King Cake For All at Mardi Gras Time...

By Marsha Fottler. One of the essential culinary rituals that accompanies the annual Mardi Gras season in Europe, South America and U.S. cities such as New Orleans is the King Cake. It’s a party dessert that keeps the party going and going ensuring that the good times roll. The season of Mardi Gras (Jan. 6 through Feb. 16 this year) always begins on Epiphany or the day that the three kings or wise men came to the end...

Gourmet Highway...

By Doc Lawrence. A MONTH OF LOVE, WINE AND FINE DINING “He who loves not wine, women and song remains a fool his whole life long.” - Martin Luther February features Valentine’s Day, our gentle ritual, at midpoint. Tradition strongly suggests red roses, chocolates, candlelit dining and a card with a personal proclamation of love. Wine fits here like a hand in glove. Not just any wine, mind you. A dusty bottle from...

Inside The Mind of A Great Chinese Cook...

By Herb Gardener. Factors Americans typically consider when choosing a place to live include property values, school quality, cultural resources and proximity to a good Chinese restaurant. Well, the last may be a stretch, but we do hold strong opinions about and yearnings for this inexhaustible gastronomic tradition. For the ambitious cook seduced by the thought of preparing an authentic Chinese meal and understanding...

Entertain With Confidence...

By Marsha Fottler. The last two years have seen an increase in home entertaining partly because most of us have felt too poor to do anything else. Game night, Sunday brunch, cocktail party, book club, movie night, dinner for eight – we’ve all been doing it with optimism and tiny budgets. But for many young people new to living independently, the thought of inviting people over and negotiating the role of host is daunting....

My Dream of Italy Realized...

By Chef Judi Gallagher. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to travel to Italy. My first experience was with my son. As his high school graduation present, my son and I embarked on an extraordinary trip of culinary decadence and art appreciation enriched by the unique flavors of local cultures of the Tuscan region. My son is a chef too. The cooking school La Toscana Saporito located just outside of Lucca and...

When Life is a Bowl of Cherries...

By Judi Gallagher. February is a month short on days, but certainly not short on holidays. After all, there is Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year all rolled into one delicious month. Father of our Country, George Washington reminds me of the bright red sweetness of cherry pie. With his legendary childhood honesty by admitting to chopping down the cherry tree, I take his lead and confess...