Monthly Archives: November 2013

An Invitation to My First Signings for My Debut Cookbook, “San Francisco Chef’s Table”

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SanFrancisoChefsTableCover

I’m still in a daze about it — but thrilled to announce — the publication of my first cookbook, “San Francisco Chef’s Table” (Lyons Press), which will be released in early December.

The book spotlights 54 of the Bay Area’s top restaurants and their signature recipes, along with gorgeous photos by Craig Lee, the former photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle’s Food section.

Craig and I will be signing copies of the book at upcoming events with some of the chefs featured in the cookbook. We hope you’ll be able to join us to share in the excitement. Mark you calendar now:

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Gift A Feast and A Food Gal Giveaway

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Who wouldn't want to receive a gift like this?

Who wouldn’t want to receive a gift like this?

As you start making  your holiday list and checking it twice, you just might want to consider Gift A Feast for the foodies in your life.

The local company sources the best hand-crafted food products in the Bay Area, then assembles them in curated collections that are hand-wrapped and delivered with a hand-written note.

It was started by Gypsy Achong, an environmental microbiologist and engineer, who decided to give up science to pursue her passion for food.

The gift collections range from “A Feast of Ice Cream Toppings” ($44.95), which includes June Taylor’s “Princess Peach” Syrup, Toffee Talk Crumble Mumble, and Cocotutti Cappuccino  Truffles; to “A Personal Tea Ceremony” ($194.95), which includes Cocotutti brandy truffles, June Taylor Candied Meyer Lemon Peel, a creamer wrapped in parchment paper, an eggshell-glazed cup, a tea strainer, bamboo scoop and an Aerolatte frother.

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A Visit to Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel

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Executive Chef Justin Cogley in the kitchen of Aubergine at L'Auberge Carmel.

Executive Chef Justin Cogley in the kitchen of Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel.

Justin Cogley’s first career may have been as a professional figure skater with “Disney on Ice.”

But these days, you can find him spinning circles around haute cuisine as executive chef of Aubergine at L’Auberge Carmel.

Cogley, who started his culinary career working at Charlie Trotter’s in Chicago, developed a passion for fine food and wine as his skating career took him all over Asia, Australia and Europe. At Aubergine, a jewel-box of a restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea, he’s so dazzled diners that he was even named one of Food & Wine magazine’s “Best New Chefs 2013.”

He’s all about local ingredients, even going diving with his cooks to gather their own seaweed for beautifully composed dishes.

Late this summer, I had a chance to experience his skills when I was invited as a guest to stay overnight at the inn and enjoy dinner.

The inn is situated in the heart of the charming village.

The inn is situated in the heart of the charming village.

Housed in a three-story, European-style building constructed in 1929, the charming inn features 20 guest rooms set around a brick courtyard with a bubbling fountain and plenty of patio chairs for lounging.

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Meet Chef Bradley Ceynowa of Pizza Antica and the Food Gal at Macy’s Valley Fair

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Are you a fan of Brussels sprouts?

Well, even avowed Brussels sprouts haters have been known to fall head over heels for Pizza Antica’s magnificent warm Brussels sprouts salad with bacon, hard-cooked eggs and caramelized onions.

Learn how to make this best-selling dish for your own holiday guests when I host a cooking demo with Chef Bradley Ceynowa of Pizza Antica at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Macy’s Valley Fair in Santa Clara.

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Beef Cheeks, Baby!

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Happiness is beef cheeks -- cooked until tender as can be.

Happiness is beef cheeks — cooked until tender as can be.

 

I’ve found a new love.

Its name is beef cheeks.

Oh sure, for the longest time, I’d had a torrid love affair with short ribs, my favorite cut of meat for its unabashed tenderness.

But what can I say? Beef cheeks have that going on and more.

Braised for hours, their toughness gives way to pure unadulterated lushness. Best yet, they don’t have bones like short ribs nor any bits of fat and sinew left even after long cooking. They’re just succulent meat through and through.

It used to be that I could only enjoy these at restaurants. But now that Prather Ranch has started selling its primo, sustainable meats in the South Bay at farmers markets in Santa Clara and Campbell, they’re easy to come by.

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