Vagabond Gourmet

Age Range: 50-59 | Joined: November 2006

tampa, Florida

About Me: Chowhound, gourmand, culinarian, foodaholic, glutton, epicurean, connoisseur, chef, caterer, my life has revolved around food.

I am guilty of eating duck confit every day for two weeks, dragging my husband for hours to pick my gelato in Florence, and sharing my baguettes with the birds in the Luxemburg Gardens. Devouring an oyster po' boy from Messina’s on the way to dinner at Nola’s is another confession, as is spending a small fortune to gorge on foie gras, vintage champagne and the Piece Montee at the Château de Versailles millennium fete.

Admitting the guilty pleasure of goose fat permeating the air is something I long for and hoarding black truffle salsa from Tartufi Nacci in my cupboard are more confessions I must make. I sneak Puy L’Eveque and Rannock smoked venison into my suitcases already laden with oils, mustards and jams. It’s true the smell of fig tapenade makes my knees weak and I challenge anyone to make a better Cassoulet than I do.

My kitchen has a huge fireplace crowned by an ancient moose head even though I live in Florida and the faint aroma of Vindaloo curry paste and tea smoked salmon are permanently enameled my the stove. I have spent a lifetime cooking for the masses and the warmth of my kitchen at home always a welcoming retreat. Friends and family crowd my kitchen for holiday brunches of chocolate cinnamon French toast with warm pecan praline, whipped cream and raspberries, or coconut lobster tempura with roasted corn flan, and mango chili rum sauce.

Humble beginning as a salad girl in Boston led to a 35 yr career as chef and caterer extraordinaire in Tampa, Florida. The grand events, galas, special occasions, weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and parties of all kinds are too numerous to count. Events were often for thousands of guests and everything prepared by scratch with my recipes. After many years, dreams fulfilled, awards won, one chapter closed for another to begin. Our reward for those long days and nights in catering had always been traveling. My obsession with finding the best frito misto in Venice or millefeuille in Paris, or addiction to confit is something I love to share.

Now my days are spent searching the next culinary quest to enjoy with my Vagabond Gourmet friends. Live, laugh, love, eat is a philosophy my husband and I live by. Sharing my experience and knowledge is a joy.

Trip Journals by Vagabond Gourmet

Name	Destination	Date Created
Lunch with Kate at Le Bistro Paradou	Provence, France	November 8, 2006
The Duck Merry-Go-Round	Dordogne , France	November 7, 2006
All Trip Journals (2)