When it comes to cocktails, we all have our favorites; in the springtime, I like a French 75 with vodka, not gin which remind me of late afternoons at a sidewalk café in Paris. During the height of summer, I like something citrusy with a herbal, green garden twist like a mojito or something with […]
As a food stylist and photographer, I’ve worked with all kinds of foods, ingredients, cookware and kitchen products but one thing I have never tried to photograph is ice cream. I have heard for years how difficult a subject ice cream can be, so when the great folks at Hudsonville Creamery reached out to me, […]
Springtime is upon us, and I’m feeling inspired to mix up a bit of sunshine in my cocktail glass to savor the first warm, sunny days of spring. I’ve chosen to lend a touch of French flavor to the perennial combination of citrus+vodka by adding a splash of elderflower liqueur and a twist of Provence […]
Hard to believe last Tuesday was the first day of Spring, with some parts of the country still getting pounded by record snowstorms. While I’m anxious for the arrival of warm spring days, I fully intend to savor the last of the cold weather with the help of a few more pots of soup. With […]
How is it already late January? Usually, the quiet weeks that follow the chaotic holiday season seem to drag on and spring seems like a mirage far off on the horizon. Here in Chicago, we are enjoying the violent extremes of midwestern weather with weeks of sub-zero temperatures punctuated by days in the mid-’50s when […]
The Chef’s Garden in Huron, Ohio is a renowned source of truly world-class produce catering to some of the most well-known restaurants across North America. The sprawling 300-acre farm is run by a family of passionate farmers who produce some of the finest fruits, vegetables, and herbs to be found anywhere in the world. Owned […]
I have a love-hate relationship with Autumn. I love the colorful fall leaves, cozy sweaters, and hearty stews and soups; but the end of summer also means saying goodbye to my favorite taste of summer, ripe juicy tomatoes. My favorite summer tomato recipe is grilled bruschetta; crusty slabs of grilled sourdough rubbed with raw garlic, […]
While living in Europe, Jason and I traveled around a lot and always opted to rent apartments on Airbnb rather than hotel rooms to better experience a slice of local life. Some of the apartments we’ve stayed in were quite basic when we were on a tight budget, but most often we would choose something […]
Situated atop the tallest building in the Traverse City area, Aerie offers a fantastic view of Grand Traverse bay and an elite dining experience to match. The name Aerie refers to an eagle’s nest, and true to its name, the rooftop offers a high perch attracting eagles and hawks who occasionally swoop by in a […]
It’s no secret that I love visiting the Traverse City area. From May-October this area of northern Michigan becomes an irresistible attraction with wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, resorts, golf courses, farmer’s markets, apple orchards, creameries, stables, marinas, antique shops, boutiques, lighthouses, and even a casino. There is literally something here for everyone, but culinary travelers, […]
Bastille Day is France’s national holiday commemorating the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. The French refer to it as la Fête Nationale, a national celebration of the event, which marked the turning point in the French Revolution. At celebrations held throughout France, revelers will raise a glass to toast the unity of […]
Fresh figs are only available for a short time so when I saw them in the supermarket the other day, I quickly sorted through them, choosing the ripest unblemished figs I could find, then turned to Jason and said: “we need cheese and prosciutto!” I spent a few minutes at the cheese case gently squeezing […]
A Cook's Canvas 