House-Autry  Mills has a lot to brag about – 200 years of being in business. How many brands can claim 200 years, or even 25 to 50 for that matter. It all started back in 1812 when the House family migrated from England to Newton Grove, North Carolina. The millstones for the original mill were shipped across the Atlantic from England to Wilmington, North Carolina, and then ferried up the Cape Fear River and transported by oxcart and mule team to the original mill site in Newton Grove. The House mill grew and eventually merged with the Autry Brothers Mill Company in 1967 to form what is now called House-Autry Mills. In 2001 they relocated their mill to a state-of-the-art facility in nearby Four Oaks, North Carolina. What’s their product? Corn meal and seasoned breadings and coatings for seafood, chicken, pork & veggies.

So how does a company celebrate 200 years of being in business? Well, why not a contest! House-Autry is compiling a cookbook of the best Southern recipes and you have a chance to be a part of it all. They’re looking for recipes that  incorporate at least one House-Autry product and the  stories and traditions behind these special recipes. The best recipes will be included in the cookbook and possibly featured on the House-Autry Mills  Facebook page, YouTube page or website.

Calling All Southern Cooks
To participate, click on the link above and follow the instructions. The deadline is Nov. 1, 2011. Don’t be shy. I know you’ve got a few recipes floating around in your family. If you don’t remember the back-story, call your Mom, call your Grandmother. Don’t be shy. Get in the action & have some fun with House-Autry.

Whether you're a French student or not, you're probably like me...constantly seeking new and high quality film. The French know their way around a kitchen, they make great wines, and they're also excellent at movie making.

Best Colleges Online have compiled a list of 14 movies every French student should watch - and that includes you. I won't spoil the surprise of the list by saying anything except a few words about #14 - bottoms up.

La grande illusion (1937)

We would be remiss not to include one of the greatest French films ever made. La grand illusion is not only a cinematic masterpiece, but an engaging look into France’s history and society in the WWI years. Focusing on a group of officers taken prisoner during the war, the movie reveals their class relationships and struggles as they plot an escape.

Click here to see the rest of the list! Enjoy.

Please allow me to introduce Dee Mason, a foodie with a great sense of humor and a mission to convince us that British food is...well, not really that bad. Dee has just about convinced me!

By Dee Mason:

There are lots of reasons to love the Brits: great accents, lots of history, their air of class, and more. But on this list of things to love you’ll rarely see British food getting a mention, and I think that’s a crying shame. OK, so Great Britain isn’t exactly France or Italy when it comes to their delicacies, but there are actually lots of good, hearty meals that you can only really find on the British isles. British cuisine may not be hugely popular, that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious. I’ve been working on a list of what I think are the greatest and tastiest examples of British food - a list that I hope will spur you on to want to indulge yourself in something that, whilst not exotic, is still a little out of the ordinary. Let’s get stuck in!

 Fish and Chips

You knew it was coming, I knew it was coming; so I thought I’d get it out there quickly. Fish and chips is (arguably) the national dish of England, and with good reason. There are hundreds of variations of this dish, and I’m going to focus on the classic meal you’d get from a British ‘chippy’. The versions of this dish that you get in top-notch restaurants or in other countries are often palatable enough, but for the authentic taste of England you can’t beat a real fish and chips from a real fish and chip shop. And don’t forget the mushy peas! I personally prefer mine soaked in salt and vinegar, but the meal is also quite tasty without condiments. My favourite thing about fish and chips is just how warming it is; I remember the last time I was in Britain I was at the beach on a blustery day and a cone of chips really hit the spot. It’s not hard to see why this is such a mainstay of British culture!

 Lancashire Hotpot

If you’ve never heard of a hotpot before, don’t worry, neither had I. But I’m so glad I discovered this unique dish. It’s a little like a casserole, and a little like a stew, but it’s covered in slices of scrummy potato. The dish is essentially a pot or bowl full of lamb or ‘mutton’ which is flavoured with onions and other vegetables, then covered (like a pie) with a topping of sliced potatoes. There’s lots of different types of hotpot, and the traditional Lancashire one actually traces all the way back to the industrial revolution. It’s a very hearty meal which is absolutely perfect for those chilly days in northern England. Personally I was never a big fan of casseroles as a kid, but Lancashire Hotpot now has a special place in my heart. It has a flavour all its own and I recommend that all foodies give it a try!

 Chicken Tikka Masala

I can already here you all shouting: “curry is an Indian dish, not British!”, and whilst that is very true, the classic Chicken Tikka Masala is actually an invention of the Brits - or at least of the Indian restaurants in Britain. It has become a cultural icon and the uncontested favourite dish of Great Britain. Stop into any of the thousands of Indian restaurants dotted up and down the country and you’ll see just how popular Chicken Tikka Masala is. It’s actually a fairly mild curry dish spliced with yoghurt to give it a creamy consistency; and with a piece of Naan bread on the side, it’s an absolute delight! I’ve never been too big on foods that are overly spicy, so the Tikka Masala is naturally a great choice for me. And, by extension, I’m sure that you’ll love it too!

These are just three examples of why Great Britain is great for food. And if you still don’t believe me, make sure you try bubble ‘n’ squeak, egg and chips, bacon butties... the list goes on! England might not be famous for its food, but it has a lot to offer to foodies. The food seems to reflect the fact that it’s often a bit on the cooler side in the UK, offering us tasty wholesome dishes that warm us to our core. I’d highly recommend all British cuisine, and if you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for? Get out there and fly the food flag for Britain!

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Dee L. Mason is a foodie and nomad at heart, having lived on both sides of the pond. She writes on behalf of her preferred moving company, which she tends to rely on a lot.