Milken Institute

I had the great privilege to be chosen to do a book signing for the Milken Institute Global Conference a few weeks ago. They had a gorgeous walk around “Wine Tasting Passport Night” at Two Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Copies of Vanilla Table, wine tastings and little tastes were offered at the iconic Jimmy Choo right there on Rodeo Drive – it was VERY tempting to try on a pair or two! Michael Aust from Barnes & Noble Santa Monica helps with books as I chat with Milken speakers and guests. An absolutely delightful evening!

The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank determined to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. We do this through independent, data-driven research, action-oriented meetings and meaningful policy initiatives. 

East Coast Vanilla Adventures

 

Finale bow of all the Gala Dinner Chefs, assistants and support staff. Much applause to the very entertaining hosts Carla Hall of The Chew and Gail Simmons of Top Chef. Three team secret ingredient chef throw down. Anita Lo’s team won first two and Sherry Yard’s team won hands down making 2 cooked dessert dishes in 20 minutes! The lovely Chef Lynne Ryan serves.

Beautiful ladies Rochelle Huppin and Barbara Lazaroff pose for the camera at #WRC2015. Surbhi Sahni of Bittersweet serves her modern Indian inspired dishes.

Two inspiring pastry chefs Claudia Fleming and Sherry Yard. Michael Crowell and Lesley Hill from Hawaii. They provided fresh heart of palm for the Hearts of Palm & Papaya Salad I was preparing for the appearance later today at the Time Warner cable channel - The Woman’s Connection.

The lucky person Natasha getting the last copy of Vanilla Table Book signed by Chef Natasha.

Post taping tasting with Barrie-Louise Switzen from The Women’s Connection.

Penn Station. Training up the coast next stop Boston.

Gill and I dine at Back Bay’s Mistral – yes that is actually a pizza!

First of the season pea ravioli in roasted chicken broth and divine salmon!

Off to the Coop at Harvard and VT is in the front window! A warm intro in this most hallowed hall that is Harvard … had a few piano and singing lessons in this most revered University! Harvard grad student Alexa all grown up sits in on the vanilla talk.

I always wanted to go to MIT – and here we are Vittorio Paone and I surrounded by vanilla, lavender and books in the café bon appétit at MIT. NormanVan Aken’s Spicy Pineapple – Vanilla Marinated Fish and my Crispy Cornflake Chicken from VT are a hit!

Exciting buzz at Volante Farms in Needham where I teamed up with Meagan McNeill of Nashoba Valley Extract Co. who makes local bespoke pure vanilla extracts. Resisted the scratch donuts and bakery treats but had to take a photo! Head chef Todd gave us a tour and taste of the 80 local cheeses, handcrafted cider syrup and countless local products at Volante. Gill and I finished our visit with a few hero sandwiches so worth the wait!

The NYC Bakery Crawl

During the WCR Conference this past weekend Sherry Yard had a mission, so joined by myself and Pichet Ong we left the lights of Times Square and headed on our bakery crawl, first quick stop FIKA NYC to look at the Swedish cardamom buns, chocolates and coffee. Next stop Dough Brooklyn for a dozen donuts for her WCR cooking team in tasty flavors including passion fruit, hibiscus and lemon meringue. Then to the beautiful mecca of Breads Bakery – eyes lit up gazing at cases of Danish inspired breads, sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and more! Talented and gracious Baker/Pastry Chef and Owner Uri Scheft shared some of his delicious perfectly crafted creations including not too sweet poppy seed danish, swiss muesli rolls and spinach and feta-filled burekas. This palace of perfection pastries and breads must be visited again and again.

Omnivore Books on Food

A clear crisp San Francisco day. Looking for a latte I wandered into Samovar Tea – had the most gorgeous handmade Chai warmed in large beaten copper pots. Daniel explained the nuances of each blend of tea and sampling the turmeric, pepper and licorice blend I was invigorated!

Lunch at the iconic Zuni Cafe on Market Street – each dish perfectly served, seasoned and eaten, I cannot wait to return!

Omnivore bookstore originally a butcher shop in the 40s still has the massive scale overhead and the redwood lined cold room which is truly 10 degrees cooler than the shop. Now a cookbook treasure trove  tucked into every nook and cranny, Omnivore celebrates new and antique food books from the Pitcairn Islands to New York, Iceland and London! A foodie must visit destination!

Santa Monica Farmer’s Market

Thanks to all who visited the Vanilla Table at Santa Monica Farmers Market on April 8, including Heilala Vanilla who had vanilla beans displayed. Special thanks to Laura Avery and her super assistant Ben!

Top Left (clockwise): With good friend and Chef Malika Ameen visiting all the way from Chicago – Here with Chef Josiah Citrin, Chef/Owner of the two Michelin Star Award winning restaurant, Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica. You can find his recipe in Vanilla Table as one of the legendary chefs who contributed to the book that is all about Vanilla! – Here with Rochelle Huppin who decorated with her vintage tablecloths! A Chef contributor to Vanilla Table.

IACP 2015 Washington D.C.

IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) –80 Cakes for Jacques Pépin cake celebration - March 27

Next year IACP's conference in LA 2016

Pure Vanilla Layer Cake in the Washington Post

US Release of Vanilla Table

Vanilla Table: The essence of exquisite cooking from the world’s best chefs has now officially hit the shelves and is available to buy at bookstores and online at Amazon.com. With its rich and familiar scent, vanilla has a place in every cook’s kitchen.  It often evokes memories of childhood favorites cookies and cakes warm from the oven. Yet beyond these nostalgic noshes, vanilla is a versatile and surprising ingredient in an enormous array of dishes - both sweet and savory.

Omnivore Books on Food Events

With the help of 33 outstanding chefs, who have each contributed a 'vanilla plate' to Vanilla Table, international chef Natasha MacAller has created a truly global compendium of vanilla expertise, showcasing this most exotic and yet everyday spice in over 100 vanilla dishes, sweet and savory. Please come join us for the book signing and if you would like a signed copy of a book from our event, but are unable to attend, just call the shop at (415) 282-4712, we’ll be happy to take care of it for you.Omnivore Books Saturday, April 11 • 3-4 p.m. FREE

In addition, please check out David Lebovitz, one of the chefs from Vanilla Table, as he has a book signing on April 3, for My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories.  Finally, a good friend of Natasha’s and Sherry Yard’s - Mindy Segal - is having her book signing on April 10 (the day before the Vanilla Table signing).  Mindy's new book is Cookie Love: 60 Recipes and Techniques for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary. Omnivore Books

A Whirlwind Event

It has been an absolutely breathtaking whistle stop visit to London. The last #lovevanilla event at Madeleine’s Cake Boutique hosted by the generous and very talented owner Lisa Martini was a whirlwind event. Kathy Kordalis had vanilla tastes flying out of the kitchen while guests satisfied their vanilla curiosity with dishes both sweet and savoury. Thank you all for coming to our Vanilla Table UK! See you soon in Washington DC.

Photos by Little London Whispers

London Launch Day!

It began with a delicious jolt of espresso-resisting the idea of adding frothed green milk in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, instead choosing to wear green earrings. Checked the vanilla panna cotta shot glasses: all set beautifully! First of the season rhubarb plus fresh ginger, lime and vanilla pods for gazpacho to top the panna cotta: tick! Vanilla Sauce whisked into submission for the tartine, then to the Organic Walnut and Parmesan Shortbread Stars. Like Santa’s to do list, we checked off the array of bags, boxes, platters and the vital toolkit-off to the heart of London’s Piccadilly Circus to spread the vanilla word! Waterstones Piccadilly coordinator Mark transformed the scone and flat whites café into an elegant candlelit bistro as we set up.

With great help from fellow chef and friend Kathy Kordalis we got the tasting platters organized and Jessica set up the science of vanilla memory experiment and I extolled the virtues, science, history and my love for this power behind the throne of fragrance and flavor … VANILLA. Chef, food writer, my gorgeous friend and cheerleader PETER GORDON (who wrote the Vanilla Table foreword) sat front row with colleagues and friends from Kopapa and The Providores for the vanilla show! With glasses of Proseco we shared tastes of Rhubarb Gazpacho with Vanilla Panna Cotta, Smoked Salmon Tartine drizzled with Vanilla Seed Sauce and The Walnut Parmesan Stars. Not a bite left and every single book was sold and signed! A fantastic evening spent in London!

UK Release of Vanilla Table

Vanilla Table: The essence of exquisite cooking from the world’s best chefs has now officially hit the shelves and is available to buy at all good bookshops and online at Amazon.co.uk. With its rich and familiar scent, vanilla has a place in every cook’s kitchen.  It often evokes memories of childhood favorites cookies and cakes warm from the oven. Yet beyond these nostalgic noshes, vanilla is a versatile and surprising ingredient in an enormous array of dishes - both sweet and savory.

Teaching a Class at Leiths

Be it teaching, coaching or collaborating I always find great joy in discovering and learning something new from students, apprentices, peers and my teachers. Teaching a vanilla class at Leiths cookery school last week I asked students to think about what they would create with vanilla salt. A little voice in the fourth row stage right chirped up and said, “I use vanilla salt each morning in my porridge. I like salt and I like vanilla.” Done! A brill yet simple idea! I joyfully learned something new to do with vanilla.

Madeleine’s Cake Boutique Event

Come and join International Chef, Natasha MacAller for a delicious evening of tastings and talk about all things Vanilla! With its fragrant and captivating scent, it is a must-have in every kitchen, and the ways it can contribute to your dishes are endless and often surprising. Vanilla Table is a culinary celebration of all things vanilla. From sweet to savoury, she will share her experiences and take you on a journey to discover the many wonders of one of the most amazingly versatile ingredients in your pantry.

Lisa Martini, Director, Madeleine's Cake Boutique

Monday 23rd March • 6.30-8 p.m.Madeleine’s Cake Boutique 397 Upper Richmond Road West London, SW14 7NX

To reserve a place, please contact Lisa Martini in store or call: T: 0208 878 6194 M: 07787 600 329

Free parking is available at Waitrose opposite for a limited time period.

80 Cakes

I’m so honored to have been asked to make a cake for IACP’s “80 Cakes Tribute” to celebrate Jacques Pepin’s 80th birthday. The IACP (International Association of the Culinary Professionals) 2015 conference opening reception in Washington DC, Friday, March 27, 2015 celebrates this most iconic, talented and generous chef with a stunning visual display of cakes created by 80 pastry chefs. I’ll be donating my "Pure Vanilla Layer Cake" from Vanilla Table for the opening reception to be included in the auction for the IACP Culinary Trust. I am thrilled to be a part of the celebration and humbled by Jacques’ breathtaking quote on the cover of Vanilla Table. Beaucoup de Mercis, Jacques and Joyeux Anniversaire! “You expect vanilla in a Hazelnut Bavarois or a Tarte Tatin, but in the Vanilla Table you discover that ingredient in Vanilla Lacquer Duck Leg and Slow-Roasted Oxtail Pot Pies. These are exotic combinations that will expand your culinary palate and titillate your taste buds in a new way. Natasha MacAller teaches us how wonderful, aromatic vanilla can take the mundane to the memorable.” Jacques Pépin, chef, cookbook author and PBS-TV cooking show host

Waterstones Picadilly London Event

Come hear International Chef, Natasha MacAller talk about all things Vanilla! With its fragrant and captivating scent, it is a must-have in every kitchen, and the ways it can contribute to your dishes are endless and often surprising. Vanilla Table is a culinary celebration of all things vanilla. From sweet to savoury, soup to nuts, Natasha will share stories and take you on a journey to discover the many wonders of one of the most amazingly versatile ingredients in your pantry. You will taste a few sweet and savoury treats!

Tuesday, 17th March • 6:30 p.m. In the Mezzanine Cafe at Waterstones Piccadilly 203 - 206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD

To reserve a place, please contact the store on: 020 7851 2400 or email piccadilly@waterstones.com

Let Them Eat Cake

Gesine Bullock-Prado, one of the chefs from Vanilla Table, has just released a new book, Let Them Eat Cake: Classic, Decadent Desserts with Vegan, Gluten-Free & Healthy Variations: More Than 80 Recipes for Cookies, Pies, Cakes, Ice Cream, and More! Gesine wrote this book with everyone in mind. She wanted to provide a resource for bakers who are often hamstrung when confronted by the need to modify recipes for dietary restrictions. Available for purchase at Amazon.com

Awards Season

The International Association of Culinary Professionals has announced its 2015 IACP Award Finalists, which focus on the year's best food writing — from cookbooks to videos to journalism.  A few of the chefs from, Vanilla Table are finalists – Rose Levy Beranbaum, The Baking Bible, David Lebovitz, My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories, Christine Manfield, Dessert Divas and Yotam Ottolenghi, Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London's Ottolenghi. The Winners will be announced during IACP’s 37th annual conference in Washington, DC on Sunday, March 29, 2015. Congratulations chefs!

Vanilla Table Book – Giveaway

A Glug of Oil is delighted that the lovely people over at Jacqui Small Publishing are giving one lucky reader of this blog the chance to win a copy of this lovely book – 21 days left to enter. Please visit A Glug of Oil.com to find out the details.*

*Please note the prize – one copy of the book Vanilla Table, can only be sent to the UK only.

Milo & Olive

My favourite go to local – Milo & Olive a neighborhood bakery and pizzeria that is now twice the size. Smiles and delicious food all around! The lovely operations manager Anastasia was working at the new expansive counter on Saturday morning and chatted with a great friend, Chuck Craig and I, while we enjoyed a whole wheat mascarpone-blueberry iced cake, the apple kouign amann and Luxxe coffee. Our server Sarah was a delight – we will return again and again! Milo & Olive serves a menu of fresh baked morning pastries and bread, wood fired pizzas, farmers-market inspired salads and small plates in a very intimate and warm environment. Milo & Olive