Kitchen Chat® – Margaret McSweeney

"Savor the Day" is the tagline of my life. It's a reminder to find and live your joy while connecting with family and friends. The multi-talented Wyatt Russell exemplifies how to "Savor the Day" and savor the sip with his approach to life and work. In addition to his athletic and acting careers, Wyatt is an entrepreneur as co-founder of Lake Hour, a line of ready to drink Sparkling Cocktails evoking the fond memories of "real leisure" and "sit-back-and-sip" camaraderie of a day on the lake with family and friends. We had a fun Kitchen Chat at the finale of the fifth annual Pr%%f Awards at The Palms in Las Vegas. Congratulations to Lake Hour for winning a double gold award at the Pr%%f Awards! I had a great time being one of the judges at the 2023 Pr%%f Awards.

For Wyatt, a remote lake in Canada was the special gathering place for family time and inspiration. World-class hockey talent was what brought the family to Canada in the summers, when Wyatt was just 10, to support his passion and gift. Wyatt co-founded and launched Lake Hour in 2023 with friend and film producer, Richard Peete. They became great friends when their wives introduced them to each other. During a family vacation and while in a hot tub, Wyatt and Rich created the idea of Lake Hour which features a sparkling and fresh cocktail to capture the flavor and special memories and stories of being at a lake with family and friends. To avoid the fake sugar taste of many ready-to- drink cocktails, Wyatt and Rich chose to use premium vodka and 100% blanco tequila as the base of the drinks and only 3.4 grams of raw cane sugar. The flavors include Honeysuckle Ginger with vodka, Peach Jasmine with vodka, Rosemary Yuzu with vodka and Watermelon Cucumber with tequila and are available right now in markets across the US include Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Oklahoma. Please always remember to drink responsibly and only if you are 21 years or older.

As many of you know, Wyatt is starring in the popular Apple TV's Monarch: Legacy of Monsters with his father, Kurt Russell. How exciting that Kitchen Chat had the first media interview about this show!

What are some of your favorite memories and stories at a lake?

Savor the Day and Savor the sip!

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"Find a great need in a near edge and act upon it to make a difference" as my father always encouraged. This has proven to be a powerful recipe for action, especially for Nancy Brinker, a three-time Ambassador and New York Times best-selling author, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. She launched two impactful charitable organizations from her kitchen table. Nancy is regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement. Her journey began with promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen that she would do everything possible to end the shame, fear and hopelessness caused by this disease.

Since 1982, Susan G Komen Foundation has invested nearly $1.1 billion in breast cancer research. The second charity that Nancy recently founded is the Promise Fund of Florida, which helps ensure that every woman, regardless of her circumstances has access to life-saving cancer resources. She was shocked to discover that 80,000 women ages 18-65 in Palm Beach County do not have health insurance coverage, and 30% of breast cancers are at an advanced stage when diagnosed.

Kitchen Chat was honored to sit with Nancy at this very kitchen table where she started The Promise Fund of Florida to discuss an issue that is important to both of us. Nancy and I are breast cancer survivors.

Nancy Brinker and I met at Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) event at the United Nations where she was being honored by Wendy Diamond, the founder of the WEDO. During our Kitchen Chat, Nancy and I of course bonded over our love and appreciation of food. She shared highlights from her favorite meals as U.S. Ambassador to Hungary along with her appreciation of her late husband's accomplishments as a pioneer within the restaurant industry. Norman Brinker was the founder of Steak and Ale and CEO of Brinker International which owns Chili's Grill and Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill and Maggiano's Little Italy. He is credited for revolutionizing the casual-dining restaurants in the United States.

In a full circle, "hugs from heaven" moment, Nancy invited me to join her for the Women of Distinction awards luncheon in Palm Beach which is hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic University. She of course is a past honoree. What she didn't realize is that when my father was president of Palm Beach Atlantic University over thirty years ago, he actually helped create this concept of honoring women in the community.

Please help support the Promise Fund of Florida and make an impact for women to have access to life-saving cancer resources. Thank you, Nancy Brinker for finding "a great need in a near edge and acting upon it to make a huge difference."

Savor the day!

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What a joy it was to take Kitchen Chat on the road recently to New York's famed Becco and sit down with Lidia Bastianich in celebration of the publication of her sixteenth cookbook! Time with Lidia, a multiple Emmy and James Beard Award winning public television host, author, entrepreneur and fellow member of Les Dames d'Escoffier is always inspiring. Her most recent book is called Lidia : From Our Family Table to Yours published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House and features "More than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions." Lidia's family is at the essential heart of this beautiful book which is a tribute to her Mother Erminia, who passed away two years ago at the age of 100. One of her mother's favorite dishes that Lidia made for her was Eggplant Rollatini. That recipe is in the new cookbook. Lidia and I first met through Barbara Lazaroff at Eataly Chicago during the James Beard Awards in 2015. Eight years later, I had the honor of introducing Lidia onstage as the 2023 recipient of The Andrew Zimmern Discovery Award at The Taste Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

Tis the Season for giving. Jen Lilley's heart for children has turned into an unexpected fundraising effort to provide 25,000 toys to children around the globe. Christmas is Not Cancelled is in its third year of bringing joy to the world. The deadline for donations is December 9, 2023. However, you can always donate next year if you miss the deadline.

Participating in Christmas is Not Cancelled is a great way for children at home to learn about the impact of charity. Jen talks about the importance of creating moments of empathy while raising her kids.

Jen and her husband are raising four children, age seven and under, including two wonderful children they adopted from the Childhelp Foster Care Program.

Watch the video youtube: https://youtu.be/pyscOGYzvhA

To learn more visit https://www.Kitchenchat.info

"Sophisticated Fun" is the mantra for Chef Michael Mignano, Executive Chef/Culinary Director at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel. Since 1930, this iconic hotel has defined "timeless New York City luxury," and Auguste Escoffier was the opening chef and designer of the original kitchen. Chef Mignano continues this outstanding legacy of luxury and hospitality at The Pierre.

To honor and celebrate Karl Lagerfeld during the most recent Met Gala, Chef Mignano prepared exquisite amenities for the guests. After much research, Mignano discovered that Lagerfeld thought that buttered toast was the ultimate in luxury. Mignano creatively included a miniature toast with a side of French butter in the dish.

Hospitality is effervescent at The Pierre, not only to guests but to fellow co-workers. Many staff members have worked at The Pierre for their whole career, including Chef Santiago, the most senior culinary staff member Chef Santiago who has worked at The Pierre since 1981. Chef Mignano learned at an early age from Chef David Bouley that an executive chef should know every aspect of preparing a meal in case someone doesn't show up.

Chef Mignano is probably one of the only chefs who can prepare a savory banquet for 400 guests while perfecting a wedding cake at the same time.

To learn more visit https://www.Kitchenchat.info or Webtalkradio.com. To watch this episode on Youtube follow this link: https://youtu.be/RxuWyeSqrbA

Welcome to the new Kitchen Chat series called A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality. In this first episode, we will visit The Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel. This iconic place has defined luxury and hospitality since 1930 in New York City. The culinary history is epic in that Auguste Escoffier, known as the father of the world's chefs, was the opening chef at The Pierre and even designed the kitchen. As a frequent guest of the hotel and a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, I wanted to learn more about The Pierre.

Here is the video link to this special Kitchen Chat https://youtu.be/DLuiEpx0Nrg

Nestled amongst 370 acres of gardens and grounds is the grandeur of the historic Cliveden House.

Originally built in 1666 by the Duke of Buckingham, the last owner was William Waldorf Astor who rebuilt the estate to what it is today. The National Trust is the owner of Cliveden House which is now a breathtaking luxury five star hotel. Recently, I booked an overnight stay at Cliveden House through American Express Travel's Fine Hotels and Resorts.

The benefits included a free breakfast and free upgrade. I was traveling with my friend, May Wong from graduate school and her dog, George.

The hotel graciously welcomes pets. (Please refer to the pet policy guidelines).

Cliveden House is a culinary delight. The Lady Astor Afternoon Tea was indeed a delicious highlight. Overlooking the expansive gardens, tea is served in true English fashion.

The signature drink 66 served in the wood-paneled Library Bar is an homage 1666, the year in which the Duke of Buckingham built Cliveden House.

There are several Michelin starred restaurants in the area, and the concierge is happy to help arrange reservations. Charity begins in the kitchen. In the Cliveden House gift shop, a copy of the Chefs at Home cookbook is available for purchase, and a portion of proceeds benefit the wonderful non-profit Hospitality Action.

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Visit https://www.Kitchenchat.info

Join Margaret McSweeney and Chef Lee Burton at a table by a tree-lined gravel driveway in front of an 18th century villa in Antibes for a special Kitchen Chat. Both Chef Lee and Margaret share Alabama roots and enjoyed connecting the dots of mutual friends and southern childhood taste memories. Enjoy the background sounds of cicadas singing and the birds chirping.

As the foodie friends of Kitchen Chat know, charity begins in the kitchen. Chef Lee has a passion for teaching children how to cook and is involved with a fantastic charity, the Rochford Foundation. He actually left a successful business career mid-life to pursue his passion of culinary teaching. It's a reminder to us all that we should never feel stuck in what we are doing in life. You can always make a proactive and purposeful change.

Chef Lee is also busy launching a new show called "Go Local Lee" (https://www.golocallee.net/) This series of videos is aimed at spotlighting local dining and drinking establishments in Redlands, California. From front-of-the-house interviews with diners to back-of-the-house visits to the kitchens, Chef Lee offers diners an intimate look behind the scenes of their favorite eateries, coffee shops and breweries.

Chef Lee's website: https://www.golocallee.net/

Highly acclaimed pastry chef Eric Lanlard, owner of Cakeboy Cookery School in London shares some great tips to enjoy an Afternoon Tea. As Chef for the Royal Ascot Afternoon Tea, Chef Lanlard prepared around 6,500 Afternoon Tea servings this season including 20,000 scones. Queen Anne founded Ascot Racecourse in 1711 and even stopped there often on her ride from Windsor for an Afternoon Tea before there was a racecourse. According to Chef Lanlard, a royal approach to prepare your scones is the Cornish way with jam first and then clotted cream on top. However, this remains a constant cuisine debate with Cornwall vs Devon. The Devonshire way is to put the clotted cream on first and then the jam. Either way, an Afternoon Tea is always a scrumptious treat.

As the grandson of a Butcher, Chef and Southern Gentleman Matt Moore's passion for meat is literally in his bones. As the author of the acclaimed A Southern Gentleman's Kitchen, South's Best Butts and Serial Griller, Chef Moore shares his rich legacy of recipes and methods for both 'low and slow' or 'fast and hot' cooking.

Chef Moore shares his latest book , Butcher on the Block and celebrates the local Butcher as a culinary hero with stories, coveted family recipes, and expert tips from the people behind the counter who sell meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, and trimmings all around the globe.