Inspirations!

This Empress!

Smells are always good for inspiration.  I'm more often than not triggered by my "smemory"...A scent that reels me right back into a childhood memory.  Somehow, there is that dreaming, childlike scense I never want to lose, and I'm always searching for it or trying to recreate it.  My dinners have often been deemed as magical.  I like that!  Recently I received flowers with a note attached that read, "Thank you, sorcress, I'm still in wonderland."  I love that!  

Pictures also trigger me, a thought or emotion from one photo can create an entire dish...

If you wonder what happens in my head, here are some of my latest inspirations for my upcoming winter menu.

This deer skull.

These antlers and color palate.

This fungus!

Collaboration

This December 12th I will be joining forces with Brandon Baltzey and Crux in a pop-up event, which will donate all proceeds to Inspiration Corporation....I'm so pleased to be doing this event for Inspiration.  Last year I had a party for them in December, which was also a success.  

Brandon and I became friends on facebook when I think I saw his profile picture on my friend suggestions and it was of a nice looking dish, so I added him.  He approached me about this dinner about a month ago when he in return was inspired by the pictures of my food.  This past Friday he worked with me in my tiny kitchen and said, "You're like fucking MacGyver in here.  I can't believe you do this alone."  I'm certainly proud of what I do and it is such a compliment for that to be said by another chef who has worked in some of NY's and Chicago's finest kitchens.  

I'm really excited about this dinner and you all should be too.  I hope that many of you will join us.  The details will unleashed tomorrow!

Food Porn Part 3

More pics by Jennifer Moran of my Fall Menu, which runs until the end of December.