Weekend Happenings! Celebrating my Birthday!!!

This weekend I am celebrating my birthday in Seattle, Washington! Saturday night my sister is hosting a birthday celebration at her home and freshly made pizzas are on the menu. Sunday night, my actual birthday, will be spent BBQ-ing at my parents, which will no doubt be quite the feast!

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year since my last birthday celebration, but as the saying goes, “time flies when your having fun!”

Cheers to another great year gathered around The Table Together with family and friends!!!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Sister's Bachelorette Weekend

Exactly 1 year and one week ago, a group of ladies headed to Eastern Washington to celebrate my beautiful sister’s bachelorette party! Elizabeth (Liz) is one of those sister’s we all wish we had. She makes you a better person by just being in her presence and always, without doubt, has your back and 100% interest in mind. We challenge each other, help each other and most importantly, always believe in each other.   I am one lucky lady to have her in my life!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Understanding Shrimp Classification

The next time you are at the grocery store, this information may help you when it comes to understanding what type of shrimp to ask for.

Every shrimp, whether sold in a bag or in the seafood department, should come with a label determining the estimated number of shrimp per pound. This is shown by “U/#” for example “U/20” would mean there are under 20 shrimp per pound. The number will change depending on the size of shrimp and the “U” stands for “unit.”

You may also see shrimp labeled as below:

Jumbo: 16/20 (16 – 20 shrimp per pound) – These are incredible if you can get your hands on them!

• Extra-Large: 21/25 (12 – 25 shrimp per pound) – This is the most readily available size found at most grocery stores.
• Large: 26/30 (26 – 30 shrimp per pound)
• Medium: 41/50 (41 – 50 shrimp per pound)
• Small: 51/60 (51 – 60 shrimp per pound)

Regardless of what you are looking for, having this information equips you to make the best decision for the recipe at hand.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Chicken Paillards with Wild Arugula Salad

When looking for a quick, healthy and flavorsome dinner to serve your family and friends in under 20 minutes, consider chicken paillard! Chicken cutlets cook in under 10 minutes resulting in a perfectly juicy chicken that your entire family will love! Serve it with a simple wild arugula salad and you have dinner on the table in a matter of minutes!

Whatever it is that you are gathering to for Sunday supper tomorrow, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together!

For the recipe, visit the “recipe” tab from the thetabletogether.com.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Seattle Bound

This weekend I am heading to Seattle for a fun weekend with family and friends. Between cooking and spending some quality time together, I am pretty sure we will be keeping ourselves mighty busy!

To whatever you are gathering to this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: First Birthday!

It’s hard to believe my first “wow” experience with food was marveling at my first birthday cake some 33 years ago. Oh how far I have come!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Santa Monica Farmer's Market

Summer is the best time for fresh produce and visiting your local farmers market is a sure way to get your hands on it! One of my favorite markets here in Southern California is Santa Monica on Wednesday as they offer a plethora of produce from which to make your selection. Wednesday is also the day that all the chefs shop and load their vans full of fresh produce from which they will cook. It sure doesn’t get fresher than that!

Whether you are in Southern California or not, making plans to visit Santa Monica’s Farmers Market is a must when in town!

For more information, visit Santa Monica’s Farmers Market.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Seasonal Farmer's Market Finds

If you love strolling your local farmer’s market, here is what you should be looking to get your hands on right now.

Asparagus is absolutely gorgeous and I simply cannot get enough! From tossing them in my morning frittata to roasting them alongside my Sunday supper, they are easy to prep and cook. Strawberries are juicy and prime for picking! Right about now is when I start buying a ton of strawberries so that I can freeze them for my smoothies when they aren’t at their prime. Corn, dates, cucumbers, avocado, summer squash and a few first rounds of peaches are also starting to make appearances offering just a little glimmer of summer and all the delectable goodness.

As we quickly approach summer, now is a great time to invite your friends and family to join you on a trip to the local market.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Strawberry Crumble

One of the many reasons I love spring and summer is because of the abundance of fresh berries that feed my obsession of cobblers and crumbles. This Sunday supper, why not gather around The Table Together to a freshly made strawberry crumble? It’s a synch to make and utilizes fresh strawberries that are prime for picking right now! For the recipe, visit the “recipe” tab from The Table Together.

Whatever it is that you are gathering to this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Family in Town!

This weekend my family, as well as my sister’s in-laws, are visiting Newport Beach, California. 

While in town, we have multiple reservations for dinner, naturally we must eat our way through the city, and plans for them to take my cooking class on Saturday. I am beyond thrilled to have them in class and mostly, to cook with them!

Whatever it is that you are gathering to this weekend, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday: Snow Days in Columbus, Ohio

When the weather begins to turn and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, I cannot help but remember winter days in Columbus, Ohio where most mornings started like this.

Oh the memories….

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Ina Garten's Visit to Orange County!

For those of you that love Ina as much as I do, mark your calendar for November 5 at 7:30PM as Ina is coming to town! All details can be found through her website but here is a quick overview!

When: Thursday November 5, 2015

Time: 7:30PM

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa

Registration: Ina Garten Tickets

Cost: Depending on seating $49 - $79

Book Signing? Yes!

See you there!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Sunday Supper Recommendation: Affogato

This Sunday supper, consider making Affogato for dessert. Simply top a scoop of ice cream or gelato with a freshly pulled shot of espresso and dessert is served! Sometimes, less is more and this is a testament to that!

To whatever you are gathering to tomorrow for Sunday supper, I hope that you find time to gather your friends and family around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekending Happenings! Beach Day and Testing

Hoping for nice weather this weekend, I plan on taking a break from recipe testing at the beach! Sometimes you need a change of scenery to re-charge your batteries and with the beach just a block away, it’s pretty easy to do just that!

To whatever you are getting into this weekend, I hope that you find time to join your family and friends around The Table Together!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! What's For Dinner Cookbook Production

A few years ago, when I was on the culinary team for Chef Curtis Stone, we spent three weeks shooting all of the pictures for his cookbook “What’s For Dinner.” Let’s just say there was a plethora of food, sweets and drinks coming from our kitchen. It may have been in the high 90’s each and everyday, but we were a full fledge cooking machine.

Several months later when we received our first copy at work, I remember that feeling of pride and pure joy in all that went into Curtis’ New York Time’s Best Seller!

It is a fabulous cookbook that I continue to reference to this day.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival 2015

Just about every weekend from Spring to Fall food festivals are taking place all across the country. From Castroville’s Artichoke Festival in Castroville, California to Vermont’s Cheesemaking Festival in Shelburne, Vermont and Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek, Montana to South Beach Food and Wine Festival in South Beach, Florida and Pebble Beach in Pebble Beach, California, there are an abundance of festivals from which to choose. I have been to many of them but the exciting part is that there are still so many to see.

This October I am truly honored to act as Culinary Director for the Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival and it’s looking to be an incredible event. Located at the new Civic Center in beautiful Corona Del Mar, it is promising to be a spectacular event with dozens of local restaurants, celebrity chef’s and some of California’s finest wine. If you live in Southern California, I hope that you will come by and introduce yourself! Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 2 – 4. Newport Beach Wine and Food Festival. 

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Cooking Classes

When looking to take your skillset to the next level, never underestimate the power of cooking classes. From community centers to cooking stores and cooking schools, You Tube channels and even Private Chefs offering 1:1 tutoring, cooking classes are readily available. From understanding the fundamentals, like properly holding a knife and essential knife skills to actual cooking, there is something for everyone. If you are just starting off, they offer a great foundation from which to build. For those that are more proficient, classes can help finesse your skill set taking your cooking to the next level.

Whatever you are hoping to gain from cooking classes, they are fun at every level and will no doubt help you become more empowered and confident with every dish you aspire to master.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around The Table Together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

What's Cooking? Sunday Supper Reveal! Ristorante Picolinos for Mother's Day Dinner

One of my favorite restaurants in Seattle is tucked away in a quaint neighborhood called Ballard. Having grown up in Ballard, Picolinos was the type of restaurant we dreamed of. A place where the locals are regulars and the tourists wish they could be. The kind of place where they welcome you with a big smile and “would you like your regular table?” The kind of place where you are willing to circle the block looking for parking in the “refreshing” Seattle rain because you know what awaits inside. The kind of place where on a cold night the pizza oven and thoughtful décor warm you to the core making you want to linger for hours on end. And, they don’t mind if you do!

This weekend we are going to Picolinos for Mother’s Day dinner. When your mom chooses Picolinos over every other restaurant in Seattle, you know that has to mean something.

To all the mothers and mothers to be, happy Mother’s Day and may you find time to gather your friends and family around the table together.

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Weekend Happenings! Seattle for Mother's Day

This weekend I am heading to Seattle to spend Mother’s day with my mom and family. I am fortunate to have the most wonderful, loving, beautiful - both inside and out - mother whom I can also call my confidant and friend. I owe everything that I am to her and count my blessings everyday that I can call her mom.

To many more Mother’s Days, I love you mom!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!

Throwback Thursday! Meeting a Baby Cub

A few years ago when I was in Sydney with Curtis Stone for the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show, we went to a local TV studio for a live cooking demo. As I was in the back prepping for the show, in walked a baby cub; on a tight leash of course! Of course I had to say hello and take a picture as no one would have believed me. He was full of cuddles until on air when he thought it was playtime and didn’t realize the strength of his own paws. Luckily his handler had a tight grip on him and no one was hurt, but it was a great experience to have met him!

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!