So, I went on a reality show... and it actually premieres on national television tonight! I feel like i'm in uncharted territory--I don't quite know what to expect or what will come of this. What I do know is that the entire experience has been full of unexpected surprises--like filming in London at the same set where Star Wars was being filmed!  I not only challenged myself as a baker and a person, but I got to share this adventure with a wonderful group of people who became friends. 

I've updated by roasted butternut squash soup recipe by adding a unique winter spice blend. This blend has everything from orange peel and candied ginger to pink peppercorns and cinnamon sticks.  The roasted quash with its delicate yet subtly sweet flavor is the perfect vehicle to bring out this array of spices (and flavors!) And making it was an absolute cinch.

I decided to make smoothies as a post-Halloween “candy detox” and pre-holiday food coma. We’re in this small window of time where all of the good Halloween candy has run out, yet the holiday baked goodies aren’t yet being brought to the office on a daily basis. It’s the perfect time to blend smoothies and soups and get all of your vitamins and nutrients in before the holidays!

I recently attended The Blind Man’s Ball—the most epic, hedonistic, Japanese-beer-fueled Halloween party. Very few things will cause New Yorkers to leave the city for a party, but we arrived in costumes and masks by black car and bus to the sprawling 22-acre, once-abandoned country estate in Yonkers.  From the moment I stepped into the main hall and viewed the bejeweled revelers and fallen chandeliers lining the entrance, I knew this night would be special.

Crackling brown leaves slowly cascade to the ground. Fast-walking pedestrians drape lightweight scarves around their necks as their ankle boots clack down crowded sidewalks. The temperature is finally dropping, and it’s actually beginning to feel like fall. Now that I’ve traded tank tops and cut-off shorts for a pea coat, I’m more inclined to indulge in a hearty pasta.  And the perfect way to add some pizazz to any pasta dish is to grate some fresh parmesan on top.

Our adventure started with a trip to Trafalgar Falls, one of the most-visited sites on the island. Trafalgar Falls is located in the Roseau Valley...