1 good reason to go to '18 Reasons'

The nonprofit "18 Reasons" will host a cookbook swap on Oct. 22. Included will be a memorial service for Gourmet Magazine, which is ceasing publication after nearly seven decades.

The festivities will run 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 18 Reasons, 593 Guerrero St., at 18th Street, in San Francisco's Mission District. Read more here.

A tip of the toque to friend and fellow foodie Susan Bullen for pointing out this event to me.

This may be the worst idea since Hamburger Helper

Sharing recipes is one thing. In fact, I participated last year in a somewhat unsuccessful "chain recipe" effort that was, at the least, a good idea.

But sharing a recipe and then letting other people tweak it, via a Wiki? I don't think so.

The idea was detailed this week in a Time magazine article passed along to me by friend Susan Bullen. From the article:

Christopher Kimball, who searches for perfect recipes for a living as the editor of Cook's Illustrated and host of PBS's America's Test Kitchen, says letting random people tweak recipes will lead to tears on the stove top. "Variables affect other variables," he says, and without one person testing each and every change, "there's no continuity of experience. So how do you get the answer?"

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on it.

Peruvian "super chef's" eatery not SF's first cevicheria

Gastón Acurio has arrived. His La Mar Cebicheria is open on the Embarc-
adero in San Francisco, serving authentic Peruvian ceviche and other seafood delights.

Time magazine this week refers to Acurio as the next super chef, saying that while he doesn't yet have the name recognition of Italian-American Mario Batali or Spaniard José Andrés, his coming to the United States is the first step toward it.

Thanks to my friend and soon-to-be fellow culinary student Susan Bullen for sending me the link to the story.

Oh, and if the publicity leads to a jam at the door of La Mar, try the excellent Peruvian ceviche at Fresca on Fillmore Street in Pacific Heights or three other San Francisco locations.

(Photo credit: Ines Menacho, Time magazine)