Uncorked: Dark Red Blend from Ravage Wines

The 2014 Dark Red Blend by Ravage Wines is the perfect fruit-forward red to indulge in while hosting a cookout! I love this wine with some delicious ribs, corn on the cob, and a slice of berry layer cake on the back patio. The wine is a deep red blend with delicious fruit notes mixed with layers of dark cocoa, rich mocha, and vanilla bean. 

Let Them Eat Candles Is Changing the Cake Game

Why wish upon something that ruins the best part of your Birthday? 

Thinking of Drinking: Grand Solmar Cucumber Mint Margarita

My baby just turned one and I made these margaritas to pair with lamb and pork tacos.  So good!

UPCOMING: Searching Movie this August

The #SearchingMovie is the perfect computer screen emotional thriller for 2018. We were incredibly connected to the characters as we followed the story of the Kim family through video clips, emails, facetime chats, text messages, social media profiles, and online sites. The filmmaker did an incredible job at merging technology with storytelling.

Get Your Tickets to the Citi Taste of Tennis!

My favorite event of the year is HERE! On July 30, premier culinary and tennis event, Citi Taste of Tennis, is serving up tennis stars and award-winning D.C. chefs for a night of food and fun at Hamilton Live! Coinciding with the Citi Open Tournament, Citi Taste of Tennis will be the official Citi Open Player Party benefitting the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation. Highlights of the event include an exciting cooking demonstration with Celebrity Chef Edward Lee and world No. 5 and Wimbledon finalist, Kevin Anderson.

Dining Out: The Best Place in DC for Brussel Sprouts

I am always on the look-out for delicious Brussels Sprouts. Brussels Sprouts are rich with nutrients that support the body's detox system, its antioxidant system, and its inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system, and they’re delectable to eat! I can’t get enough of them, but for some reason Brussels sprouts have such a bad reputation. Any time I try to order them with my family, my dad immediately pipes out, “I hate Brussels Sprouts! Anything but that!” Sadly, when he was younger, he ate over-boiled, unseasoned, smelly Sprouts. Fortunately for me, I have tasted incredible Brussels sprouts, and have become obsessed with the healthy vegetable. When they are prepared correctly, they are all at once crunchy and soft, savory and nutty, sweet and scorched!

Just a Few of My Favorite Things: Yellowbird Condiments, Rated

We all have that ONE condiment that we use on everything. For about as long as I can remember, that condiment for me was Sriracha. Until now. Yellowbird, the all-natural condiment brand from Austin Texas, has me wondering why I liked sriracha so much in the first place. Yellowbird is packed with fresh, juicy fruits and peppers, contains no gluten or high fructose corn syrup, and is Non-GMO.

Coffee Meets Stroopwafel: The Love Story I Didn’t Know I Needed

I love every type of coffee: espresso shots, hazelnut cappuccinos, iced caramel macchiatos, vanilla lattes, or just a simple black cup of Joe. I started drinking coffee about 6 months ago. Before then, I hated it. I never thought I would enjoy the taste of coffee, but in reality, I had never appreciated such a unique taste. I can’t go a day without it now, and I feel so silly that I didn’t give coffee a chance sooner. One morning, while sipping a fresh cup of coffee from my nespresso machine, I had the urge to dip something into it. But what? I had seen people dip donuts into coffee, but I wanted something chewier and lighter. Biscottis are always so crunchy and bland; I wanted something that was crumbly but soft.

Events: Get Tickets to the One-of-a-Kind Taste of Titanic Event on July 25th at National Geographic

Foodies and Titanic lovers alike—you don’t want to miss this event! In tandem with the museum’s new exhibit, “Titanic: The Untold Story,” Nat Geo is putting on an incredible culinary journey that will take you back to the golden age of transatlantic steamship travel. 

Perfect Pair: Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Fresh Dill with Vina Eguia Blanco

The Dish:  Cucumber Salad with Yogurt and Fresh Dill

TOP 5 Spicy Products from Fancy Food Show

Wherever I go, I am always on the lookout for spicy products. I attended the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC this past weekend, and after running down the hundreds of aisles of specialty products for two days straight, I found some incredible products with just the right amount of heat that will definitely be in my kitchen from now on. Although I tried a lot of different spicy products, these were my top 5 that I couldn't stop thinking about: 

Things To Do: Wildfire’s 9th Annual All-Crab Dinner with PBS Host, Chef, and Restaurateur John Shields

Chesapeake Bay Crab & Evolution Craft Brewing Co. Beer Dinner at Wildfire:  Join me at Wildfire, in Tysons Galleria on Friday, July 27, 2018, for a special evening with John Shields, author of Chesapeake Bay Cooking, host of the PBS series Coastal Cooking, and owner of the renowned Gertrude’s in Baltimore, for an incredible CrabFest Dinner! 

Thinking of Drinking: Ginger Collins

Are you ready for summer in a glass?  These cocktails are incredibly refreshing, but be careful because they pack a punch.  

8 Things to Do in Aspen, Colorado with Kids for Summer

My previous trips to Colorado without kids included endless hikes, skiing, and late night partying.  While my experience was totally different with the girls, we still had a lovely time.  There's plenty to do for the little ones.

Things to Do: FREE “Cooking Up History” Demo at the American History Museum

Once a month, The American History Museum puts on an incredible food demonstration with a guest chef and their resident food historian, Dr. Ashley Rose Young. The duo prepares recipes while discussing the history and traditions behind the ingredients.

Top 6 Summer Rosé Wines

Are you like me and just can't get enough of Rosé in the summer? There is nothing better than coming home after a long day and sipping a glass of Rosé. With extra time, you can even make Frosé, but just use the cheap stuff for that. Here are some of my favorite Rosés to sip outside. 

Things to Do: Rooftop Cookie Dough Pop-Up

DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections of NYC is coming to Washington D.C. ALL SUMMER LONG at the Watergate Hotel Rooftop. Top of the Gate will feature DŌ’s two most popular flavors: Chocolate Chip & Sugar Cookie. 

3 Watermelon Cocktails to Cool You Off

Fresh Watermelon Crush

Cool off at your summer BBQ with one of these refreshing watermelon cocktails.

My TOP 5 Favorite Products from Summer Fancy Food Show

We had an incredible time at the Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC this past weekend. We met with remarkable food industry professionals, entrepreneurs, chefs, bakers, and foodies all with their own unique products and distinctive brands. Although I sampled dozens of specialty products from all across the globe, I didn’t even get close to meeting with the hundreds of interesting people or trying the thousands of products that lined the Javits Convention Center. 

Happy 4th of July!

Chuao Chocolatier: The Perfect 4th of July Chocolate

Summer Fancy Food has so many incredible products. I came across one treat that immediately brought me back to when I was a kid and had me so excited for the 4th of July!

Top 7 4th of July Recipes

Bomb Pop Shot

The 4th of July is almost here.  Can you believe it?  Check out these recipes to make your party perfect.