Throughout history there have been many epic battles— Concord, Waterloo, Gettysburg, Normandy, The Battle of the Bulge, The Thrilla in Manilla, and The Rumble in the Jungle On Thanksgiving Day at my home there will be another epic battle. This skirmish has been fought every year for the past 23 years. It’s a conflict not [...]

“What is your most memorable meal?” Whether I am answering email, fielding questions after a speech, or just carrying on a conversation with someone, that is the question I am asked most often. It’s a hard question to answer, mainly because the reply changes so often. It’s not that I’m wishy-washy when it comes to [...]

The old adage states there are two things that are certain in life, death and taxes. In the South, the certainty goes a step further. If there is a death, there will be food, and lots of it. Southern ladies band together when there is a casualty among the ranks. The casserole committee goes on [...]

As of today, I am a little over three weeks removed from a tortuous month of veganism. I chose the month of September to endure that particular dietary agony for two reasons: 1.) It’s a month with only 30 days 2.) Halloween is in October Even at 49 years old, I associate Halloween with chocolate. [...]

“My employees almost blew up a wedding.” That was my response when someone asked me about my brief stint in the catering business. I’m not talking about “blew up” in the sense that we almost “blew it” by losing a layer off of the groom’s cake. No. We almost annihilated the entire house and the [...]

Women are beginning to lead the way in the culinary world. It all started with Julia Child. When she came along, only male chefs were considered “legitimate” in an upscale professional kitchen. Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse in Berkley, took it a step further bringing local cuisine to the forefront. My favorite restaurants in other [...]

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians who [...]

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians who [...]

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians who [...]

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians who [...]