World class fireworks best cakes

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — If a costume designer wanted to recreate a World War I era wraparound dress, a 1940s zoot suit or even a bodice from 1875, the sewing patterns are in Rhode Island. The University of Rhode Island has the largest known collection of sewing patterns in the world, according to the collection’s curator, Joy Spanabel Emery, and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. About 50,000 are on paper and 62,000 are in an electronic database. They’re at the university because of Emery’s love of patterns. Emery donated her personal collection of patterns and periodicals to the university years ago and has painstakingly sorted through the donations sent there as word spread about the growing repository. Three more boxes full just arrived to be added to the overflowing filing cabinets. “This is much more than a hobby. It really is a passion,” said Emery, a professor emerita of theater at URI. “I’m learning things … [Read more...] about Love of sewing patterns leads to world-class collection

It is hard not to be impressed when you arrive in the newly rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, especially when you are invited as a guest of the president. There is just a brief wait in the VIP lounge, with its white leatherette sofas and The Naked Gun playing on a flat-screen television, before you are whisked into your limousine, the usual hassles of passport control handled by friendly officials. Leaving Malabo airport you see what looks almost like a modernist sculpture of discarded aeroplanes, one of which has its nose pointing into the air. You wonder if this is some kind of weird memorial to the infamous Wonga coup attempt, when British-led mercenaries failed to overthrow your host in an attempt to get their hands on his oil wealth. Then there is a drive for several miles along a new three-lane highway. Strangely, it is devoid of traffic – we passed no more than five cars coming in the opposite direction. On either side are new buildings planted among the impossibly … [Read more...] about The strange and evil world of Equatorial Guinea

Clare Smyth, a Northern Irish chef who catered for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s evening wedding reception, has been named the world’s best female chef. The culinary star, born in Antrim, was presented with the award at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants gala in Bilbao, Spain, on Monday, where she bemoaned the dearth of women at the pinnacle of her profession. “We still have a real lack of women recognised at the top of the industry,” Smyth, whose own restaurant was overlooked for the top 50, told attendees. “We have to do something about that, we’re not going to change it by ignoring it … to separate [male and female chefs] for me is strange, but we don’t see enough women coming through at the top. “I would love to see very soon that we don’t need gender-specific awards because women will have recognition and there will be a balance in the industry. “Hopefully we’ll see plenty of women on the 50 Best list … [Read more...] about Clare Smyth named best female chef in the world

By learning fondant cake decoration skills on her own, Wang Hui, a post-'80s generation member in Wuhan, Hubei province, has won several international competitions in this field. In her workshop, there is a piece depicting the moment when a bride-to-be sitting on a bed dressed in traditional Chinese costume holds up a red cover. It won a gold prize at the fondant cake making competition last year in Birmingham, Britain for its exquisite decorations. "It took me more than two months to complete this work. Each step, including carving, pressing, twisting and rubbing, needs meticulous work," Wang said. "To show Chinese traditional culture best, I worked on every part with great care, from the flowers on the bed and the clothes on the bride to the decorations on her head." Wang started learning how to make fondant cakes online by herself 10 years ago. She also went overseas to upgrade her skills. Now Wang spends most of her time teaching apprentices. "I've taught more than 2,000 … [Read more...] about Wuhan cake master perfects her art

Aggressive half-centuries from captain Faf du Plessis and opener Hashim Amla before late fireworks from Chris Morris powered South Africa to 338/7 against Sri Lanka in their first warm-up match of the ICC World Cup 2019 on Friday. Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne opted to field in Cardiff and SA opening pair of Aiden Markram and Amla led a positive start. They added 47 runs in 6.1 overs before being separated when Suranga Lakmal gave his team their first breakthrough in Markram who scored 21 off 15. That gave way to an entertaining knock from Du Plessis who was in punishing mood. With Amla, who was relatively composed, he waded through opposition bowlers, belting seven fours and four sixes en route to 88 off 69.Together the duo added 128 runs for the second wicket before Amla was bowled by Jeevan Mendis on 65. Du Plessis followed him back to the dressing room in the following over, falling in the 24th over, caught by Lakmal off Dhananjaya de Silva. David Miller struggled his way to … [Read more...] about ICC World Cup 2019 warm-up: Du Plessis, Amla power South Africa to 338/7

India suffered a dramatic collapse and slumped to 24 for four in 10 overs. © Twitter Jimmy Neesham pulled off a stunner, one of the catches of the tournament, to help New Zealand get rid of Dinesh Karthik and add to India's miseries in the rain-affected World Cup 2019 semi-final at Old Trafford in Manchester on Wednesday. The experienced batsman failed to impress much with the willow and edged a ball by Matt Henry which was incredibly grabbed with one hand by a diving Jimmy Neesham, the man at point. With the dismissal of Dinesh Karthik, India were reduced to 24 for four in 10 overs, chasing a competitive target of 240 runs. @JimmyNeesh#CWC19 so far?#INDvNZhttps://t.co/MKs3NdMqxX — ICC (@ICC) July 10, 2019 "One of the great catches," says Mark Nicholas on commentary.The fans too celebrated the impressive catch on Twitter, with many suggesting Neesham is taking the cake in the big-ticket semi-final. We've seen some great catches in this tournament but that from Neesham was … [Read more...] about Watch: Jimmy Neesham’s Great Catch Dismisses Dinesh Karthik In World Cup Semi-Final