The Face (and Hands) of the Workforce

By Katy Budge (a version of this article originally appeared in the Winter 2023 issue of Edible San Luis Obispo) Success in the restaurant business has never been easy. Monetary concerns such as food costs, rents, and razor-slim profit margins were always tough. Post-pandemic, those issues have worsened. However, it’s the human element of the business that’s proving particularly tough to stitch back together. Fielding … Continue reading The Face (and Hands) of the Workforce

Forks in the Road: Impressions of Magical Venice

By Katy Budge Venice is a magical city … in more ways than one. Designated a UNESCO heritage site, its very existence defies logic and logistics. The population of Venice began to amass in the 5th century largely because some people were fleeing invasions, and found refuge on some easy-to-defend islands in a lagoon. A rather inauspicious start to one of the world’s great cities. … Continue reading Forks in the Road: Impressions of Magical Venice

The Poms Are Here! The Poms Are Here!

Over the past few years, I’ve become a big fan of pomegranates. The quirky red orbs signal the start of fall, cooler weather, and more reasons to craft festive cocktails using their vividly-colored juice. Native to Iran and northern India, pomegranates feature prominently in Mediterranean cuisine, including pomegranate molasses. If you see a bottle of this on your market shelves, pick it up and give … Continue reading The Poms Are Here! The Poms Are Here!

From the Archives … A Tale of Tiffins: One Person’s Doggie Bag is Another City’s Lunch Box

I reposted this in 2019 after the then-new California state law allowing customers to bring their own takeout containers for restaurant leftovers, which I’d been doing this for years thanks to my tiffins! In light of all the discussion about food waste and keeping things out of landfills, it seemed a good time to reach into the archives again. I’ve updated the purchase information below, so … Continue reading From the Archives … A Tale of Tiffins: One Person’s Doggie Bag is Another City’s Lunch Box

Have You Ever Mulled Over Mulberries?

By Katy Budge I sang that song a lot as a kid, but it wasn’t until this year that I’d ever tasted a mulberry! (Of course, I’ve never seen a monkey with socks on chasing a weasel, but that’s neither here nor there.) Due to their very short shelf life of only a few days, mulberries aren’t a common sight on most grocery shelves. I … Continue reading Have You Ever Mulled Over Mulberries?

What’s Next for La Cocina?

By Katy Budge (Ed. note: I previously featured La Cocina’s cookbook in my “Ex Libris” series in March 2021, and their marketplace in a “Forks in the Road” piece later that year. I’ve been a longtime admirer of this San Francisco non-profit and its efforts to bring equity to the food and restaurant industry. I urge you to do the same.) There was probably an … Continue reading What’s Next for La Cocina?

Would You Try Beer Made with Corn?

Over the past year, I’ve tried some tasty potent potables made from interesting ingredients. Among them: apple vodka, sweet potato liqueur, and Wheyward Spirit – a neutral spirit crafted from whey. But among the most intriguing was a beer made with corn, which I got to experience at the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Festival in Paso Robles, CA. “Cerveza Clara Y Mas Fina Especial”, … Continue reading Would You Try Beer Made with Corn?

Be a Good Bee Guardian

By Katy Budge It was only natural that, in researching a piece about a beekeeper, I’d become interested in the company they keep. And really, everyone should “bee” intrigued with these amazing little creatures. While the most obvious product of bees is their delicious honey, it’s their industrious pollination work that keeps life on this planet buzzing. There are several thousand types of bee species, … Continue reading Be a Good Bee Guardian

Cooking Ex-Libris: Seasons of My Heart

Volume 3, Issue 1“Cooking Ex-Libris” is a CasaFestiva.com series exploring new recipes from my own cookbooks. Enjoy! By Katy Budge At the beginning of this century, the Sunday newspaper used to make a resounding plop when it hit the driveway. The hefty edition also had a multi-page travel section, with compelling articles and beautiful photographs that enticed you to travel the world. Also in this … Continue reading Cooking Ex-Libris: Seasons of My Heart