Back from Hawaii this week and still smiling every time I think of our time there; the tropical flowers, salty air, incredible ocean/mountain views, and freshest fish I’ve ever tasted left an indelible impression on my mind. We had some amazing experiences — a helicopter ride all over Maui, and the day that Adam and […]
I was raised in California, and the closest it gets to cold, wintry weather is dropping below 75 degrees in December. It’s not the most festive place in the world for the holiday months, but we had other ways of making it special. I always associate banana bread with the changing of seasons, as a […]
Have you ever tasted a new ingredient and thought, “Now this is a game-changer”? I can remember a few times in my life: Maldon sea salt, really good dark chocolate, European butter, and most of all, six years ago when we were on our honeymoon in Italy and I tasted buffalo mozzarella for the first time. Previously, I’d had […]
Whether you’re a newlywed or you just signed the lease on a new home, nothing beats the excitement of inviting your nearest and dearest to break bread at your table. But if you’ve never hosted a seated dinner before, the sheer thought of cooking for a group can be overwhelming. The key? Keep it simple! Set […]
Most people think of lavender as a summertime ingredient, but once it’s been dried it can be a wonderfully subtle drink garnish in the fall. Dried florals in general feel like autumn to me, reminiscent of wreaths and golden fields. This year we’ve partnered with Terlato Wines to create a lavender-inspired fall cocktail using their […]
Typically around this time of year, I find myself daydreaming of ways to spookify my favorite baked treats. Witches, goblins and all the creepy crawly things I can wrap my head around, they’re all there, waiting to be turned into something sweet. But this year, it’s been a little different. The end of the month crept up […]
Just a few days out from Halloween and the anticipation around the office could be cut with a knife! Most of our Halloween prep — costumes, decorations, sweets — is checked off the list, which leaves us with the final to-do item: the booze. There’s absolutely no better way to spook your guests than with creepy crawly (but still delicious!) […]
When Veuve Clicquot first came to us with the challenge of creating a chic Day of the Dead party concept, we weren’t quite sure where to start. Flower crowns? Nah. Skull face paint? Too overdone. An abundant buffet? We did it last year. But as soon as our brainstorm ventured over to the holiday’s sugar skull […]
You guys — I’ve been anxiously counting down to today for the past several weeks. As you read this, I’m on a flight to Maui for our first family vacay since Henry was born! I have been seriously craving some time to unplug and inhale the fragrance of tropical flowers, eat tons of sushi, go for […]
We’re feeling fall at the market! New greens and root vegetables are beginning to make an appearance, and I’m giddy with delight. But my new favorite ingredient of the moment isn’t chard – it’s char. I love the smoky, slightly exotic, haunting hint of bitterness it brings to almost any dish, and I’ve been exploring […]
When I took a poll last month about which seasonal menus you’d love to get a little help with, “Adult Halloween Party” was one of the most frequent requests. I’m right there with you: it can be really tough to find the balance between spooky and sophisticated, and while you want to infuse the menu with […]
Pretty is as pretty does. And in the case of Candice Kumai, a clean-eating chef, health journalist and author (with enviable hair, skin and figure) pretty is as pretty eats. Kumai was born and raised by a Japanese mother and a Polish-American father in San Diego, CA. At age 22, she attended Le Cordon Bleu […]
