Zach Yonzon, Lena Toepan, Timothy Bloxsome, Jamie Tan and Bevis Song are five travel journalists from Asia on an 8-week adventure across the United States.

Zach Yonzon, Lena Toepan, Timothy Bloxsome, Jamie Tan and Bevis Song are five lucky travel journalists chosen from over 4,500 applicants across Asia-Pacific for 5 TAKES: USA , the international travel series that capitalizes on the real-time advantage of internet/television convergence and lets viewers craft the itinerary. Sounds like a dream assignment to me.

Bevis Song, 21, is from Taiwan; Jamie Tan, 28, is from Singapore; Lena Toepan, 26, is from Indonesia; Timothy Bloxsome, 24, is from Australia; and Zach Yonzon, 32, is from the Phillippines.

Tune in as the Travel Journalists (TJs) embark on their 8-week journey across major cities throughout the United States. First up is Las Vegas, Nevada for non-stop entertainment in the city that never sleeps. From the desert heat of Nevada, the TJs are off to the glaciers of Anchorage, Alaska for an expedition into the snowy wilderness. Washington D.C., will provide the TJs with an inside look at the inner workings of government and politics. From the Northeast, they will head south to the sandy beaches and theme parks attractions of Orlando and Miami, Florida; Memphis,Tennessee for a taste of our southern hospitality; New York City to visit the historical sites and buildings of the city; and Austin, Texas for lessons in ranching, rodeos, and football. Their final stop, in...

Awards Show Encourages Chinese Restaurateurs To Provide Healthy Dining Menu Choices

Award winning Chef Martin Yan and Executive Chef, French Culinary Institute and Season One Contestant Top Chef's Lee Anne Wong are co-hosting the 4th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards ceremony and and will announce the 2007 winners at the Cultural Food Expo a union of Asian, Latino, and Kosher culinary show (http://Culturalfood.com) on November 11th at 2:30pm at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Organized by Chinese Restaurant News and sponsored by Lee Kum Kee and Western Union, the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Awards sets the standard for excellence by aiming to present the very best of Chinese cuisine, which has become a part of America's daily dining scene.

This year, the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards come together with Chefs Martin Yan and Lee Anne Wong to encourage Chinese restaurants nationwide to provide healthier dining options.

"As New York becomes the first city to ban trans fat, this is a prime opportunity for Chinese restaurants to showcase the healthy aspects of Chinese cuisine," said Chef Martin Yan. "Chinese cooking has always emphasized a well-balanced approach. Our traditional diet is one that's rich in vegetables and natural fibers. It's time for Chinese restaurant chefs to get back to our roots."

"It is a great honor to be part of this event," said Lee Anne Wong, Top Chef. "I commend Chinese Restaurant News for taking the initiative...

I'm in Las Vegas for the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show co-hosted by Chef Martin Yan and Theresa Lin.

I'm in Las Vegas at the Rios All Suite Hotel & Casino to cover the 5th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Show & Conference, co-hosted by Chef Martin Yan and Theresa Lin. Organized by Chinese Restaurants News, tonight's Top 100 Chinese Restaurants Awards Show aims to present the very best of Chinese cuisine in the nation.

From suburban buffets to high-end restaurants, Chinese cuisine has become a fixture of the American daily dining scene. The Chinese Restaurant industry has over $20 billion annual sales with over 43,000 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. There are more Chinese restaurants in the U.S. than McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's combined.

To qualify for the competition's highest honor -- the Overall Excellence award, restaurants must have been in business a minimum of 2 years and have earned positive industry, media or customer recognition. Qualified restaurants undergo rigorous evaluation by professional Mystery Diners. The Top 100 highest-scoring restaurants will receive the Top Overall Excellence award. Selected from thousands of competitors, these exceptional restaurants demonstrate the highest standards of cleanliness, cuisine, dcor and service.

About the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards Ceremony
Organized by Chinese Restaurant News with the support of the National Restaurant...

Major Disaster Declaration Allows More Assistance to California

WASHINGTON With the announcement today of a major disaster declaration for California, additional federal assistance will be available for individuals and communities in the seven declared counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura.

Grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will aid individual recovery. Federal funding also is available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures.

"FEMA will continue to coordinate with federal agencies as more resources and personnel are tapped to assist in response and recovery efforts," said FEMA Administrator David Paulison. "We are calling on all the federal resources available to respond to the state's needs as they are identified and we will continue to expedite these requests."

Along with today's major disaster declaration there were other significant developments in the federal response to the California wildfires.

FEMA
FEMA deployed the Federal Incident Response Team (FIRST) out of Atlanta. FIRST will support the federal leadership as they coordinate emergency support for the thousands of evacuees at the Qualcomm shelter by ensuring essential communications channels remain accessible and...

Over 300 Restaurateurs Gather in NYC to Attend Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in USA Awards Ceremony.

The Chinese Restaurant New's 4th Annual Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in the USA Awards ceremony was quite a party, where more than 300 Chinese restaurateurs from 50 States across the U.S. travelled to New York to celebrate and be celebrated at the Jacob Javits Convention Center during the Cultural Food New York, a two-day professional tradeshow showcasing Asian, Hispanic and Kosher food and beverages on November 11. Co-Hosted by Martin Yan and Former Contestant of Season One's Top Chef Lee Anne Wong and sponsored by Lee Kum Kee and Western Union, the Asian food industry and notable Asian Americans in New York came out to honor Chinese restaurateurs and Chinese chefs for their accomplishments.

Overall Excellence, Regional Cuisine, Take-Out, Buffets, Best Value, Signature Dish, Rising Stars, Nutrition-Friendly Menus, Asian Fusion and Metro Favorites were among the 10 categories in which the awards were presented to the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants, for some, 100 winners in each category. The 2007 Top 100 competition, open to all Chinese restaurants in the U.S., included more than 43,000 from all 50 states. Participating restaurants included newly established restaurants, seasoned restaurants, chain restaurants and past award-winners. Click on List of 2007 Winners

"We are so pleased to be chosen as a Top 100 Chinese Restaurant in USA for the fourth year in a row," said Joe Lee,...