Chef's Blog

Win The Big Game with a Super Chili Spread

Are you ready for some chili? We aren’t quite sure how chili and football became forever linked, but we know we like it. And while a hot bowl of chili is perfect for any old Sunday, we think the Big Game calls for a super chili spread! This year, don’t […]

Chef's Blog

Enjoy These Recipes with Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI

Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI* is exceptional and distinct, owing to the long traditions of its production and the quality of ingredients. Because of that, rather than despite it, this high-quality ingredient has a place in any kitchen for use on dish. Don’t save your bottle for a special occasion–make […]

Chef's Blog

Diabetes-Friendly Cooking

At CIA Foodies and our members’ page DISH, we embrace healthy cooking for healthy lives, whatever that may mean for you. With recipes, technique posts, and instructive videos, you’ll find the tools you need to build your kitchen confidence. Whether you follow a special diet, enjoy plant-forward dinners, or simply […]

Chef's Blog

Plant-Forward Cooking

At CIA Foodies and our members’ page DISH, we embrace healthy cooking for healthy lives, whatever that may mean for you. With recipes, technique posts, and instructive videos, you’ll find the tools you need to build your kitchen confidence. Whether you follow a special diet, enjoy plant-forward dinners, or simply […]

Chef's Blog

Heart-Healthy Cooking

At CIA Foodies and our members’ page DISH, we embrace healthy cooking for healthy lives, whatever that may mean for you. With recipes, technique posts, and instructive videos, you’ll find the tools you need to build your kitchen confidence. Whether you follow a special diet, enjoy plant-forward dinners, or simply […]

Chef's Blog

Reignite the Creative Spark in the Kitchen

As a food editor, recipe developer, and food stylist, the most frequent question I’m asked is: “So, do you cook at home, too?” And, well, as a human, the answer is yes—I eat and feed others on a daily basis in both my personal and professional lives. And while I […]

Chef's Blog

Traditional New Year’s Eve Oysters

Across much of the world, oysters are an iconic New Year food tradition, but especially in France, where pop-up oyster stalls emerge throughout Paris to supply the city with this holiday staple. Few foods are as polarizing as oysters. Diners either passionately endorse the intake of these bivalves or are […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Hygge

If there has ever been a time to embrace the Scandinavian concept of “hygge,” now is certainly it. Hygge, pronounced hue-gah, is a Danish word that generally means cozy, intimate, or special, and it is used to identify small moments of comfort and contentment in the everyday. It can’t be […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Our Christmas Cookie Must-Haves

A person’s Christmas cookie plate is very personal, but we believe the perfect plate of holiday cookies contains representatives from all of the major cookie groups: chocolate, fruity, nutty, shortbread, and spice. These categories are broad with plenty of room for interpretation, but if you hit each one, you’re sure […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Christmas Brittle

Where I grew up in New Jersey, there was a local candy shop that sold macadamia nut brittle that was a prized possession in my house. It was, as you can expect, expensive as kids candy went, and my parents/Santa only got it once a year to sneak into our […]

Chef's Blog

Holiday Care Packages

The holidays look a little different this year, but luckily, an interruption in tradition doesn’t have to mean an absence of celebration! You may not be able to join together with your loved ones in person, but with just a little planning, you can craft a curated care package to […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Using Meringue Powder for Royal Icing

Royal icing is a decorative icing made from egg whites and confectioners’ sugar. In professional bakeshops, it is used to decorate cakes, pastries, and candies, but at home, it is primarily used to decorate rolled out sugar or gingerbread cookies. We explain how to make and use traditional royal icing […]