Featuring Patty Purpur de Vries. One of the highlights of my career at Stanford Health Care, was interacting and collaborating with some of the most brilliant and gifted people. Patty Purpur de Vries, was one such person – the epitome of seva.
Luxembourg played host to Expogast 2022, a three-day culinary event this week. There are insufficient words to describe my emotions when I received the invitation.
Giving is one way that I express my vision for a better world. And, giving is liberating! This season I was reminded, yet again, about why giving matters.
Luxembourg is small, yet I find that there is always some new surprise awaiting me. And true to form, I recently discovered a hospitality gem, called Mama Shelter. Its warm quirkiness was unusually attractive.
Thanksgiving is a holiday designed to bring people around food. What an excellent opportunity to show gratitude while re-writing old traditions.
Food Fashion is about flavors, textures, colors, ingredients, and techniques. But it is design that brings these elements together. Food is made fashionable by a chef’s ability to tell a story, using visceral imagery.
I am fascinated with the emergence of Food Fashion. The next big question to ask is: How climate-smart are we about the food we eat?
Food is as much about the art, design, textures, colors, ingredients, and techniques, as is apparel fashion. I call this Food Fashion!
My explorations to discover different cuisines is an avocation. Recently, I had the pleasure of revisiting a charming Scandinavian establishment that merits attention.
Our recent summer travels to visit family would be incomplete without acknowledging the fruitful art of backyard gardening! Not only did we enjoy our time in Michael’s garden, but also the incredibly fresh produce that we were served.
The Royal Britannia arrived in Hong Kong in late October, 1986. Only a few days after its arrival, I would be visiting the ship to meet Queen Elizabeth, in person.
Meet Kiran Sukhani, fashion stylist, runway model, nutritionist, entrepreneur and mother – all titles of which she is immeasurably proud. But there are also sashes and crowns that must be acknowledged….Mrs. India and Mrs. Universe 2018!
Collaboration is essential to us. It has always been a huge part of me, especially when it concerns food. Whether it is a new dish or a classic, a forgotten ingredient or a fresh discovery, it is the coming together in a global community that I truly relish.
I celebrated my birthday in Paris, at 6 Michelin Starred Chef Yannick Alléno’s, Pavillon Ledoyen. I am a huge fan of Alléno. So, you can imagine my thrill.
My introduction to oysters was in Hong Kong on my 16th birthday. As a teenager you feel “the world is my oyster!” Little did I realize the oyster would become a huge part of my world.
Of the amazing regional cuisines in France, Provence stands out as a favorite. And from the provincial capital of Marseille comes a well-known, and sometimes under-appreciated soup.
“There are friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life.” (Anonymous) Such is the law of impermanence.
La Chèvre d’Or has been described as a “unique ‘diva’, timeless, a jewel sparkling above the Mediterranean.” It is designed for wellness and oozes with ease.
As I celebrate a milestone wedding anniversary in Milan, I cannot help but see a connection between the beauty of youth and the buzz of age. Milan is a city steeped in history, and perhaps past its prime. Yet, Milan is teeming with life.
Summer is just around the corner. That means firing up the grill for a summer barbecue. If you are the designated “grill master” in your family or neighborhood, here’s an idea that may inspire you…consider an Indian barbecue.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Thankfully, we have numerous resources to empower us to care for our own mental health and well-being.
We all think of Spring as a time for “cleaning”. But I like to think of it as a time for “cleansing”. A refreshing re-start to welcome the new season.
In our ceaseless pursuit of life, it is worth pausing to reflect on what Easter truly means. A message of real hope.
I am inspired to do something fun and fresh this Easter; to play with some alternative ways to enjoy our Easter meal and celebration. I call it “Easter Lite”.
All of us leave a remnant as we impact our own communities. It is that trace, that thread, which I look to uncover. There are always possibilities for discovery of my own hidden potential.
Exploration should present a sense of the surreal. I certainly experienced moments of marvel and awe during my week in Marrakech.
As I prepared for an excursion to Morocco, I felt a sense of exploration. Discovery comes when we pursue exploration. You needn’t book a flight to become an explorer!
How’s your relationship with the aubergine (“eggplant”)? Each of us likely has had a love/hate relationship with the aubergine over time. But there is much more to this versatile vegetable…
What a treat to attend the “10×6 Women: Leaders’ Role Models” seminar earlier this week. The packed audience heard an amazing group of female leaders – true role models.
I recently had the pleasure to co-host another online session of Vegan-Vegetarian Kitchen, produced by Healing Our Earth. The experience could best be described as sharing the art of nourishment.
Valentine’s Day is a day for showing affection and appreciation. Yet, it tends to be a contentious holiday. So, I decided to take a survey…
February 1st, 2022 marks the Chinese Lunar New Year – the year of the Tiger! It is most significant and momentous in China and revered across the Asian culture.
Taking a quiet “walk” through the past year allows me to pinpoint where I’ve been clever or careless, confident or cautious. Self-reflection illuminates our strengths and weaknesses.
I recently had the privilege of being a guest panelist on ‘Healing Our Earth’, a global platform designed to bring community together around healthy eating.
When I awoke one morning earlier this week, I was greeted by the first snowfall of the year. A sure sign that it is the season to feast on raclette.
Christmas gives us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the important things and people in our lives. I hope some of my own reflections on Christmases past will inspire you.
Tuesday, November 30th is “Giving Tuesday”, a worldwide celebration of generosity. To give is the true essence of hospitality. So, I wanted to share about why and how I give.
On my recent excursion to Rome, I had the enviable pleasure to visit some of its best restaurants. I came away convinced that Italian cuisine is what really illuminates this amazing city. Roma is indeed where the stars shine, Michelin or not.
When it comes to Thanksgiving it’s all about giving thanks. My natural instinct is to show gratitude through my food, so I continued my ritual of enhancing the Thanksgiving menu as the years progressed.
When it comes to holiday cooking, I am a chef who anticipates the challenge. Thanksgiving, in particular, is not only an occasion to come together around food, but it is an opportunity to make old traditions new.
One of the most challenging aspects in my hospitality career was inclusivity. Would my peers accept a young, Indian, female chef?
With the myriad of holidays coming up, Diwali is one of the most festive. Anyone who has participated in Diwali celebrations will have their own definition of what it means to them. Defining Diwali is not a simple matter, as it is as diverse as the Indian culture.
Summer is over, the trees are in their splendor and the autumn chill is upon us. And that means it’s time for mussels.
It is a distinct pleasure to have eaten in many Michelin starred restaurants over the years. An even greater distinction is that I have probably been allowed entry into more Michelin starred kitchens than most normal dining guests.
This is my adaptation of my grandmother’s mango pickle recipe. It was one of those formative moments which inspired me in writing my first book. Mango pickles are a magnificent accompaniment with Indian cuisines.
The cappuccino is an iconic drink and my favorite coffee whether morning, afternoon or evening. I am crazy for cappuccinos not only because it is a treat to the eyes, but it conjures up a unique sense of well-being. There is something about the clever combination of froth and espresso, brewed just right, that makes me go wild.
Every woman should have a wardrobe of fragrances. It seems almost obligatory that the fragrances we wear reflect both the occasion and our emotions.
I’ve been privileged to have enjoyed oysters from around the world, which I thought I would share with other oyster lovers. Here are some of my favorites.
It is a rare for common street food to be celebrated. But never underestimate the little guy. This is a story of how the little known and often under-appreciated pani puri went from ancestral recipe to a Michelin star menu. Hopefully, it will inspire you to reach back to some of your favorite foods and share them, like I did.
When you love what you do, then it should come as no surprise that your work eventually evolves into a way of living. Looking back on my 30-year career in the hospitality field, I now recognize that service was not a job as much as a way of living. Hospitality is my lifestyle!
