This time last year, I was heading to New York City with two hungry teens and @dormantchef for a food-filled vacation. This year, much to their dismay, I left the family behind and headed to the the Big Apple alone for the International Association of Culinary Professionals Conference. I'm back chock full of stories and inspiration but short on time, as always. So in the spirit of Wordless Wednesday and 140 character tweets, here are the highlights in photos and pithy captions.
Hope you enjoy this blogger’s quick bite of the Big Apple.
A most unusual chicken mousse re-interpeted in a conference session about how the history of recipes can help us create the future. This Blanc Mengier is first discussed in a 1393 edition of Le Menagier de Paris - a guidebook for how women should conduct themselves in marriage.
An uncooked mulled wine, again re-interpreted from an old recipe discussed in Anne Willan's new book: The Cookbook Library.
Thanks to my friend, Carol Sacks of the blog In Medias Recipe, we walked briskly to the Upper West Side to sample this well-reviewed bakery's hand-made gems. Well worth the walk and the calories. Put Levain bakery on your must-stop list for your next trip to NYC.
Their well-known, indulgently large cookies are a two-day love affair you won't regret. (My dark chocolate version got me through my plane ride home and a much-needed espresso break that afternoon.)
At the advice of the regular patron in front of us, we ordered this brioche-based sticky bun - a perfect combination of sweet, light, gooey, and just plain wonderful. Not a bite left behind.
On our way back to the conference after indulging in our pastry, we stopped at a pet rescue just opening up for the day - isn't he adorable?
That afternoon, we headed down to another venue 82Mercer Street for the IACP Culinary Expo and Book and Blog Festival. The theme of the conference was The Fashion of Food, so appropriate in the trendy SOHO section of the city.
One of our first stops - Melissa's Farm Fresh Produce where they were sampling these delightfully unusual mini kiwis that you could just pop in your mouth and eat whole!
This mouthwatering parma ham (prosciutto di parma) from @ParmaHam_USA, cut by hand for us to taste, was a lovely comparison to a slightly younger ham sliced thinly on a machine for us nearby.
Carol and I were both tickled by this sign and the little pig that went with from this-local-to-NYC creative jam producer.
All that sampling was making us hungry so we headed over to the IACP-sponsored brunch area for a Zucker's bagel, lox, and cream cheese. What's a visit to New York without one?
From the only producer of endive in the USA - a visual display of how the delightfully bitter, crunchy root becomes a perfect vehicle for dips and salads.
And of course, a little chocolate-sampling before heading down to the Book and Blog Festival on the lower level.
What a treat it has been to watch Cheryl Sternman Rule's career ripen. Her new cookbook, Ripe, debuted in New York City during the conference. It is a brilliant collaboration, both in content and visual, between Cheryl and Paulette Phlipot, the photographer on the right. To top off the excitement, Cheryl's blog, 5secondrule, won the award for best culinary blog at the gala awards ceremony Monday night. Congratulations Cheryl and Paulette!
Thanks to Cathy Barrow (aka Mrs Wheelbarrow), the blogger, cooking teacher, and now published New York Times writer, I was lucky enough to befriend Kari Underly, the uber-talented beef marketer and butcher who wrote and designed The Art of Beef Cutting. She was nominated for an IACP award and a James Beard award for the book. Wow!
From my own Bay Area, Anne Zimmerman, author of The Extravagant Hunger, sold out all of her highly-acclaimed books at the IACP Book and Blog Festival. Don't you just love the orange?
And finally, a book signing would not be complete without at least one photo with a food celebrity - Nathalie Dupree and her co-author Cynthia Graubart - both experts on all things southern cooking.
Hope you enjoyed this quick bite of New York City. What is your favorite bite in the Big Apple?
Irene Saiger
Fun to see what other people like to do in NYC, I had a bagel lox and cream cheese from my favorite Russ and Daughters, pretty amazing!
CookingInStilettos
OMG I have been on the fence about to join or not to join IACP and when I saw that both Virginia Willis and Nathalie Dupree were going to be there, I really whalluped myself with a stiletto. Looks like you had a blast! As for Big Apple Bites - I always love wandering around the Chelsea Market, The Darby is one of those restaurants ranks in my top restaurants ever list and on the last trip, a divine lunch was had at Todd English's CaVa.
omgyummy
You should join and come next year to the conference - it's in San Francisco! Sound like you and I could have a grand time eating our way through the city together! Chelsea Market is fun as is Eataly...oh I am getting hungry again!
sandy corman
I envy your trip to NYC. Food looks good but whats a visit to NYC without a knish from a deli and a hotdog with mustard and saurkraut. Nobody serves them as they do in NYC.
omgyummy
You can't have it all in 2.5 days, but I came real close 🙂
Marge
Looks like my kind of road trip!
Visiting from SITS... make it a great day!
the wicked noodle (@thewickednoodle)
Wow, looks like a fabulous time!!
bibberche
I see that your life has been busy, but really GOOD busy! I so wish I could have made it to this conference - it seems like everyone was there, but me:( I enjoyed reading your recap and I am looking forward to the links:) No hurry, though, I know that Hawaii eagerly awaits you!
I owe you a long email, but I'll wait until you are back and my life stabilizes at least a little bit.
Have fun and drink at least one tropical cocktail for me:)
omgyummy
Be patient - I am counting on you making it to the next one - it is in San Francisco!!! I will be in touch this week Lana; I did have a drink for you; and I will look forward to your long email as well!
Carol Sacks
Such a fun post, Beth! And, great photos. Look forward to our next conference together.
omgyummy
Me too! And you can be my New York tour guide anytime.
Diane
I want one of those cinnamon rolls NOW!!!!!
omgyummy
Even better than they look - if you go to New York, you must go!
lizthechef
Almost as good as being there - almost 😉 Thanks!
omgyummy
You're welcome Liz - next year - San Francisco! You'll have to come!