I think it’s really about the Chocolate?

Yes, we have passed the major holidays and we are in full gear for a day dedicated to your sweetheart. May that be your man or lady. Or may that be rich and velvety chocolate. You can get chocolate anytime and anywhere, and I am sure you do. But chocolate is seemingly more magical on it’s designated day or in moments where you really just need a darn good piece of chocolate to relieve stress.

I enjoy writing for the Poughkeepsie Journal because it has unique food perks! I have gotten free meals, I had had goods shipped to my door, like the Gourmeditbles from The Chocolate Studio in Beacon (see above). I get to experiment and take photos and network with businesses and entrepreneurs locally. And THAT is what truly matters.

I blinked!

I remember sitting in Rochelle’s office brainstorming show topics. In my novice experience this was the first approach to bringing a show to life! It all seemed like it happened years ago too. So much work compressed into a time warp. I always looked forward to the creative calls we had with JJ where he would spew out recipe ideas for the show. My job, was then to bring that to life. I spent evenings and days zipping around finding props, locating butchers and grocers near the set, calling equipment rentals, and finally coming together with my culinary team- who were fabulous! And, I realized after all was said and done that my organized self needs to be even MORE organized, which makes my head spin.

An eight day shoot turned me into a stair hustler, being that the culinary team had a kitchen on the first floor and the set was on second. A “frat boy” apartment was turned totally upside down with speed racks and tables full of props and ingredients thoughtfully placed about the living and dining area. Show labels and recipes were flying all over while equipment was getting misplaced. Certainly controlled chaos, but it felt amazing!

Living By Design Holiday Special Premiere

When I started with PowerHouse Productions in September of this year I had not a clue what I would be exposed to, who I would meet, and what it would be like leading culinary on projects that my bosses and Executive Producers Rochelle Brown and Sonia Armstead produced. I was granted the opportunity to travel to California a few times already to work with them and their team of producers and crew members to create unique content for TVOne. To create memories that cannot be transformed into a better time. To laugh way too much and sleep way too little.

I would love for you to tune in this evening for the premiere of Living by Design Holiday Special with Jake and Jazz Smollett. Every family has a way of recreating the holidays for their families or friends so Jake and Jazz will show you how they create theirs. Their pink speckled wooden tabletop will be covered with champagne and smothered chicken and surrounded by friends (inclusive of some unique guests).

When staging the set and setting up each food segment everything had to be perfect. Herbs were hit with a little extra spritz, veggies were squeaky clean, and the overall organization of ingredients landed on the island in a way that Jake or Jazz could easily determine which one needed to be used next while simultaneously cooking and entertaining the camera. Smothered Chicken and Collards, Pot Roast and a crabby Potato Gratin, and the luscious finale of Peach Cobbler created their perfect holiday meal.

Jake and Jazz Smollett with Singer Ledesi

A Hankering for all Things Apple

Where ever you may be, it’s fall and it’s the best. The air smells cleaner although tinged with the amazing smell of burning wood in the distance. Pumpkins are plump and too heavy to pick and apples are in full bloom. 

What more would you crave than a crispy, airy or cakey apple cider doughnut? What about hot cider to snuggle up with while watching Halloween movies. Or, if you like your cider straight up go for the good stuff! I found that hard cider with a cider doughnut is an undeniably delicious pair. So, Go for it, I’m telling you!

The Hudson valley does it best, and I urge you to take many weekend trips to local orchards and breweries to get your fix. Check out my article in the Poughkeepsie Journal to find the top 5 spots you can get cider doughnuts and it’s counterpart beverage.

Check out my article in the Poughkeepsie Journal! Here you will find all the best places to get your apple cider doughnuts and cider in the Hudson Valley!

What about Straws Again?

Plastic is freaking people out. After taking my sustainable food systems course in college I'm thinking this topic comes in handy for why and how our environment is at moments of failure. It is plastic that we are so dependent on to cut corners.  Disney, American Airlines, Aramark, and soon to be Starbucks are putting the kebosh on plastic straws. The global ocean pollution has put this idea to test after a sea turtle was found with one logged in its nose. 

My thought on banning plastic straws is bringing me hope that more plastic items will be eliminated all-together- utensils, plates/bowls, cups- and so forth. It seems that easy right? I'm slightly odd, because I never like drinking water unless I am super thirsty. But, often, the only time I will drink just to stay hydrated is when I have a straw to use. There is something much more fun and satisfying about drinking through a straw. Straws are convenient and allow for smooth easy drinking. But why couldn't we use paper or metal straws instead? Straws are good for something afterall, and they are one of the smallest delicacies in life. We can drink, while walking, and never have to flinch an eye because those small skinny things can reach the height of our lips without us having to bend our heads all the way back for a gulp.  It’s sometimes the tiniest things that can make the most impact, something like this that can shift change. I'm excited to see how straws may change our industry. I look forward to what's next.