When we arrived at the Italian Institute for Advance Culinary and Pastry Arts in Soverato, Calabria, Italy our first lesson in the classroom with director and chef/owner John Nocita was all about the wonderful world of cheese. He proudly told us that “Italy has the finest produce and our cheeses are at the top of [...]

My love for chocolate started in mom’s baking class, when I would listen in on the lesson. There I would see a box of dark chocolate on the table and, curious to find out more, I would sneak some in the back kitchen and taste them. Talk about indulgence: I would savor every bite until [...]

A great food stylist is you. Tools help, but in the end it is you! – Delores Custer Her years of dedication and the pursuit of perfection is the reason why Delores Custer is an icon in the industry of food styling, making her the most accomplished and highly sought-after by various food industry giants [...]

He liked baking. His job was his hobby and his hobby was his job. — Joe Kleinbach If you can get paid for doing what you love, every paycheck is a bonus. — Oprah Winfrey As the yuletide season begins, the arrival of bazaars and home businesses paves the way for new discoveries, showcasing delicacies [...]

Many aspects of my method are based on my feelings and experiences. For instance, I always give my bird a generous butter massage before I put it in the oven. Why? Because I think the chicken likes it — and, more important, I like to give it. —Julia Child

Christmas is here and as the New Year approaches, I have no doubt that the festivities of the season continue to be celebrated by everyone. Parties, family gatherings, and reunions are what it’s all about. After all, it is the season of joy, where smiles, laughter and warm greetings are exchanged. In our home, Christmas [...]

In my last article I wrote about lengua de gato with egg whites as the main ingredient. What do we do with egg yolks? Very easy: make two popular Spanish desserts, yema and and leche flan. A large egg can contain about 76 calories with the white having 17 while the yolk has 59. The [...]

A few weeks ago I wrote an article on chocolate crinkles, a perfect gift for the holidays. Since it is homemade, it’s a more personalized gift that comes from the heart, giving it more meaning. When I checked my e-mail, I was surprised to discover more requests for recipes that are excellent giveaways, either to share [...]

Every third Thursday of November, Americans rush home and gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, a tradition that started in 1621 when the European settlers shared a meal with the Native Americans, showing their gratitude for helping them get through the harsh winter season. The meal itself consists of cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes with [...]

With money anyone can offer succulent dishes and famous wines, but courtesy and kindness cannot be bought. — Lucien Tendret (1825-1896) French lawyer Last week our family took advantage of the mini break and sought refuge in our vacation house in Tagaytay. Its close proximity to Manila and excellent weather is the perfect setting for a [...]

Halloween is over and Christmas is just around the corner. Last year’s Christmas list is out and ready to be checked or deleted (depends if you were naughty or nice). Since childhood, I have given baked items to close friends and family because I felt that sharing something I made added a more personal touch [...]

Si bon Die ti jette banana, fe’me pas tes yeux, ou’ve ta bouche — Famous proverb in Creole which literally means, “If the Good Lord sends you bananas, don’t close your eyes, open your mouth,” or even more simply, “If joy comes your way, take advantage of it.” The joy of every chef is to [...]