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.

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…
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Kitchen Chat – Chef Jeramie Campana and Wild Asparagus Catering

This former Coast Guard Chef has a heart for charity and a recipe for cheese puffs that will please any palate! Discover great tips from this catering expert that you can use at home. Meet Chef Jeramie at Taste Takes Flight event for Wings and help support victims of domestic violence. Savor the day!.

Welcome to KitchenChat

Browse recipes and download free episodes of my KitchenChat podcast. Savor the day!.

Kitchen Chat – Fine Wine and Paellas with Marimar Torres

Paella, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Discover delicious recipes and fine wines on this Kitchen Chat with Marimar Torres. Explore Marimar Estate and appreciate the intricacies of winemaking from vine to glass. Pair Marimar’s Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with paellas and tapas from her cookbooks, The Catalan Country Kitchen and The Spanish Table. Savor the day!.

Katie's Cookies

Do you need a last minute idea for a great Valentine’s Day gift from the heart?  Bake a batch of Katie’s Cookies.  Created by my friend, Lynn Gentile and named for my youngest daughter, Katie, these cookies are delicious! Here’s the recipe along with some photos.   Ingredients: 3/4 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup butter…

British Mac and Cheese

Last September, my daughter (Melissa) and I took our first trip together to London. What a delight to discover The Henry Root Cafe in Chelsea with my dear friend, May Wong and her famous cockapoo Darcy. William Donaldson (1935-2005),  an English satirist, created the fictitious Henry Root who wrote and published outlandish letters and requests…

Kitchen Chat – Chef Suzy Singh Pairs Healthy And Delicious with NOW Foods

As R&D Corporate Chef for NOW Foods, Chef Suzy Singh is making healthy eating a flavorful gourmet experience. This Master Chef finalist is creating some great recipes that feature some of NOW Foods products such as Organic Chocolate Macaroon Cupcakes, Spiced Quinoa Pumpkin Risotto and Herbed Carrot Spaghetti with Pine Nuts. Get ready to do…

Exotic Ethiopian Experience

Are you ready for an exotic culinary experience? Then dust off your snow boots and visit Ethiopian Diamond in Chicago. Wafting fragrance clouds of spices, roasting coffee and incense will envelop your senses as you create a new taste memory. What a delightful opportunity to sample the exotic dishes with Chef Almaz (Chef/Owner of Ethiopian…

Kitchen Chat – Ethiopian Cuisine with Chef Almaz

Discover exotic spices and flavors with Chef Almaz, owner and executive chef of The Ethiopian Diamond in Chicago. Learn about the ancient grain Teff used to make injera, an essential part of this cuisine. And since Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, enjoy a virtual coffee ceremony described by Chef Almaz, whose name means Diamond.…

A Sip of Summer

We are all probably feeling a little bit of cabin fever right now. Even the little creatures are restless this winter. Yesterday a squirrel knocked down my door wreath hoping that the fake berries and nuts were real. I felt so sorry for him. Snow foraging would not be fun. On this cold winter day…