First they came for the foie gras.

Now, the self-appointed police of all things have decided to attack…salt. Yes, salt. That mainstay of cooking, that critical ingredient to every baker on the planet, and flavor enhancer to every dish that comes out of a kitchen, professional or otherwise.

My palate is responding to the sounds around me with cravings for spring vegetables and sunnier flavors. How about yours?

I talk a lot about the “mental mouth” — that little inner chef who guides your palate. Here’s how you can give him some exercise and turn him into a powerhouse.

Thanks to my darling C.C. Chapman, I was pointed in the direction of one Emily Cavalier, upon whom I’ve proceeded to develop a ridiculous girl-crush.

Twas the night before Christmas, and Jennifer freaked out. In the middle of cooking, her power went out. With dozens of guests already en route, Her feckless attempt at a meal was moot. She went through her iPhone, Twitter and spam, Surely someone could spare a ham. But who would be cooking? That was the [...]

Psst…in case you didn’t notice, over at Culinary Media Network we’re posting a weekly contest from now through the end of the year to give away signed copies of our Gilded Fork: Entertaining at Home cookbook. We’ve had two winners so far, and a slew of comments, so this is getting fun! The first contest [...]

When I decided to go to BlogWorld & New Media Expo this year, I had one of those double-edged sword moments. I couldn’t wait to see old friends and make new ones — but ugh, Las Vegas. It’s the one town I try to avoid, because it just isn’t for me. My kind of gambling [...]

Sometimes one really needs a carb fix, but plain old French fries just aren’t enough. I’ve grown bored with potatoes, but there are times when I love — nay, need — a good crunchy starch with my dinner. I’ve been experimenting with a variety of different ones to keep my palate enthused, and two of [...]

After several days here in Peru, one thing has become apparent: This is a culture deeply in love with its food. Nowhere else have I seen such a strong emotional connection to the kitchen and table. In kicking off La Mistura, Peru’s annual culinary festival, Chef Gaston Acurio talked about the state of the economy, [...]

My pal Art Insana has created a wonderful new site called the-future.com, which takes a compelling look at the trends that will shape our world in the days and decades ahead, with contributions on topics ranging from fashion to science. I’m intrigued to see the discussions that will surely arise. When Art asked me to [...]