Category: food
All Kinds of Goodness at Ashley Mac’s
Lots of people want to make a living doing what they love. Ashley McMakin made that dream a reality with her Ashley Mac’s cafés, catering and gourmet-to-go business. It all started with her hobby of cooking for those she loves. McMakin grew up in a large, food-loving family, and she learned to cook alongside her [...]
Charleston Charm
I took a quick trip to Charleston, South Carolina a few weeks ago—so quick, in fact, that I was very limited in what I could do. So it was two days of food and drinks and then some solitude in my very favorite place. I usually spend some time shopping on King Street. I also [...]
Celebrating an Unsung Hero of Birmingham’s Food Scene
I had the absolute honor of helping out with Alabama NewsCenter's awesome coverage of food-related stories to celebrate Black History Month and the contributions of African-American cooks and chefs to our state's rich food scene (current and past). One of my favorite pieces was about Juliette Flenoury, a name we all should know. My editor [...]
Central has Become Essential to Montgomery’s Downtown Food Scene
In downtown Montgomery, steps from the reclaimed riverfront and right in the middle of an important past, a restaurant called Central is delighting guests with inventive dishes and gracious hospitality. Central is named for the old central warehouse area, now a hip and happening entertainment district of restaurants, hotels, bars and museums. Common Bond Brewers [...]
Sunday Dinner: Dijon and Cognac Beef Stew
I've looked forward all week to an afternoon of cooking. It's cold and gray outside, and I wanted to make something warm and comforting. A from-scratch stew--rich and deeply savory--is about as comforting as it gets. This recipe from the New York Times Cooking website is an exercise in the meditative process of quality time spent [...]
Designing Delicious Dining at Blueprint on 3rd
Blueprint on 3rd, one of Birmingham’s hottest new restaurants, is named, quite simply, for the building it occupies – the old Birmingham Blueprint Company headquarters. But, really, owner Dean Robb’s decades-long career as a restaurateur has been a kind of creative, working blueprint for this place. Robb understands the value of honoring the past, and [...]
Easy Apps
The holidays are hectic for everyone, but entertaining doesn't really have to be hard. Here are some quick and tasty appetizers that are truly super-easy—--especially when you start with already-prepared ingredients. I made all these recipes for a Portico Mountain Brook story. It's in the Winter issue, which is out now, and you can access [...]
Freddy’s (More Than) Wine Bar
A girls' night gathering led me to my new favorite wine bar. But, really, Freddy's is much more than a wine bar; it’s also a laid-back, counter-service restaurant with seriously delicious food. And right now it feels like the perfect place to spend some cozy, quality time with friends and family during the busy holiday [...]
Becoming Essential
Kristen Hall and Victor King know what’s essential when it comes to a successful restaurant—it’s more than gracious, friendly service; interesting, delicious foods; a thoughtful wine list; and creative craft cocktails. With their new eatery, The Essential, the two chefs have created a place that’s quickly becoming an everyday part of the lives around them. [...]
One Mississippi … Roast
I read the New York Times Cooking story last week about America's love affair with ranch dressing and immediately started craving Mississippi Roast. This Pinterest favorite dish is traditionally made in a slow cooker with chuck roast, pepperoncini peppers and a package of ranch dressing. The Times recipe by Sam Sifton calls for making your own ranch dressing, [...]