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
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