That girl on the beach is me. A long time ago. It has always been one of my favorite images of my life back then, and also a favorite of my two daughters. It was originally a photograph taken by my college roommate, but the above is an oil painting. A very special painting by [...]
Hatching Up Some Recipes
Why have I never seen this book before? I could have used it in countless ways over the years. Think of all the times making crème brulee with yolks and leftover whites, or angel food cakes with a dozen whites and all those yolks. I found this book last weekend at a book sale. I picked it [...]
Secrets of the Old Tin Box
Anna Juljaana Vanni Halonen was my husband Bill’s Finnish aunt, known to the family as Aunt Ann. When Bill and his cousins recently started cleaning out Aunt Ann’s home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the kitchen revealed some family treasures. If there is anything that gets my attention more than old cookbooks, it’s old recipe boxes. When Bill [...]
Home and Family on the Hallmark Channel has a Special Guest!
Check out the Home and Family show on the Hallmark Channel on Monday morning, May 13th! My daughter Kristina will be a guest on the show talking about her website, Cooking Contest Central. You can find out how to enter the incredible world of cooking contests and tips on how to win. You will even be able [...]
The James Beard Awards 2013
The James Beard Foundation was founded in 1986, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone in the culinary world who would not love to win this medal, which is equivalent to winning an Academy Award Oscar. The foundation is dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s culinary heritage and future. James Beard was a cookbook [...]
Cookbook on the Red Carpet
Melissa Lanz, author of The Fresh 20, wasn’t raised on fresh foods; it was more Swanson TV dinners and anything in a box or bottle. It took years for her to overcome her family food culture of processed foods. The Fresh 20 is the result of Melissa’s journey to healthy eating, and now she wants her efforts [...]
On “The Hunt”
Everyone knows that one must buy tickets for the theater, opera, or symphony, but how about for a restaurant? Chef Grant Achatz’s restaurant “Next” is like nothing you will ever experience in the world of fine dining. Located in Chicago’s meatpacking district just west of downtown, Next is not your traditional restaurant. The menu changes every four [...]
Is This Libertyville, Illinois or New York City?
When my daughter Kara flew in for my birthday this past weekend from her home in New York City, we decided to have dinner one night at our newest restaurant in Libertyville, Shakou Sushi. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, our little downtown has become quite the restaurant row in our area north of Chicago [...]
