{Postcard From Bangkok}: A Cooking Class To Remember

This past Spring I embarked on another first in my travel chronicles: I visited the continent of Asia for the first time. (Cue confetti!)  And if there was ever a place to christen my inaugural visit, it had to be one of my bucket-list destinations, Thailand.  So believe me when I say that it was everything I hoped, and then some, leaving me wanting more of what this Southeast Asian mecca has to offer, and currently ranking as one of my favorite travel escapades to date.

My ultimate itinerary combined my penchants for both diligent pre-planning (who needs unwanted surprises thousands of miles away from home?) and spontaneity (always leaving room for real-time discovery and greater immersion).  Spanning three of Thailand's most beloved (and delicious in so many ways) destinations--Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phuket--it's fair to say that both approaches served me well.  And although this post is dedicated to my cooking adventures in Bangkok, I will be sharing more travel postcards from my time there in future posts.

In my element

So now for Bangkok--and cooking.  This is one detail my inner gourmand would not leave to chance or last minute maneuvering.  Because you know how seriously I take my cooking--and eating--around here. :)  Seriously, I wanted to invest in a cooking class that suited my skill, taste and experience levels, so I did what any type-A personality would do: I researched!! It's my M.O. for curating memorable, glorious travel experiences that rarely ever disappoint.  And this was no different.

After narrowing down my options to two top contenders, I ultimately opted for a half-day, six-course session, inclusive of a market tour that presented a range of staples (Thai chilies and curry pastes, among others) and novel ingredients (pink duck eggs, anyone?), alike.  The cherry on top? After a morning of instruction and hands-on cooking, our delicacies were served on a beautifully dressed dining table in the accompanying, acclaimed restaurant--the epitome of enjoying the fruits of our labor.  There was nooo way we could eat it all (I mean we're talking six sizeable courses per capita), but it sure was fun trying!

The fruits of my labor

The school of which I speak is the acclaimed Blue Elephant Cooking School.  And after my several hours stint, I can understand (and co-sign) on why it's heralded as one of, if not the, best cooking schools in Bangkok, as well as restaurants.  If you're trying to get your head around that, consider that two of my classmates were a couple from China who were prepping to open their own restaurant upon their return home!

I also couldn't help but wax nostalgic about my own cooking school and the beautiful memories I have been blessed to amass with my former students and host venues.  Side note: I'm resolved to kick my cooking classes and services off again, so stay close to me so you'll be among the first to know when the time comes.  In the meantime, I'll be recreating some of my Thai favorites in my home kitchen and bringing these memories back to life again.

So without further ado, enjoy this highlight reel of my cooking expedition!

Happy Eating & Travels!

{In Case You Missed It}: 2016 Highlights

Happy New Year!  I hope that your new year is indeed off to a great start and already shaping up to be your best one yet.

Before we go much further, however, in keeping with my recent tradition, I want to pause and share on some of the most special highlights from 2016.  If you follow me on social media, then you're likely aware that I was fortunate to end last year and begin the new year indulging in my passion for travel with a vacation in a few of my favorite European countries and cities--hence the recent quietness on the blog and much appreciated break and rest from my usual routine. (More highlights from that to come in the days and months ahead...!)

Now that I'm back in the saddle, so to speak, my first order of business here on the blog is to share a brief capture of some of the moments--in food, travel, fashion and style, lifestyle, inspiration, and more, that made last year exceptional on its own terms.  Six plus years and counting, and I am more thankful than ever for this outlet and the opportunities you afford me to share my passions with you.



From dining at the James Beard House, to being featured in Vinings Lifestyle Magazine, to recurring media coverage and collaboration for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Taste of Atlanta Festival, as well as local restaurants, working with amazing brands like Groupon and Warby Parker, sharing my recipes in Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, increased collaboration with PopSugar, a fabulous Holiday Pop Up Shop, wonderful travels from New York to Miami to Mexico to Italy, and more, 2016 was once again super sweet and special for D.M.R. Fine Foods.  I feel truly blessed by it all.
 
As always, I hope DMRFF continues to inspire you to live and embrace "the good life" in all its facets. 

Here's to the happiest new year yet....

xo, Dawn

New York Fashion Week: Daniel Silverstain Spring/Summer 2016

I arrived back in New York City on last week to take in a front row view of Daniel Silverstain's Spring/Summer 2016 runway show and presentation at Shop Studios, amidst the excitement of New York Fashion Week.  A feast for the senses and imagination, the collection is laden with the futuristic essence of the 1967 Montreal World Fair, known as Expo67.

Designing since the age of 11, and now in his third runway season, the designer drew inspiration from the modern decor and innovative architecture that reshaped Montreal following the Expo.  The influences can be seen throughout the collection, from the neutral tones color pallet, contrasted with shapes of primary colors representing national flags, to lace and crochet textiles with metallic gloss coatings, to intricate multi-yarn jacquards mixed with natural wovens, yielding soft and relaxed silhouettes.

Featured below are several of my favorite looks from the collection.

Do you have a favorite look?  Which pieces from the collection can you envision in your upcoming Spring/Summer wardrobe? For more fashion and design inspiration--and to shop the collection--visit Daniel Silverstain.  You can also check-out more of my 'day of' coverage on Instagram, including a video look at the finale walk.

Happy Styling!

Photo Credits: Daniel Silverstain

{In Case You Missed It}: 2014 Highlights

When 2014 began, I couldn't have dreamed of all the great things in store for me and D.M.R. Fine Foods. And now that we're at the very end, I can honestly say that it was a year filled with some of my best moments in food, travel, culture and lifestyle inspiration!  

The highlights included having my dream of launching my very own cooking school become a reality, to more wonderful travel, to continued sharing of my love of food through favorite recipes, writing and collaborations, to a very festive, fun and delicious holiday pop-up shop, to working and connecting with some of Atlanta's premier restaurants, festivals and design brands.  And lastly, but never least, it was another great year of having the opportunity to share with the readers and supporters of D.M.R. Fine Foods! 

Thank you for your continued support and feedback.  Here's to an even greater year ahead and to sharing it all with you!  Check out some of my favorite 2014 moments in this short video, and I'll see you in 2015!

Here's to the Happiest of New Years!

xx, Dawn

{Now Watching}: POPSUGAR Now!

Television just became a whole lot tastier, more fashionable, and all around exciting, with the recent launch of POPSUGAR Now, the weeknightly show that brings everything you love about POPSUGAR--to your TV! 

Tune in each weeknight at 6 p.m./5 p.m. Central on TVGN (or set your DVRs) to get the latest in celebrity, fashion, food and lifestyle content.  From behind the scenes coverage of award season, to food and exercise tips--and more--you'll want to make POPSUGAR Now your source for it all.  Find your TVGN channel guide here to join the fun.

Happy Watching!


 

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by POPSUGAR. While I was compensated to write a post about POPSUGAR NOW, all opinions are my own.

{In Case You Missed It}: 2013 Highlights

One of my favorite moments of 2013: In Puerto Vallarta with Chef Thierry Blouet

With only a few hours remaining in what has been an inspiring, amazing--and, yes, delicious--year, I wanted to share a few of the highlights that have made this year so special for me and D.M.R. Fine Foods.

From favorite recipes, to exciting new (and long-standing) collaborations with stellar brands, to travel, lifestyle inspirations, and more, 2013 was special indeed.  And the best part of it all was sharing it with you--my readers and followers.  I hope you were inspired, and I look forward to continuing our adventure in the New Year ahead.

I captured some of my favorite moments in this fun & quick video collage, so enjoy!

Here's to the Happiest of New Years & Happy Eating!

{How To} Making Preserved Lemons

My week is already off to a busy pace, but before too much time elapsed, I wanted to share a fun "cooking" project I undertook this past weekend: preserving lemons.  Not so much cooking, as it is assembly, it was the perfect little break in my full agenda to get me into the kitchen with one of my favorite ingredients.  The bright and fresh citrus was like Spring come early.

Preserved lemons are lemons pickled in salt and their own juices.  They are quick and easy enough to make and pack loads of scrumptious flavor once the pickling is complete.  After they're set up, then the "hard work" of waiting patiently for them to pickle over several weeks kicks in.  After that, you can feast on them for months to come, enjoying them in favorite recipes and even creating your own around this special ingredient.

 
I'm excited to have discovered the simple art of preserving lemons and imagine my pantry will never be absent of them again!  I was inspired by Food52 and followed their easy video tutorial to set up my beauties.  I hope you'll watch and then give it a go in your own kitchen.

Happy Eating!

Tell Me: Do you have any favorite pickling, canning or preserving recipes or techniques?

Toast With This!: Spiced Milk Tea

It's no secret that I'm a lover of spice--and I love weaving the rich flavors of spice throughout my cuisine, including the world of drink.  The robust flavors of chai tea, touting notes of fennel, cardamom and cinnamon, among others, is one of my favorite drinks to savor.  

This recipe for spiced milk tea from Gourmet brings those flavors home to your kitchen in a delicious and warming drink that will likely become a favorite for you, too.  So open up that spice cabinet and prepare to enjoy.

Happy Sipping! 

Potluck Etiquette

With the holiday season right around the corner, there's no better time to brush up on your etiquette--your potluck etiquette, to be exact. With the plethora of gatherings and parties that this time of the year brings, you'll surely have ample opportunity to put what you learn to work.

Potlucks are a great way to share food and fellowship--without the entire burden falling to the host/hostess--but is it entirely free form? Are there "rules" or considerations that we can adapt to help us be on our best potluck party-going behavior?

This video, featuring Peggy Post (author of Emily Post's Etiquette), gives some pointers on the dos, don'ts and whatevers of this often overlooked form of dining and entertaining. It's potluck--elevated!

Happy Eating!

LADURÉE: My NYC Macaron Mission

World-renowned Parisian macaron house, Ladurée, recently opened its first store state-side, and I had the good fortune of taking it all in during my latest jaunt to NYC.

The traipse across town from an afternoon of shopping in Soho to the Upper East Side where Ladurée resides, plus the approximate two-hour investment of standing in line, coupled with waiting for my order to be taken, was well....worth it!  And given the line I encountered upon arrival--and the one that remained upon departure--I wasn't the only one excited to welcome Ladurée (or its perfectly scrumptious macarons, to be exact) to the NYC foodscape.

Beautifully decorated, the small storefront boasts exquisite window and interior displays of macarons and accompanying accessories.

When my time to order finally came around, I selected an assortment of pistachio, raspberry, coconut, salted caramel and lemon macarons for the ultimate sweet indulgence.

Word has it that plans for another location in NYC could be in the works--one that would include a tea salon and other special touches.  I'll be keeping my ears and eyes peeled, but for now I'm content to get my macarons counter-side when they're this good.

In closing, check out a short video with a look inside Ladurée on that busy, bustling afternoon.

Happy Eating!

Check Out My Cooking Channel Webisode....& More!

After springing the news of my contest win on you earlier this week, I'm happy to share that my webisode is now available for your viewing--and sharing--pleasure!  I had my first peek on yesterday and it took me right back to that awesome day I experienced in the Food Network/Cooking Channel Studios.

(As a note, all the winning webisodes are located in a single video file, so you'll not only have the chance to see my taco webisode, but the other 12 category winners also.  They are posted in the order of the category air date on the The Perfect 3 television series that debuts today at 4 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel.  Mine is 3rd in the bunch, following cakes (which airs today) and pancakes, which airs next Saturday.)  I just wanted you to know what to expect... UPDATE: Click on the 'Videos' tab and they're individually listed--or watch right here on DMRFF.  Just visit our new Videos page!

And speaking of air dates, The Perfect 3 taco episode will air on Saturday, August 6, 2011 and footage from my webisode will be linked to the show towards the end, so be sure to TUNE IN!!! (or set your DVRs.)  Check your local listings for station/channel details in your area.

Thanks again for all the kind and heart-warming feedback and congratulations that you've poured on me since my announcement.  It has meant so much to me.

Final marching orders:  watch the webisode, watch the taco episode, make the recipe, share the news with family and friends--and let me know what you think! 

Happy Eating!

Inspire So Others Can Aspire: A Video Interview with Chef Marcus Samuelsson

As we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, I'd like to share a video interview from the Atlanta Post with Chef Marcus Samuelsson, on his new restaurant, Red Rooster Harlem --including his mission to "inspire others to aspire".  As an American who was born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden and immigrated to the United States, he is an example of what realizing the American dream should ultimately be about:  inclusion, diversity and giving back.