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Kadeem Lundy

LifestyleThe Latest

WoodSpoon Arrives in New York City

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

WoodSpoon a new food delivery service, which allows diners to order home-cooked meals from over 300 local partner home chefs throughout the five boroughs and New Jersey, has officially launched.  Customers have the option to schedule an order, order on demand, or place catering and family-style orders. Last weekend, WoodSpoon hosted a two day food truck pop-up event (July 23 and July 24th) across from Bryant Park and in Columbus Circle.  The food truck at Bryant Park featured a menu of pork and vegetable dumplings made by home chef Chunyen Huang, and mini schnitzel and sabich sandwiches made by Saar. The following day in Columbus Circle the menu consisted of cheese tequeños and tres leche desserts by Tequeño World and seaweed egg tofu skewers and black sesame pudding by Yuhe Su.

The Knockturnal had the opportunity to try out the delivery service in Brooklyn, in which a jerk chicken dinner prepared by Home Chef Kaschiev Hunter was ordered. The jerk chicken came with two pieces of dark meat chicken with a side of coconut rice and peas. The chicken as noted by Hunter is marinaded for two days then oven-baked and air-fried with a homemade jerk sauce added after cooking. As an added thank you bonus, the meal delivery came with a side of plantains and a mini apple cinnamon loaf. Hunter explains in his WoodSpoon profile that he was born and raised in Queens, New York, and his recipes are a blend of his mother’s recipes, his curiosity to try different flavors and to consume healthier West Indian dishes. In making his dishes healthier Chef Hunter noted that he exclusively uses olive oil in his recipes and a little butter.

WoodSpoon is currently offering a discount of $20 on orders of $25 or more when using the promo code “spooner” at checkout.

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MusicThe Latest

Lil Kim Hosts Dinner Gala Celebrating The Notorious B.I.G.’s 50th Birthday

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

 

Lil Kim brought together some of the biggest names in hip hop on Friday evening May 20th, 2022 to celebrate what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday. The 2nd Annual Biggie Dinner Gala at New York City’s Guastavino’s which was presented by Lexus and Pepsi  honored Biggie’s legacy with a star-studded black tie gala and concert with performances of Biggie’s most insatiable hits.

Industry titans and family members Lil’ Cease, Junior M.A.F.I.A., CJ Wallace, T’yanna Wallace, Fat Joe, Havoc, Sway, Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele, Prayah, Ceaser Emanuel of Black Ink Crew, and more gathered to celebrate B.I.G. who passed away in 1997.

The night featured performances of Biggie’s signature hits,and the night truly honored the late rapper who is widely considered the greatest rapper of all time.

The Knockturnal spoke to B.I.G.’s son CJ before the dinner on the gala’s blue carpet. About his hopes for how his father’s fans can keep his legacy alive CJ said, “I feel like people can start thinking about him as more than just a rapper more than just an artist and think about him as the creative brain that he was. Try to look at all the things that he did and put them into into your lifestyle wherever you can.”

Photo Credit: Jamel Martin Of JMartinvisuals

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EventsLifestyleThe Latest

Allbirds Releases Their Newest Tree Flyer Sneaker

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

New Zealand-American footwear brand Allbirds has just released their latest innovative running sneaker called The Tree Flyer. The sneaker features the company’s SwiftFoam™ as part of the midsole for extra bounce while walking or running. The company exclusively unveiled the Tree Flyer at a launch event at the brand’s Flatiron district location in New York on May 5th. Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown, Chief Brand Officer Kate Ridley, VP Innovation & Sustainability Jad Finck, and Material Innovation Director Romesh Patel were in attendance. Allbirds tested the new sneaker for over a year amongst 115 runners with nearly 6000 miles before the release.

The company has a mission to reduce material waste in the production of footwear through use of their SwiftFoam™ process. The process is a method of midsole foam production which uses the company’s castor bean oil based resin (compared to petroleum based materials) which reduces energy use and less material is needed. The finished product is 30% lighter than the company’s Sweetfoam, and delivers an energy return with a rebound of 70% to the wearer. The Tree Flyer’s light cushioned midsole allows runners the ability to go longer distances. More technical specs of the sneaker include a 22.0mm forefoot and 30.5mm heel for a total offset of 8.5mm. Overall the entire weight of the sneaker with midsole, upper and laces combined is 269g [9.49oz] size M9.

Other features of the sneaker’s design include a flared external heel that provides additional support, an increased toe spring that provides better transition, a traction pattern on the sole for great grip, new reflective eye-stays, and flat laces. The “Tree” upper provides a sleeker fit that holds the wearers foot in while being more breathable and durable, and it is the that gives the sneaker its name.

The carbon footprint of the sneaker is also carefully taken into consideration, incorporating an emission number representing carbon use output into the design of each pair of the shoe. In reducing the carbon footprint of the sneaker each pair has an emission number of 9.92kg CO2e. Speaking on the importance of understanding the effects of carbon use and waste and it’s effect on the environment, and emission number use Jad Finck stated, “Everything we use and consume has a carbon footprint and the science behind that emission number is confusing, just like the science behind calories. You’re not always going to choose the lowest calorie food – sometimes you’ll go for the chocolate cake or the steak dinner – but you’re able to make that choice with all the nutritional information. Producers and service providers have an obligation to tell people the environmental impacts associated with what they’re making.”

The Tree Flyer is available in three colors: Lux Beige, Buoyant Yellow, Natural Black and comes in woman’s sizes 5-11, and men’s 7-14 including half sizes. The sneaker retails for $160 and can be purchased at Allbird stores and on Allbirds.com

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EventsLifestyle

Fogo de Chão Celebrates New Bar Fogo Menu Launch

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

While many diners are familiar with Fogo de Chão and the establishment being one of New York City’s premier churrascaria restaurants, it is the new revamped Bar Fogo menu that is one to not take a second guess in trying. The Knockturnal was on hand to celebrate and taste some of the restaurant’s newest offerings from the Bar Fogo menu at an intimate launch party on Thursday at the New York City location.

The feel of the upscale churrascaria is casual in which the CEO Barry McGowan stated, “For over 40 years we’ve been known for creating lively, memorable experiences for our guests during every occasion. Our refreshed Bar Fogo menu provides our guests another way to discover something new with an elevated bar experience to relax with a craft cocktail, a glass of premium South American wine and smaller shareable plates, perfect for date night or a happy hour gathering.”

As guest arrived staff within the bar served generous samplings of the new menu items including: Lobster & Shrimp Tacos, Saucy Legs, Queijo Assado and Gaucho-Style Hummus. The tacos come three per serving wrapped in Napa Cabbage with lobster and shrimp blended together with citrus aioli, shredded slaw and peppers. The Saucy Legs are chicken legs marinaded in cognac finished with Brazilian BBQ sauce and accompanied by Pão de Queijo crispies which go great with the Queijo Assado fire grilled Brazilian Cheese bites with a side of malagueta pepper honey. Typically it is hard to find hummus topped with meat but the hummus offering is topped with picanha.

The delicious Bar Fogo foods were complemented with a choice to try one of the new cocktail additions which include: Desert Rose which is a Patron Silver and Aperol blended drink if you prefer a tequila based cocktail or Jorge’s Sour which blends Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Licor 43 and Fogo Silver Cachaça mixed with fresh lemon and honey, topped with Jorjão Malbec if bourbon,cachaca and red wine are more your taste, Samba Squeeze Martini made with Grey Goose is a vodka based offering for vodka martini fans, and the VSOP Sidecar made with Remy Martin is right for those who enjoy a nice cognac cocktail, and lastly Basil Gimlet. Along with new cocktail creations are new spins on classic cocktails like Old Fashioned, Manhattan and Martini. Diners can enjoy the cocktails and premium South American wines during All-Day Happy Hour in the dining room, Bar Fogo area and on the patio every day of the week.

Also on the Bar Fogo menu is the $8 Picanha Burger for a full taste of the signature Picanha which is as good as the all you can eat churrasco outside the Bar Fogo area.

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EntertainmentTV

Apple TV+ Premieres The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

Samuel L. Jackson and Apple TV + have joined together to bring Walter Mosley’s novel The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey to life. Apple TV + recently debuted a six-episode limited series adapted from the novel which stars Jackson in the leading role as Ptolemy Grey. Jackson and Mosley also serve as the series’ executive producers.

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey follows the story of an over 90 year old Black man who is dealing with dementia and how his declining mental state affects both his family members and community. Grey however is given the opportunity to reclaim all lost memories by undergoing a medical procedure that could be risky for a man of his age, but allows him to uncover the truth about a family member’s demise. Jackson is joined in the series by Judas and the Black Messiah‘s Dominique Fishback who plays a teen who becomes Ptolemy’s caretaker, When They See Us‘ actress Marsha Stephanie Blake, Omar Benson Miller as Ptolemy’s nephew and Damon Gupton as Ptolemy’s long deceased childhood mentor.

In the first episode which was screened at a virtual premiere, Ptolemy is introduced as a man living in solitude, struggling with remembering important people who impact his life, seeming to only remember two individuals, his nephew and his former mentor Coydog. However in order to deal with the painful tragic circumstances that arise in the present, Ptolemy has to learn from the past, but can’t unless he regains his memory which becomes the driving force for the character.

With the adaptation being a limited series rather than a movie the story moves along slowly. In the first episode the time is used to mainly introduce the characters rather than focus on main plot conflict and tension. The twist that changes the story comes towards the end of the episode. There is also little action in the first episode, except for in a flashback scene showing traumatic event that Ptolemy experienced in childhood but seems to be reliving in his mind while forgetting everything and everyone else. Despite losing his memory Ptolemy is shown to have a deep sense of caring and protectiveness for his family members and caretaker Robyn, building a grandfather like bond with Robyn(Fishback).

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey premieres on Apple TV + on March 11th.

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EntertainmentThe LatestTV

Exclusive: Da Brat and BB Judy Talk WeTV’s ‘Brat Loves Judy’

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

Grammy Award-nominated hip hop icon and actress Da Brat has found love with haircare mogul and entrepreneur Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, and the couple is sharing their love and journey on the new WeTV reality series Brat Loves Judy. The couple recently spoke to The Knockturnal about their relationship and sharing their love with the world and how they make each other better.

After coming out as a member of the LQBTQ community, Da Brat and Judy publicly appeared together on WeTV’s hit reality series Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. Speaking on what drew them together Da Brat spoke about being drawn to Judy after seeing her on social media, while Judy interjected, “She came to visit me on one of my [educational] tour stops, and then she was like we should hang later and from there I was like okay,” Da Brat replied to Judy saying, “She just don’t wanna say she had a crush on me her whole life,”.

While dating a massive superstar might seem intimidating, and the possibility might seem out of reach, Judy said,” She surprised me she opened the door because she was very friendly,”.Once getting past the challenge of matching with a celebrity there is also the subsequent challenge of the relationship being under the microscope of the public eye. Both ladies stressed that the importance of communication is key especially giving the circumstance of being in the public eye.”Being on a public platform and being all over the internet people are gonna say things. So as long as you are communicating and open with your significant other, there should be nothing that can be said that can get in between ya’ll because ya’ll have been very honest with each other,” Judy said

A relationship where the partnership can help make one another better is ideal. “For me, I’m a person that gives people a whole bunch of different chances and being in a relationship with her seeing how she isn’t the kind of person who gives people three, four and five chances, she’s helped me be a little more stern in handling business which is actually great.” Judy said. ” And she’s helped me not be so stern,” Brat interjected. “She’s softened me up a little bit and I hardened her up a little bit,” Brat added

Da Brat said, “We want people to take away that in success and love you can be great as long as you communicate and trust each other and let go of all insecurities, be vulnerable if you have to, and live in your truth.” Brat Loves Judy airs Thursdays at 9 PM on WeTV.

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EntertainmentThe LatestTVVideo

Curtis 50 Cent Jackson & Power Casts Celebrate Premiere of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ [Video]

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

After not being able to host an in-person premiere event in 2020 for the debut of Power Book II: Ghost due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Starz rolled out the black carpet at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City for the premiere of Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

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EntertainmentFeaturedThe LatestTV

Review: IMDB TV’s ‘Moment of Truth’

by Kadeem Lundy
written by Kadeem Lundy

Less than a year prior to the infamous Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman murder that shook pop culture in the mid-nineties, tragedy befell the man who was hailed as the greatest basketball player alive Michael Jordan, when his father James Jordan Sr. was found dead in August 1993. While the trial for Jordan’s murderers may not have gotten the attention that the trials of OJ Simpson, and Yolanda Saldivar that took place within the year prior, IMDB TV Originals Moment of Truth has shed new light on the case, the trial and the media to answer was the wrong man convicted for Jordan’s murder?

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