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| The 2012 Christmas Cake - A Glorious Egg Nog Bundt Cake |
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| Katie Stagliano and the giant cabbage that inspired "Katie's Krops" |
Many
Culinary Types devoted their energies in 2012 to nurturing communities in need. Inspired by a giant cabbage she grew from
seed, vegetable gardener Katie Stagliano started a nationwide movement,
recruiting other teens like herself to plant gardens to feed the hungry. Katie’s Krops gardens are flourishing across
the country, and Katie aims to establish gardens in all 50 states.
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| Susan Salem and Annie McPartlin nurtured The Garden at St. Mark's |
Susan Salem and Annie McPartlin set an example for churches all over Long Island that
wondered how to better utilize their property.
The women planted "The Garden at St. Mark’s" at their church in
Bellmore. The produce is harvested to
feed hungry families throughout Long Island.
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| Courtney and Jim Thompson opened "A Taste of Long Island" |
Daughter and
Dad team Courtney and Jim Thompson were inspired by the local foods and food
artisans all over Long Island. They
opened “A Taste of Long Island” in Farmingdale, a specialty food market and
shared use kitchen. Food entrepreneurs
can create artisanal food products in the professional kitchen, and sell their goods
in the storefront retail market.
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| Restoration Farm offered a harvest of life for its members |
Restoration Farm, the CSA located in Old Bethpage, Long Island continued to flourish, not
only as a source of locally-grown food, but as a life-giving source of
community for its members.
My friend
Louise Volper retired her excellent blog “Months Of Edible Celebrations” after
a long run. A meticulous researcher
and historian, Louise was for years the premiere source of information on how
to celebrate life with festive foods ranging from Chocolate Fondue to Cracker
Jacks.
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| The Daffodil Cake welcomed Spring |
The Daffodil Cake, first discovered on Louise’s blog, proved a light and delectable harbinger
of the season of Spring.
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| Hope springs eternal for the Twinkie |
We mourned
the demise of the Twinkie, and hoarded any remaining cream-filled sponge cakes
from the supermarket shelves. There are
seven Twinkies remaining in my freezer, but I haven’t given up hope that, like
the Phoenix, the Twinkie will rise again!
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| Hudson Valley cheese maker Rory Chase of The Amazing Real Live Food Co. |
We visited
cheese makers in the Hudson Valley and learned how their craft reflects the
heart, soul and soil of the region.
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| Mad Me-Shell defended her title as the Queen of the Food Trucks |
My buddy Mad Me-Shell continued to burnish her creds as the High Priestess of Street Food
with a smack down at the SamichBox on the streets of Chicago.
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| The Durger hit the streets of New York City |
Speaking of
food trucks, the smoky and lip-smacking “Durger” from Trusty Burgers and Bites
rocked my world.
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| Zany's "Lobster-fest" |
Dear Zany
took her appetite all the way to Russia, and joined me on the streets of New
York for a summertime seafood extravaganza that would put a certain restaurant
chain to shame.
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| Apple Trace at Restoration Farm remembers the spirit of my Dad |
And, Apple Trace was planted in memory of my dad James at Restoration Farm. Although we miss Dad terribly, these eight
heirloom saplings are a living reminder of his love and energetic spirit.
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| Vasilopita - St. Basil's Bread for New Years Recipe at "One Perfect Bite" |
