I eat at S.F.'s best restaurants. This dining experience is the one I look forward to all year
The Tenderloin Family Housing Cooking Competition is an annual event where the residents of 201 Turk, a building that provides affordable housing to low-income families, compete for bragging rights across three categories — appetizers, entrees and desserts. Last week I served as a judge for the second year in a row, and while I would like to say I do this out of my commitment to community, a sense of civic responsibility, etc. etc., between you and me I'm there because the food is really stinking good.
Located in the heart of the Tenderloin, 201 Turk is a 175-unit building with a focus on families managed by the Chinatown Community Development Center. A large percentage of the building's residents are immigrants, and this diversity is a big part of what makes this cooking competition such a delight. This year there were chicken masala sliders, a tagine, fish sauce chicken wings, Syrian and Egyptian molokhia, sweet glutinous rice cakes, chocoflan and apple pie.
With 10 entries in every category, my fellow judges, including Oakland-based chef Pierre Thiam and AA Bakery owner Henry Chen, and I were in for a lot of eating. We made our way down the line of folding tables, each home cook serving us a portion while describing his or her dish, sometimes through a translator. After sampling the entries, we deliberated on who would place first, second and third in each category while the rest of the attendees filled their plates.
Much debate and horse trading ensued before we announced the winners. The woman who took third place in the dessert category with her marzipan-like cookies known as makrouta sauntered victoriously to the front of the auditorium with an Algerian flag wrapped around her shoulders. A cook in the appetizer category was both humble and incredulous when her flavorful Yemeni bean dish took first place. 'It's just beans,' she said. Award-winning beans.
Amazing home cooking aside, what I love most about the Tenderloin Family Housing Cooking Competition is the sense of palpable community in this building, even among people who might not speak the same language. I watched the Yemeni bean wizard trade bites with her neighbor, who made a punchy pico de gallo, and when one resident took second place with his eggplant lasagna, he called his wife of 27 years up with him and said it was her recipe and she deserved the credit. This is the feel-good food event we all need, and I can't wait for next year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Michelin-star chef created a burger for cats — but people are loving it, too: ‘Absolutely delicious'
Who would've ever thought that cat food is actually tasty? A Michelin-starred chef has created a burger made out of the stuff you would usually only serve to your kitty cat — and apparently, it's good. Alice Ostan is a renowned chef and animal lover who worked with London-based cat food brand KatKin to create a cat food burger — yes, you read that correctly. Advertisement The unexpected concoction might have you scratching your head, but based on how it's made, it does sound appetizing. Ostan took cat food mix — which consists of meats usually served to cats — shaped it into a patty form and then coated it in panko breadcrumbs before throwing on a cat food topper. From there, the chef smothered the burger in creamy ricotta, parmesan cheese, a lemon spread and KatKin's smoky bacon jam, according to What's the Jam. Advertisement 3 No one could ever suspect that this burger has cat food in it. Jam Press To look like the real carnivore deal, the chef served the kitty cat burger on a ciabatta bun with lettuce, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber and a drizzle of hot honey. Some lucky folks got a chance to try this cat-inspired patty — and they couldn't stop raving about it. Many said if they blind-taste tested it, they would've never 'guess[ed] this burger was made from cat food.' Advertisement 3 The brand prides itself on making cat food using real meat. Jam Press 'It tastes just like the meat I buy for myself,' raved another fan. 'Absolutely delicious,' said someone else. It's unknown at this time if this cat burger will ever make it onto a restaurant menu for the masses; however, there are several restaurants around Manhattan where customers can snag a delicious off-menu meat burger. Advertisement An upscale West Chelsea restaurant and members' club, the Crane Club, offers 12 burgers each night that are only served for half an hour from 5:30 to 6 p.m. — no substitutions allowed. 3 Hungry customers who got a chance to try this burger raved about it. Jam Press Caviar Russe is a fancy Midtown seafood restaurant that also happens to serve a tasty burger. 'My mom expressed she was really craving a burger to my dad, and not even to the server directly,' Caroline Maggs, 27, said. 'The captain, and now good friend, John, must have overheard us because about 25 minutes later, there was a small off-menu burger on a plate in front of her. She said it was one of the tastiest things she has ever devoured.' Society Cafe, a restaurant inside the Walker Hotel in Greenwich Village, is another spot with exclusive burgers. The joint only makes four to six standout burgers each night. 'It's truly a labor of love,' Executive Chef Nicholas McCann said. 'It's not something we can produce in larger numbers without compromising the quality.'
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
I'm a Michelin-trained chef with 11 Guinness World Records — 3 kitchen knives I recommend for the at-home cook
Wallace Wong, a Michelin-trained chef, content creator and 11-time Guinness World Record holder for speed slicing, shares his top kitchen essentials. A good chef's knife is an indispensable tool in any kitchen. A high-quality knife can tackle any sort of culinary task, from chopping herbs and dicing onions to mincing garlic and cutting proteins. A sharp knife not only speeds up meal prep, but it also makes cooking more enjoyable. Unless you're a professional chef, selecting the right knife can feel daunting. What's better: German blades or Japanese knives? Is high-carbon stainless steel important, or will a less expensive ceramic knife suffice? Wallace Wong, a Michelin-trained chef, content creator and 11-time Guinness World Record holder for speed slicing, says that if you invest in good-quality, durable knives, you only need two of them in your kitchen: a large knife and a small knife. "If you buy a really nice knife, you never need to buy another one again," the TikTok star tells Yahoo Canada.I'm a 67-year-old runner — these are the 6 best men's running shoes in 2025 Want to buy Canadian? Here's a list of 200+ brands to support I'm a dermatologist — 3 'universal' skincare staples I always recommend for anti-aging Wong, a Mississauga-born chef, has found internet fame — and landed his own MasterClass — for his knife skills. His most viral TikTok video has garnered nearly 150,000,000 views on the platform. Outside of social media, Wong has appeared on shows including Fridge Wars, Top Chef Canada, Chopped Canada and Bake it Possible. Needless to say, he knows a lot about knives. Some cheaper ceramic knives are "actually really good," but if you want to get a good-quality, professional-grade knife, "you should budget for at least $100," he explains. Whether your budget allows for $50, $100 or room to play, we asked Wong for his top knife recommendations for the average at-home cook — plus the essential tools needed to keep your knives sharp and well-maintained. Scroll below to shop his recommendations.
Buzz Feed
a day ago
- Buzz Feed
34 Better Ways To Spend Your Coffee Budget
Wavy glass straws you can keep in your bag and break out when you get an impromptu iced coffee at that place you love that only carries paper straws — no one enjoys spending $5 on a fancy latte only to have their straw disintegrate in it after a few minutes. Yuck. This whimsical option is here to save the day! A satisfying instant foot-peeling spray that'll have you saying, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Was this concocted by a witch in the woods?" because it works so incredibly well you won't believe your eyes as it renews your feet and leaves all of your dead skin in its wake. A Spooky Cutie stress relief coloring book from Coco Wyo (a TikTok famous brand known for creating the most adorable coloring books) featuring big, easy-to-color pictures you'll take one look at and want to scream, "THIS IS SO ADORABLE!!!!!" I'm giving you permission to crack this open and pretend it's nearly cozy szn even if summer has *just* made its debut. Plus, some colored pencils with multi-colored tips that'll transform any boring coloring sesh into something straight out of your wildest dreams. I hope you're imagination is ready to put these babies to work! A 2-in-1 hair bun maker to help you craft a fabulous, flawless updo with minimal effort — perfect for anyone who tends to let their hair air dry (it works best on damp hair). Your new go-to look is about to be unBUNlievable! Or bow-shaped hair clips that'll make even your worst hair days feel a bit more aesthetic — they're so strong you'll find yourself bowing down to their greatness. A stackable oval gem ring with waaaay more bling to it than the engagement ring Jeremiah gives to Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty (you know, the plain one the Internet can't stop discussing). You can also stack it beautifully with other high-quality Pavoi rings for a fabulous lil' look. Egyptian Diamond Hair, Face and Body Glitter Mist, because Tinker Bell isn't always available to cover you head to toe in shimmer dust. Spray this baby all over for a magical, sparkly, glow with minimal effort. Or a pack of glitter freckles if you don't want to commit to full-on body glitter. They're water-resistant, will shimmer beautifully in the sunlight, and can be easily taken off with makeup remover. Flower vase fridge magnets for anyone who simply doesn't have the space in their kitchen for a full-size planter but longs to bring some florals into their space. Polly Pocket herself couldn't come up with a cuter solution than these cuties!!! The flowers and the vases arrive packaged separately, so you can pretend you're a teeny tiny florist while setting them up on your fridge. A tin of emergency googly eyes because there won't be a single day that passes where you won't have the thought "this family photo could be improved with some silly googly eyes." Keep this pack in your back pocket and break it out when the opportunity presents itself. A sticker pack with a *clean girl aesthetic* you can use to customize your emotional support water bottle so Becky from your yoga class can't try to claim it as her own (again). Monday Haircare Dry Shampoo that'll smell so darn good you won't know why you've waited this long to buy it. It features the scent of gardenias, a built-in keratin treatment (see ya, frizz), and an aesthetically pleasing pale pink bottle to display on your bathroom counter. A 2-in-1 nausea relief inhaler to make you feel like you can finally take on the world — and by that I mean boat rides and long drives. It's designed to help you get rid of overall nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. (Where was THIS during my two pregnancies?!) Nivea skin firming gel cream packed with a mystical ingredient (Q10, learn more about it here) for anyone who is looking to firm up their entire body and hydrate *all* of their skin (not just their face). It has more than 17,000 positive reviews (WOW!) and is beloved for how it's worked wonders on reviewers. neck and thighs. Hawaiian Tropic's SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush that'll finally solve your dilemma over whether to spray/rub sunscreen onto your exposed scalp. Simply brush this translucent powder along your exposed part/hairline (after applying it all over your face, of course) to add some much-needed protection from the sun. A limited edition Eos 24H Moisture Super Balm in a delectable marshmallow fluff flavor that'll hold you over until you can actually sit 'round a campfire and make s'mores with your pals. Oh, and it'll keep your lips feeling hydrated all day and night! Vanilla Velvet Touchland Power Essence Hydrating Body and Hair Fragrance you can easily stow away in your tote to freshen up your scent throughout the day (a must during these gross, sweaty, summer days). An iced coffee enamel pin for anyone who considers themselves a proud member of the I-Drink-Iced-Coffee-No-Matter-The-Temperature-Outside Club. Add this to your tote bag or denim jacket to let the world (and your barista) know *exactly* what you like. A set of five dinosaur nugget pillows that'll make you want to bring your favorite childhood meal out of extinction — they're so plush and cozy you'll want to bury yourself in 'em while your *actual* nugs cook in the air fryer. A lovely 5-inch ceramic planter adorned with a panther design you'll want to show off to everyone that enters your home — it has a drainage hole in the bottom so if you dare to plop a living plant in it you'll be fully equipped! An attachable Stanley Cup snack bowl to take your favorite drinking vessel to the next level — a drinking and snacking vessel! Fill it with cookies, chips, fruit, candy... whatever! Once you've stocked it up, you won't have to leave your bedroom until morning. See ya never. Stunning patterned taper candles you can count on to bring a smile to your face whenever you glance at them atop your mantle. They're too pretty to leave sitting in your Amazon wish list — add 'em to your cart, it's what you and your home decor deserve. A realistic "Things I'll Cancel Later" undated daily planner for the optimistic homebody who makes a ton of plans for themselves, then suddenly has "a headache" when said activity comes along. No judgment here, my friend. A phone umbrella you won't know how you've survived the entire summer without. It suctions to the back of your device and shades the screen so you can happily text your mom about your date from last night or devour the latest beach read everyone on BookTok has been raving about. A miniature wacky waving inflatable tube man that'll make you want to throw your hands up in the air and yell, "WOOHOO!" A magnetic goose holder because *someone* needs to be in charge of keeping your keys from getting lost in the black hole that is your apartment. If you're a fan of the Untitled Goose Game for Nintendo Switch, you won't be able to resist welcoming this literal *silly goose* into your home. A Grim Steeper silicone tea infuser for anyone who feels *dead* until they choke down their first cup of caffeine. No need to hold off until spooky season rolls around the break out this festive friend. A set of mushroom bookmarks that'll both save your spot in your book while also making you feel like you've finally achieved your cottagecore dreams. I can totally see using these in a big ol' science textbook during the school year to mark off different chapters with whimsical flair. A set of Disney Princess–themed playing cards to bring some magic to your daily game of Solitaire. The best part? You won't know whether your deck will be *pink* or *blue* a la Sleeping Beauty's gown in the film until it arrives on your doorstep! A NeeDoh "Dream Drop," a must-have sensory fidget toy for anyone who can't seem to get their brain to focus on one task at a time. (Too many tabs open both literally and figuratively!) This lil' squish block is super satisfying to play with and reviewers love that it isn't sticky (no gross debris to try to clean off). A puppy night-light that'll be the paw-fect companion to your need to pee about three times every night, despite cutting yourself off from drinking water at least an hour before climbing into bed. Sigh, such is life. Anyways, it has a lovely glow to it *and* has different color settings so you can customize it exactly to your up-in-the-middle-of-the-night liking. Ruffled crew socks with delicate flowers embroidered along them to bring your cottagecore vibes into a new season. They're breathable (perfect for summer) and will add a little extra *~somethin', somethin'~* to any outfit. And a Taylor Swift–inspired JavaSok covered in recognizable icons Swifties will love showing off as much as they enjoyed watching grainy live streams of the The Eras Tour. While you reminisce about your glory days (aka when you were in a packed stadium trading friendship bracelets with other fans) you can use this to keep your go-to iced latte cold and prevent it from sweating all over your desk.
