Kitchen Travels

Kitchen+Travels :: Scharffen Berger Chocolate Adventure Contest

Do you guys dream at night? I do. All the time. Some nights more than others, but my dormant mind is definitely on the active side of the dream scale. Sometimes my dreams are so vivid and wonderful, like the flying dreams from my childhood, or the dreams I sometimes have as an adult, in which I can jump reeeeeeaaaaalllly high and far. Other times, things are more random and/or just plain odd... like the night I kept dreaming about making juice. Juice? What does that say about me? Wait, don't answer that.

Local Travels :: Esther's Cupcakes

Doesn't it seem like cupcakes have been popping up everywhere in the last few years? There are blogs, blogs, and more blogs, all about cupcakes. They show up at parties ranging from birthdays to baby showers. The Food Network regularly pits cupcake bakers against one another in the popular T.V. show, Cupcake Wars. Even the traditional wedding cake isn't safe from the cupcake craze. And you know what? All that is just fine by me. I love cupcakes, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Whew! I'm so glad I finally got that out in the open.

Travels :: Sacramento's Got It GOOD {GOOD: street food + design market}

Sometimes, people just get it right. Such is the case with the GOOD: street food + design market, a new art and food event that premiered last Sunday afternoon in Sacramento.

When I first received the invitation to the GOOD event from Roshaun at Unseen Heroes, I thought it would be a great opportunity for my husband Randy and I to spend some time by ourselves. Like, on a date. But it was not to be. Our playdate plans for the twins fell through at the last minute, so we ended up taking them with us. On the upside, it was so nice to have some quality twin time, and any time girls can get a "tatoo" (aka: handstamp), it's a good thing.

Travels :: 24 Hours in San Francisco

(Actually, it was more like 18 hours.) Last Thursday, I met up with a dear friend of mine who was spending a couple days in San Francisco. Given that we hadn't seen one another in months, and that she had flown more than 20 hours from her current home in Brazil to arrive in California, I wasn't about to miss her visit. My friend, ever the social architect, had planned a "girls' night out." I, ever the social misfit, was happy to take part. Here's a peek into our soiree, along with a few random thoughts from yours truly.

Meet-and-Greet with Oliver Ridgeway - Grange's New Executive Chef

This post is the second in a series of "catchup" posts. xo

Remember when I attended the Follow the Chef Lunch at Grange Restaurant & Bar last spring? You could probably tell that I just love that restaurant. When I heard the exective chef was leaving to pursue a new gig, I was pretty bummed so happy for him. Who would take his place? And would the new chef continue Grange's tradition of turning out the local, seasonal food I loved so much?

I got a chance to find out in early December when I was invited, along with a select group of local food bloggers, to participate in a recipe contest. We were asked to develop an original soup recipe, reflective of Grange's menu philosophy, one that would celebrate "the abundant, fresh, and local ingredients the Sacramento area is known for." The entries were to be judged by Grange staff, with the final winner selected by the new Executive Chef, Oliver Ridgeway. To wrap up the contest, Grange hosted an afternoon meet-and-great with Chef Ridgeway, where they announced the winner and gave all the contest participants a chance to sample the Chef's food. We even got to bring a guest. So in addition to spending an hour or two at a great restaurant, I got to have an actual date out with my husband. Yes!

Follow the Chef Lunch at Grange

You know what I love? (Aside from great food, I mean.) Lots of things, actually. But one of the things I love is learning new words, especially when those words relate to food.

Here in Sacramento, there is a wonderful restaurant called Grange, where - according to the restaurant's website - the food is derived from "market-driven bounties selected from farms throughout the golden state" and the menu is "simple, seasonal, and soulful." (And, I might add, excellent.) I have always enjoyed the food at Grange, and I've always liked the name, as well. But until recently, I never knew its meaning.