Three Towns, Three Chefs, Three Cheers!

Three Towns, Three Chefs, Three Cheers! (and join me to meet Iron Chef Cat Cora!)

Once again, I hit the road traveling from kitchen to kitchen, so to speak. I am so driven to be around incredible appliances, it’s as though everywhere I go, kitchens are appearing out of no where!

This weekend I traveled to the greater Los Angeles area, and visited three SearsSears Chef Challenge. First, I drove north, passing though a fascinating craggy desert landscape, to the oasis of Santa Clarita to check on my first "kitchen".  This is one of our Jenn Air demonstration kitchens which are popping up all around the country. Chef Scott Storms was to be featured the next day, so we reviewed the full set up, and hit the road with 60 miles to go to the next location. stores for the

Now, here is a question that ONLY Southern Californians can answer correctly:

Q: How long did it take me to drive 60 miles from Santa Clarita to Costa Mesa?

A: Three and a half hours!

At 8 miles away, my rental car began leaking oil and smoking; it took another 2 hours for a replacement. Luckily, I found myself in the "Little Saigon" area of Westminster.  All types of Vietnamese food around, I can't wait to go back under better circumstances! Vietnamese food is my hands down favorite global cuisine. I finally made it to my second destination, the Sears Chef Challenge Demonstration kitchen in Costa Mesa. The next morning Chef Palak Patel, from the San Francisco Bay Area, was in place for her "Aromatic Shrimp Curry" demonstration.  Her recipes featured a world of gorgeous spices! Find her recipe here:http://searschefchallenge.com/blog/

We got Palak's show going at noon and I ran out the door to visit Chef Sally Cameron'sOrange, CA featuring "Jalapeno Mint Marinated Shrimp with Edamame Hominy Succotash". Find her recipe here:http://searschefchallenge.com/blog/ demo in nearby

I was blown away at the creativity of our chefs.  These original recipes were created in ONE week!  Sadly, I could not visit Chef Scott Storms class this time and taste his "Shrimp Posole" Recipe:http://searschefchallenge.com/blog/

Our chefs love the induction cook tops, Palak used a pressure cooker to great success.  Her curry wowed the crowd. Sally brought her cast iron grill pan, simply is amazing on the induction top, heating up perfectly for succulent grilled shrimp. Scott's big pot of Posole soup quickly came to a boil in about one third of the time of electric or gas! I am so gratified that my passion for kitchens and culinary technology is helping make more and more great kitchens pop up, from the desert to the coast and all across the country!

Special invitation! Join me as I’m Drawn to the Kitchen to work with Iron Chef Cat Cora at Macy's Union Square on Monday June 14th at 6 pm!

Take a page out of "Classics with a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes", Cat Cora's third cookbook. To keep kids of all ages at home and preserve the tradition of the family dinner, she will show you how to transform complicated classic recipes with quick, healthy twists and ways to simplify meals for today's busy households! After the demo, Cat will sign* copies of her book purchased at Macy's the day of the event. Meet Cat and get her autograph! Seating is limited, RSVP today!http://www.macys.com/store/event/index.ognc?action=detail&storeId=212&eventId=8973

Macy's Union Square The Cellar, Lower Level

Make sure to save your spot today by calling 1.800.786.2665 or click the link below. Event subject to change or cancellation. *Applicable only to cookbooks purchased at Macy's Union Square on day of event.