A Love Letter

Dear Jacques,

How do I begin to describe my love for you? From the moment I walked into your D.U.M.B.O. store, I knew there would be no other. Your mastery and artistry of chocolate making is both mind boggling and awe inspiring.

When I finally came face to face with you in your Manhattan location, my heart stopped. The steaming pitcher of wicked hot chocolate you were pouring took my breath away. Some may say you had me at "hello", but you had me with your cocoa combination of allspice, cinnamon, ground, sweet ancho chili peppers, and smoked, ground chipotle chili peppers. So rich! So decadent! So naughty!

You even came by to give me a second sample and I was weak in the knees. I don't drop $18 on hot chocolate for just anybody Jacques... it takes a special someone to win a chocolately place in my heart!

I may stray from time to time but I'll always find my way back to you and your magical chocolate combinations. There may be imitators, but there will never be another...

All my love,
Foodie

And the Grammy goes to....

F is for Foodie for best catered work meal!

Last year I was in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards. One of the highlights for me was making friends with the caterer for Joan & Melissa Rivers. He found me on a search for fresh hot coffee and escorted me over to his area where he treated me to a delicious cup of joe, a carmelized onion and goat cheese tartlet and a few other goodies. Maybe he knew a food fanatic when he spotted one!

This year, my assignment kept me in our New York offices. Of course, one of the first things I was concerned with was "What's going to be for dinner?". RFW's Super Bowl party was such a success that I decided to go with Havana Central.

Once again, this Havana Central delivered! We were overrun with goodies from fried plantains, empanadas, arroz con pollo, Cubano sandwiches, roasted vegetable sandwiches, ropa vieja, black beans, yellow rice, tossed salad with avocado and fresh fruit sprinkled with shredded coconut.

Everything was delicious and our hard-working staff was overwhelmingly pleased with the meal. One thing I love almost as much as making a great dinner (or eating one!) is seeing people enjoy a great meal.