Welcome to the Taste & Savor Blog
A Trip to Italy in May – Sounds Great to Me!
My fellow chef and wonderful friend Hans Rueffert has a trip planned to Italy in May. And here's the good news: You can go too! Take a look at the trip at http://woodbridgeinn.net/pdf/ValbrunaTravel11.pdf

Not Just Your Average Cup of Joe at Nordstrom’s Ebar – Coffee is for Cooking Too! Chipotle-Coffee Rubbed Grilled Chicken
I was tired of standing in line at Starbucks when a friend suggested we head over to the Espresso Bar at Nordstrom for our coffee. That was 4 years ago at Perimeter Mall, and my favorite coffee spot is still the same. Now that Nordstrom, one of my favorite shopping...

Friends Lunch – Easy Creamy Onion Soup
My vote for the best “friend-I-haven’t-seen-in-a-long-time” lunch in Buckhead? Au Pied du Cochon. The décor is spectacular – but the food and service make the meal. The restaurant, located in the Intercontinental on Peachtree is open 24 hours a day, every day of the...

Grilled Lemon Rosemary Chicken Inspired by a Bottle of Pinot Noir
Walking in the door of PH Wine Merchant is like stepping into an wine oasis. The new store in Peachtree Hills is warm, welcoming and definitely different from your run of the mill bottle shop. Owned by Anthony Yambor and Patrick Shippley, it is a partnership based on...

Working Out a Plan for Eating Better
Perfect Post Workout Snack: Nutty Fruit Granola BarsFirst Published in the Buckhead Patch January 28, 2011 http://buckhead.patch.comSo what does a personal trainer have to do with eating? Lots! One of the reasons I love being a chef is the opportunity to motivate...

Green Rice!
I had Green Rice the first time at a small restaurant in New York that specialized in cooking with herbs and spices. It was delicious, and determined to make mine taste as good, I developed this recipe. I substitute half of the cilantro with spinach - which makes it...

Dana G Smith Fund Appreciation Event
Don't you just love folks who care and support the causes they believe in? I had the pleasure of spending an evening with the donors of the Dana G. Smith Fund last week. Buoyed along by the sincere wishes and loving gestures from the attendees, I enjoyed sharing my...

Endless Possibilities – Kids in the Kitchen
Can you believe this food was created by kids from ages 11 - 16? Not only is it beautiful - but delicious. Chef Rosemary Rutland and I had the pleasure of tasting these treats, and many more, while judging the week-ending challenge for Camp at Cooks Warehouse. Chef...

Rhythm and Food
What fun we had with food and music this week! Cancer Wellness at Piedmont Hospital and innovative musician Cindy Stark Reid hosted a creative workshop where participants made instruments out of food - and I used the same fruits and veggies to make lunch! Check out...

Corn is in Season!
This week I had the pleasure of developing recipes for a Lighter Southern Lunch to accompany a reading and book signing by my friend Amanda C. Gable. Her new book, The Confederate General Rides North has garnered her the Georgia Author of the Year Award for First...

Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont Fayette Opens
If you look at our smiling faces, you will know that we were very happy last Thursday night. Just a short drive south from Atlanta, the new Cancer Wellness Center at Piedmont Fayette Hospital celebrated its VIP Grand Opening! Chef Hans and I enjoyed cooking Indian...

Woo Hoo – Time for Watermelon
Here in the South, it’s watermelon season again. Just because watermelon is sweet, juicy and delicious doesn’t mean its just for dessert. One of my excellent cooking assistants has sent me a flavorful and unusual recipe for a watermelon salad. Thanks Bill!Watermelon...

Dinner Tonight – Fast and Delicious!
Just because I'm a chef doesn't mean that I don't have the same issues as everyone at dinnertime. Not enough time, ingredients in my frig and pantry. So for nights like this, I have a solution that both Mike and I love: Tortilla Pizzas. I throw whatever is available...

Flavors of Forysth!
Congratulations to the event planners for the First Annual Flavors of Forsyth! Over 10,000 "Forsyth-ens" enjoyed over 30 restaurants, fun entertainment and crafts at the fun festival last Thursday. The event, held at the attractive open-air Avenues of Forysth,...

Saint Joseph’s Heart Day for Women
Last Saturday, some caring folks from Saint Joseph’s Hospital’s Heart Center for Women held a wonderful event at Saint Joseph’s Mercy Services downtown. Free cardiac screening and lots of great information for participants – including yoga, nutritional counseling, a...

Beauty and Bubbly, Oh My!
What's better than Trish McEvoy cosmetics, tiny pink cupcakes, wonderful makeup artists and fizzy wine? Nothing! And you can see that from the gorgeous faces of the Pink Heals women who attended last Tuesday. Thanks much to fun and talented artists Wendy and Rober'!

Fun in Portland at the IACP Conference
I am finally getting a chance to slow down for a moment and visit my pictures and paraphernalia from the IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Conference in Portland, Oregon. Here's some of the fun pictures from the street food culture in downtown...

Splendid Spring Salads and Gentle Yoga
Wow! Take a look at that hand action in the salad bowl. I'd call that a real salad spinner:) We had a great time at Cancer Wellness with Salad and Yoga. A group of graceful yogis and instructor Angela Buttimer joined me for a lunch of crisp spring salads. I'll feature...

Chocolate Chile Powder
How much fun to have been in the kitchen when this spicy delight was whipped up. What a great idea - the marriage of deep dark chocolate and smoky chipotle. How to use it? This week's Friday Four Gluten Free Chocolate Chile Cake is one great idea - but the...

Scattered, Smothered and Covered…
I betcha didn’t know there was a Waffle House Museum. A tribute to all the scattered, smothered and covered that have been eaten?I have a fond spot in my heart for this roadside favorite, having eaten Christmas dinner there in1993. (Long story, trust me.) So, I was...