20 students and New Professionals met at Dave and Buster's in Frisco, Texas to discuss career advice and food science industry trends.
The Specials
Hometown Hot Dog Heroes
Hot dogs are essential to baseball games. No matter if your hometown team is winning or losing, this classic ball park food will comfort you through the seventh inning stretch. If you are a fan of fried onion rings, potato hash and beef, the Baltimore Orioles "Birdland Dog" might just be your hometown hero. The complete description of Major League Baseball's Best Ballpark Hot Dogs is featured on the Serious Eats website. Don't forget the condiments and extra napkins!
Take a Bite: Frito-Lay's New Advertising Campaign
"The entire experience was surreal! It's not every day that a food scientist gets to be treated like a movie star. I'm definitely enjoying my 15 minutes of fame!"
-Jaime Reeves, Ph.D.
Research and Development Associate Principal Scientist
Frito-Lay
Frito-Lay's new national advertising campaign showcases the fact that the company is making snacks with all-natural ingredients. Featuring employees like Jaime Reeves, the campaign first aired during the National Bowl Championship Series in January. The campaign continues to air on networks including ABC Family, Bravo, Food Network, and Oxygen. The all-natural conversion is supported by a 360-degree marketing campaign with communication including TV and print ads, packaging, in-store activation, and digital resources such as the Frito-Lay Facebook page-a new hub for consumer engagement activities, featuring cooking webisodes taped in the Frito-Lay Culinary Center, and an enhanced Frito-Lay website with lots of recipes.
Volunteers Needed
Have you updated your IFT membership directory listing to include your volunteer preferences? We use this information as a way of linking members with IFT volunteer opportunities. If you haven't shared this information with us, follow these easy steps:
- Go to ift.org (you will need your IFT username and password to log in)
- Click on "My Community"
- Click on "Edit Your Profile"
- Click on "My Interests"
- Click on "Volunteer Preferences"
- Let us know how you'd like to be involved in IFT
- Be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page and click on Save Changes
Please click here to have your username and password e-mailed to you.
Pick Up the Power of Persuasion with IFT's Pre-Annual Meeting Short Course
Learn the power of persuasion in IFT's one-day Pre-Annual Meeting Short Course "Developing Effective Influencing Skills" on Saturday, June 11 from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Maximize your time at IFT's Annual Meeting & Food Expo® by registering for this short course where you will learn to communicate more persuasively with individuals and groups. The course, which includes case studies and group conversation, delivers specific basic influencing principles that you can incorporate into your conversations, meetings, and activities.
Whether you're interested in exploring the basics in order to boost your career, or want to influence your staff, clients, supervisor, or cross-functional partners, this course will deliver continuous results for you. Register for "Developing Effective Influencing Skills," and find descriptions of all IFT's Pre-Annual Meeting Short Courses at ift.org/IFT11
Connect with New Professionals in New Orleans
Are you in interested in winning a prize for networking with other New Professionals at the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo? A New Professional is anyone who has recently graduated or has been working in the food science profession for less than 10 years.
The New Professionals Pass offers the opportunity to network with your fellow New Professionals at five events and/or sessions in New Orleans. The more events you attend, the greater chance of winning a prize! Stop by the IFT Knowledge Center (Lobby G) to pick up your first pass and learn how to gain more chances to win one of many prizes. Questions? Contact Anna Ylijoki at aylijoki@ift.org.
Join the festivities at the New Professionals Mixer on Sunday, June 12 at the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Read more details here.
Advance Your Career
Are you starting your career? Begin your job search in New Orleans! While you are attending the IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo, visit IFT's Career Fair on Saturday, June 11. The IFT Career Fair provides new professionals with important face-to-face time with dozens of companies and organizations. IFT Career Fair employers showcase their company, discover future talent, and conduct informal dialog with prospective candidates interested in career networking.
Ready to interview? The IFT Employment Bureau will be available Sunday, June 12 through Tuesday, June 14 for face-to-face interviews.
Questions? Contact Nora Schabold at nschabold@ift.org.
New Professional Snapshot: Devon Durkee
Snapshot of my life now
I work in technical sales at Roquette America. I am responsible for the culinary segment which includes prepared foods, condiments, and soups. I work from my home office in Cleveland, Ohio, but I travel frequently to visit with customers in the United States and Canada. I also report to Roquette's innovation center located outside of Chicago. In my spare time I like to tinker with computers, visit with friends and family, and get my craft on! (Knitting, cross stitch, etc.).
How did I get interested in food science?
When I was studying chemistry as an undergraduate student, I interviewed for and was offered two internship opportunities-one at Kellogg's Research & Development facility, and one at a pharmaceutical company. I decided that food sounded more interesting and would allow me to utilize my creativity. I absolutely loved my job at Kellogg's and after completing my Bachelor's degree, I enrolled in food science graduate studies at Purdue University. I haven't looked back since!
How does my job impact the world?
Roquette makes quite a few ingredients that allow product developers to improve the nutrition and health benefits of current products. I work with formulators to use our ingredients, thus helping the food industry as a whole create more healthy convenient foods that help combat critical health problems such as obesity and diabetes.
Three things you don't know about me:
- Although I was never involved in sports growing up, I have turned into a huge NBA fan. Since Cleveland had a less than stellar season, I am hoping the Bulls win this year. Cross your fingers!
- Although I am outgoing and love to teach, I still get butterflies in my stomach before each speech or presentation.
- I sing incredibly loud when I am in the car by myself. I am not afraid to head bang and dance in the car when there is a good song on.
What was my favorite childhood frozen treat?
That is a toss-up between flavored ice sticks and Klondike bars since both were tasty childhood treats!
The Side
College Bowl Trivia ...
The College Bowl is an annual food science quiz event hosted by the IFT Student Association. The following universities are competing at the 26th Annual Intercollegiate Food Science and Technology College Bowl Competition on Monday, June 13: Chapman University, Clemson University, North Carolina State University, Ohio State University, Oregon State University , University of Arkansas, University of Maine, and University of Minnesota.
Let's see how well you will do ...
Q1: What three qualities determine meat quality grade?
Q2: The tomato is a member of which plant family?
Q3: Who is the guest speaker at the 2011 IFT Keynote Session?
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Vintage Ice Cream Trucks
Remember the days running barefoot in the grass, playing baseball until dusk, and chasing fireflies under the moonlight? Ice cream trucks always elicit childhood memories, too. View vintage ice cream truck photos here courtesy of the website FlavorWire. The photo of the 1950's Good Humor truck is a classic!
Edible Treasures
Did you know ramps are in season for a few months only? Discover which vegetables and fruits are available this spring at your local farmers' markets. The Local Harvest website provides information on seasonal produce, farmers' markets, and community-supported agriculture programs. Search for your neighborhood farmers' markets by entering your ZIP code on the website.
Cheese Please
What is your favorite cheese? The video "Science and Art of Cheese" explores the history of cheese and how microbes play an important role in transforming raw milk into blocks of your favorite cheese. View the video herecourtesy of KQED Quest.
Answers to college bowl trivia:
A1: Age, marbling and color
A2: Night shade
A3: Michael Specter