food detective
Last week I got to tag along with my husband on an extended business trip to London. Prior to leaving I surfed the web for museum and gallery exhibits, but I must confess my most extensive research was on where to eat. When traveling I love nothing more than dining on what will hopefully turn into an unforgettable meal. Because my husband had to be
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Last Wednesday I invited Carrie Walters, from the DLM Culinary Center, Liz Valenti, from Wheat Penny, and Wiley, from Meadowlark, over for lunch. I knew I wanted to serve something seasonal, but also something with a bit of flair. Let’s be honest how often do these three top Dayton chefs get to sit down to a midday meal that is reminiscent of days
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food detective
Last month United threw us a curveball. A seven-hour delay in the Denver airport for our connecting flight home. Being held hostage by the airlines is never fun but this time I was carrying special cargo, my little Norwich terrier Willie. We waited for our crew to arrive at the gate for an hour, sat on the plane for 2 ½ hours for mechanics to
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Ok- I am now longer on safari in South Africa but that doesn’t mean one can’t find some sweet inspiration a little closer to home. The other week I took a group of aspiring photographers and art lovers up to the Springfield Art Museum to see the “Ohio Perspective” exhibit. It featured landscapes from across the state by renowned Ohio artists
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food detective
My daughters and I were now halfway through our tracking safari in Sabi Sand. Our stay at Londolozi’s secluded Pioneer camp exceeded any and all expectation. At each turn our understanding of this incredible eco-structure deepened as did our appreciation and love for the amazing people we encountered. This had truly become our home in the bush.
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food detective
On Wednesday our prop plane landed in the midst of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the oldest privately owned reserve in South Africa. Rich and Lucky, who we discovered were to be our guide and tracker for the week, greeted us in an open jeep. We loaded our gear and drove through the savannah grass to our camp at Londolozi, which in Zulu means
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food detective
Just returned from the trip of a lifetime. My daughters and I traveled to South Africa. Not only did we learn to how to track animals in the wild, we also hunted down some incredible fare along the way. Here is our journey.
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food detective
When New Year’s resolutions lose their novelty it might be time to turn over a new leaf. This year I resolved to get healthy, and not for the short run but for life. I’m a pretty healthy person but I wanted to hold myself accountable. One of the ways I’m doing just that is by keeping a detailed food diary. “A moment on the lips forever on the list
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
This one has been one for the record books. Polar plunges. Incredible ice storms. And my dear mom’s heath battle. She is a fighter and a champ, but like this winter it’s been a relentless rollercoaster. It’s hard to find your footing when you feel like you’re constantly skating on thin ice. Having my folks so far away has been difficult. They are
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food detective
Back to the desert from a whirlwind tour of Los Angeles. Moved my recent college grad into her West Hollywood apartment. Had an incredible Peruvian meal at Picca. Sat on a plush couch while Elvis Costello played a mere feet away. Paid seven dollars for twenty minutes to run in and have a cup of coffee with my UCLA daughter. And an unexpected
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Wherever I find myself, I’m happiest with a full dining room table. As a former professional chef and caterer I want to share what I’ve learned over the past three decades of entertaining. On this site you’ll find tricks of the trade to help even the most harried of you pull off a seemingly seamless fête. Come join the conversation! read more →