Stanford Inn By the Sea: A Deliciouos Taste of Wellness and Sustainability at the Only Vegan Hotel in North America
By Margaret McSweeney |

Monica Rothgery: Lessons from the Drive Thru
Monica Rothgery, former COO of KFC US, part of Yum Brands, shares inspiring lessons about excellence along with surprising insights into fast food kitchens. Monica’s recent book, “Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders” goes beyond optimal team management practices and provides great advice for everyone who is pursuing excellence in their…

Executive Pastry Chef Riccardo Menicucci: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality at Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel
Thanks to Executive Pastry Chef Riccardo Meniccuci and his team, Beverly Wilshire is a sweet destination, especially during Oscars Week. This year’s amenities included a film projector made of Valrhona Manjari, a luxury chocolate, in addition to a thoughtfully designed and braided croissant representing the team of talented people required to create a film. And…

Chef Alice Waters – Queen of the Garden Encore
As we await the beautiful produce that will soon be arriving at our Farmer’s Markets, I thought it would be a good time to celebrate Spring with this encore piece featuring Alice Waters. Always remember to take a moment and Savor the Day! Chef Alice Waters is a counterculture culinary hero who has helped pioneer the…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…