Food & Drink

I’ve become fascinated with the backstories behind the recipes I’ve made and the ingredients I’ve worked with. I love to collect and browse old cookbooks, especially those from the 1800s. The great cooks of yesteryear were the ones who knew how to coax optimal flavors from simple ingredients, and in many cases, they had better […]

Did everyone have a great December? I certainly did. It was quite a run of eating and drinking and I have no regrets. Unfortunately, my once roomy jeans are no longer roomy and the ache in my joints is a reminder that there are consequences to my gluttony. As lovely as all those cookies were, […]

There’s nothing more comforting than walking into a house and being greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen. It’s a smell that can bring you a sense of happiness and contentment. Some real estate brokers even contend that the comforting aroma can increase your chances of selling your house. I […]

Of all quintessential holiday flavors, eggnog might be one of the most divisive. Folks either love it or hate it, however it’s hard to argue that this richly spiced and strongly spiked holiday beverage has left an indelible mark on the American holiday tradition. Eggnog is widely believed to be a descendant of posset, a […]

The holidays are a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy delicious food. Unfortunately, far too often, over-ambitious baking and meal preparation turn this joyous time into a stressful kitchen marathon. One year I decided to make a classic pâté en croûte, a terrine of ground pork and duck encased in a pastry […]

I finally got my act together this year and got a head start on holiday baking preparations. Last weekend’s blustery weather practically begged me to bust out the stand mixer, put on some jaunty carols and get to work. I’ve been making holiday treat boxes for friends and family for years and always find myself […]

Five years ago, I attended a book-signing for the highly acclaimed Noma Guide to Fermentation. Noma is a three-Michelin-star restaurant in Copenhagen, considered by many to be one of the world’s best. In his presentation prior to the book signing, Noma’s chef, Rene Redzepi, criticized the restaurant’s two previous cookbooks: Noma: Time and Place in […]

Great food takes time, a commodity that’s in notoriously short supply during the frenetic holiday season. The freezer is a savvy host’s best friend, especially if you’re wanting to wow guests with sumptuous homemade treats. Whether you’re planning ahead for a grand holiday soiree or just want to be prepared for last-minute gatherings, these freezer-friendly […]

A customer recently walked into the wine store where I work. She was looking to pick up a few bottles to take to a dinner party and to stock up for the holidays. As we perused the white wines, I asked what she normally liked to drink. Her responses made it clear that she was […]

I grew up in Arlington Heights, a suburb about 30 miles from Chicago. Depending on traffic, driving downtown could take up to an hour, so our trips into the city were infrequent and usually reserved for special occasions. Once a year for my birthday, my father would take me to one of Chicago’s museums or […]

I’ve been to SCHEELS, and knew that somewhere in the back of my mind the store served soda, coffee and fudge. What I didn’t know is that Ginna’s Café & Coffee at SCHEELS offers a full menu. Indeed, I visited Ginna’s Café & Coffee with a group of friends that goes out for chili once […]