Tuesday, February 14, 2012

For the Love of Food: Declarations of Culinary Appreciation

In honor of Valentine's Day I am sharing a few quotes from people who like us share a deep love for all things food. Wishing you love, lust and gluttony. Happy Valentine's Day.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”
- Virginia Woolf

“Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn.”
- Garrison Keillor

“Eggs Benedict is genius. It’s eggs covered in eggs. I mean, come on, that person should be the president.”
- Wylie Dufresne

“Food has replaced sex in my life, now I can't even get into my own pants.”
- Unknown

“Desserts are like mistresses. They are bad for you. So if you are having one,
you might as well have two.”
- Chef Alain Ducasse

“I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.”
- W.C. Fields

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
- Luciano Pavarotti

"Forget love. I'd rather fall in chocolate."
- Unknown

Monday, February 6, 2012

Food + Love = Solution for Valentine's Day

Everyday is an opportunity to show the people we care about that we love them. Valentine's Day is a day on which we are held accountable with doing so. If you have been dragging your feet or are feeling overwhelmed or are single but looking to indulge yourself here are a few options that caught my eye.

Susie Cakes: SusieGrams

For an alternative but still sweet twist on candygrams Susie Cakes is offering "SusieGrams". You can select anything from a single cupcake on up to an assortment of their confections (cakes, cupcakes, cookies, sweetie pies, pies or whoopie pies) and Susie Cakes will have it delivered on February 14th. They'll include a personalized note with your "sweet" purchase. The starting delivery fee is $25. With locations in Southern and Northern California, spreading the love is just a little bit easier...in a good way. FYI, my pie baking class here was well-orchestrated, fun and delicious (lip smackin').

Recchiuti Confections: Not just a box of chocolates but rather th"ee" box of chocolates...and then some.

San Francisco's Ferry Building houses one of the United States' finest chocolate destinations. At the helm are lead confectioner Michael Recchiuti and his wife Jacky who founded Rechchiuti Confections in 1997. This Parisian inspired shop fuses classic French technique with "signature distinctive flavors such as fresh lavender, lemon verbena or tarragon" to make their handmade artisanal chocolate collection. They also carry gourmet chocolate bars, caramels, truffles, dessert sauces, pates de fruits, handmade marshmallows, nut dragée and brownies. A unique option is one of the boxed chocolate collections that you can pair with whiskey, beer and red wine (Gasp...eyes bustin'). Chocoholics can indulge by enrolling in their "Obsession Club" which affords members monthly complimentary shipments of confections for either 3, 6 or 12 months. Whether you purchase one of their $25 or $605 options, when your decadent gift arrives your loved one will feel like a million bucks.

Six Taste: "INDULGENCE" Valentine's Food Tour

Six Taste is a Los Angeles based tour company that specializes in epicurean tours. Their "INDULGENCE" Valentine's Food Tour takes place on February 11, 12, 18 and 19 for $125/person. The pricing includes wine, food and delectibles from each location. This tour will lead you through Beverly Hills for kitchen tours and/or tastings at "Scarpetta, Bar Bouchon, The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, Madame Chocolat, Montage Beverly Hills Lobby Lounge, Coupa Cafe, and Erbe Matte" (destinations vary depending on the date). This tour is for adults 21 and over. Gift certificates for this tour are available on the Six Taste website.