tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-183605 2012-08-16T15:56:22-07:00 I write professionally about food and drink, spicy goodies, catering tales of woe, and what it's like to run around the Bay Area with Anthony Bourdain. TypePad tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834528fba69e201676951955f970b 2012-08-16T15:56:22-07:00 2012-08-21T09:02:05-07:00

Images courtesy of Pamela Palma Photography “I want to live here!” was the most squealed phrase at the Herbivoracious cookbook event for Michael Natkin at the aptly named Cookhouse venue. The crowd settled into a light filled room and many...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d834528fba69e2017617200a91970c 2012-08-09T11:37:26-07:00 2012-08-09T11:42:11-07:00

Where were you when San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee proclaimed today to be officially all about Machine Coffee & Deli (1024 Market at 6th, San Francisco)? His presence at the ribbon cutting added business-nerdy flair to the opening of the...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-56682151 2008-10-07T13:23:28-07:00 2008-10-07T13:23:28-07:00

Usually I get emails from folks who are considering going into cooking, attending cooking school, or something similar. I almost always respond. Recently I received a polite request for advice from a woman hoping to become a nutritionist. Here's what...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-55371140 2008-09-09T10:27:15-07:00 2008-09-09T10:27:15-07:00

Seems like almost every culinary event or upscale market is stocked with gorgeous and tasty heirloom tomatoes. With so many varieties to choose from, it can be delish fun but perhaps a bit overwhelming for consumers. No need to be...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-55162574 2008-09-04T20:28:53-07:00 2012-07-16T16:35:27-07:00

Happy Birthday, Bi-Rite & Delfina! I did prep work today for the upcoming 18th Street Block Party, happening in SF on Saturday. Jennifer Biesty was the boss, and we worked at Charles Phan's new gorgeous and huge commissary kitchen. 18th...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54930730 2008-08-30T21:33:43-07:00 2008-08-30T21:33:43-07:00

Slow Food celebrates "food that is good, clean and fair." These honey samples looked and tasted good. Other foods on offer at Fort Mason today at times took as long as forty five minutes to get. Thankfully, the Native Foods...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54858378 2008-08-28T20:45:25-07:00 2012-07-16T16:37:53-07:00

CHEF BROTHER MENTION ALERT! My brother Josh Ladd is now the Executive Sous Chef at the Claremont Resort. I gave a him a few months to settle in before visiting Jordan's Restaurant. Jordan's is more fancy and elegant than the...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-54068584 2008-08-11T21:11:06-07:00 2012-07-16T16:40:24-07:00

Work Date of Sunday, August 3, 2008 Event Description: Litquake fundraiser with light refreshments for approximately 200-250 guests. All food to be served at room temp until 10 p.m. or when food runs out. Guests arrive at 7:00 pm, show...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-53408816 2008-07-28T15:56:14-07:00 2008-07-28T15:56:14-07:00

Sometimes, guests are having so much fun that they forget the specified end time of a dinner or party. Or that, beneath their smiles, the hosts may be really tired and aching for some R&R. What to do? Serving coffee...

Mary tag:typepad.com,2003:post-52510314 2008-07-10T11:22:00-07:00 2008-07-10T11:22:00-07:00

On a recent morning, my chef brother Josh treated us to some homemade breakfast burritos. We were staying at his place in Benicia to visit relatives in from New Zealand. It was a zippy, filling, tasty way to start the...

Mary