Tomorrow: Cristina Ferrare Cooking Demo & Book Signing At Surfas

Looking for fun foodie plans tomorrow? Join Cristina Ferrare, chef and star of the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) show “A Big Bowl of Love” as she prepares dishes from her new book Christina Ferrere’s Big Bowl of Love and signs copies of her book.

About the book: Cristina Ferrare’s Big Bowl of Love infuses Ferrare's homey collection of more than 150 recipes for everyday meals and celebrations. Each dish has been tested, enjoyed, and cherished by Cristina's family and friends.

About Cristina: Cristina is author of several New York Times bestsellers including, Okay, So I Don't Have a Headache, Cristina Ferrare's Family Entertainment, Cristina Ferrare Style and her fourth and most recent book, Realistically Ever After, a humorous view of finding happiness when he's not Prince Charming, you're not Snow White and life is not a fairy tale. The success of her books attest to her expertise in the areas of women's health, well being, culinary arts, stylistic design, as well as her great zest for life and her humor. She has just completed her fifth book, a new cookbook due out in May 2011, A Big Bowl of Love, which is also the inspiration for Cristina's cooking show on Oprah's OWN Network.

Want more info? Visit the event's official website. Or if you can't go, grab a copy of Cristina's book at Amazon.

Surfas

8777 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

(310) 558-1458 ‎

Royal Wedding Viewing Party at Montage Beverly Hills

I'm not going to lie; part of me has considered pulling an all-nighter to watch the Royal Wedding. The big event definitely ranks -- at least to me -- as one of those "I remember where I was..." lifetime moments, but reminiscing about being on my couch at 1 a.m. Friday in pajamas doesn't scream "glam." Not to mention I'd fall dead asleep at work later that day.

That said, when I think about where I'd like to watch "Big Willie" and "Waity Katie" tie the knot (aside from Westminster Abbey), I envision a place much more glamorous than my living room. Something along the lines of high tea at the Ritz in London; but unfortunately, that would require vacation days and some serious travel dough. So I'm excited to tell you about the next best thing: A Royal Wedding viewing party during (what else?) Afternoon Tea at the Montage Beverly Hills this Friday, April 29, from 12 to 4 p.m.

The (pre-recorded) Royal Wedding and pre- and post-event highlights will be broadcast in the Montage's Lobby Lounge and Library for your viewing pleasure, while artisanal teas (served in china, of course) and fabulous pastries prepared by Pastry Chef Richard Ruskell (Food Network’s Last Cake Standing) are on the menu. Traditional Tea ($39/pp) includes sandwiches, scones, and pastries; an upgraded Royal Tea option gets you a choice of Pomegranate or Kir Royale champagne, priced respectively at $51 and $61 per person.

Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Montage Beverly Hills

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Montage

Little ones will also feel like royalty with Montage's Mommy & Me Afternoon Tea package. Just order Afternoon Tea for yourself and your little one gets a Children's Tea order for free. After all, what little girl or boy wouldn't want to pretend to be a prince or princess for the day, especially while watching real ones in historic castles, cathedrals and carriages on TV?

Make your reservation by calling (310) 860-7940.

Montage Beverly Hills

225 N. Canon Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310) 860-7940

Royal couple photo credit: Mario Testino

Save the Date: Taste of the Nation Returns May 22

Let's get serious for a second. As much fun as it is to write about fun recipe experiments, fun meals with friends and newfound favorite restaurants, the sobering fact is that there are millions of people out there who are starving, especially children. Childhood hunger is an epidemic; I believe it's a cause we -- especially foodies and food bloggers -- need to support.

So mark your calendars for May 22, when Taste of the Nation comes to the Montage Laguna Beach. A bit of TOTN background: Each spring and summer, the nation's hottest chefs and mixologists donate their time, talent and passion at nearly 40 events across the United States and Canada, with one goal in mind: to raise the critical funds needed to end childhood hunger. Since 1988, Taste of the Nation events has raised more than $73 million, and this year's event is no exception: 100% of proceeds of The Montage Laguna's TOTN event go to Share Our Strength's "No Kid Hungry" campaign.

The Montage Laguna Beach

Photo Credit: Montage Laguna Beach

What can you expect at the event? Seven celebrity chefs will be preparing fresh farm-to-table delicacies to further Share Our Strength’s dream of ending childhood hunger by 2015. Each chef will be paired with local farms and wineries to showcase the ultimate Orange County farm-to-table experience. The A-list group of chefs includes:

• Chef Scott Conant: Scarpetta Beverly Hills & Food Network judge and host
• Chef Richard Ruskell: Executive Pastry Chef at Montage Beverly Hills, Food Network “Challenge” winner and star of upcoming Food Network “Last Cake Standing”
• Chef Mark Peel: Campanile, Los Angeles & Food Network “Top Chef Masters”
• Chef Joachim Splichal: Patina, Los Angeles
• Chef Craig Strong: Studio, Montage Laguna Beach’s Signature Restaurant
• Chef Alex Stratta: Alex, Las Vegas
• Chef Alan Wong: Alan Wong’s Restaurant, Honolulu

You'll not only get to watch the chefs' work and taste their creations, the purchase of an upgraded package gives you the chance to mix and mingle with them after-hours. All the while you'll be sipping signature cocktails, enjoying live music and basking in the picturesque backdrop of the Pacific ocean.

Ticket packages include:
Package #1: Celebrity Chef Tasting 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $150 per person or at the door for $175 per person.

Package #2: VIP “Meet the Chefs” Reception 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Complete the night with VIP treatment and a sunset toast. Enjoy the Celebrity Chef Tasting followed by an after party to mingle with the chefs. Valet parking and post-event gifts are included. Tickets purchased in advance are $250 per person and $275 at the door.

Purchase tickets here. Can't attend? Make a donation to help strengthen Share Our Strength's efforts to end childhood hunger in America.

Taste of the Nation Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach
30801 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Celebrate Easter with Peeps S'mores & Peeps-za!

Happy Easter!

Whether you're enjoying Easter egg hunts, celebrating at Church, or preparing a fantastic Easter feast, I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful Easter Sunday! We're off to a family brunch where there'll be a huge spread of souffle, pancakes, sausage, bacon, pastries and fresh fruit. Sadly, one thing that didn't make the menu cut included a dessert Peeps-za and Peeps S'mores (see photos below). Pizza Hut recently "tested" the PEEPS-za concept and Angie from Eclectic Recipes made the Peeps S'mores. If there's still room in your Easter menu, give them a whirl!

Pizza Hut's PEEPS Lovers Pizza

Photo Credit: Pizza Hut

Easter PEEPS S'mores!

Photo Credit: Eclectic Recipes

Last Night: President Obama's Dinner at Tavern

It's no surprise that President Obama was in Los Angeles last night. The Los Angeles Times urged West LA residents to "stay home to avoid gridlock," and the presence of secret service agents and LAPD on the streets of Culver City and Brentwood was palpable. The President was in town to attend two fundraisers, one at Sony Studios and a private dinner fundraiser at Tavern, Chef Suzanne Goin's (Lucques, The Hungry Cat, AOC) Brentwood restaurant.

Obama's Arrival at LAX

Photo Credit: LA Times

Tavern: One Hour Prior To Obama's Arrival

Photo Credit: Flickr/BloodyEyeBalls

So just what does President Obama like to eat? I was lucky enough to get a copy of Tavern's dinner menu custom designed by Goin herself. Turns out -- in the famous words of US Weekly -- Presidential palates are just like ours. Check out the Presidential menu below.

Tavern's Interior

Photo Credit: Tavern

An Evening with President Obama

Crab “ Louie ” with little gems, tomatoes, eggs and russian dressing

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Baked torchio with radicchio, wild mushrooms, asparagus and taleggio

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Braised beef daube with carrot purée, tomato confit and tapenade

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Three cheeses with griddled tavern toasts

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“Snickers” bar with salted peanut caramel and vanilla ice cream

Celebrate Earth Day with Magnolia Cupcakes!

Happy Earth Day! I was thinking about how to celebrate Earth Day and realized Bryan and I are already pretty good citizens of our planet. We recycle nearly everything, use "green" light bulbs, reuseable grocery bags, take short showers and turn off the water while we brush our teeth. I mean, that's a start, right? I also planted a tree on Earth Day when I was in the fifth grade, so my karma should be good there. That said, I'm going to celebrate Earth Day this year by walking -- not driving -- about 1/2 mile from my house and getting an Earth Day-themed cupcake from Magnolia Bakery ($3.25/available in vanilla or chocolate with buttercream frosting). I'll be indulging my sweet tooth and helping the planet at the same time, as for every cupcake sold Magnolia Bakery is donating $1 to the “Plant a Billion Trees” organization, an major restoration initiative launched by the Nature Conservancy to restore Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. It doesn't get sweeter than that. (Photo credit: Magnolia Bakery)

Magnolia Bakery

8389 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048-4312
(323) 951-0636

Chick-Fil-A: When Art thou Opening?

So I just joined the world of living and got the iPhone 4. I had the original one but couldn't handle the dropped-call disaster that was AT&T, so I went back to a Blackberry. Fast forward four years and the iPhone is finally on Verizon and I finally have a phone that will allow me to blog from the road.. hence this post. So I'm writing from backstage of the Adam Carolla live show at the Jon Lovitz's comedy club and have had a beer or two, and basically would kill for a Chick-Fil-A sandwich. When we drove up here tonight, we stopped at a red light right by the under-construction Chick-Fil-A on Highland Blvd (see the photo above).

I feel like the plywood Chick-Fil-A is taunting me, as I've been obsessed with the place since I lived in Dallas and Scottsdale and would stop by the "Fil-A" for a chicken biscuit on my way to work. Granted, I haven't had a fast food breakfast since 2006 but I am counting the days until I can roll through the Chick-Fil-A in my WeHo neighborhood. There really is something magical about the "Fil-A" -- I've even got my fast food-averse husband Bryan obsessed with it -- and I've been managing my cravings between August and December at USC football games. We've bought chicken sandwiches and waffle fries by the quarterback load for our group of tailgating friends, and we all "ooh" and "aah" over how great it is. Or rather, how well it pairs with Sierra Nevada pale ale. But a certain level of chicken sandwich depression hits come January when you know USC'S NCAA probation means no more visits to the Coliseum. Which means no more Chick-Fil-A.

So in the meantime, I'll watch the Chick-Fil-A construction slowly progress at Highland Blvd. Could I head downtown to get my fix? Sure, but I'm lazy. Once this new Chick-Fil-A is close to opening, I may have to camp out to be one of the first patrons. But tonight, I'll just watch it with a pang in my heart as we drive by the construction site...