The most important part of being a Lifestylist® is listening. There is always a trend evolving just around the corner from us - we just have to be open to seeing, hearing, and embracing what’s out there.
There is starting to be a lot of talk about “buying local” and this is one of the most promising trends I’ve seen and heard about in years. Finally people are understand that going “semi-homemade” by using over processed, expensive ingredients that might even be from a foreign country may not be the best thing for our health. Not only that but this concept in the long run tends to be more expensive and lacks the taste and nutrition that can be gained by eating locally grown or cooked produce, baked goods, cheeses…. any thing we put into our mouths.
Almost every town has a Farmers Market, and this is a great place to buy right from the farm. The freshness is amazing, the costs are usually more reasonable and you are helping to stimulate the local economy and your senses.If a farmers market isn’t an option, check with your local supermarket and encourage them to not only buy from local farmers, but to identify which products are purchased and grown locally. Wegmans - my favorite grocery store based in Rochester, NY is a great example and I know if I purchase something there it is going to be the freshest available, and they do identify the various farms on many items.
Restaurants are also starting to key in on this trend. Three restaurants that I have gone into the last week or so including one takeout restaurant clearly identified which ingredients were produced locally. We are fortunate to have on of the best cheesemakers in the country here in Dallas and I’ll always purchase any item with cheeses made with Paula Lambert cheese first - I know I’ll be enjoying something worth every calorie.
People are what make or break a trend - the next time you are out hunting for something to eat, support your local economy first and make a difference.
Posted on September 7th, 2008 by lifestylist
Filed under: Chefs, Food, Restaurants | No Comments »
The Lisa love is still out there, and I’ve been getting lots of emails asking where they can get information on Lisa’s apron line and find out what she’s up to.
Nancy Nichols - the delightful food editor at DMagazine has done a great job keeping up with Lisa on her SideDish Blog. She recently wrote about a young fan who drove from Austin to have dinner at Lisa’s restaurant Suze and her experience. I asked Nancy for help on finding a source for the aprons and she recommended visiting Lisa’s CoutureCaviar website. It’s under construction but there is a phone number for more information.
The Dallas social season is about to begin so we’ll be looking forward to seeing Lisa out and about, and hopefully get to sample some of her amazing cuisine in person!
Posted on August 29th, 2008 by lifestylist
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In my opinion she already has. Week after week she has prepared outstanding outstanding dishes that are as beautiful to look at as I am sure they are divine to taste.
I’m really disillusioned with the judging on the Next FoodNetwork Star this season. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the show, the premise is that a group of people, some chefs, some actors, some just foodies have the opportunity to do a bunch of tasks and compete for their own six week show at the end of the competition. The judges keep harping on the contestants “culinary point of view” but after Garza refined her view down to “Beautiful basics” which she has consistently stuck to they still pick on her. The only time I have heard them criticize her food is when she did a mac and cheese in the throwdown with goat cheese in it and Paula Deen said she hated it. I was shocked Paula used such strong verbage about someone’s dish, especially because no reason was given why she didn’t like it or how Lisa could have made it better.
Tonight the final three go at it again, and I can’t wait to see what happens. As a I absolutely love the idea of a show that could teach me better knife skills, prepping suggestions plating tricks etc, and if Food Network doesn’t understand the value of something like this I hope another network will.
Posted on July 20th, 2008 by lifestylist
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I just don’t understand the firestorm around Lisa Garza and the fact that Gasp! she likes to dress well, look professional and act like a manager. Seeing and watching her has made me rethink my image - are “casual days” really such a good thing?
Food Network loves to show the voluptuous Sandra Lee of Semi-Homemade Cooking by Sandra Lee in costumes (I just can’t bring myself to call them just clothes) that have included flowing sleeves dragging in food and long hair swinging freely over the food she’s preparing. There are a few “stars” that could probably use a stylist or new stylist. Sandra Lee got an Emmy nomination for hairstyling? On a food show? I would be so proud.
The one thing that they really didn’t go after Lisa Garza for was her skills and her food. It was the first challenge and she wasn’t eloquent about her “platform” but I’m thinking that will be something that will come.
If you want the truth about Lisa, read what Nancy Nichols at DMagazine has to say. I know and respect Nancy, and trust me she won’t write it if it ain’t so. Nancy is a food critic and has known Lisa for awhile.
No matter what happens in reality land, Dallas knows the real Lisa and will stand behind her. Great food, great style, period. What else do you need?
Posted on June 28th, 2008 by lifestylist
Filed under: Chefs, Food, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Who knew that the foodie capital of the universe would be Rochester, NY? Wegmans has always been a great destination when I visit Western New York, but after visiting their Pittsford flagship store today, I’m having trouble imaging a life without being able to graze through all of their offerings. I’ve lived in NYC, Dallas, and other areas that are considered the places to be for people who worship food, but I have never experienced anything like Wegmans offers, and at great prices as well. The part I love is that what they offer is fresh, can be organic, and instead of going the Semi-Homemade direction with food that is filled with additives and calories, and costs more! I will be purchasing three meals a day there while I am here because there were so many incredible choices I didn’t know were to start.
If you don’t even want to get out of your car you can call ahead and have everything from Raw Shucked oysters at $1.99 each to family combos that can include pizzas, wings, and pop delivered curbside. Offerings include a lamb lollipop, perfect portion cheese burger and a Corn Beef on Rye that will probably be in my future tomorrow because I am a corn beef snob and I’m anxious to put them to the test.
Posted on June 5th, 2008 by lifestylist
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The best thing about living in a neighborhood like Oak Cliff is that it truly is a neighborhood. We have our own bakeries,meat markets,artists,and best of all we have restaurants that serve everything from thick juicy burgers (Hunkys) to vegetarian (Spiral Diner).
I feel very fortunate to be able to drive less than a mile and be able to experience food and dining that I think is some of the best in the US. As a foodie I’ve had some remarkable meals but when I want to “come home” I go to Hattie’s. Imagine an experience where you can feast with your eyes as well as your palette. Hattie’s is an anchor of the Bishop Arts District of Oak Cliff and is a destination not to be missed. The restaurant is very Southern - from it’s hospitality to it’s menu but with a contemporary twist.
The owner is usually there to welcome you, we have fallen in love with Sam who fixes us the best drinks in town (and remembers us the next time we visit and what we love to drink!)and the wait staff has always been very knowledgeable about the menu and generous with their recommendations.
The menu? Heaven on a plate. If you have never sampled Fried Green Tomatoes, this is the place to experience them. I’ve ordered them more times than I care to admit and they have been perfection every time. Even something as simple as the house salad is something to fall in love with, and I have.
Don’t overlook the specials, because they are typically designed around the freshest ingredients available. I went in last week planning on ordering the prerequisite fried green tomatoes and a salad, but after hearing about the Porterhouse steak and bean medley I had to try it. And I wasn’t disappointed -the portions were large enough that I had some to throw some on the grill and enjoy the next day.Call me crazy, but I have decided my personal diet plan is if I am going to put it in my mouth it is going to be something I enjoy and the freshest, best, most favorable item that I can find. Hattie’s makes it easy, and that is one of the reasons I go back as often as possible.
If you aren’t as fortunate as I am to live in the neighborhood you should at least check out their website. The photography is spectacular and it will give you a great excuse to come and visit.
Posted on May 31st, 2008 by lifestylist
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I am so excited that Dallas Superstar Lisa Garza has made it to the finals of The Next Food Network Star!I’ve been fortunate enough to meet her and experience her food, and she not only deserves to be on the show she deserves to win.
The first time that I noticed Lisa it was at a Savor Dallas event that her restaurant was participating in. She has such great style - every time that I’ve seen her it has been with her wearing one of her signature aprons that I love. She just has such a great presence, and seems to understand what it takes to be a public presence. I can’t wait to see the show and see how she does!
Posted on May 30th, 2008 by lifestylist
Filed under: Chefs, Food, Restaurants | 2 Comments »
There’s nothing like a professional stirring up a pot of controversy, and a recent Blog posting by Anthony Bourdain about “talent” at the Food Network has done just that. His witty and insightful comments about the dumbing down of the Food Network have been showing up on Blogs coast to coast so he obviously was expressing an opinion that many share.
His comments about never-a-lifestylist Sandra Lee:
“SANDRA LEE: Pure evil. This frightening Hell Spawn of Kathie Lee and Betty Crocker seems on a mission to kill her fans, one meal at a time. She Must Be Stopped. Her death-dealing can-opening ways will cut a swath of destruction through the world if not contained. I would likely be arrested if I suggested on television that any children watching should promptly go to a wooded area with a gun and harm themselves. What’s the difference between that and Sandra suggesting we fill our mouths with Ritz Crackers, jam a can of Cheez Wiz in after and press hard? None that I can see. This is simply irresponsible programming. Its only possible use might be as a psychological warfare strategy against the resurgent Taliban–or dangerous insurgent groups. A large-racked blonde repeatedly urging Afghans and angry Iraqis to stuff themselves with fatty, processed American foods might be just the weapon we need to win the war on terror.”
And about one of the nicest (and smartest) guys on television today:
“ALTON BROWN: How did Alton slip inside the wire–and stay there all these years? He must have something on them. He’s smart. You actually learn something from his commentary. And I’ll admit it: I watch and enjoy Iron Chef America-in all its cheesy glory. Absolutely SHOCKED and thrilled when guys like Homaru Cantu show up as contestants–and delighted when Mario wins–again and again, forestalling his secretly long-planned execution. His commentary is mostly good. And that collar-bone snapping fall off the motorcycle on Feasting On Asphalt? Good television!”
Bourdain also had great commentary on one of my favorite new shows: Ace of Cakes: “That said, it’s the only “kicky, new, cutting edge, in-your-face” hopeful they’ve managed to trot out of any quality in memory. Hope it lasts. Wait till they try and put the poor bastard on a pony–or do a “Tailgate Special” with the usual suspects. Or a “Thanksgiving Special” where he has to sit down with the bobbleheads and pretend to like it. On balance, it’s still probably the best new project they’ve come up with in a long, long time.”
Trust me, the entire article is a must read for anyone that’s concerned about the culinary crisis in America, or is just in the mood for some great snarking. Great job, Chef Bourdain!
Posted on May 26th, 2008 by lifestylist
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One of the best things about this time of the year is that local offerings are now returning to my local farmers market. The only thing that’s fresher than what comes in every morning to the local produce stalls is what comes out of my garden.
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about both areas. A great way to decide what you want to include in your home garden is by looking at your favorite recipes and put together a list of the ingredients that you’ll need for those. One of my favorite summer dishes is a tomato mozzarella and basil salad or sandwich sprinkled with a great olive oil and an aged balsamic vinegar. You just can’t beat fresh off the vine tomatoes so the first thing that goes in my garden is a few varieties of tomatoes and basil. I also love a great spicy salsa so peppers and cilantro are also on my planting list.
Who knew I could bring my fond memories of my Venice trip back to Texas? I’m heading down to the farmers market tomorrow and I’ll let you know what great seasonal items I can find.
Posted on May 9th, 2008 by lifestylist
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One of my favorite foodie things to do every year is attend the annual Savor Dallas Food and Wine Festival in Dallas. This event grows every year, and this year the Grand Tasting was help on three separate floors - each one offering unique tastings and divine wines and spirits.
My favorite find - a new Grapefruit and Passion Fruit infused vodka that you have to try to believe. I can see this becoming the ultimate brunch beverage, especially on a hot summer day.
For the food offerings I’ll have to go with the offerings that Wolfgang Puck had at the Nasher Sculpture Center. I can see why they are the in-house catering company there - everything they served was a beautiful as it was delicious. This was also the perfect example of why a tasting can be as satisfying if not more than a huge plate of food. I savored every bite of what was shared, and really felt like it was a sensory experience that I can’t wait to do again.
Posted on March 18th, 2008 by lifestylist
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The most important part of being a Lifestylist® is listening. There is always a trend evolving just around the corner from us - we just have to be open to seeing, hearing, and embracing what’s out there.
