Margaret’s Blog - Upfront and Personal

Follow Margaret with her up close and personal stories of her life, events and the adventures she has with her friends and family.

Margaret's Blog - Upfront and Personal

Follow Margaret with her up close and personal stories of her life, events and the adventures she has with her friends and family.

Sandra Gutierrez: The Julia Child of Latin American Cuisine

“Latin American Cuisine is like a house. I see Mexico as the front door with all the dishes we are most familiar with. But once you open and walk through that door, you can see twenty other kitchens full of food, vibrancy and amazing ingredients.” Sandra Gutierrez Sandra Gutierrez and I met in the White…
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Chef Florian V. Hugo: A Passion for Notre Dame and French Cuisine

“Everything changes. The only thing that remains immovable across the centuries and fixes the character of a people is cooking.” Victor Hugo The Cathedral de Notre Dame holds a special place of legacy for Chef Florian V. Hugo and for me. Chef Florian is the great great great great great-grandson of the literary maestro Victor…

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Wyatt Russell: Savor the Sip with Lake Hour Sparkling Cocktail

“Savor the Day” is the tagline of my life. It’s a reminder to find and live your joy while connecting with family and friends. The multi-talented Wyatt Russell exemplifies how to “Savor the Day” and savor the sip with his approach to life and work. In addition to his athletic and acting careers, Wyatt is…

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Nancy Brinker: Leading the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer

“Find a great need in a near edge and act upon it to make a difference” as my father always encouraged. This has proven to be a powerful recipe for action, especially for Nancy Brinker, a three-time Ambassador and New York Times best-selling author, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She launched two impactful charitable…

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Lidia Bastianich: A Celebration of Family and Food

What a joy it was to take Kitchen Chat on the road recently to New York’s famed Becco and sit down with Lidia Bastianich in celebration of the publication of her sixteenth cookbook! Time with Lidia, a multiple Emmy and James Beard Award winning public television host, author, entrepreneur and fellow member of Les Dames…

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A Kitchen Chat with Great American Family and Hallmark Star, Jen Lilley and Adua Ring

‘Tis the Season for giving. Jen Lilley’s heart for children has turned into an unexpected fundraising effort to provide 25,000 toys to children around the globe. Christmas is Not Cancelled is in its third year of bringing joy to the world. The deadline for donations is December 9, 2023. However, you can always donate next…

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Sophisticated Fun with Chef Michael Mignano, Executive Chef and Culinary Director at The Pierre

“Sophisticated Fun” is the mantra for Chef Michael Mignano, Executive Chef/Culinary Director at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel. Since 1930, this iconic hotel has defined “timeless New York City luxury,” and Auguste Escoffier was the opening chef and designer of the original kitchen. Chef Mignano continues this outstanding legacy of luxury and hospitality at The…

Happy National Butter Day!

Life is just better with butter. It is truly a scrumptious taste of luxury. According to Chef Michael Mignano, Executive Chef/Culinary Director at The Pierre New York, a Taj Hotel, “the height and element of luxury to Karl Lagerfeld was buttered toast.” To celebrate The Met Gala in 2023 which honored Karl Lagerfeld, Chef Mignano…

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Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality The Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel

Welcome to the new Kitchen Chat series called A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality. In this first episode, we will visit The Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel. This iconic place has defined luxury and hospitality since 1930 in New York City. The culinary history is epic in that Auguste Escoffier, known as the…

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Cliveden House: A Taste of English History

Nestled amongst 370 acres of gardens and grounds is the grandeur of the historic Cliveden House. Originally built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham, the last owner was William Waldorf Astor who rebuilt the estate to what it is today. The National Trust is the owner of Cliveden House which is now a breathtaking…