A mini session w/ Kym!

Last week I had the honor of being photographed by, my friend, Kym Ventola! Here a few shots she took plus a few of my favorites from past events she's photographed! She's great on all accounts...Nice, sweet supermom and talented! She can be found on 100 layer cake and here! ...Did I mention she's local???

Weekend Recap: Summer Chef Series Week 3

I hope everyone did something fun this weekend. I was really wishing I was up in Seattle for Seafair! All you PNWers, I am jealous! But luckily I had a relatively productive weekend. I found a coupon online for the Birkam North Scottsdale studio, which I wasted no time printing off and using. $30 for unlimited use for a month! Smokin' deal if you ask me. Anyway, I then worked at the Summer Chef Series at the Phoenix Public Market, where I actually got to prepare the plates in the back! Seriously delicious food made by Chrysa Robertson  of Ranch Pinot. 4 salads including: Grilled Beef Salad, Grilled Butternut-Lentil Salad (my favorite), Watermelon-Cucumber Salad, and Shaved Summer Squash Salad;  One tasty dessert: Panna Cotta w/ Lemon Vermena.

 Stuffing my face post class!

Weekend Recap: Fresh Flowers and Fiestas

Saturday morning we moseyed on over to the Phoenix Farmers Market to pick up some flowers, for a (fiesta themed) graduation party. Turns out, we struck it big, with these AMAZING fresh flowers from Maya's Farm! The gals, working the stall, were so nice, they gave us a water bucket to store our flowers in. I also picked up a couple of beautiful small eggplants and red potatoes from Maya's. 
I am so pleased that the turnout, both vendors and customers, is visibly expanding on Saturdays, down at the market! The only downside to Saturday was that we were way too stuffed from breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast, we didn't get a chance to sample anything from the market!  

 

Grown & Sold by Maya's Farm

Fiesta attire!

Cooking Class w/ Tudie

This past weekend, DBR & I went to one of my favorite spots in Phoenix, the Phoenix Public Market. They are hosting the Summer Chef Series, which is put on by Local First Arizona and Devour! Our star chef of the day was owner Tudie of D'licious Dishes.  We cooked up a mean meal!

 The tables had the most beautiful local flowers!

 Popcorn Crawfish Salad w/ Honey Chipotle Vinaigarette

Achiote Grilled Chicken Breast & Cucumber Melon Salsa (aka salad)

Vanilla Crepes filled with Crow's Dairy Butter-Pecan Goat Cheese topped with Carmel Sauce

Here are a couple of the standout recipes from the class! 

Earth Day!

Did I forget to mention it's Earth Day?! Well I probably forgot because I think everyday is Earth Day. 
Last night some of the lovely people of Local First Arizona went to Roosevelt Growhouse to help harvest veggies for Cibo, St. Francis, Maizie's Cafe, Beckett's Table & The Parlor, who will all be serving these delectable treats today!
I would also like to share one of the most majestic photos from one of my favorite National Geographic photographers, Carsten Peter. This happens to be a REAL CAVE in Mexico!

*Photo Source