While walking down the streets in Manhattan yesterday, my eyes were magically drawn towards rows of colorful teeny tiny sugary treats against the backdrop of a stork white store. With the doors wide open inviting me in, I was intrigued and had to look closely at what I was seeing. There were cupcakes, but not just […]

It’s summer already and the mercury is rising. One of my favorite things about summer is fresh watermelon. It is cool and refreshing on a hot summer day. Watermelon is low in calories, but not in sugar and offers tons of vitamin C, A and B. In fact sweet, juicy watermelons are actually packed with […]

The second Emory conference on Religion, conflict, and Peacebuilding 2011 took place this past weekend. Yesterday, Dr. Kiran Bedi gave a public talk on “Contemporary Issues and Practical Solutions” that included her movement against anti-corruption in India. Her fame started when she issued a parking ticket to the Prime Minister of India (Mrs Indira Gandhi) and […]

In the early nineties, Alisa Barry opened a small cafe in Atlanta called Bella Cucina to share her passion for cooking and eating deliciously. She started by selling sandwiches door to door to businesses in the Highlands, right from her basket. Everyone loved her Italian delicacies and wanted more. Soon after, she moved on to creating a  specialty food […]

If you are a regular patron of sushi, keep your past notions and experiences aside when you come to dine at Uchiko. The restaurant describes itself as “contemporary Japanese dining” but I say it’s an entirely new cuisine waiting to be discovered. 2011 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Southwest, Tyson Cole has married the finest […]

I am in Austin, TX for the IACP Annual Conference. I have come to learn of Austin as a city full of arts, music, clubs and food. Known as the “music capital of the world”, “home of Whole Foods” and “city for the creative class” and a lot more- all keeps Austin weird. The people here are […]

It’s summer time already. The temperature is rising, the economy is still tight and the kids are out of school. It’s time to go to the pool, watch movies and have sleep-overs. But after a few days, you will get tired of all that. If you are scratching your heads on how to keep yourself […]

Last night I attended a fundraiser at Twisted Taco in Buckhead which my good friend Curt invited me. I knew he likes to ride motorcycles (as I had seen pictures on Facebook), but when he told me he will be riding from Atlanta to Alaska this summer, it caught my attention! He said he is […]

Yesterday, our Community Consulting Team presented it’s final deliverable to local non profit client, Every Woman Works. We had started the project earlier this year. Three volunteers, five months and a lot of hard work later, we were able to give Ms. Tillie, her board and her staff some concrete recommendations to take Every Woman […]

If you happen to take your date to a restaurant adjacent to a gas station in a far suburb of Atlanta, be prepared for a plesant surprise. This evening may be where you accept the expression “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” once and for all. Opened only a few months ago, Shangrila Bistro already has raving fans […]

This past weekend, I was invited to speak to a group of women at Raksha about transitioning into the workforce. Raksha (meaning protection) is a nonprofit based in Atlanta that focuses on helping men and women who have been victims of domestic abuse. The South Asian community tends to be very silent about such issues; […]

Summer is around the corner and its camping season. Kids of all ages are enrolled in programs for everything ranging from science, dance, and sports to debates. But have you considered a cooking camp for this summer? If you have children ages 8-16, here are five reasons you should consider enrolling your kids in a […]

After the success story of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in the last century, we have a new winner! Recently established High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet is a unique ice cream concept that is catching on like wildfire. Just within a few months of their operations, they are already supplying thousands of scoops of […]

I had the fortunate opportunity to attend an event held by Tourism Ireland in Atlanta, Georgia on April 28, 2011.  The event was held specifically for travel agents who send clients to Ireland and the media who write about traveling and destinations.  Titled “Experience a Flavor of Ireland”, the evening was filled with Irish entertainment, […]

Having a Cinco de Mayo party at home can actually be quite fun. Whether you are hosting a few people or a large crowd, these easy to do ideas will make your event a big hit. As with any themed party, you must plan ahead of time to create the right mix of ambience, food […]

Here are some highlights from the Metropolitan cooking and entertainment show at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta this past weekend. It was a great event with hundreds of exhibitors, demonstrations and Food Network stars like Giada, Paula and the Neely’s. Entry was $25 and special events were extra. It spanned both days of the weekend […]

This colorful trifle will get you in the mood for summer and is a sure crowd pleaser. It is not too rich or sweet, with just the perfect balance of flavors. A layer of strawberry mousse made with fresh strawberries, a layer of lemon curd for that tangy taste and coconut cream to bring it […]

Have a lot of leftover Easter eggs and don’t know what to do with them? Well, there is good news for you! You can use your hard boiled eggs in lots of international recipes that your family won’t get bored with. Some of these are even good for entertaining. So take a stroll around the […]

I had the opportunity to attend the two-year anniversary of Dinner with a Passport this weekend. Dinner with a Passport is a foodie group started by Sonia Catalina Viteria, who is originally from Ecuador but now lives in Atlanta. Sonia had friends from all over the world who loved to cook and eat, so she […]

Ever had a problem with too much candy left over from Easter? I do! Every year, I am left with certain varieties of chocolates that I don’t particularly enjoy and end up with a big stock in my pantry. Like everything else, chocolate too has a shelf life. If stored properly, they can last as […]