I can’t post the drink shots yet, but I here are a few bits that lend themselves to garnish making that will go into an upcoming Summer beverage project I started working on today. People seem to get a kick out of my toolboxes… Despite virtually everyone knowing about food styling nowadays, it amazes me how often they are suprised …
cocktail hour
Here are some images I styled for the current promotion for LCBO “It’s Cocktail Hour”. I mixed and garnished all the drinks, and really enjoyed seeing the amazing, glam props that Lara brought to the set which she created ! The retro-inspired lighting Mark used brought a luscious glow to this classic cocktail scenario ! Cheers ! Blammo Worldwide …
wintery mood, studio food
Despite the unusual spring weather today, our little team of photgrapher Michael Albersat, me as food stylist, and prop stylist Jane Hardin,gathered inside the studio for a “play day”. Here are some images we pulled out of our creative hats, bringing moody shadows and some vibrant touches of colour to the set. Inspired by the classic Torta di Pera, from Carol …
a warming steak salad with onion petals
Winter blahs call for colour (and tasty nutrition) on the plate, and “lots of water, and stretching”. I’ll add more birdwatching, and more travel to that list, too. Bring on the New Year ! The aroma of supper roasting is also a convenient way to warm the house until the wood stove kicks in. Last night’s supper challenge? To use …
eat your winter veg
There are a few shots I food styled recently with photographer Jim Norton and prop stylist Martine Blackhurst of Rustica. Art Director Vicki Hornsby assigned a fabulous colour palatte to this story, and I love the teal, blues and metallic touches that made these {always} delicious recipes by Jane Rodmell cookbook author, All the Best Fine Foods owner (and long time “Cottage Cooks” …
open drawers # 2 : snack stash
open drawers #2 where: a photography studio, Toronto what I’d cook for snacks if I was there now: spicy chipotle guacamole or pico de gallo dips (to go with their organic nacho chips) or anything with a few arugala leaves, double-smoked bacon, chorizo sausage or melty cheesey (to top the their crackers or baguette slices). Snacks count in the studio, …
Point of the Day: Pine vodka, barrels, and tart.
Todays rain was the perfect excuse NOT to catch up on yardwork. Instead, I headed over to 66 Gilead Distillery for an astonishing vodka sampling that included their Canadian Pine Vodka, Whole Wheat Vodka, and Rye Vodka… all made on site. Read the full story about the distillery in the current issue of Grapevine Magazine here. Next off to meet the barrelmakers …
fishing with Ron
Recently I made a little time to do some “creative work” with Ronald Tsang, a young and talented photographer here in T.O. Remebering the challenges of getting into this business of food photography, it’s great to help enthusiastic, creative people with real talent, like Ron. I really liked these images, due in part to the gorgeous quality of the fish …
sweetbreads by any other name
Aigo Bouido, also known as Garlic Soup Vicki’s Veggies Blue Ribbon-winning Garlic I’ver been procrastinating for a day or two now for the chore I’m really not looking forward to….cleaning sweetbreads for a recipe we’re photographing this week. I’m sure they’ll be delicious, but alas, they sure look some aweful. Not difficult to buy if you order ahead …
a dash of Xmas
Here are some images that speak of the season at hand, from a feature I styled last December 2010 with James Tse, for the current Holiday issue of Food & Drink, available now in your favourite liquor stores ! That snowy bliss seen through the window was the real deal…at a rustic log cabin cabin setting in Baysville, Ontario. Notice …
the point of the day: peeled and zested
I carry this little pouch in my tool box, stuffed with a handful of zesters and peelers that I use often…plus a few rarely used butter curlers and melon ballers. These work in a range of applications, like for removing citrus zest in different thicknesses for garnishes. The peelers are also terrific for making ribbons of cucumber, slivers of fresh …
point of the day: thanks Carl!
As I close down the Nook for another rental season, I’m reflecting on the fascinating guests I’ve had this year. And thankful, too, for friends I’ve bartered cottage time for their amazing artwork. Most recently, that would be illustrator Carl Wiens. (I’ll tell you soon about Wendy Trusler, her Voices at Hand exhibition in Picton etc, and the astounding wooden …