Food for Thought: Richland's Emerald of Siam owner off to Thailand

RICHLAND -- If you're in Richland the next seven days drop by The Emerald of Siam and wish owner Ravadi Quinn a bon voyage.

Quinn has promoted Thai culture and cuisine through her restaurant for the past 26 years.

Recently, she received an e-mail inviting her to be one of eight people in the United States, and one of 500 worldwide, to participate in a weeklong tour of Bangkok and northern Thailand sponsored by the Tourism Authority in Thailand.

The theme is the "Amazing Tastes of Thailand" and the emphasis is on promoting tourism. The Thai government-sponsored tour begins Sept. 19.

"I think it will be a fun experience for me. I really feel confident," she said.

"I've been doing this (promoting Thailand and Thai cuisine) for 26 years now indirectly through my restaurant. Now I'll be working directly with the Thai people, which will be really much more powerful. I feel we'll be a team promoting Thai foods," Quinn said.

The Emerald of Siam was founded in 1983 by sisters Ravadi Quinn and Sunanta Kulthol. The Thai women converted what was a small cafe in Thrifty Drug into a tiny Thai restaurant, the first in the Tri-Cities. The restaurant is on the Jadwin Avenue side of the Uptown Shopping center in Richland.

Zucchini competition

Have a recipe featuring zucchini that always draws raves from family and friends? Consider entering it in the Benton City Daze Zucchini Bake-Off on Saturday.

The entry fee is $2. The recipe used must be original; you can't follow one from your favorite cookbook.

There's no need to pre-register. Just take your entry and a copy of the recipe to the Community Center, 608 Dale Ave., Benton City, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday.

Judging will be at 3 p.m., and prizes will go to the top three entries. For more information, call 948-4170.

New read

The book: The Frugal Foodie Cookbook: 200 Gourmet Recipes for Any Budget by Alanna Kaufman and Alex Small.

Cost: $15

Best for: Over 200 mouthwatering recipes that prove you don't have to be wealthy to enjoy fine food. It also gives tips on how to affordably stock and maintain a frugal pantry, as well as price breakdowns for each serving,

Get more: Read more book reviews and literature news in Sunday's Desert Living.

* Loretto J. Hulse: 509-582-1513; lhulse@tricityherald.com. To receive a recipe via e-mail each Tuesday register at tricityherald. com and click on newsletters. If you already are registered, click on edit account and newsletters to select Recipe of the Week. This exclusive recipe does not appear in the newspaper.