Inspiration | Cooks to Follow

This summer I dove into a few new cookbooks (and one I can hardly wait for) that have me inspired in the kitchen lately.  They each have beautiful photography and tempting recipes with their own take on ingredients.  The common theme, there is no substitute for good, fresh, local food.  Interestingly, two are Bay Area cooks and two in NYC.  I am bi-coastal at heart and my heart is always in the kitchen.  Introducing four of my current leading ladies…

Yummy Supper

I originally found Erin on Pinterest when I was searching for quinoa recipes last fall.  I’ve been following along with her, learning more about her background along the way.  Her recipes captured me immediately, but it was her incredible work at the Edible Schoolyard that intrigued me.  As Bay Area parent and a former teacher, I can relate first hand how important healthy organic meals are for children and families.  I also believe (no surprise here) that these meals can be fresh, tasty + simple.  Check out Erin’s blog yummy supper for more info.  Her book can be found here.

The Forest Feast

Another awesome find thank you, Pinterest.  Erin’s watermelon salad caught my attention when I noticed that she had an innovative way of making a favorite summer salad of mine.  I’ve made watermelon salad ever since I can remember, but I particularly thought Erin (different Erin) was on to something they way she plays with shapes, sizes and forms of food.  Why not take a whole slice out of a watermelon instead of the traditional diced cubes.  I wanted to know more.  I spent some time on her blog, the forest feast, and loved her style.  Her blog pages and subsequently her gorgeous book are filled with clean fresh recipes laid out in the simplest most creative way.  I also soon discovered that she lives just up the hill from us.  Another Bay Area cookbook author to adore.  Her book can be found here.

Buvette

There is no surprise to any of my long time friends and readers that Buvette has been a favorite of mine since the moment I laid eyes on it several years ago while in NYC.  My husband and I stumbled upon it just months after it opened its doors on picturesque Grove St. in the West Village.  It was as if it were meant to be me and Buvette.  It’s the kind of place you walk into and feel at home, actually, I would love it to be my home.  (All but the bathrooms, they always crack me up.)  Jody Williams has done such a stellar job creating impeccable dishes of simple real food and pairing them with cocktail perfection and an atmosphere that can’t be beat.  Whether you pop in for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply for a drink, you will have an exceptional experience.  Some of our favorites include the cheese and charcuterie selections, the seasonal tartines, the coq au vin, and the best negroni around.  Chef Williams has done such a spectacular job that she has since opened another Buvette in Paris as well as publishing the restaurant’s namesake cookbook.  It can be found here.

Sunday Suppers

I had the lovely pleasure of meeting Karen last fall at a photography and food styling workshop held at her gorgeous studios in Brooklyn, NY.  Her style is effortless while the product is always stunning.  She takes incredible pride in her work that shows through in all she does, no detail is left undone.  I am honored to have seen her in action and anticipate the delivery of her first cookbook on my doorstep this fall like a child waits for Christmas morning.  I know that the book will be filled with delicious simple food made with care and love.  This will undoubtedly be reflected in the stunning styling and photography on every page.  Her book can be pre-ordered here.

These four women have inspired me, I hope they do the same for you.  Let me know your favorites.