Winter is made for cozy nights at home under the blanket. Prepare your popcorn, ice cream, and chips, I will serve you the right entertainment!

Here comes my personal guide on movies you need to have seen at least once! Find a mix of old movies dated back in 1973 as La Grande Bouffe as the Hollywood classic Burnt with Bradley Cooper and much more! A yummilicious entertainment Foodies!

1. Foodie Love

This series is an eight-part drama series produced by HBO Europe in Spain. It follows two thirty-somethings after they meet on a foodie mobile dating app. They embark on a gastronomic journey, learning about each other through the mediums of jamón, ramen, and fine dining from around the world. Yet while they bond over a shared devotion to Japanese yuzu and a distaste for foodie pretension, their insecurities and doubts fueled by the scars of their previous relationships may prevent them from tasting true love.

Watching this series makes me want to travel right away to all the fantastic places shown. I would give it  5 Star since it is entertaining, explorative, and even educational at a certain point. Watch it here.

2. The Game Changers

Lewis Hamilton and Novak Djokovic – are both top athletes in their discipline. And both live vegan. How is that possible? The Netflix documentary explores this very question through numerous athletes. And it triggered a heated debate on the subject of veganism. The documentary is definitely worth watching, even if you don’t want to renounce meat consumption. I like!

3. Burnt – Intoxicated by the Stars

Hollywood beau Bradley Cooper is a rock star chef like Adam Jones, but then loses his job in Paris and tries to start over in London. In his friend’s restaurant, he finally wants to win three Michelin stars. Despite some bad reviews, the film authentically shows the energy and stress in a top kitchen. The cast is also outstanding: Sienna Miller, Omar Sy, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Uma Thurman, and Emma Thompson are part of the cast. Among the film’s culinary advisors was Briton Gordon Ramsey, famous for his legendary failures in the kitchen. Bradley Cooper plays the angry chef quite convincingly.

4. Le Chef

A veteran chef faces off against his restaurant group’s new CEO, who wants the establishment to lose a star from its rating in order to bring in a younger chef who specializes in molecular gastronomy. It’s a very amusing soufflé of a comedy that pokes fun at foodies while honouring the art of those who cook for them. This very light French foodie comedy with Jean Reno is a must-watch for foodies!

5. La Grande Bouffe

This is absolutely one of my favourite ones. It’s a  Franco-Italian film directed by Marco Ferreri in 1973. It’s a satire of consumerism and the decadence of the bourgeoisie, the film tells the story of a group of friends who decide to eat themselves to death. It won the prestigious FIPRESCI prize after its controversial screening at the Cannes Film Festival.  What a wonderful way to spend the last hours alive, no?

6. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

The chef of the small sushi restaurant “Sukiyabashi Jiro” in central Tokyo, Jiro Ono, became world-famous through this film, and director David Gelb was also able to launch his career in the food film business with it: Gelb is producing “Chef’s Table” for Netflix. The series has had a lasting impact on the aesthetics of filmed food. In the quiet, almost meditative sushi film, Jiro Ono is accompanied; it is at the same time a portrait of the then 85-year-old, but also a philosophical examination of the craft. Enjoy!

7. Julie & Julia

The film portrays two women: Julia Child (Meryl Streep), who discovers French cuisine by chance in Paris in 1949, rather out of boredom, and later writes a kind of standard work for the home with an extensive cookbook. Young Julie Powell (Amy Adams) discovers Child and her work 50 years later, begins to recreate it, and turns it into a blog that soon goes viral. A wonderful, light, and funny film with historical depth and appetizing moments.

In the mood to find some delicious authentic Japanese food in Zurich? Check my food guide here!

We consumers need to understand that not all palm oil is bad and wiping out habitat or killing endangered species.

I love to use my blog to share stories about the topic “food“. It’s not always about going out for dinner or cooking creative recipes. I do care, where the product comes from and how I can somehow in my small portion support the planet. I am amazed about how palm oil is used and consumed in our daily life. This brought me to write this story.

We consumers can create more attention through social media nowadays. It’s a platform that opens doors. Being a bit critical has always been honored. I experience in my everyday life, that it’s good to give an eye on my shopping list. Although the industry isn’t made it is always very easy and transparent. I want to share with you my thoughts and research about sustainable palm oil.

A reflection about palm oil

There is much negative information and critics about palm oil. Some facts concern our planet, some our health. This story shall give you a short overview of the articles I found. I used the world wide web to gather all of my information. Contents derived from different official sources as WWF, Swissinfo, the RSPO Organisation a.o.

Let’s start from Adam: What is palm oil?

Palm oil comes from the pulp of the palm fruit and is red in color. Palm kernel oil comes from the seed.​ It’s an edible vegetable oil high in saturated fats and free of trans fats. The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) is native to West Africa and was imported into South East Asia in the mid 19th century. Around 90% of palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia. One of the reasons for its popularity is its price, it is about 1/3 cheaper than soybean oil. Compared to other vegetable oils (such as rapeseed oil),  palm oil is more productive and requires less acreage.

We find palm and palm kernel oil in many processed foods, cosmetics and personal care products.

Palm Oil is also used to manufacture bio fuel and has become what is called the green fuel option for Motor Vehicles, shipping, and aircraft fuel.

The negative aspects we know about palm oil

In some regions, palm oil cultivation has caused – and continues to cause – deforestation. This means that land, which was once predominantly covered by primary forest or which housed protected species and biodiversity, was cleared in order to be converted into palm oil plantations. The cheapest and fastest way to clear land for plantations is slash and burn. Fires in Indonesia produce some of the world’s worst pollution. Especially the area of Sumatra and Borneo is very much affected.

I myself have visited the Tanjung Puting National Parkin in Kalimantan during my Indonesia travels and experienced the beauty of these species. These animals are unique in the world. It breaks my ears to read about what some people are capable to do with their life.

Protect the orang utan in Sumatra and Borneo

The Swiss biologist Regina Frey has first-hand experience of rainforest destruction in Sumatra. She is the founder of the PanEco foundationexternal link, which takes in homeless orangutans and reintroduces them into protected rainforest habitats. It has saved more than 200 apes this way.

Different reason caught my interest to explore more about this topic. Personal traveler experience, the passion for food and the lust to share information with my community.

There is a way to fix the issues mentioned. Deforestation-free palm oil is possible. We, consumers, need to understand that not all palm oil is bad.  Not all palm oil is wiping out habitat and killing endangered species.

The initiative for sustainable cultivation of palm oil: Roundtable on sustainable palm oil (RSPO)

The NGO called RSPO: Round table on Sustainable Palm Oil founded in 2004 set the goal to transform markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm. Representatives of palm plantations, manufacturing industry, social and environmental organizations as well as banks and retailers are represented in the organization. The RSPO has developed a set of environmental and social criteria which companies must comply with in order to produce Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). Properly applied, these criteria can help to minimize the negative impact of palm oil cultivation on the environment and communities in palm oil-producing regions.
Big industrial companies as Ferrero or Unilever are partners of RSPO. They work extensively with their suppliers to keep a global responsible palm oil procurement policy.

This movie throws good light into the topic and makes us best understand how RSPO works.

Where to get sustainable palm oil products in Switzerland

In Switzerland Migros and Coop both play an important role for RSPO. Both retailers have been supporting the production of sustainable palm oil with the purchase of certificates. They cooperate with industrial companies that are buying palm oil from Swiss importers and processors who purchase physically sustainable, RSPO-certified palm oil. Besides these two retailers of course we have the choice to shop at organic shops, they that offer certified products, too. In Zurich, I like to go to BachserMärt in Seefeld or to Lochergut for example.

I found the search mode on the website of the Organisation Greenpalm very useful to check which companies are RSPO certified. Check it by yourself!

Sustainable cultivation in accordance with the RSPO principles and criteria means that no tropical forests have been burned for plantations since 2005, that the laws are complied with and that fair and safe working conditions prevail.

What we can do as a consumer

• Buy products that are clearly certified with a sustainable label/certificate
• Avoid finished food
• Ask in the supermarket for the origin of palm oil, if it is not stated on the product
• Try the WWF App to get practical information on the origin of food, even recipes
• Use social media to learn more, get involved through a dialog at platforms as for example Migros offers. Migipedia is a place to share your voice and influence what retailers do

Interested to know more about Lovefoodish, try my coffee guide where you get sustainable coffee at various coffee shops in Zurich.

My personal highlights: Understanding that Social Media is getting more importance in the whole gastronomic branch in Switzerland (Read below why) – Tasting probably the best “Cremè Schnitte” ever prepared by the Swiss World Pastry Chef Rolf Mürner

This event is of high importance for many gastronomes in Switzerland. The Champions League of Swiss Gastronomy comes together to celebrate the winners and enjoy a relaxed ceremonious atmosphere. It’s the 14th time, that the Swiss a jury and the audience selects “Best of Swiss Gastro” winners in eight different categories and one Master category. The jury reviewed over 50’000 applications over a period of 3 months.

During the ceremony it has been pointed out several times from the jury, that offering a modern and excellent functioning website as well as active social media presence are crucial to obtain this prestigious award. I am happy to hear, that all the work we do in social media is rewarded and appreciated. People go with the trend, checking the internet before making a reservation is a common attitude nowadays.

144 gastro companies applied for the awards in the following categories:

Activity (gastronomic facilities that offer more than food abut also leisure & Sports, Bar & Lounge, Classic (typical Swiss Cuisine), Coffee, Fine Dining, International , On the move (Takeaway and self-service), Trend (innovative food concepts)

The award trophy is the famous wooden cross. This year the award night took place at Hall 622 in Zurich. Nik Hartmann, the well known and silver-tongued moderator of the Swiss Radio SRF lead just perfect through the evening. The culinary highlight for me was the dessert created by the Swiss World Pastry Chef Rolf Mürner. A dream of a vanilla cream melted on my tongue on a thin and perfectly shaped millefeuille, in between a delicious drop of strawberry jam. The dessert came accompanied by an admirable live played version of purple rain.

Who are the winners of the 8 awarded categories and who is the Master?

Every year there is a category that awards a Master. Only one nominated can reach out for this award. The “Master 2018” went to the Ristorante da Enzo in Ponte Brolla in the beautiful Ticino this year. The evening gave me chance to get an overview about many new and existing spots to discover. I absolutely want to try a truffle Kebab very soon at Ayverdis in Zurich and surely make a trip to Berne to the ice cream heroes called Eiswerkstatt.

Here all winners and category at a glance

• Activity (gastronomic facilities that offer more than food abut also leisure & Sports)
  1. Chäsalp, Zürich
  2. Restaurant Alpenblick, Arosa
  3. Restaurant Eichberg, Seengen
• Bar & Lounge
  1. Atelier Classic Bar, Thun
  2. Bar Ciani Lugano, Lugano
  3. my senses, Dübendorf
• Classic (typical Swiss Cuisine)
  1. Wilder Mann, Zürich
  2. Hirschen Stammheim, Oberstammheim
  3. Landgasthof Wartegg, Wigoltingen/Hasli
  
• Coffee
  1. Milchbar, das Gaumenfreudenhaus, Zürich
  2. Beckeria, Zürich
  3. Einstein au Jardin, Bern
• Fine Dining
  1. Ristorante da Enzo, Ponte Brolla
  2. GUSTAV, Zürich
  3. Restaurant „parkhuus“, Zürich
• International
  1. OOKI JAPANESE IZAKAYA, Zürich
  2. Portofino, Thalwil
  3. Gourmet Restaurant USAGIYAMA, Widen
• On the move (Takeaway and self-service)
  1. Eiswerkstatt, Bern
  2. Geschmacksträger, St. Gallen
  3. Zapote, Californian Burritos & Salads, Zürich
• Trend (innovative food concepts)
  1. SMITH and de LUMA, Zürich
  2. Zur Werkstatt, Luzern
  3. AYVERDI’S, Zürich

Congratulations to all the winners. I am happy to have new food places in Switzerland to discover soon and add them on the Lovefoodish foodguide.

A guide to the best Swiss Streetfood Festivals

What happens when a Travel vlogger and Food blogger in Zurich decide to put their minds together for a few hours and stroll through a multi cultural food festival? Bye Bye Mimi a travel vlogger and myself Lovefoodish strolled through the 80 food trucks! We gave it all.

The result?

Afresh inspiring movie making your mouth watering and your mind traveling out to many continents.

For those who did not have the chance to experience the Streetfood Festival in Zurich in July 2017 here the tasty video that introduces you to the food trucks we explored!
Korea, Japan, Italy, Tibet, Switzerland, countries with amazing specialities!

My personal favorite were the Momo’s from the Zurich food truck Tenz !

The black chocolate ice cream with activated charcoal from the Swiss Chocolate manufacturer Taucherli conquered my heart, too!

Stay tuned for more Food Festivals and join our food travels on youtube!

A superb Food Event is coming up in September organized from Food Zurich. This is more than a Food Festival, it’s 10 days of Food experiences and sharing of knowledge and skills.

Food Zurich, 7.-17. September 2017

Find over 200 producers of food from Switzerland and the world that present their food knowledge to the public through workshops, special dinners or food related speeches.
10 Days of real food experiences spread all over the city wait for you! Get introduced to nose-to-tail at courses, a lecture about how to manage Food waste starting in your mind, or assist a Gin Chocolate tasting! The full program is available here.

More Street Food Festival in Switzerland

• Street Food Festival Bern, 4. & 5. August, 2017, Bern, Freigelände Expo Bern
• 1. Street Food Festival Aarau, 18. – 20. August 2017, Old town of Aarau
• Street Food Festival Basel, 1.-3. September 2017, Basel Exhibition Centre
• Street Food Village, 15. September, 2017 / Horse Park, Zürich-Dielsdorf
• Street Food Festival Thun, 29. September – 1. October, 2017, Thun Lachenweg
• VeggieWorld Zurich, 29. September – 1. October, 2017, Messe Zurich
• 4. Street Food Days, 3. – 5. November, 2017, Uster Landhalle

Want to know where to eat best Asian food in Zurich? Check my food guide here!

Why do I love blogging for food & coffee in Zurich?

We are surrounded by a dynamic world of culinary offers. All of these international people and expatriates living here bring a great influence and trends to our city. It is absolutely inspiring. I have the feeling that every moment either online or offline I am getting in contact with new coffee and food places.
It’s like Alice in wonderland. By talking to people I find out, that we all get more and more sensitive to really good quality food or coffee. Consumers want to know more about where the products come from. It goes even further; we love to have the knowledge of preparing all of this at home, too.

Bean Bros & Beats introduce me a bit to the topic of filter coffee

My first reaction as an Italian is scepticism since I like coffee dark and strong. But I admit, after tasting this coffee at their coffee place I feel completely taken into this new coffee culture. I love the idea to have 2 coffees a day, a flat white in the morning and a filter coffee in the afternoon.

What is really good filter coffee and what is a flat white?

Two complete different coffee experiences! A flat white consists of a double shot espresso and has microfoam on it. It comes in a smaller glass (1.8 dl) to make the taste more intense; it can be nuttier in taste. Here I refer to the Fifty Fifty blend used at Bros Beans & Beats, roasted by Henauer. There are blends that have a taste of chocolate, too. A different machine is used to brew the coffee.

Filter coffee has an other preparation procedure. Coffee is brewed with water, using the right temperature it draws out fantastic flavors and aromas. A real coffee pleasure for your tongue. It is more aromatic and pure, if I may say it this way. The coffee from „vertical coffee” that Bros Beans & Beat prepare as filter coffee is fruity in the taste.

Let’s get a bit more into filter coffee, I researched some topics for you

First: you need some equipment

• Good quality coffee beans. Find some online here
• Buy a French press to start. It’s a cylindrical pot with a plunger and built-in filter screen that presses hot water through ground coffee.

Find some instructions here for your perfect cup of coffee:

• Best French press brewing guide
  or stop by at Bros Beans & Beats and get some professional advice!
• If you like a more professional machine: go for a moccamaster, it’s about 250 CHF. This works all automatic but needs a bit of knowledge. This brand is used at Bros Beans & Beats. A valuable website to find your ideal espresso coffee machine is available here.
• Grind your beans with a manual grinder! You smell an explosion of flavours when you grind the beans. There are two manual grinders I suggest, the commandante C40 nitro blade it is not only fancy in the look but works fantastic or the Hario Mill bit cheaper but good. Both are burr grinders, so they’ll produce a nice, consistent grind, and they’re relatively compact.
• You need to weigh your coffee, so get an electronic scale
• For the Moccamaster you need a paper filter.

Buy this equipment either on amazon or on coffeecircle.com. Get a great choice and good price ranges.

After you have your equipment get familiar with some more information on coffee preparation

• How fine or rough should the coffee be ground?

For the French press or the moccamaster, you would want a coarse grind. Using a simple Moka machine you go for a fine grind. Somehow, find your grinding and play with it!

• Some insights about the roasting of the coffee beans

Dark coffee beans display a lot of visible oils, this is typical of your dark roast and espresso roast blends. The oil simply means the beans were roasted longer than their less oily counterparts.

• Light or dark roast for your coffee?

Darker coffees have less caffeine than lighter roasts. Lighter blends still contain oil, however, the oils are “lighter” and are not as visible since they are contained inside. These blends are roasted for shorter periods giving them more caffeine. For filter coffee use light roasted beans.

• How much coffee do you need for your cup of coffee?

About 3 tablespoons per 3dl water. But play around with how much you use in proportion to how much water you use and you’ll end up finding the perfect combination for your taste.

What else to say? Let’s start playing and explore this world of coffee together. And if all of this is just too complex, stop by at Bros Beans & Beats and order your coffee there!