cooking

recipes

life

youtube

where the chef & Wife
elevate your dining experience at home

Read more

We’ve all been there — standing in the aisle of local grocery stores, deciding whether to pick up a container of store-bought potato salad (a time saver) or take your time to make a homemade potato salad for the afternoon family reunion or backyard barbecue. It might seem like taking the easy route, but with […]

How to Make Store-Bought Potato Salad Better (Hack)

Cooking

Read more

Cooking

Introduction to Rhubarb and Celery At first glance, the colorful stalks of rhubarb might remind you of celery stalks, with their thick, fibrous texture and elongated shape. But they are totally different. Rhubarb, with its tangy flavor and vibrant colors ranging from deep red to light green, makes a great addition to sweet desserts and […]

What is the Difference Between Rhubarb and Celery?

Read more

The Art of Pan-Frying Octopus After long hours in the kitchen as a young cook in early 2000, I would often unwind by visiting the local bars in and around San Sebastian and Barcelona. It was there that I first tried octopus, and from that moment, it became one of my all-time favorite recipes. Having […]

How to Pan Fry Octopus (Easy Recipe To Make it Tender)

Cooking

Read more

Cooking

With the weather warming up this season, a refreshing and easy side dish made with seafood like fish or shrimp is the perfect light meal to enjoy outside. Whether you’re in your backyard, patio, poolside or at the beach, ceviche is a dish that’s not just delicious, but is protein-rich. This way if you’re on […]

How to make Ceviche (Easy Side Dish with Fish/Shrimp)

Read more

Our Easter Sunday celebration was a delightful tribute to the arrival of spring. We crafted a delicious three-course meal to savor the season’s flavors. We indulged in dishes like Asparagus and Mushrooms with Meyer Lemon Aioli, a succulent Shrimp Louie with avocado and cajun dressing, and delightful desserts such as Strawberry-Rhubarb Rice Pudding and Brown […]

Quick Spring Dinner Ideas to Warm Your Evenings

Cooking

Read more

Life

Spring brings with it a sense of renewal and transformation, marking the perfect time to refresh our homes, gardens, kitchens, closets, minds, and bodies. As nature awakens from its winter slumber, we too feel a surge of energy and vitality, inspiring us to make positive changes in our lives. Setting the Stage for a Fresh […]

Spring Refresh: A Time for Renewal and Transformation

Read more

You’re probably wondering what festive cocktail ideas you can infuse in your holiday gatherings. It’s that magical time when family reunions, friendly laughter, cozy fireplace chats, and yes, even some intense football matches fill the air. And let’s not forget those precious vacation days, where the only agenda is relaxation. While Toni has her 3 […]

Five Festive Cocktail Ideas For Your Holiday Party

Entertaining

Read more

Entertaining

Are you excited about hosting a festive winter winter cocktail party that your guests will be raving about? You’re in the right place. Imagine a cozy winter evening, soft, warm twinkling lights, and the sweet sounds of laughter filling the air as everyone enjoys the perfect winter cocktail. It’s a dream come true, right? In […]

Hosting a Festive Winter Cocktail Party

thanksgiving table with pumpkins and the words cook like a chef host like a pro

Read more

Imagine the anticipation and excitement of the the most memorable Thanksgiving dinner party, filled with delicious meals, captivating sides, and warm decorations that will leave your guests in awe. You envision a feast that not only satisfies their taste buds but also creates cherished memories. We understand the journey you’re on, and we’ve all had […]

5 Steps to a Memorable Thanksgiving Dinner Party

Entertaining

Chef Rafael and event planner wife Toni in Wow Worthy Food Workshop sharing the joy of cooking and art of entertaining

Read more

Cooking

We thought we’d be teaching, but we learned so much from our students in Wow Worthy Food Workshop.

Inside Wow Worthy Food Workshop

Read more

Vietnamese Bo Luc Lac, or Vietnamese Shaking Beef isn’t just a dish; it’s a Vietnamese flavor bomb. Imagine succulent beef cubes sizzling in a hot pan, creating a dance of flavors. This blog post spills the beans on making this Vietnamese classic—from picking the right beef to whipping up a killer dipping sauce. Let’s dive […]

Bo Luc Lac Vietnamese Shaking Beef with Lime Dipping Sauce

Cooking

Read more

Cooking

Over the weekend we enjoyed Shiitake and Crimini Mushroom Risotto at home on a crisp autumn evening. Earlier in the day we hit our gourmet grocer, armed with our shopping list for a date-night-in. We set a warm and cozy ambiance in our dining area and the delightful aroma of a gourmet dish was sizzling […]

Shiitake & Crimini Mushroom Risotto with Aged Parmesan and Chives

fAVORIte THINGS

 Enjoy some of our go-to biz resources (and favorite things!) to help you in your journey. Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you love something as much as we do... but we only recommend what we actually like and use ourselves! 

go shopping

5 RECIPES YOUR KIDS CAN MASTER BEFORE AGE 13

read it now

blog post

my essential kitchen tool list for 2022 

get it now

FREEBIE

BLOG FAVORITES

Join our community of aspiring home chefs and passionate entertainers. Elevate your cooking skills and host like a pro!

No spam. Just inspiration.

weekly-ish Newsletter
cooking & Hosting inspiration