Show 476, May 28, 2022: The Karachi Kitchen Foods, Seattle Part One

Sadaf and Kausar Ahmed of Karachi Kitchen in Seattle

Karachi Kitchen Foods is a family-owned and operated (mother and daughter) Seattle-based business specializing in small batch traditional Pakistani Chutneys and Spice Blends.”

“The foods are inspired by family recipes and created by Kausar Ahmed, Pakistani-born chef, food stylist, and author of the award-winning cookbook The Karachi Kitchen.”

“Chef Kausar has over 35 years of experience in culinary arts. She started cooking in her grandmother’s kitchen as a child and has devoted her career to opening worlds through food education. In Karachi, in addition to her own catering business, Kausar ran a program teaching culinary skills to women and youth in disadvantaged communities. Since 2019 she has been in Seattle as Project Feast Chef Instructor, charged with shepherding immigrant and refugee apprentices on their path to employment in Western Washington’s food industries.”

“Hoping to solve the problem of not being able to find high-quality, preservative-free Pakistani food products commercially, Karachi Kitchen Foods crafts all recipes from scratch using high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Foods are produced using traditional techniques and no artificial preservatives or additives to capture the authentic taste of Pakistani home cooking.”

A Karachi Kitchen Foods Newsletter with recipes and new product info is set to launch soon. Sign-up on the Karachi Kitchen Foods Website.

Chef Kausar Ahmed and daughter Sadaf Ahmed join us from Seattle with Chaat Masala seasoning in hand.

Show 476, May 28, 2022: The Karachi Kitchen Foods, Seattle Part Two

Sadaf and Kausar Ahmed of Karachi Kitchen in Seattle

Karachi Kitchen Foods is a family-owned and operated (mother and daughter) Seattle-based business specializing in small batch traditional Pakistani Chutneys and Spice Blends.”

“The foods are inspired by family recipes and created by Kausar Ahmed, Pakistani-born chef, food stylist, and author of the award-winning cookbook The Karachi Kitchen.”

“Chef Kausar has over 35 years of experience in culinary arts. She started cooking in her grandmother’s kitchen as a child and has devoted her career to opening worlds through food education. In Karachi, in addition to her own catering business, Kausar ran a program teaching culinary skills to women and youth in disadvantaged communities. Since 2019 she has been in Seattle as Project Feast Chef Instructor, charged with shepherding immigrant and refugee apprentices on their path to employment in Western Washington’s food industries.”

“Hoping to solve the problem of not being able to find high-quality, preservative-free Pakistani food products commercially, Karachi Kitchen Foods crafts all recipes from scratch using high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Foods are produced using traditional techniques and no artificial preservatives or additives to capture the authentic taste of Pakistani home cooking.”

A Karachi Kitchen Foods Newsletter with recipes and new product info is set to launch soon. Sign-up on the Karachi Kitchen Foods Website.

Chef Kausar Ahmed and daughter Sadaf Ahmed continue with us from Seattle with Tamarind & Date Chutney from Karachi Kitchen in hand.

Show 432, July 3, 2021: Ericka Sanchez with Aguas Frescas & Paletas

Ericka Sanchez of Nibbles and Feasts

“Creator of the award-winning website Nibbles and Feasts, Ericka Sanchez delivers a refreshing take on Mexican drinks and popsicles, just in time for Summer in her new cookbook, Aguas Frescas & Paletas – Refreshing Mexican Beverages and Frozen Treats, Traditional and Reimagined. Aguas Frescas and Paletas highlights 40 amazing treats that use less sugar than the traditional recipes, and adds unique flavor twists into the mix alongside nostalgia-inducing classics.”

“Ranging from familiar flavors like horchata and lime to more unique combinations like Hibiscus & Spiced Orange, Mint Blackberry, and Avocado Coconut the recipes in Aguas Frescas & Paletas use refreshing, simple ingredients that can be found at your local supermarket.”

“Ericka Sanchez is a recipe developer, food stylist, and the creator of the award-winning culinary website nibblesandfeasts.com. Ericka’s cooking style is inspired by her life as a bicultural Latina living in California and her cherished memories in the kitchen with her grandmother and mother in Mexico. Ericka was born in Torreón Coahuila, Mexico, and immigrated with her family to El Paso, Texas, at eight years old.”

Ericka has graciously shared her recipe for Mango & Chamoy Pops with us. It’s in the “Recipes” area of the SoCal Restaurant Show’s Website.

Ericka Sanchez joins us Mango & Chamoy Pop in hand.

Show 259, February 3, 2018: Food Stylist Denise Vivaldo, The Food Stylist’s Handbook Part One

Denise VivaldoChefs and food stylists Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan have recently published of the 2nd edition of their ground-breaking book The Food Stylist’s Handbook, originally published in 2010. There have been great changes in the industry since the first edition, including the explosion in popularity of food blogging and social media, food videos, and recipe creators working as their own photographers.

Denise and Cindie share tips and secrets of the trade with cooks and foodies alike who want to become master stylists. Whether for food blogs, television, books, magazines, movies, menus, or advertising, food stylists and photographers learn to slice, plate, tweak, and arrange for the camera. You’ll find out how to get started, what equipment you’ll need, how to find clients, tips to staying successful, and – most importantly – how to craft and style food so it all looks beautiful.

We’re styling with Chef Denise.

Show 259, February 3, 2018: Food Stylist Denise Vivaldo, The Food Stylist’s Handbook Part Two

Denise VivaldoFood Stylist’s Handbook, originally published in 2010. There have been great changes in the industry since the first edition, like the explosion in popularity of food blogging and social media, food videos, and recipe creators working as their own photographers.

 

To address these changes, Denise & Cindie have updated the book with 60 pages of essential new information and over 100 new photos. New sections include:

  • Using social media like Facebook and blogs to increase your business.
  • How to use photos, videos and recipes to sell yourself.
  • How to plan & execute your own on-air demo, whether on Facebook Live or live TV.
  • Identifying what makes great food photos.
  • A beginner’s guide to using your SLR camera for food photography.
  • How to write user-friendly recipes that will get you good reviews.

Denise Vivaldo is the author of 9 cookbooks and business books including How to Start a Home-Based Catering Business. Denise and Cindie teach food styling classes across the US and at many venues around the world.