For the past eleven years we had the “Best Derby Day Gala Ever” right here in the Star City of the South, Roanoke Virginia. Sadly, the Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2020 Derby Day Gala at Rockledge, but we still have lots of very happy memories. I had the honor of serving on our Derby…
Virginia
Spring Is In “Bloom” ~ Wasena Neighborhood~ Roanoke, Virginia
One of the best things about my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia, is our neighborhoods. Wasena neighborhood is an up-and-coming area with fun restaurants. One of my favorite restaurants in Wasena is Bloom. Bloom recently hosted a International Women’s Day Brunch – featuring wine and food pairings. For our aperitif, we chose Apricot Mimosas. On their à la…
Bordeaux Tasting ~ Domaines Barons de Rothschild
In preparation for holiday celebrations, we shared a very special evening with friends who had just returned from a trip to France. With so many holiday parties to attend and gifts to buy, we will all be on the search for wonderful pairing wines to toast the happy holiday occasions. It was in this spirit…
Virginia Spicy Grilled Shrimp and Salsa Verde Dip
I love discovering new foods from Virginia. This week I found a new Virginia Pepper Sauce from Clark + Hopkins. (Available at Wine Gourmet in Roanoke, Virginia or on-line.) https://clark-and-hopkins.myshopify.com/ This recipe does require marinating the shrimp overnight, but it is worth the wait! The sauce ingredients spoke to me…jalapenos, habaneros, peaches and peanut butter…said…
Loving Vermouth ~ Happy Martini Day!
Today (June 19, 2019) is National Martini Day. My friends at T.W. Hollister and Company in Gaviota, California sent me some fabulous vermouth to taste – Oso de Oro dry vermouth and red vermouth. The Hollister homestead has a rich heritage which can be found here: https://twhollister.co/heritage They source the finest ingredients available and wild…
Austrian Wine Dinner ~ Riesling, Gruner Veltliner and Pinot Noir
We were welcomed to the River and Rail Restaurant by Executive Chef Aaron Deal and Klaus Wittauer, founder kwselection Wines from Austria. Our first course was “Brettljause”/Kasekrainer, Alp Blossom Cheese, Fingerling Potato Salad and Smoked Trout Roe and Rye Flour Crackers paired with Anton Bauer, Riesling, Feuersbrunn 2016 – light soft yellow color. On the…
Making My Brand Sparkle With Professional Photography
I love photographs of food! The more colorful and animated the better. When I was just a tiny tot I would sit in my Mom’s kitchen looking at all of the photographs in her cookbooks even before I could read the recipes. I still choose books not by the cover so much as the number…
A Taste Of Naples ~ Margherita Pizza And Negroni di Fortunato
“People who love to eat are always the best people”… Julia Child knew that food brings people together in the best way possible. Now we have a new fun and delicious way to bring people together in Roanoke, Virginia. Tour Roanoke recently announced that they will add A Taste Of Naples at Fortunato in Roanoke,…
Holiday Appetizer Recipes + Fried Deviled Eggs!
Last week my bubbly friend and I attended a spectacular cooking class at the Shenandoah Club in Roanoke, Virginia. Chef Roger Light shared his favorite holiday appetizer recipes with us. Crawfish Cornbread This cornbread is a fabulous appetizer and would also be a delicious stuffing to serve beside your Thanksgiving turkey. 1 onion, diced…
Bartender My Drink Is On Fire! Fun Facts About Vodka
Shane Lumpp, Bar Manager, River and Rail Restaurant, Roanoke, VA, presented “Cocktails 101” on Sunday evening. One of my favorite parts of the class was when Shane set the citrus peel garnish for the Cosmopolitan on fire. He explained that he always has a purpose for the garnish, it is not just for looks. Lighting…
