Morning latte

Stumptown Coffee Roasters in Portland is absolutely fabulous. We were in Oregon in 2009 for a friend's wedding and heard about their coffee so we had to try it. The barista was very laid back and friendly and took great pride in brewing and pouring a perfect latte. I watched as he effortlessly created this artistic leaf in the creamy foam, hoping I could replicate it at home. But no such luck. Another art form that takes skill and practice!

La Farm baguette

I strongly favor bread (instead of crackers) with cheese, preferably a freshly baked baguette. We took a bread-making class at La Farm Bakery in Cary, NC; a photo of the output of that class above. The French owner, Lionel, grew up baking bread and shares it with family and friends whenever possible, fostering a sense of community. A culinary artist with a passion for his craft.

Cheese tasting

Speaking of tasting cheese, I took this picture at a cheese and wine tasting that a friend of mine gave me one year as a gift. There's something I like about the baguette crumbs and silver fork that have interrupted the formal layout of the cheese samples. I like taking classes like that and learning little tidbits. If I remember correctly, the instructor said that Greece is the #1 consumer of cheese in the world. Who would've thought!

Fabulous fromagerie

I love the variety and selections at a good cheese counter. This one is located in Manhattan, but I feel you don't have to be in a big city to get great cheese. There are so many small regions and producers around the world, it seems the choices are endless. And I like to hear about what grows in the local pastures where the animals graze and how it affects the flavors. So much to learn and taste!

The chicken lady

Another food image. The chicken, and especially the potatoes, at this little rotisserie stand were exceptional. Lucked-upon at an open-air market in a tiny town in the south of France, the potatoes were cooked in a giant paella pan (see bottom right)—peeled, sliced, and herbed right on the spot. We tried to figure out what went into the flavors, but even at a little stand, the secrets are guarded. Just like an (artist) chef!

Food as art

Do you ever take pictures of food? Of your plate or dish? Maybe at farmer's markets? I love photographing food and things that are edible. An entree that's plated up at a restaurant is an art form all its own, as is a display at a market. This is one of my favorite photos, of spices at a French market in the south of France (Fayence-?). Even the signs are little pieces of art. Maybe I'll create photo cards one day...

Local chocolate

I love shopping and eating at locally-owned places, and supporting small businesses and artisans. I also love chocolate. I have discovered a delicious combination of the 2 in a sea salt, dark chocolate bar made by Escazu, a new chocolatier in Raleigh. I can't wait to go to their shop and see it all in action. I wonder if I'll be able to smell the chocolate even from outside the front doors, like you can standing outside the Jacques Torres store in Manhattan's West Village. (One Thanksgiving I bought a chocolate turkey that became part of the centerpiece for our dinner table. It was decorative AND delicious!)