Chef's Blog

“Ask a Chef” The Perfect Game-Day Burger

By Chef Hinnerk von Bargen The burger is a culinary phenomenon. Ubiquitous in the American lifestyle, it has also been introduced to almost every society and culture in the world. Just about everyone who has had a good burger is certain to ask for another one eventually. Its worldwide popularity […]

Chef's Blog

My Memories of Brazilian Christmas Traditions

Growing up as a part of a Catholic family, our Christmas traditions were to attend, or at minimum, celebrate a midnight Mass known as ‘Missa do Gallo’ (Gallo is a rooster). The church Mass is given this name, because it is the rooster that announces the beginning of the Mass, […]

Chef's Blog

A Modern Take on Holiday Classics

Though it is the most wonderful time of the year, some Christmas traditions are less than perfect. While faithful devotees will tout the virtues of fruit cake and eggnog, unofficial and non-scientific research shows that many people think they are, well, the pits. Fruit cake and eggnog are related in […]

Chef's Blog

Holiday Gifts from the Heart

Your holiday gift list seems to get longer every year. Between family, teachers, coworkers, and party hosts, there are plenty of people to celebrate, and what better than a gift from the heart that’s homemade? Holiday cookies plates, homemade jellies or preserves, and decadent chocolate truffles are treats that everyone […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Holiday Entertaining Tips for Special Diets

Entertaining guests with special diets is not new, but it certainly seems to be more common. As we all become more health-conscious and aware of what makes us feel good (and bad!), we face lots of ingredient hurdles as we prepare for our holiday meals. If cooking for special diets […]

Chef's Blog

Live-Fire Cooking: It’s Not Just For Meat

Our human obsession with fire and live fire cooking dates back well over a million years. Our ancestors learned that fire, in addition to being a good heat source, could also transform food in a variety of ways. Placing meat on sticks around a fire proved to be an effective […]

Chef's Blog

Healthier Ways To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Love sweets? You’re not alone. The average American consumes an average of 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day—a lot more than the six teaspoons for women and nine for men recommended by the American Heart Association.1 Sugar intake continues to draw not-so-sweet media attention, as more research suggests its […]

Chef's Blog

Sharpen Your Grill Skills

Grilling, or barbecuing, is taken even more seriously in San Antonio, TX than breakfast tacos (which are actually a close second to breathing as far as importance goes). Since moving here two and a half years ago, I have upped my grilling game and learned many more tips. Here are […]

Chef's Blog

Love Match: Veggies, Grains, and Wines

Article by: By Traci Dutton Do meatless Mondays have to be wine-less Mondays? No reason to think that! Let’s not forget that a little wine, consumed in moderation, can be part of a healthy and appealing diet based on grains, fruits and vegetables, beans, and healthy fats, including dairy. But […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Crafting Your Own Brew

If the thought of enjoying an ice-cold beer made with your own hands appeals to you, you’re not alone. Interest in home brewing has grown over the last several years, in part due to the popularity of craft beers. You might think that making beer is very hard to do; […]

Chef's Blog

Building Your Own Food Garden

The buckeyes have leafed out, the redbuds are flowering, the magnolia flowers have come and gone, and little tomato seedlings in greenhouses across California are emerging from their little seed coats to meet the light of day. Here are a few tips as you prepare for a summer garden, no […]