Tasty Links

Over the years, I have found good friends to be an essential ingredient for creating a simplified, more joyful life. They can be especially helpful in the kitchen! I encourage you to involve your friends in both the cooking and sharing of meals. Through this simple practice, your friendships can become rich, satisfying and a source of inspiration.

To whet your appetite, I am pleased to share the following tasty links. I hope you find them helpful. Feel free to share them with a friend!

The Barefoot Contessa

Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, has been a continual source of inspiration for me. She once owned a popular specialty foods store in the Hamptons and went on to author several wonderful cookbooks. Ina currently hosts a show on the Food Network. Her website features recipes, menus, cookbooks, specialty products and much more.

The Splendid Table

The “Splendid Table” is a popular NPR weekly program that provides excellent information on gourmet food preparation, appreciation and culture. The website is a companion to the radio series and a robust resource. Here you can listen to recent broadcasts, read articles on everything from soup to nuts, explore restaurants around the globe, and access professional cooking tips and hundreds of recipes. Allow yourself some time to browse this site.

Laurey Masterton

Laurey Masterton is a dear friend, an excellent caterer and an amazing businesswoman. If you live in the Asheville area, I strongly encourage you to check out her site, order a gourmet dinner to go or hire her to cater your next event. You won’t be disappointed! Laurey uses locally sourced, sustainably grown ingredients whenever possible.

The Asheville Wine Market

This downtown treasure has a large selection of fine wines (many reasonably priced), premium beers, and gourmet foods. Owner "Eb" Eberhard Heide is a wine lover in the truest sense—he is unpretentious and enjoys sharing his expertise and passion for wine. His knowledgeable, friendly staff takes great pride in demystifying the selection process and food pairings. For those with a taste for adventure, AWM offers wine samplers that explore vineyards from across the world. If you live in Asheville, be sure to check out their wine tastings, dinners, and other special events.