The 2013 NYC Food Film Festival October 23 – 27

The NYC Food Film Festival‘s official selections have been announced, and the festival will take place October 23-27 :
Minute Meal: Blessed by Brisket

Dir. James Boo, 1:06 min David’s Brisket House is a Jewish Deli run by
Yemenite Muslims, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bed-Stuy. A
snapshot of pastrami, brisket, and corned beef sandwiches that
aren’t strictly halal or kosher, but are 100% New York.

Beer Braised Ox Cheek

Dir. Matt Checkowski, 1:00 min, World Premiere One of Chef Martin Berg’s
culinary dreams, just backwards.

Best Fish Tacos in Ensenada

Dir. Gabriel Taraboulsy, 4:17 min, World

Premiere Joseph Cordova reminisces about his very first fish taco
experience, and shares the impetus for opening his now-famous Los
Angeles stand, Best Fish Taco in Ensenada.

The Chile Film (La Sangre Rojo y Verde de Nuevo Mexico)

Dir.Kelly Brinn Urig, 26:46 min, NYC Premiere In New Mexico’s vibrant
culture, no food stands above the chile, which is revered for its
unique taste and quality. For generations, the chile farmers of New
Mexico have dedicated their lives to this indigenous pepper

Confessions of a Culinista

Dir. Alex Scharfman, 1:35 min, World Premiere Jill Donenfeld, founder of The

Culinistas, explores her love of food and the thoughtful
preparation of a simple meal in this food porn short.

Dumpling Tales

Dir Erik Olsen, 4:14
min, World Premiere The story of two restaurants – Talde and Red
Farm – that make some of the best dumplings on New York City.
Featuring Chef Dale Talde and Restaurateur Ed Schoenfeld.

Eat | Love

Dir. Kelly Le Castre, 6:57
min, NYC Premiere Nature has already perfected the cherry tomato,
the fresh sourdough, the glop of honey. But instead of examining
food as an object, eating designer Marije Vogelzang examines the
experience of how we prepare and share it.

Edward Wohl: At Home in the Shop

Dir. David Eisenberg, 10min

World Premiere A profile of Edward Wohl, a woodworker in rural

Wisconsin who makes a line of unique cutting boards from bird’s eye

maple, which are found in stores and art galleries around the

world.

Fac et Spera (Hope and Do)
Dirs. Florent & Remy Gaillard, 22:29 min,
World Premiere Filmmakers Florent & Remy Gaillard give you
access to the estate vineyards, the winery and to the universe of
Maison M Chapoutier, France’s most admired winery. The film
also profiles Michel Chapoutier, the head of this wine family, who
has a unique philosophy on life and the business of wine.

FarmTina

Dir. Kelly Le Castre, 4:46

min, NYC Premiere Martina Fugazzotto refused to allow the
constraints of living in urbanized areas stop her from reaping the
rewards of farming.

The Fermentation of Respect
Dir. Aromi Creativi, 3:31 min, US Premiere
Chef Cristina Bowerman is one of the few women with a Michelin
star in Italy. The concept of respect is fundamental to her
cuisine, especially the respect for her own identity.

Flatten
Dirs. Kay van Vree & Hugo de Kok, 1:14 min,
NYC Premiere An experimental film where curious filmmakers explore
the forms and shapes foods make when you flatten them.

Fondue

Dir. Charles Grantham, 2:27
min, World Premiere Food Porn Star Larry Cauldwell returns in a
film full of succulent food, sexiness, and Larry! His virility
permeates the silver screen and seduces viewers with both his aura
and the intrinsic romance…of fondue.

Growing Farmers
Dir. Michael Halsband, 17:00 min,

NYC Premiere In
conjunction with the Peconic Land Trust, filmmakers tell the story
of incubating new farmers on Long Island and helping them with the
tools necessary to farm the land in a sustainable way.

Himself He Cooks

Dir. Berteau Valerie/Witjes Philippe, 65 min In the Golden Temple in Amritsar hundreds
of volunteers prepare 100,000 free meals every day. The spontaneous
choreography of many hands reveals the essence and atmosphere of
this fascinating place.

How To Make Burmese Faluda
Dir. Sofia Carvajal, 1:52 min, World Premiere In
Burma, faluda is sold on the streets and cafes to cool down the
locals on a hot summer’s day. Learn how to make one for
yourself.

I Am What I Eat

Dir. Erik Shirai, 12:04 min, US Premiere Follow the NYC supper club
Studiofeast as they create a dining experience based on the
question, ‘If you were to die tomorrow, what would be your last
meal?’

JoJo’s Sriracha: Bringing More Hot Pepper
Flavor To The Party

Dir. Liza de Guia, 8:30 min, US
Premiere Meet Jolene Collins, the founder and artisan behind Jojo’s
Sriracha in Brooklyn, NY. Jolene is obsessed with sriracha.

The Kings of BBQ: Barbecue Kuwait Dir.
John Markus, 37:30 min, NYC Premiere Sitcom writer/producer, John
Markus (Cosby Show, Larry Sanders Show), teams up with the most
legendary BBQ Pitmasters in America, travel to the Middle East, and
cook an unforgettable homestyle dinner of smoked brisket and
chicken for thousands of US troops stationed in Kuwait.
Lets Get Silly

Dir. Stephanie Norris,1:00 min,

World Premiere Don’t mess with popcorn unless you want a beatin’.

Letting Salt Just Be Salt: Amagansett Sea Salt Co.

Dir. Liza de Guia, 7:05 min, US Premiere
Steven and Natalie Judelson are sea-salt fanatics and the husband
& wife team behind Amagansett Sea Salt Co. on Long Island,
NY. They are New York State’s only sea salt makers and one of only
four artisan salt makers on the entire Eastern Seaboard.

Machines II

Dir. Jennifer Kendzior,
3:50 min, World Premiere A collage of rhythms from the smooth hills
to the mesmerizing mechanics of a tea factory.

Mixed Berries, Three Ways Dir. Matt
Checkowski, 1:00 min, World Premiere Another one of Chef Martin
Berg’s culinary dreams, just backwards.

The Northeast Kingdom

Dir. Clyde Burley, 6:31 min, NYC Premiere
Brothers Mateo and Andy Kehler derive meaning from their daily
existence working hard in a place they both love: Greensboro,
Vermont, home of Jasper Hill Farm, which produces some damn good
cheese.

Ole-Martin Hansen – The Salmon Smoker
Dir. Nikolaj Belzer, 3:51 min, World Premiere
Ole-Martin Hansen guides us around his London salmon smokehouse and
the ascetic Norwegian-style cabin he has built above it.

One Macaron At A Time

Dir. James Reford, 4:58 min, NYC Premiere Pastry Chef Patrick Lézé has always
loved America. A few years ago he took a chance sold is business in
France and moved to Palm Beach. Upon arrival he was surprised that
macarons were fairly unknown. He is working to change that, One
Macaron At A Time.

Paloma

Dir. Scott Pitts, 1:05 min, World Premiere A beautifully blurred cocktail
creation – fresh squeezed grapefruit, sliced lime, suspended salt
and an epic tequila splash. Intoxicating memories of the
sultry “Paloma.”

Prohibition Bakery
Dir. Alison Grasso, 3:43 min, World Premiere Brooke
Siem and Leslie Feinberg make kid’s treats for grownups by infusing
their tiny cupcakes with a real punch of booze at Prohibition
Bakery in NYC’s Lower East Side.

Shakycow Orange Juice Commercial

Dir. Sean O’Hara, 40 seconds

Featuring actual oranges (and assorted fruit), this quirky stop
motion animation shows a world where pregnant oranges are juiced in
a hospital setting and juice blends are made from fruit getting
funky with one another.

That’s Mandorlato!
Dir. Aromi Creativi, 4:30 min, US Premiere Authentic
mandorlato comes from Cologna Veneta, a small town close to Verona,
Italy. The film shows how a local product is kept alive using
technology, but never forgetting tradition.

We Are All Just Trying to Tell A Story

Dir. Pete Erickson,1:52 min

World Premiere This film is about one of the worlds
greatest jazz musicians. It just happens that his instrument
is food. Features the philosophical stylings of Grant Achatz.

Farming in a Heat Wave: Heritage Radio Network Checks in on Brooklyn Grange

How is the Brooklyn Grange holding up during New York City’s heat wave? Heritage Radio Network‘s Erin Fairbanks chats with Ben Flanner about heat and humidity on the farm, and how farmers can protect plants and themselves, and which plants can handle the heat.

Today, Uber-clever Uber Lets You Hail an Ice Cream Truck

In this heat, this is brilliant timing for Uber, who’s offering a one-day promotion that will  let you request an ice-cream truck to come to you.

Details are here.

Chipotle’s Steve Ells on Their Success

Steve Ells sits down with Denver Westword to talk about Chipotle’s 2-decade run and what it took to get there.

There are thirteen “characteristics” required of Chipotle employees, who now number more than 40,000. One is “infectious enthusiasm.” Another is “happy” — you must be happy. Half-time happy doesn’t cut it.

It’s those attributes — along with fast food focused on slow-food philosophies, resulting in burritos that make loyal fans very, very happy — that have elevated Chipotle Mexican Grill to worldwide dominance and earned its founder,Steve Ells, the title of Most Inspiring CEO in America last year from Esquire.

Read the full story here.

Sweetgreen Offers Pay What You Want at Nomad

Sweetgreen is opening its first New York location in the NoMad hotel. On July 24, guests will pay what they want for food and drinks until 4 p.m., with proceeds benefitting City Harvest.

Too Few Cooks For NYC Kitchens

New York City has long been considered the nation’s epicenter for all things culinary –the city has the most three-star Michelin-starred restaurants in the country — closing in on Paris.

But lately, some cooks have begun to go elsewhere to make names for themselves.

“I began to ask myself the questions: ‘What is going on?” Back Forty’s Peter Hoffman says. “‘Where has everybody gone?’ ”

NPR Reports on the lack of cooks standing in NYC’s hot kitchens.

Chopped Salad in the Starring Role

In today’s New York Times, William Grimes focuses on the popularity of chopped salad as the de facto lunch option in the Northeast.

He likens ordering a chopped salad to buying a car. “You start with a base price that includes a limited number of toppings, usually four or five. After that, each addition costs extra. How much depends on the ingredient. At Chop’t, tomatoes, black beans and chickpeas each cost 59 cents, feta cheese costs 99 cents, smoked bacon costs $1.49, and steak tops the list at $3.49.”

How did the concept become so popular? Some say it’s about having choice of ingredients, others about control.

Read the full story here.

Twinkies Return with Less Strife

You may have already begun spotting them again on store shelves.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Twinkies’ return to the market this week, noting that “the first order of business for the 83-year-old brand’s new owner is to let customers know a classic is back.”

As the WSJ writes, behind the return of the familiar snack is a leaner operation, free of the union contracts and the $1.3 billion in debt that saddled the brand’s previous owners.

Read the full story here.

Fairway Market Opening Chelsea Location Monday 7/24

Officials for Fairway Market have announced the grocery chain’s fifth Manhattan location, on Sixth Ave. near West 26th Street, will open Monday, July 24th.

The 23,000-square-foot store is on two-floors. Fairway will host a ceremony celebrating the opening at 9 a.m. on July 24, followed by a ribbon-cutting.

The store should open to shoppers at 10 a.m.

Strengthening Your Enterprise with the 80-20 Rule

The 80-20 rule says that says that 80 percent of an enterprise’s business comes from 20 percent of its guests or clients.  Recently, loyalty program startup company FiveStars studied thousands of small businesses and found the 80-20 rule to be quite accurate.  Across the board, 20 percent of an enterprise’s guests or clients drive over 72 percent of its business, with many businesses actually receiving more than 80 percent of sales from those “vital few” guests.

So how should this inform your business strategy?  These three steps will help you capitalize on the 80-20 rule.

1) Value the Vital Few.  Keep track of who your regular guests are through a loyalty program or guest management system and deliver excellent service, extra rewards, or special perks just for them.

2) Make More of Your Guests Part of the Vital Few.  Turn your occasional guests into regulars.  Studies show loyalty rewards can significantly increase visit frequency, as guests are likely to visit an enterprise more frequently as they get closer to a reward.  “In some verticals like restaurants,” said FiveStars CEO and Co-Founder Victor Ho, “loyalty programs can drive customers to increase their visits by 25 percent per month.”

3) Turn New Guests Into the Vital Few.  A great first impression can turn a new guest into a regular one.  Make sure you know who your new guests are– either through a loyalty program or guest management system– and go the extra mile to welcome them.

Lastly, be sure to spend 80 percent of your time on the 20 percent driving your business.  Focus on maintaining and acquiring new regulars and your enterprise will continue to grow.

For the full story on the 80-20 rule from Inc., click here.