Before I was paid to cook, my occupation had absolutely nothing to do with food. To make food my profession, I spent several years watching and learning from some highly regarded chefs and professionals, who taught me plenty. Occasionally, I lament that I should have enrolled in an accredited culinary program, graduated with honors and…
Now that winter is fully upon us, it’s time to recharge with a mug of hot cocoa. Portland offers plenty of spots for warming up with a chocolatey beverage. Alma Handmade Chocolates You might be familiar with this local chocolatier because of its unique 23-karat-gold chocolate icons. But you may not know that Alma is…
Winter’s chill is in the air and changing leaves have mostly fallen from the trees. Soon it will be time to usher in another holiday season. Shortly after we roast the Thanksgiving turkey, it will be time again to light candles for Hanukkah. Entertaining will be in full swing as we invite family and friends…
Portland is fiercely proud of its locally sourced cuisine. That pride extends even to bagels. So, when Colorado-based Einstein Noah Restaurant Group bought the locally owned Kettleman Bagel Company in 2011, customers were dismayed. Bagel mavens no longer had a place to purchase their beloved boiled bagels, as the new owners soon discontinued the kettle-boiling…
It has been just over a year since my family and I moved back to Portland after being gone for nearly 12 years. Moving back to the area felt as comfortable and familiar as slipping into a favorite pair of jeans. This segue in our adventure-filled life was much easier than our past moves to…
Pastry chef Paula Shoyer originally intended to be a doctor or lawyer. “I always loved to bake my whole life,” she explains. “But it never crossed my mind that it would be a profession. No one said to go to culinary school. I went to college to be a doctor and ended up being a…
Shortly before my 50th birthday, I retrieved the daily mail and discovered among the bills an invite from AARP. To my horror, it was addressed to me! It was no mistake. I was officially old! I am a cardholding member of the bona fide baby boomers. A time before letters at the end of the…
When you’re on the go, it’s easy to let healthy eating fall by the wayside. Who has time to cook while braving US 26? Fortunately, Portland boasts a variety of fast food options for the diet-conscious person. Popular local spots offer rice bowls that can be customized to include either meat or milk, or neither….
The last couple of months will go down in the record books as one of the warmest summers the Pacific Northwest has had in some time. While Oregon is typically recognized for an abundance of rain, this summer’s unusual string of consecutive sweltering days makes most of us eager for a more temperate forecast. Although…
Chef Amanda Cohen has been winning accolades for her stunningly creative vegetarian cuisine. On more than one occasion, the Michelin Guide has recognized her New York restaurant, Dirt Candy, for excellence, and Gourmet Magazine calls her cooking “so good it will stop your heart.” Portlanders will soon get a chance to experience Cohen’s culinary magic…
