The Hundred-Foot Journey

(image via IMDB.com)

Johnnie Bud and I rented The Hundred-Foot Journey via the Google Play Movie store on Sunday night to try out our new Chromecast device (more on that in another post).

At just over two hours long, it was a little slow, but beautifully shot and made me super anxious to get back in the kitchen and whip up something that would clearly pale in comparison to the menus featured in this movie.

The basic synopsis is that a family from Mumbai moves to Europe, finally landing in France, and opens an Indian restaurant just across the street from a 1-Star Michelin-rated classically French restaurant. The young chefs compete, with two falling in love by the end of the movie, but while the story is predictable, the setting and photography were stunning.

I'm glad we didn't see it in the theater for $20, but it was a great rental on a lazy Sunday night.

If you're into food and not looking for an action-packed thriller, you'll enjoy this one.

The Point Launches 12 Days of Christmas Contest for Local News Readers

The Point, a weekday newsletter service that delivers a quick morning read of the things you need to know to get your day started in the Triangle (current events, politics, sports, weather and local entertainment), is kicking off a 12-day contest on Monday, Dec. 8, 2014, awarding readers with truly local gifts and experiences - and a new chance to win each day.

Contest prizes include local coffee shop gift cards, apparel from local brands and retailers, and even concert tickets. Prizes will be announced each weekday in the morning newsletter sent to subscribers and readers will have until 11:59 p.m. to register at the unique link provided to win.

To get in on the first day of reader giveaways - and to get a reminder for each of the following 11 prizes - register at http://www.ReadThePoint.com to receive The Point direct to your email inbox on Monday morning.

Raleigh Rotaract to Host Charity Beer Dinner

Raleigh people - I hope you'll join me for a great beer dinner on Thursday, Dec. 11!

The Rotaract Club of Raleigh has announced its inaugural Fall Charity Beer Dinner to take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m., at Backyard Bistro restaurant in Raleigh, NC.

The event features five food courses, designed by Chef Joe Lumbrazo (executive chef and owner, Backyard Bistro), that are each complemented by beer pairings donated by Raleigh’s own Big Boss Brewing and Lonerider Brewing companies.

Raleigh is certainly no stranger to beer dinners, but the charity format is one not often seen. Of the $50.00 ticket price, nearly half of the money raised on ticket sales alone will go directly to this year’s designated charity: camper’s scholarships at Camp Mondamin in Zirconia, NC. This year’s beneficiary was selected in memory for local Rotarian Simon Everett, who died in an accident while working as a camp counselor at Mondamin this past summer. Everett donated his counselor salary to fund campers' scholarships each summer and Raleigh Rotaract plans to pay that commitment forward with the proceeds from this event.

In addition to ticket sales, silent auction items will be available for bidding on during the event, including food and beverage experiences, gift certificates to local businesses, and sporting event tickets - all great ways to beat the shopping lines at the mall this holiday season while supporting a great cause.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/raleigh-rotaract-2014-charity-beer-dinner-tickets-13465649119 or RaleighRotaract.org. Discounts are available for tables of four - so plan to attend with friends, because more is truly merrier at this event.