Aussies Enjoys Beer Can Regatta Before Swim at 2012 London Olympic Aquatic Center

Very soon the world's focus will be shifted to all things brightly British as the 2012 Olympics start in London. And one jewel that is sure to sparkle within the Olympic Complex will be the elegant new London Aquatic Centre in Stratford.

Designed by Dame Zahan Mohammad Hadid, the famed British architect and winner of the Pritzker Architecture Price, this stunning sports facility is a truly unique building whose time has come. This great and very talented architect, along with the hard-working Welsh construction team on site, has literally raised the roof on stadium design.

But far from London, there is another (and much more lighthearted) ‘construction’ event occurring. Each year the hardy beer drinkers of Australia converge in Darwin for the annual Beer Can Regatta. Each contestant there must race (well, sort of race) in a self-made boat made of beer cans!

No, it's not the Olympics but with so much fun one can only wonder if Captain Jack Sparrow wouldn't like to heave anchor from the Caribbean and set sail (in style, of course) for the South Pacific. Once there he might even considering, for a very brief moment at least, the replacement his beloved rum with a can of Aussie beer.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012

New James Bond Movie SKYFALL Launches at Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar

Yes, James is back and just in time for the 50th anniversary of Hollywood’s longest and most successful film franchise. The new film, entitled Skyfall, will premiere in the fall of 2012 and stars once again the fabulous Daniel Craig.

And where did the over 100 reporters from around the world go to attend the film's press launch?

Why none other than the famed Massimo Restaurant and Oyster Bar in London.

If you doubt this amazing restaurant’s popularity with celebrities, just consider that Johnny Depp also appeared there for the press launch of his latest installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean series – On Stranger Tides. 

Given the setting for the film (water, water everywhere) – this legendary seafood restaurant seems the perfect destination for Depp and his fellow actors. (Not to mention the lucky attending members of the press – thank you Johnny!)

But back to Bond. The new film will be the 23^rd time Bond has dazzled and with Craig, acting as our daring savior from disaster, this film is sure to be a worldwide hit.

Speaking of worldwide, the film’s still closely guarded plot is projected to range from England to China to Istanbul and finally to Scotland.  Such a wealth of destinations is sure to trigger (pardon the pun) new culinary trends and flavors.

Hosting all this wonder at El Massimo is Chef Patron Massimo Riccioli himself.  

Beginning in Rome, he directed the culinary delights at La Rossetta, the oldest Michelin star rated restaurant in Italy.

Now London is the lucky city able to enjoy his memorable feasts from the sea to shining sea.

Let’s just hope that the celebrities attending the launch don’t forget to enjoy those vodka martinis that James made so very popular as they dine on the best that chef and the oceans can offer.  

To be sure, “Shaken, not stirred” should help boast beverage profits around the world as countless movie goers applaud Ian Flemings’ 007 hero one more time in true cinematic style. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011