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
Nothing beats Saturday night supper for four. As fortune would have it my husband and I were invited for such a dinner last weekend. And to up the ante, not only were our host and hostess delightful friends but incredible cooks. Simmering bolognese greeted us we entered, letting us know we were in for a real treat. But what caught me by surprise
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
I’m having my old Cleveland girlfriends down for a Dayton sleepover to kick off my fiftieth birthday. Cocktails, dinner, and brunch (before I ship them north on their merry way). And to make sure it is a chipper car ride back I want to make sure they have a scrumptious, and substantial, send-off. The morning after my wedding anniversary I had
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food detective
Just wrapped up a one-week excursion to visit my youngest who is studying abroad in Granada Spain. With planes, trains and automobiles we arrived in this sleepy Andalucía city. As we pulled into the picturesque Hopspes Palacio de los Patos these weary travelers were greeted with one of the best cups of coffee and a delectable plate of sweet treats.
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perfecting the "done before they arrive" party- a work in progress
Lunch on the go can be a dilemma. On the road options really don’t offer suitable alternatives. We’re faced with a pre-noon departure to kick off a family wedding on the east coast. Time to channel the 4th Earl of Sandwich to concoct a satisfying meal on the fly. Since Thanksgiving is the mother of all family gatherings, how about a twist on that
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food detective
After an overnight overseas flight we landed in Stockholm, dropped our bags at the Grand Hotel and set off for a tour of the city. Three hours in our energy sank at the Vasamuseet just as the 375 year old war ship had after it tried to set off from its Stockholm port. Thankfully our guide steered us to a charming lunch spot, Ulla Winbladh, where I
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the hostess with the mostest hotel
Today marks the arrival of my college roommates. Not a typical fan of girls’ night out, and certainly not of its extended version (women being best served with a generous dose of men) this trio is an exceptional exception. My hubby was supposed to be away for business but changed his plans when he heard who was coming, and why not these are
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the hostess with the mostest hotel
One of the wonderful things about having a vacation spot is that people you love want to come stay with you. The challenge is how to enjoy yourself with a houseful of house guests. Almost anyone can act like a short order cook and housekeeper but who wants to visit that. I’ve never played football but I like football movies. In every one
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the hostess with the mostest hotel
Just because your weekend is busy doesn’t mean you can’t serve up a delicious and healthy lunch at home. Flank steak salad is the prefect fast and fresh pick. Because the meat marinates hours before grilling and the sliced steak can be served chilled or at room temp the entire prep can be done entirely before hand. All you need to do is toss and
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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 →