Another droolworthy pantry, Mary's Pantry #7 in Texas, made me want to build a new house just to hold one of these rooms! Visit the original post to see more photos of the entire pantry. Then, come back and let us know: do you love Pantry #7 as much as I do? Read more →
By now, if you're a regular reader of more than one food blog, you've read plenty of anniversary posts, celebrating one year, five years, and sometimes more. You've probably read some of those posts here, too. A few days ago, this blog turned 10, and the occasion calls for some words. Ah, but what kind of words? Aspirational, or inspirational? I considered telling the truth: I spend many hours writing blog posts in my pajamas while watching shelter shows on HGTV, which means I might be even better at home renovation now than I am at cooking. Instead, I decided to look back through the archives, and as I did, I realized that not only has my blogging changed, but my cooking also has changed:... Read more →
Every Saturday for four years, beginning in February 2008, The Perfect Pantry peeked into Other People's Pantries from all around the world, as readers shared their best tips and personal touches in wonderful photographs. Pantry #1, from Mae in Michigan, showed us her spice storage and collection of Mona Lisa objects, and that set the tone for what became a favorite feature on this blog. Over the next few weeks, I invite you to revisit some of my favorite pantries, to celebrate your creativity and inventiveness, eclectic and practical storage solutions, and just plain over-the-top fabulousness. You can always browse through the entire collection of pantry photos by clicking on the Pantries link at the top of the page. If you're still dreaming of creating... Read more →
Have you had time to watch all of the food flicks from last week's list? No? I'm not surprised, as there were so many good films on the list. Here are some more recent favorites (made since the year 2000) in which food plays a role. (We didn't include documentaries. We'll do that another time.) How many have you seen? Which ones are new to you? Did we forget any? Ratatouille Chef The Lunch Box The Hundred Foot Journey Bon Appetit Haute Cuisine Julie and Julia It's Complicated Pieces of April Soul Kitchen Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Tortilla Soup No Reservations Le Grand Chef Waitress Today's Special Tasting Menu Le Chef The Chef's Wife Romantics Anonymous Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the remake,... Read more →
You can't say that The Perfect Pantry doesn't try to keep you entertained! There are so many great movies where food plays a part that we had to split the list in two. Get ready to start searching; most are available on Netflix or Amazon Prime, but for some of the older films, you'll have to hit the library. Today, food-related flicks up to the year 2000. (See our list of films since the year 2000 here.) How many have you seen? Which ones are new to you? Did we forget any? Babette's Feast Dinner Rush Mostly Martha Like Water for Chocolate Le Grande Bouffe Tampopo Eat Drink Man Woman Chocolat My Dinner with Andre Toast Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? Willy... Read more →
Serial introduced me to podcasts. On one weekend drive to New York City, my husband Ted and I binge-listened to the entire first season. I wanted more. Debbie Millman's Design Matters podcast kept me hooked; I even watched a telecast of her podcast. I wanted more. Public television brought us Julia Child, and public radio brought us The Splendid Table, hosted by Lynn Rossetto Kasper, more than 20 years ago and still going strong. They also brought us Radiolab, one of my granddaughter's delightful addictions. I never listened to food podcasts very much until I met Janice and Liz, the Meal Makeover Moms, and discovered their great podcast. Now I enjoy listening to my friend Jane's This Week for Dinner, which features interviews with food... Read more →
Happy Saturday! Let's talk about films that have food as a key player, or a supporting actor, or a setting or a prop. In the comments below, please share your favorites, old or new, funny or weird, popular or obscure. Documentaries or mockumentaries. Films for children or adults (but please, no adult films). Babette's Feast? Ratatouille? Chef (my current favorite; I've watched it at least half a dozen times)? Big Night (I've probably watched this one a dozen times.)? Dinner Rush? Mostly Martha? Like Water for Chocolate? Bottle Shock? La Grande Bouffe? Tampopo? Next up, on my to-see list: The Lunchbox. What's on your list? I'll publish a big list of food movies from all of your suggestions. Thanks! Read more →