Cooking with Ming Tsai | Macy's Culinary Council

I get to do some pretty fun things thanks to the blog. Remember a while back when I attended a Macy's Culinary Council cooking demo with Chef Marcus Samuelsson? Well, guess what? I get to do it again, this time with celebrity chef Ming Tsai!

I have even better news: You're invited, too! 

Next Friday, December 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Ming Tsai will be serving up his favorite holiday dishes and teaching us how to whip them up for family and friends! This will all take place in the culinary kitchen of Macy's Dadeland. 

I had heard of Ming Tsai before being invite to this event, but I discovered even more about him when I read his bio. The guy graduated from Yale with a degree in Mechanical Engineering... AND attended Le Cordon Bleu during the summers of his schooling. Did I also mention that little Master's degree in Hotel Administration and Hospitality Marketing he picked up at Cornell University?! No big deal...

It's obvious he wasn't just smart, but also motivated and talented enough to open not one but TWO award winning restaurants -- Blue Ginger in Wellesley, MA and Blue Dragon in Boston. 

If that's not enough to make you want to learn from this fella, he's also the host of several TV cooking shows like East Meets West with Ming Tsai, Ming's Quest and Simply Ming. He's also the author of five cookbooks! 

I'm looking forward to learning some pro tips from Chef Ming Tsai! If you'd like to join me, head over to the Eventbrite page to RSVP for a seat... spots are limited! 

If you can't make it but want to check out the event, make sure to follow me on Instagram where I'll be posting pics live from the demo! 

Hope to see you there! xo

Disclosure: I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Recipes for a Kentucky Derby Celebration!

Holy moly, what a week it's been. I've finally emerged from the kitchen and dug my way out from trays and trays of cupcakes and what-have-you only to realize that there are some very fun, food-friendly events happening within the next few days that I have not had time to properly prepare for. {What else is new, right?}

Luckily, I did my due diligence last year. Remember my week of Derby classics? Well, it's hard to believe, but the time has arrived once again to bust out the bonnets and bow ties and mix yourself a frosty julep for the Kentucky Derby.

I explained my {inexplicable} obsession with this event in my posts last year. This year, we'll be spending Derby day at my little sister's college graduation... maybe I can get away with wearing a big hat? ;) Though we won't be celebrating in the same way with a full-blown Derby party, I thought I'd put together a little recap of some Derby-appropriate eats! {Click on the image to take you to the recipe.}

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade. The perfect sipping alternative to the classic julep, this lemonade is sweet and refreshing with a hint of herbal fragrance.

Benedictine Spread is a staple at Derby celebrations. The long-standing recipe has a history all its own. One bite and it's easy to see why the fresh, savory dip spans generations!

The Kentucky Hot Brown was made famous at the Brown Hotel in Louisville in the 1920's. This twist on the sumptuous, cheesy open-faced sandwich serves as a crowd-pleasing party dish for the betting set and beyond!

Race Day Pie. Modeled after the official version, Derby Pie, this decadent dessert is a cross between a cookie and a pie, chock-full of walnuts, chocolate and of course... bourbon!

Bourbon-Sweet Potato Mini-Bundts. Who doesn't love a bite-sized cake? These dainty little sweets have a hidden kick with a good dose of bourbon in the glaze! 

These race day bites are sure to get the crowd's appetite going, but remember that any good Southern gathering is all about showing your guests hospitality! Details and special touches always make an impression; whether it's a custom backdrop for photos, your "good" serveware, an interactive julep bar or simply some fun signage.

Here were some of my favorite highlights from my Derby Party last year!

No matter what you do for your celebration, don't forget to relax and have fun and your guests {young and old} will follow your lead!

Happy Derby Day, Y'all!

Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival

Where can you mingle with world-renown chefs and food TV personalities while sampling some of the finest examples of culinary genius around, all in the name of charity?

The Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival, of course.

I had the distinct pleasure of attending a few of the 7th Annual PBFWF events last month, and I can't say enough about what a great experience it was... though it's taken me this long to post about it. Darn holidays.

Anyway, being a month a little late with the post has allowed everything to sink in and I'm ready to share my experience with you so you'll be pumped for when PBFWF comes back around next year.

Many of the PBFWF events took place at the gorgeous Four Seasons Resort in Palm Beach. Let's be real: You can't go wrong with an event at a place that looks like this.

Oh, hi. Can I live here?

I was able to attend the Chef Talk, where chefs Daniel Boulud {Cafe Boulud}, Michael Schwartz {Restaurant Michael Schwartz}, Mike Lata {FIG}, Stephen Stryjewski {Cochon}, and Giorgio Rapicavoli {Eating House} discussed their thoughts on the James Beard Foundation. Though they all agreed that being a JB Award winner -- and even nominee -- is a grand honor that all chefs covet, they also seemed to concede to the fact that the award is never the true objective.

There I am, in all my geeky-excited glory.

Each of the chefs have experienced success in some aspect; some touting world-renown accolades, others just beginning their journey in the new, uncharted world of reality TV-fueled fame. But no matter where they consider themselves in their career, the consensus was the same: The ultimate goal is to provide an exquisite dining experience to those who really matter -- their customers.

Chef groupies/paparazzi.

I had a whole page of notes including fun little anecdotes {think: Boulud sharing his "finger" salt measurement technique with the audience} and details pertaining to each chef, but alas, in my excitement I exited the talk and left them behind. It's a wonder that I never became a real journalist, huh? Sigh. I'm sorry. But tell me you can concentrate with this surrounding you:

Fact: I was way too excited to eat. Well, ok. I had a tiny donut. But whatever.

After the talk, Steve and I {he was my camera-holding assistant for the day} decided to walk around the resort and take in the scenery. We ended up finding ourselves smack in the middle of setup for the next event. It's a funny thing to unexpectedly run into people you've only ever watched on TV. {Steve may or may not have stalked Unwrapped Marc Summers for a picture, claiming that he could not leave without taking a picture with the "Double Dare" host. Oh, children of the 80's.}

Left: Chef Irvine doing his thing. Top right: Me & The Sandwich King. Bottom right: Steve & his childhood hero.

Though we weren't officially part of the Chillin' N Grillin' event, we got a little taste of what was to come for attendees as we watched chefs like Jeff Mauro {The Sandwich King} and Robert Irvine {Restaurant Impossible} set up their stations and banter with onlookers. There were more events to come that evening, but we packed it up and headed home since we were technically stowaways, and we knew we'd have a chance to nosh on some tasty bites during the Grand Tasting.

The Grand Tasting is the culminating event of the PBFWF and, in my opinion, a place you definitely want to be. Nearly 100 vendors were set up along the amazing, two-story courtyard at 150 Worth Avenue offering everything from savory bites to sinful sweets and perfectly poured cocktails. Among them, were my friends at Echo, the impeccably coiffed mavens of HMF at the Breakers {which I've still not visited!} and even my buddies from Whole Foods Market Palm Beach Gardens!

It was sensory overload with sights, sounds, smells and tastes bombarding you from every direction -- in a very good way. I'll let the pictures tell the tale...

As the final event of the evening, The Grand Chef Throwdown presented by Creekstone Farms showcased the skills of three chefs {Edward Dickens, Scott Varricchio & Eric Grutka} as they battled it out in a 30 minute cook-off {complete with "mystery ingredient"} where the winner would take home $10,000 to split with a charity of their choice... not to mention bragging rights. The judges Virginia Phillips, Nathan Stambaugh and Lindsay Autry {remember her from my visit to Sundy House?} had a tough, but delicious, task ahead of them in choosing the dish that would win the dough.

The view from the judges' seats.

In the end, Chef Eric Grutka of Ian's Tropical Grill & Crush Wine Bar beat out the other two chefs securing his win for the second year in a row.

I had a fantastic time at the PBFWF... my only regret was not getting to attend more of the events! {They all looked absolutely amazing.} But now that my eyes have been opened to the wonder that is this great foodie festival... you know where you can find me next year!

Until next year, PBFWF!

Follow the Palm Beach Food and Wine Festival Facebook page for updates and information for next year's event.

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to the two events mentioned in this post in exchange for media coverage. As always, all opinions are my own.

The FLAVOR of Palm Beach

I love food. {Duh.}

I also love where I live -- South Florida.

Oddly, I rarely combine my love for the two and dine out in our area. Mostly because I'm usually in my own kitchen making a mess coming up with my own recipes to share with you. Also because my budget normally doesn't allow for too much more than Happy Hour priced sushi.

Sounds thrilling, I know.

When I travel, I marvel at all the fabulousness of restaurant dining, totally forgetting that we have perfectly good restaurants that don't require a plane ride to get to right in our city. I'm usually sitting there with a mouthful of burrata in a state of sheer culinary ecstasy thinking, "Why don't they have stuff like this back home?"

Well, I'm here to tell you "they" do.

As it turns out, all you have to do is leave your house {preferably in something other than yoga pants} and possibly make a reservation in order to experience some of the finest cuisine around.

Last week, I had one of the coolest experiences a food lover could have: I got to sample {and judge} perfect little bites of handcrafted edible art {read: pretty food} created by brilliant chefs from over 13 area restaurants.

THIRTEEN. That's the most restaurant action I've seen in a very long time. And I didn't even have to get out of my seat.

Not to mention, my friends from Rapunzel's Closet bedazzled me with some Bourbon & Boweties wrist candy to wear for the evening. A girl could get seriously spoiled this way.

The FLAVOR Palm Beach Grand Tasting benefit took place in a pretty swank venue... that is, unless you happen to be accustomed to dining in the presence of Aston Martins, which -- you know -- is no big deal.

Photo courtesy of Lila Photo 

My fellow foodie judges and I sipped, spooned, and sunk our teeth into some tasty little morsels from restaurants like Cafe Boulud and Graze at the Four Seasons, and then got to confer over who would win "Finest Flavor" bragging rights.

Hard at work.

Incidentally, asking culinary enthusiasts to choose their favorite dish is much like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. There's something to love about each one.

{Clockwise from top left}

Cafe Boulud: Chicken Liver Mousse served with pickles, preserves & toast
Del Frisco's Grille: Tuna Tartare with avocado, and spicy citrus mayo served on a fried tortilla
Graze at the Four Seasons: Lemon Garlic Chicken with cippolini onion, bacon, sherry & cherry puree
Ironwood at PGA National: Cilantro Pesto Grilled Prawns on creamy Anson Mills grits with smokey chorizo sofrito

Maison Carlos: Penne Rustica with hot Italian sausage, fire roasted bell peppers & spicy tomato sauce
Pampas Grille:  Marinated Grilled Pork on Brazillian cheese bread and coleslaw
Pistache: Confit Pork Shoulder Tenderloin with aged cheddar polenta, red onion bacon marmalade, shaved fennel & au jus
PB Catch: Mini Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with sherry corn custard & red mole gastrique

Sandpiper's Cove: Pan Seared Scallops over polenta
Texas de Brazil: Chimichuri Flank Steak over horseradish mashed potatoes & microgreens
3800 Ocean: Korean Beef BBQ on a scallion pancake with green chile sauce
Tin Fish Grill: Grilled Salmon over coleslaw

Yes, I sampled each and every one of those dishes. {I'd even say I devoured some.}

When we nearly rolled out of our seats were finished, it was clear we had a few favorites. But the one dish that stood out for both flavor and creativity was the Truffled Corn Bisque with Black Truffle and Brillat Savarin Cheese Sandwich from Temple Orange at the Ritz Carlton.

Oh my yum.

The entire evening was fabulous {I wouldn't expect anything less from It! Events + Media}; from the silent auction, to the cocktails, to the fashion show, all set to the music of a live band playing from up above {meaning the loft area, not heaven, even though everything was just heavenly!}. Best of all, the event proceeds went to Share Our Strength to help put an end to childhood hunger in America.

Steve and I had enjoyed ourselves immensely! And now we have a list as long as our arms of restaurants we'd like to visit during FLAVOR Palm Beach month. {You can click here for their special menus and to make reservations!}

The next time I have the urge to dine, I'll save my money on travel fare and keep it local now that I've been reminded what I've got in my own backyard.

It should come as no surprise...Palm Beach has always had great taste. It just so happens this time, you can eat it with a spoon. ;)

FLAVOR Palm Beach + Share Our Strength

You may have seen my recent post{s} about baking 300 cookies for swag bags...

Picture courtesy of @itgirlspb

Now that the cookies are done & delivered and I'm no longer covered head to toe in flour, I can tell you a little more about where they're going!

Tonight I'll be participating in the most delicious social event of the season: The Grand Tasting benefit kicking off Flavor Palm Beach!

Flavor Palm Beach is a month-long dining event that helps support Palm Beach County restaurants. Participating restaurants {including super-fancy ones} have created amazing three course menus at for a special {very reasonable!} rate so that diners can experience the tantalizing flavors of South Florida.

{You can take a peek at the restaurants and menus by clicking here!}

I'm beside myself with excitement because I'll be getting to experience delightful bites as part of a blogger tasting panel that will judge dishes from some of the area's most talented chefs! After seeing, smelling, and tasting nothing but Orange Butter Cookies for the last few weeks, I can't tell you how ready I am to let someone else do all the cooking! ;)

As thrilled as I am about the food, I'm even more happy to be part of this event because 100% of the proceeds from tonight's benefit go to Share Our Strength, an organization on a mission to end childhood hunger in America.

This organization is special to me because, as a person who loves food as much as I do and a former elementary school teacher, I know the importance that food plays in the lives of kids. In fact, I even organized a school-wide bake sale to raise money for Share Our Strength several years ago!

Even if you're not able to make it to the Grand Tasting, you can still help the cause by "going orange" this September! Spread the word on your social media, or even dine out on September 16th at restaurants nationwide that are committed to the cause, too.

There's nothing more satisfying than lending a helping hand to those in need!

For those of you that are curious about what'll be on my plate tonight, make sure to follow along on my Twitter and Instagram, where I'll be sharing pics throughout the night. You may even see a few familiar faces! ;)

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

I'm getting to do something this coming weekend that I've been wanting to do for years: Host a Kentucky Derby party.

Why have I always had a fascination for this grand Southern tradition, you ask?

I couldn't even begin to tell you.

It's actually sort of ironic since I have an unnatural apprehension when it comes to horses. {I know, weird. I'm also not a fan of birds.}

I've certainly never had a great experience with Derby, either.

One year, Steve and I decided to watch the race. Though we're not really horse race kind of folks, we figured we had nothing to lose... it is known as "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports", after all.  We could handle two minutes of an event we had no real interest in.

As it turns out, the horse I decided to root for, Eight Belles {the first filly to win a trio of important races... girl power!}, collapsed and was put down within minutes of coming in second at the Derby. I was horrified! {And I vowed never to root for any other horse lest I jinx them into an untimely death.}

And yet, every year around this time, I find myself yearning to don a big, ridiculous hat and sip a Mint Julep out of a silver cup.

Call me crazy.

Anyway, this year I'm giving in to my Derby desires.

I'm going all out -- adorable Derby evites from Paperless Post, a request for guests to come in Derby-appropriate attire, a hat contest, and a full Southern menu! {As well as few other surprises I can't share in case any of the guests are reading this!}

I'd like to say I'll be sharing all of the fabulous dishes I'll be making with you, but the truth is, party planning -- though one of my very favorite things to do -- overwhelms me, and I don't want to pressure myself by promising to share recipes and not being able to deliver. {Though, if I am able to stick to my timeline this week and all goes as planned, I will most definitely document any recipes you shouldn't live without.}

If you want to take a peek at how things are coming along this week, I'll be sharing snippets on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, so feel free to join me pre-meltdown... I mean, pre-party. ;)

Meanwhile, I'm sharing a recipe for Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade...a gorgeous beverage for any party and a good alternative to juleps for those who don't care for bourbon. {Unlike me.}

Lemonade already conjures images in my mind of lazy afternoons, porch swings, and beautiful plantation homes, so it just made sense to make this drink for an occasion that's steeped in Southern tradition. Plus, with most of your spring herb gardens in full bloom {Totally jealous. I'm a natural plant killer.}, you'll need some recipes that use up all of that rosemary.

Grab a glass and place your bets... this here's a guaranteed winner.

Vanilla-Rosemary Lemonade

from Southern Living

1 1/2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean, split
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
3 cups water
3 cups fresh lemon juice {18-20 lemons} OR 7.5 ounces thawed frozen lemon juice

Garnish: Lemon Slices, Rosemary Sprigs

1. Combine sugar, vanilla bean, rosemary and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat slightly and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.

2. Remove from heat and let steep until slightly cooled, 10-15 minutes, pressing on the solids from time to time.

3. In a large pitcher, pour lemon juice and syrup mixture, straining with a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Mix well.

4. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until cold.

5. Stir and serve over ice.

Garnish with lemon and rosemary sprigs if desired.

Makes 6 cups.

Stuff & Links

I have been going to bed later and later every night this week, and I'm pretty sure that the main reason is that I have SO many things on my mind that I just can't let it rest! Since I need every available shred of memory/brain cell possible, I'm dedicating today's post to a little "Brain Dump" {Ew. That just sounds yucky.} in hopes that sharing all of this with you will regain some storage space in my noodle. Some of it is silly & some of it is "order of business" type stuff...

Here it goes!

1. I am so excited about attending Food Blog Forum Orlando that I can barely stand the anticipation. They sent the attendees details about the sessions yesterday and I nearly squealed with joy. {Ok, I may have actually squealed with joy. Farley was a bit alarmed.} Not only is it hosted by Walt Disney World, but the accommodations are at The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which I haven't stayed at since I was about 8 years old. {I'll have to tell you about our family Disney vacations one day.}

Me, circa 1989 at The Grand Floridian.

I'm chomping at the bit to learn new things from some blogging superheroes like Jaden from Steamy Kitchen and Lindsay from Love & Olive Oil, but even more so, I'm ridiculously eager to meet some of the people I follow, read about, chat with & pretty much feel like I'm friends with, but have never met! {AND to hang out with some of the ones I've already met!} Blogging is an interesting thing! Squeeeee! {There I go again. I'm going to have to get a muzzle for the event.}

2. I'm not gonna lie, my excitement also has a lot to do with the fact that I'm SO getting a Dole Whip while I'm at Disney.

3. On a similar note, I signed up for a local blogging workshop {"Rockstar-Worthy Blogging"} that will be held by the fabulous Alyson from The Average Girl's Guide. It's so nice to get to meet local bloggers & I'm really looking forward to the event!

4. Many of you have heard that Google Reader is shutting down on July 1. Being a creature of habit, my stomach sort of flip-flopped when I found this out because that meant I had to hunt for a new feed reader. Bleh. Luckily, I discovered {through Katy of this blog, whom I also met through a blogging conference last year} that Feedly is a good alternative that switches everything over for you instantly. So, I bit the bullet and did it. And I LOVE IT.

I don't consider myself shallow in real life, but let me tell you, I am a marketer/brander's dream. It's all about the look for me. I totally judge a book by its cover. Or a feed reader by its format. Or whatever. The point is, I stayed up past midnight just looking at the darn thing. If you need to make the switch, do it.

5. Talenti Gelato is coming out with 4 new flavors. I need to know what they are. And I Need. Them. Now. {You can help speed along the "reveal" by going here.}

6. I redid my About page. Like 5 times. I hope you didn't see all the versions. I'm still working on it.

7. Shameless Plugs for Other People {SPfOP}:

• If you have the time or like clicking on things, please visit & "like" my friend's Arbonne FB page. She's trying to reach her goal of 100 "likes", and man, do I know how that feels. You're awesome.

• My very talented friend recently opened up an Etsy shop selling these gorgeous bracelets. You know you want to do some accessory shopping...

• I want to brag on another super-talented friend who owns her own photography & calligraphy business. You should check her out, too -- WP inks.
• Friends That Blog: Genevieve at City Lights & Tasty Bites {Always making me want to book the next flight to NYC & eat until my top button won't close.} Sloane at Life Food & Beer {Recipes! Beer! Yay!}. Lauren at Soul Inspiration. {I need some deepness in my life after reading about food and looking at pretty pictures all day. Wonderful introspect.}

8. I want to wish all teachers and students around the country good luck on the upcoming state tests. In my former life I was an elementary school teacher. So, I get it. {These days I work at a cognitive training center, if you can believe it. Ha.}

9. New Stuff: I really hate asking you guys, "What do you think about this?" regarding the blog. It makes me feel like I'm standing in front of you in a new outfit asking if makes my butt look too big... and nobody likes to answer that question. But the truth is, you're the ones who read it {I hope!}, so it's pointless for me to do what I want to do without checking in with you to see how you like it.

So... how do you feel about the direction of the blog? {What direction? HA!} Do you like the Tasty Travels/Prep Praises posts? {P.S. I'm thisclose to being done with the NYC ones... the end is in sight!} Do you enjoy when I team up with other bloggers like La Petite Fashionista, etc.? Are you into the giveaways from time to time? How would you feel about some posts that are mostly pictures and less words? Do you mind the posts where I ramble on about life?

What am I doing that you'd like to see more of? What can I do to make this more your style? {Besides stop pestering you with silly questions, of course!}

I would be BEYOND grateful if you would be dears and answer any{or all!} of these questions. It would save me from a lot of sleepless nights and mad brainstorming sessions. Ok, not really. But still, it would be really nice of you to let me know what you're thinking on the other side of this screen. ;)

10. And a little bit of food to round it all off... these are the things I've made lately that I haven't shared on the blog. The links to recipes, if applicable, can be found in the caption links.

Cupcakes Galore.
Left: Creamsicle Cupcakes {heavily adapted from Cooking Classy }with
white chocolate hangers for a shopping event I catered.
Center: White Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes & Pineapple Cupcakes {Base from Glorious Treats} for a friend's Great Gatsby themed 30th.
Right: Guava & Cream Cheese filled cupcakes for my sister's birthday painting party.

Top Row {left to right}: Baked Brie Bites, White Bean & Ham Soup, GF Pasta with Olives & Artichoke
Middle Row: Italian Easter Breads, White Chocolate Banana Coconut "Cheesecake", Caprese Skewers
Bottom Row: Herbed Pork Chops with Kale, Hydrangea Cupcakes, Sausage & Cheese Bread {dough recipe from here}