It might seem easy to explain the Easy-Bake Oven's power over children: It is a toy that makes cakes; a perfect storm of passionate kid desire. But let's face it: Not even the most swooning devotee was in it for the plasticky taste of the treats. So why does the Easy-Bake Oven have such power over us? - Salon

Not everyone who uses Google to look up "molten chocolate cake" is looking for an explanation of what the dish is. After all, the name kind of gives it away. The web has become the nation's recipe box — and Google's making it easier to sift through, thanks to its new Recipe View.

Just as you can refine searches to filter results for images, news, or shopping, Google's Recipe View tells the search engine to return only results that look like recipes. - NPR

Over the past 100 years, some two-thirds of the large predator fish in the ocean have been caught and consumed by humans, and in the decades ahead, the rest are likely to perish, too. 

In their place, small fish such as sardines and anchovies are flourishing in the absence of the tuna, grouper and cod that traditionally feed on them, creating an ecological imbalance that experts say will forever change the oceans.

One startling conclusion: More than 54 percent of the decrease in large predator fish has taken place over the past 40 years.

"It's a question of how many people are fishing, how they are fishing, and where they are fishing," Christensen said. A majority of the catch, and now of the decline, involves East Asia, which has witnessed dramatic overall economic growth.

- WaPo

Your chance to own a proven concept, vertically integrated with two profitable locations, just in time for the summer tourism rush. This fully equipped Artisan Bakery and Cafe specializes in the freshest pastries, breads and desserts, serving a full breakfast and lunch everyday.

The cafe includes exclusive service rights to a famous national coffee brand for the local area, and offers multiple avenues of income - retail to the customer, wholesale to the trade, and outside catering and wedding events.

Located on a main thoroughfare with excellent gross lease terms, a large welcoming parking lot and just minutes from downtown shopping, this award-winning bakery is a locals' favorite. The sale includes all equipment, two locations with new furnishings, a web presence, proprietary recipes and goodwill. - BizBen

This coastal city has a hybridized culinary scene. With fresh seafood from the shore and California wines, it makes sense that Santa Barbara makes the list of best foodie cities. Mexican dishes combine with the city’s local produce and fish to generate a flavorful and unique cuisine that reflects California’s history.

Stats: 83.2% of restaurants are local, 166.5 wine shops per million.

Many importers of Mexican fruits and vegetables are still waiting to assess the effects of a freeze the night of Feb. 3-4, but some already are reporting extensive damage.

Nogales, Ariz.-based Ciruli Bros. expects total losses of its remaining Sinaloa-grown green peppers, eggplants, green beans and shadehouse cucumbers, partner Chris Ciruli said Feb. 7.

“Through the weekend we received reports that were worse than what we initially thought,” Ciruli said.- The Packer

恭禧發財

Happy Year of the Metal Rabbit. 

While it is still too early for solid forecasts, businesses are expecting more than $41 billion in damage from Cyclone Yasi.

Almost all Australia's bananas are grown in the path of the storm, and about one third of the country's sugar cane. - ABC News Australia

Our hearts and thoughts go out to Australia, for they are getting whomped by Mother Nature in all directions.

The Santa Barbara based s’Cool Food Initiative is looking for qualified chefs to apply for the Cook for America® Culinary Boot Camp Instructor Training Program being held this May in Santa Barbara, California.

Chefs should live in close proximity to Santa Barbara County and be interested in using their expertise to work in school food reform. Accepted candidates will be trained to become Cook for America® Culinary Boot Camp Instructors and Mobile Chef Advisors.

Application deadline is 5:00 P.M. PST, Friday, February 18, 2011.
Interviews will be held on Monday-Wednesday March 7th-9th, 2011. 

Please respond directly to Melissa Bishop, Programs Manager at Melissa@orfalea.org for a Program Description and Application 

The county ranks 24th nationally in the value of its agricultural production – $951 million in the 2007 ag census. The county, which has 11 farmers markets, ranks No. 2 in broccoli and cauliflower, 6th for lettuce and 24th overall in the category of vegetables, melons, potatoes and sweet potatoes. If local veggies aren’t enough for you, try the pistachios, grown in the Sierra Madre Range that rises above the Pacific. Lemons, oranges and grapefruit grow in the heart of city of Santa Barbara, including on the grounds of the city’s famed 18th century mission that overlooks the ocean. Restaurants offer local swordfish.

But more than 95 percent of the fruits and vegetables consumed in the county are brought in from elsewhere, said David Cleveland, a professor of environmental studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara. Meanwhile, 99 percent of what the county does produce goes elsewhere, according to his research.

And oh yes, here in this land of plenty of fruits and vegetables,four in 10 adults are households classified as food insecure.  More than half of adults are overweight or obese. - DesMoines Register