The Arts Institutes - my alma mater - has just written the loveliest blog about Cooking with Vanilla. Please check this out!
Five Star Sensation Weekend
More than 2,500 turned out for the Annual Five Star Sensation held on Saturday, June 27 at the Cuyahoga Community College's Eastern campus. The event raised $2.3 million for the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
Thank you to Malika, Matt and Michelle for sharing their photos.
Chicago Goings-On
Enjoy by clicking on the images and viewing the captions by hovering at the bottom of the photos!
Book Launch and Cocktail Party at The Meadow
Join Natasha and friends at The Meadow “Book Launching Party” on Thursday, June 4, 6-8 p.m. Sample vanilla dishes from the book, join in a memory tasting experiment, learn little known facts about vanilla, sip some bubbly, chat with the author and then please join us for a very special signing Cocktail Party from 8-9:30 p.m. A secret location will be provided at the launch. RSVP appreciated, questions welcomed: pegalter@gmail.com
Barbara-Jo's Books To Cooks
Welcomed with open arms to Vancouver Canada, I discovered one of my favorite bookstores in the world! Three paces into Barbara-Jo’s magical cookbook shop, I was hugging the bookcases saying, “I want to live here!”
Two days of events #vanillatabletour and had the most wonderful time, I’ve never laughed so hard talking about vanilla; there was a lot of vanilla love in the room. The amazing help from Chef Jen, Mark, Janice and #BarbaraJo made my visit so much sweeter.
Radio Hour - Live to tape interview while making Heirloom Tomato Bisque with Green Pea Pesto, the vanilla caramelized onions cooking in the skillet “sounded” great! The local Canadian Chefs Dominique and Cindy Duby of Wild Sweets and contributors to Vanilla Table book, joined the crowd as I was interviewed by the lovely Sheryl and producer Sheila of CBC for #North by Northwest, a Saturday morning radio show broadcast nationwide.
All copies of Vanilla Table sold out! Lovely friend and former neighbor Lillian flew all the way from Calgary to be there, so with Barbara-jo’s recommendation we had a beautiful small plates dinner at the newly opened Anna Lena starting with cocktails! Los Bravos was our fav and had the most beautiful Garlic confit lobster and speaking of bisque, a beautiful take on classic lobster bisque! The Waygu Short Rib with sunchoke puree, mushrooms and peppercorn jus, a divine dish I can't stop thinking about!
Next morning stopped into the local culinary school – Pacific Institute of Culinary School to sample delicious baked goods and meet some of the students in Christine Beard’s class for a 10-minute vanilla total immersion talk…the students were speechless!
Granville Island tour, tasting #smokedsablefishcandy a local delicacy-so delicious! Spent the morning scouring the Granville Public Market for all sorts of delicious tastes from sausages and spices to berries. A beautiful visit to a beautiful and welcoming city; I can’t wait to return.
Barbara-jo McIntosh, the store's owner.
Milken Institute
in News
I had the great privilege to be chosen to do a book signing for the Milken Institute Global Conference a few weeks ago. They had a gorgeous walk around “Wine Tasting Passport Night” at Two Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Copies of Vanilla Table, wine tastings and little tastes were offered at the iconic Jimmy Choo right there on Rodeo Drive – it was VERY tempting to try on a pair or two! Michael Aust from Barnes & Noble Santa Monica helps with books as I chat with Milken speakers and guests. An absolutely delightful evening!
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank determined to increase global prosperity by advancing collaborative solutions that widen access to capital, create jobs and improve health. We do this through independent, data-driven research, action-oriented meetings and meaningful policy initiatives.
East Coast Vanilla Adventures
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Finale bow of all the Gala Dinner Chefs, assistants and support staff. Much applause to the very entertaining hosts Carla Hall of The Chew and Gail Simmons of Top Chef. Three team secret ingredient chef throw down. Anita Lo’s team won first two and Sherry Yard’s team won hands down making 2 cooked dessert dishes in 20 minutes! The lovely Chef Lynne Ryan serves.
Beautiful ladies Rochelle Huppin and Barbara Lazaroff pose for the camera at #WRC2015. Surbhi Sahni of Bittersweet serves her modern Indian inspired dishes.
Two inspiring pastry chefs Claudia Fleming and Sherry Yard. Michael Crowell and Lesley Hill from Hawaii. They provided fresh heart of palm for the Hearts of Palm & Papaya Salad I was preparing for the appearance later today at the Time Warner cable channel - The Woman’s Connection.
The lucky person Natasha getting the last copy of Vanilla Table Book signed by Chef Natasha.
Post taping tasting with Barrie-Louise Switzen from The Women’s Connection.
Penn Station. Training up the coast next stop Boston.
Gill and I dine at Back Bay’s Mistral – yes that is actually a pizza!
First of the season pea ravioli in roasted chicken broth and divine salmon!
Off to the Coop at Harvard and VT is in the front window! A warm intro in this most hallowed hall that is Harvard … had a few piano and singing lessons in this most revered University! Harvard grad student Alexa all grown up sits in on the vanilla talk.
I always wanted to go to MIT – and here we are Vittorio Paone and I surrounded by vanilla, lavender and books in the café bon appétit at MIT. NormanVan Aken’s Spicy Pineapple – Vanilla Marinated Fish and my Crispy Cornflake Chicken from VT are a hit!
Exciting buzz at Volante Farms in Needham where I teamed up with Meagan McNeill of Nashoba Valley Extract Co. who makes local bespoke pure vanilla extracts. Resisted the scratch donuts and bakery treats but had to take a photo! Head chef Todd gave us a tour and taste of the 80 local cheeses, handcrafted cider syrup and countless local products at Volante. Gill and I finished our visit with a few hero sandwiches so worth the wait!
Breads Bakery, Baker/Pastry Chef and Owner Uri Scheft, Pichet Ong and Sherry Yard.
The NYC Bakery Crawl
in News
During the WCR Conference this past weekend Sherry Yard had a mission, so joined by myself and Pichet Ong we left the lights of Times Square and headed on our bakery crawl, first quick stop FIKA NYC to look at the Swedish cardamom buns, chocolates and coffee. Next stop Dough Brooklyn for a dozen donuts for her WCR cooking team in tasty flavors including passion fruit, hibiscus and lemon meringue. Then to the beautiful mecca of Breads Bakery – eyes lit up gazing at cases of Danish inspired breads, sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches and more! Talented and gracious Baker/Pastry Chef and Owner Uri Scheft shared some of his delicious perfectly crafted creations including not too sweet poppy seed danish, swiss muesli rolls and spinach and feta-filled burekas. This palace of perfection pastries and breads must be visited again and again.
Omnivore Books on Food
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A clear crisp San Francisco day. Looking for a latte I wandered into Samovar Tea – had the most gorgeous handmade Chai warmed in large beaten copper pots. Daniel explained the nuances of each blend of tea and sampling the turmeric, pepper and licorice blend I was invigorated!
Lunch at the iconic Zuni Cafe on Market Street – each dish perfectly served, seasoned and eaten, I cannot wait to return!
Omnivore bookstore originally a butcher shop in the 40s still has the massive scale overhead and the redwood lined cold room which is truly 10 degrees cooler than the shop. Now a cookbook treasure trove tucked into every nook and cranny, Omnivore celebrates new and antique food books from the Pitcairn Islands to New York, Iceland and London! A foodie must visit destination!
Santa Monica Farmer’s Market
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Thanks to all who visited the Vanilla Table at Santa Monica Farmers Market on April 8, including Heilala Vanilla who had vanilla beans displayed. Special thanks to Laura Avery and her super assistant Ben!
Top Left (clockwise): With good friend and Chef Malika Ameen visiting all the way from Chicago – Here with Chef Josiah Citrin, Chef/Owner of the two Michelin Star Award winning restaurant, Melisse Restaurant in Santa Monica. You can find his recipe in Vanilla Table as one of the legendary chefs who contributed to the book that is all about Vanilla! – Here with Rochelle Huppin who decorated with her vintage tablecloths! A Chef contributor to Vanilla Table.
IACP 2015 Washington D.C.
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IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) –80 Cakes for Jacques Pépin cake celebration - March 27
Next year IACP's conference in LA 2016
US Release of Vanilla Table
in News
Vanilla Table: The essence of exquisite cooking from the world’s best chefs has now officially hit the shelves and is available to buy at bookstores and online at Amazon.com. With its rich and familiar scent, vanilla has a place in every cook’s kitchen. It often evokes memories of childhood favorites cookies and cakes warm from the oven. Yet beyond these nostalgic noshes, vanilla is a versatile and surprising ingredient in an enormous array of dishes - both sweet and savory.
Pure Vanilla Layer Cake in the Washington Post
in News
Omnivore Books on Food Events
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With the help of 33 outstanding chefs, who have each contributed a 'vanilla plate' to Vanilla Table, international chef Natasha MacAller has created a truly global compendium of vanilla expertise, showcasing this most exotic and yet everyday spice in over 100 vanilla dishes, sweet and savory. Please come join us for the book signing and if you would like a signed copy of a book from our event, but are unable to attend, just call the shop at (415) 282-4712, we’ll be happy to take care of it for you.Omnivore Books Saturday, April 11 • 3-4 p.m. FREE
In addition, please check out David Lebovitz, one of the chefs from Vanilla Table, as he has a book signing on April 3, for My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories. Finally, a good friend of Natasha’s and Sherry Yard’s - Mindy Segal - is having her book signing on April 10 (the day before the Vanilla Table signing). Mindy's new book is Cookie Love: 60 Recipes and Techniques for Turning the Ordinary into the Extraordinary. Omnivore Books
A Whirlwind Event
in News
It has been an absolutely breathtaking whistle stop visit to London. The last #lovevanilla event at Madeleine’s Cake Boutique hosted by the generous and very talented owner Lisa Martini was a whirlwind event. Kathy Kordalis had vanilla tastes flying out of the kitchen while guests satisfied their vanilla curiosity with dishes both sweet and savoury. Thank you all for coming to our Vanilla Table UK! See you soon in Washington DC.
Photos by Little London Whispers
London Launch Day!
in News
It began with a delicious jolt of espresso-resisting the idea of adding frothed green milk in celebration of St Patrick’s Day, instead choosing to wear green earrings. Checked the vanilla panna cotta shot glasses: all set beautifully! First of the season rhubarb plus fresh ginger, lime and vanilla pods for gazpacho to top the panna cotta: tick! Vanilla Sauce whisked into submission for the tartine, then to the Organic Walnut and Parmesan Shortbread Stars. Like Santa’s to do list, we checked off the array of bags, boxes, platters and the vital toolkit-off to the heart of London’s Piccadilly Circus to spread the vanilla word! Waterstones Piccadilly coordinator Mark transformed the scone and flat whites café into an elegant candlelit bistro as we set up.
With great help from fellow chef and friend Kathy Kordalis we got the tasting platters organized and Jessica set up the science of vanilla memory experiment and I extolled the virtues, science, history and my love for this power behind the throne of fragrance and flavor … VANILLA. Chef, food writer, my gorgeous friend and cheerleader PETER GORDON (who wrote the Vanilla Table foreword) sat front row with colleagues and friends from Kopapa and The Providores for the vanilla show! With glasses of Proseco we shared tastes of Rhubarb Gazpacho with Vanilla Panna Cotta, Smoked Salmon Tartine drizzled with Vanilla Seed Sauce and The Walnut Parmesan Stars. Not a bite left and every single book was sold and signed! A fantastic evening spent in London!
UK Release of Vanilla Table
in News
Vanilla Table: The essence of exquisite cooking from the world’s best chefs has now officially hit the shelves and is available to buy at all good bookshops and online at Amazon.co.uk. With its rich and familiar scent, vanilla has a place in every cook’s kitchen. It often evokes memories of childhood favorites cookies and cakes warm from the oven. Yet beyond these nostalgic noshes, vanilla is a versatile and surprising ingredient in an enormous array of dishes - both sweet and savory.
Teaching a Class at Leiths
in News
Be it teaching, coaching or collaborating I always find great joy in discovering and learning something new from students, apprentices, peers and my teachers. Teaching a vanilla class at Leiths cookery school last week I asked students to think about what they would create with vanilla salt. A little voice in the fourth row stage right chirped up and said, “I use vanilla salt each morning in my porridge. I like salt and I like vanilla.” Done! A brill yet simple idea! I joyfully learned something new to do with vanilla.
Madeleine’s Cake Boutique Event
in News
Come and join International Chef, Natasha MacAller for a delicious evening of tastings and talk about all things Vanilla! With its fragrant and captivating scent, it is a must-have in every kitchen, and the ways it can contribute to your dishes are endless and often surprising. Vanilla Table is a culinary celebration of all things vanilla. From sweet to savoury, she will share her experiences and take you on a journey to discover the many wonders of one of the most amazingly versatile ingredients in your pantry.
Lisa Martini, Director, Madeleine's Cake Boutique
Monday 23rd March • 6.30-8 p.m.Madeleine’s Cake Boutique 397 Upper Richmond Road West London, SW14 7NX
To reserve a place, please contact Lisa Martini in store or call: T: 0208 878 6194 M: 07787 600 329
Free parking is available at Waitrose opposite for a limited time period.
80 Cakes
in News
I’m so honored to have been asked to make a cake for IACP’s “80 Cakes Tribute” to celebrate Jacques Pepin’s 80th birthday. The IACP (International Association of the Culinary Professionals) 2015 conference opening reception in Washington DC, Friday, March 27, 2015 celebrates this most iconic, talented and generous chef with a stunning visual display of cakes created by 80 pastry chefs. I’ll be donating my "Pure Vanilla Layer Cake" from Vanilla Table for the opening reception to be included in the auction for the IACP Culinary Trust. I am thrilled to be a part of the celebration and humbled by Jacques’ breathtaking quote on the cover of Vanilla Table. Beaucoup de Mercis, Jacques and Joyeux Anniversaire! “You expect vanilla in a Hazelnut Bavarois or a Tarte Tatin, but in the Vanilla Table you discover that ingredient in Vanilla Lacquer Duck Leg and Slow-Roasted Oxtail Pot Pies. These are exotic combinations that will expand your culinary palate and titillate your taste buds in a new way. Natasha MacAller teaches us how wonderful, aromatic vanilla can take the mundane to the memorable.” Jacques Pépin, chef, cookbook author and PBS-TV cooking show host