Lemon Yogurt Cake & An Ode To My New Town...

I have to start this post by going over an email exchange I recently had with a reader. I think it was quite enlightening on both sides from various reasons. He sent me a message asking if there was still spots available in the workshop Tami, Mindi and I are teaching in Birmingham, Alabama in July. (details here) My answer was a resounding and honest "Yes! Would love to see you there!" and here is part of the exchange that ensued that made me profoundly sad and just as excited.

Him: that's great! But why on earth Birmingham, Alabama?!!
Me: ? what do you mean?
Him: it's A-la-ba-ma. Ugh...
Me: hey! I live here now!  Have you ever been to Birmingham? Alabama?
Him: No.
Me: then why the prejudice? Preconception?
Him: I so wish you had it in Atlanta, like the one in April.
Me: so you've been in Atlanta? Georgia?
Him: No.
Me: seriously now. Why not Alabama?!
Him: you know, history and stuff. People. Not much happening there.

It went on a bit longer but I will spare you the dialogue format.
 

Yes. Alabama has a troubled past. So does Georgia. So does South Carolina from where I hailed. So do many states in the US. So what...? It made Alabama history that much richer. Its residents that much aware of the outside view the rest of the world has on them and their desire to prove it wrong that much stronger. I am proud new Alabama resident. I have fallen completely in love with Birmingham and the state surrounding this amazing growing city.

Troubled past makes your present. Your present does not have to follow suit to your past however. Birmingham is full of life, full of neighborhoods vibrant with people casually meeting up for a glass of wine on their back deck or walking over to the nearest neighborhood par or restaurant. Pockets of life, bursting with creativity. Artists, galleries, studios. A music scene bursting at the seam. Many a James Beard nominated and winnning chefs. The food... Oh my, the food. Alabama is not red pick up trucks and barbecue. It is. But it's also so much more...

One thing that struck me about Birmingham was not only the incredible food scene and how friendly people were (and I come from friendly city Charleston...and we got nothing on Birmingham. Trust me!), but how lush, pristine, clean and green the city was. And how much it was nothing like I thought. And I am sure a lot of us thought. And think. Still. That conversation with a reader is not new or unusual. I am happy to change their minds or at least show them some of the attributes that this city bears.

Birmingham hosts Southern Living magazine, Cooking Light magazine, Oxmoor House, Hoffman publications and numerous crazy talented photographers, food stylists and prop stylists. And I had no idea about that either when I got a call to consider a photo position there. And I was blown away. And so happy to be in this mecca of talents. Both culinary and visual.

If there is one city to discover on your map this year, Birmingham should definitely be it. If there is creativity boiling inside of you but no one to help you harness, shape and deliver it, this city definitely deserves a second look. And more. It's almost ridiculous to me how much Birmingham has to offer and that I find myself in the midst of it. Yep. Call me a proud new resident.

So, would you join us for a weekend of learning, sharing techniques, tips? Tami, Mindi and myself can't wait to see you here. Where arts of all forms meet and create. Where Southern charm intertwines with urban sophistication. Some spots are still available. Details HERE.

 In the meantime, I am leaving you with one of my favorite cakes. The first one my grandmother taught me how to bake. The quintessential "Gateau Citron Au Yaourt" or Lemon Yogurt Cake.

REGISTRATION FOR THE FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING WORKSHOP IN BIRMINGHAM IS NOW OPEN!

Registration for the 2 day Food Photography & Styling Workshop in Birmingham is now open! 

To register, please visit HERE. 

We are so excited to be able to bring this one to you and to share our experiences, tips and techniques with you. One photographer, one food stylist and one prop stylist in one studio over two days. Woo!

 

Here is a recap of the workshop: (more details and info about it and the instructors on the registration page)

When: July 27th-28th 2013 

Where: Birmingham, Alabama 

Workshop limited to 12 

Fee is $1250 and includes: 

- 2 days full of instructions with three established professionals 

- lots of demos and one on one guidance 

- meet & greet on Friday July 26th from 7pm til 9pm, 

- dinner Saturday night (location TBA) 

- lunch, snacks and refreshments for both days 

(travel costs, transportation and lodging not included)

A Two Day Food Photography & Styling Workshop In Birmingham, Alabama, July 27th - 28th 2013

Have you ever wished you had someone explain in an easy way how to tell a visual story through a photograph? How to work with natural light, wherever you are? How to diffuse and bounce, highlight and contrast in the best way possible? 

 Have you ever wondered how on earth you would style that awkward yet wonderfully delicious sweet potato casserole? How to style and photograph cocktails, drinks and steaming cups of coffee? 

 Have you ever wondered how a prop stylist layers and composes a shot to compliment the food? Where does it all start? The food? The props? The camera angle? 

How does it all come out together to create images that make your stomach growl they are so appetizing? 

Well...how about a workshop with three instructors, highly skilled in their respective fields to take you through all this? Over two days?! 

 Yep... 

Tami Hardeman, Mindi Shapiro and myself are doing it again! This time, in Birmingham, Alabama where Mindi and I reside. Our first workshop together was such a success that we are bringing you another one packed with challenging shoots, great foods and lots of hands on practice. (read more about the instructors here)

The class is targeted to all levels and all three of us will be there to take your photography, food styling and prop styling to the next level. Gently and efficiently, we will give you the tools to let you express your creativity with your styling and photography. 

We have listened to people's plight and are excited to bring a workshop that will focus on the "toughie" items to style and photograph such as cocktails, casseroles, spreads and dips of all kinds, etc.. We may or may not throw a holiday theme shoot in the mix.

Here are the details: 

When: July 26th - 28th 2013 

Where: Birmingham, Alabama

How many students: 12 

How much: the workshop fee is $1250 and includes: 

- meet & greet on Friday July 26th from 7pm til 9pm,

- 2 days full of instructions with three established professionals, Saturday July 27th - Sunday July 28th
- dinner Saturday night (location TBA)

- lunch, snacks and refreshments for both days (travel costs, transportation and lodging not included) 

Restrictions: 

Package is all inclusive. No substitutions. Schedule subject to change. 

There will be no refunds for this workshop – please know you can attend before you register. 

 Registration will open on Monday June 3rd at 8:00am EST. Please go here to register.

Linguine With Salmon, Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes. And Lots of Other Good Things!

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. That pretty much sums up the state of my brain when Friday came around. And fried. The word I'd use if asked how my head felt. The last few weeks have been pretty packed and at the same time completely fulfilling and inspiring. It's always Christmas morning when I head over to the studio. Even when I start feeling the week weighing me down just a tad, I can't but look at the beautiful shots produced with my team and feel elated and grateful.

 

This past week was especially packed and fast paced but knowing that we all worked hard and came together as creatives to produce quality original artwork makes me forget the rhythm I imposed on myself. At the end of the day, all you can do is give yourself 100% to what you want to accomplish and be proud of. 

 

And, let's face it, at the end of the day, all I want is to come home to something easy to put together for dinner and a good glass of wine. When my food stylists don't have a care package filled with leftovers ready for me to grab on my way out, I have but the distance of the ride home to make a plan.Yes, cooking for one after a full day behind the camera has yet to leave me completely inspired. On the other hand, I cook a bunch of more elaborate/creative/fun things during the weekend. Meals I know would not necessarily jive with the husband so until he moves here permanently in June, I still have full ownership of the kitchen!!

 

One staple of my week days has been seafood (cooks fast) and pasta (boils fast). Tossed together with plenty of herbs from the garden, lots of seasonal vegetables and dressed with just a drizzle of extra virgin oil, lots of garlic and I am in heaven. And my stomach stops growling. My two favorite seafood/pasta combinations so far have been with hot smoked salmon, caramelized leeks and fresh asparagus or with pan seared salmon, asparagus, cherry tomatoes from my garden, a good bit of lemon zest and lemon thyme. This one is definitely a winner right now. Just plain good and good for you. 

Even as a "temporary" single gal, I still take the time to set the table and eat in peace and quiet for a few minutes. One of my little quirks. Just like starting my mornings with a cup of coffee on the back deck. Curious though, what are yours some of your "feel good" routines? A good meal? A little time out? A good piece of chocolate? Please share!

Jerusalem Artichoke & Ramps Vegetable Soup And Poached Egg With Potato Hash

Picking back up where I left off... almost a month ago. I never intended to let that much time go by in between my posts but "busy" took a hold of me and would not let go. Most of my April was dedicated to workshop planning every day after work. Menus, photo assignments, logistics, etc... To make each workshop different and informative requires a good bit of planning and brainstorming. And a whole lot of organization back and forth with everyone. Don't worry, I cooked a lot and photographed a bunch while away from the blog. Just did not have any energy left after a day on 2 sets and a load of emails and spreadsheets to edit and write.

Yes, I could have just come here with stuff but I want to be here because I have pushed myself a little harder. A new light, a new set up, a new way to look at my composition. Time to ponder and play. This is what this page is about to me. To write something that will resonate with me, because hopefully it will with you too. Not everyday is bliss, and not everyday is prose. Everyday though made me take a step away from this page and while I first I enjoyed taking some mandatory time off, the feeling of being away from my "fun" brain made me miss it even more so.

The soft and automatic music of my fingers on the keyboard. The click-clack of the camera. The clinging of bowls against surfaces. The swishing of fabrics against each other. There is something special about this space. My personal projects. This blog. It made me realize how much of a solitaire time I have lived these last eight months. I did not bother me to have the same meal days in a row. A big bowl of veggie soup, right now my favorite one on rotation is filled with sunchokes, ramps, turnips, parsnips. A drizzle of chili oil. A sprinkle of sumac. Variations upon variations of potatoes hash and an egg on top. Fried, poached, soft boil, etc...

I did enjoy some of this time apart. It was nice to reconnect with my old self, to find the new one and make plans for the self I enjoy being around more: the one who shares with Bill all the little and big things. All the silly moments and the most frightening ones. In about a month, he will be here for good. My small rental house will have to make do for a few months while we find the place better suited for us. I am unbelievably happy to be discovering some of the town with him, all the "firsts", places and events. All in due time. Soon.

 

I am ready to pick back up where we left off. I can't wait to cook for the two of us again. Have people over this Summer for backyard gatherings. Where my new friends here can finally spend some time to get to know him. And us.

In the meantime, there will be a few more meal rotations in my future and I am fine with that.

 Especially when it involves Jerusalem Artichokes & Ramp Vegetable Soup and Poached Eggs on Potato Hash.