BOOT CAMP

In the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, I began a boot camp with my trainer, Harold Hatcher. I’ve worked with Harold intermittently for many years, but this year I renewed my commitment to increase my sense of well-being and lose a few pounds in the process. As a working mother, I too find it difficult to make quick, nutritious meals that will keep the hunger pangs at bay but still give me family time in the evenings. I’ve created a few top-notch low fat recipes that I’ll share with you in the coming months.

FANCY FOOD SHOW

This January I attended the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Pastry chef Diane Hom and I have partnered to create a luscious line of chocolate-covered toffees that we hope to introduce into the marketplace later this year. My mission was to search out all possible potential competitors, sample their products, and look for interesting packaging ideas. 

Along the way, I had the great pleasure of meeting two Food Network™ stars, Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten and Paula Deen. Ina was very warm and friendly, and her personality comes across in person just like it does on television. Then I moved on to meet Paula Deen whose Southern charm and quick-as-a-whip sense of humor was infectious.  Her husband, Michael, is a quiet man who basks in his wife’s glory.  Paula and Michael agreed to have their picture taken with me and she was quite enchanted by my blonde hair!

CAREER DAY

In March, I was honored to participate in Longfellow Middle School’s Career Day. Longfellow Arts and Technology Magnet School is located in Berkeley.  As part of the career panel, I spoke to each class about being a chef, the importance of a solid academic middle school foundation, and the challenges I faced.  The children were interested in all the presenters whose careers spanned law, psychology, chemical engineering, finance, carpentry, public service, and much more.  My favorite question from a 6th grader was, “Have you ever cooked for P. Diddy?”