InspiringKitchen.com Blog - Page 2 of 30

Oct 06

A Lesson in Royal Brackla Scotch Whisky

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Cocktails, Restaurants, Spirits | No Comments

If you are a Scotch drinker or want to learn more about it, then this article is for you. A night at The Aviary with Royal Brackla Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky turned in to an evening of incredible food, inventive scotch cocktails, an education on Scotch and lots of laughter among friends both new and old.

Our evening was comprised of those with varying levels of expertise when it comes to single malt Scotch. We talked about the spirit’s history, how it is produced, brands, recipes and of course, flavor. As I continue to improve my knowledge about Scotch Whisky, I thought I would share some of my takeaways.… Read more

Oct 01

Celebrate Wine Days at the Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Tourism, Travel, Wine | No Comments

Looking for a Fall getaway that includes delicious food and wine and a location that can’t be beat? Book a stay at the Sofitel Chicago located just off Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile for Sofitel Wine Days.

Sofitel Wine Days

If you are a wine lover, French wine in particular, then Sofitel’s Wine Days are for you. I attended the opening of their Faire la Fête wine tasting celebration which was hosted on La Terrace. From whites to rose to deep reds, these wines were delicious and oh so fragrant.

Sofitel Chicago Wine Days will continue through October 31 with seasonal fall wine dinners, which are part of the larger wine dinner series, and weekly complimentary wine tastings.… Read more

Aug 02

The Design Features of the 2022 Ford F-150 EV Truck

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Travel, Vehicles | No Comments

On the day I was invited to check out the new 2022 Ford F-150 EV Lightning™ trucks, I immediately thought of my truck-loving friend who always challenged me to consider buying a truck for my next vehicle.

Well, Bob, I understand why after learning about the new F-150 Lightning all electric truck. Pickup trucks and electric vehicles were new to me so I have many takeaways to share. Take a look at this video to see the vehicle’s design and features.

2022 Ford F-150 EV Truck

The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning series has a number of different models. Some features are constant across the board.… Read more

Jul 26

The Scoop on National Ice Cream Month

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Foods, Ice Cream | 8 Comments

July is National Ice Cream Month, otherwise known as the sweetest month of the year. This means 31 days of creamy goodness offered up in endless flavors of decadently, delicious ice cream.

With the goal of doing the “hard research” for this article, I dug deep to get the scoop on the latest flavors and brands in the market. After much investigation, I have compiled a list of classic and unique ice creams for you to sample, brand stories to tell, and organizations to support. Oh, and I found a couple surprises to share with you too.

National Ice Cream Month

Adirondack Creamery

When the CFO of a NYC corporation takes his business knowledge and combines it with his passion for ice cream, Adirondack Creamery is born.… Read more

Jun 12

Piccolo Buco & Cooper’s Hawk Introduce Authentic Roman Pizza

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Beverage, Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Restaurant Opening, Restaurants, Tourism, Travel | 4 Comments

Have you ever traveled to an international city on vacation and discovered the most amazing food and then tried to figure out how you can bring it home with you? Well, Tim McEnery of Cooper’s Hawk had that same experience, only he made it happen! Read about how Piccolo Buco and Cooper’s Hawk are bringing Roman Pizza to Chicago.

Piccolo Buco by Luca Issa & Cooper’s Hawk

⁣

Introducing Piccolo Buco, by Chef Luca Issa of Piccolo Buco Roma and Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants, where you will find the most delicious and unique Roman pizza.

⁣The magic of Chef Luca’s pizza comes down to the extraordinary crust that is light and airy inside and yet has a tall crispy edge.

Jun 08

2022 National Restaurant Show Trends and Innovations

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Foods, Restaurants, Trade Show, Trends | 6 Comments

The National Restaurant Show took over Chicago’s McCormick Place last week showcasing the latest restaurant innovations. This four-day event that brings together over 60,000 food service professionals came back to life after the pandemic as it introduced us to the latest trends in the industry. What do you think of the 2022 National Restaurant Association trends?

Exhibitors and attendees alike were happy to be seeing colleagues once again and talking shop. There was definitely an energy throughout the halls to get back to business as we knew it. This is a very big show which means lots to see and explore.… Read more

Jan 26

Kitchen Organization with ShelfGenie Custom Shelves: Installation Day

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Remodeling | 8 Comments

The day I have been eagerly waiting for is here! ShelfGenie installation time. As I mentioned in Part 1 of my kitchen’s small renovation project, I discovered a solution to my cabinet organization challenges when I learned about ShelfGenie at a home design conference.

ShelfGenie is a national organization with local outlets that provide custom shelving and design ideas to help improve the way your home functions. This could be in your kitchen, pantry, bathroom, laundry room or office. Working in the housewares industry, loving to cook and entertain friends and family but having limited storage means everything I have is stacked on top of each other. … Read more

Jan 09

A Staycation at the Swissotel Chicago Offers Rest, Relaxation & Stunning Views

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Hotel, Travel | 10 Comments

The start of the new year isn’t so much about resolutions for me as it is about the need for a refresh. You know what I mean. A getaway to clear your mind even if just for a few days. The reason why a Swissotel Chicago staycation with the beauty of the city architecture seen from every window, relaxing environment and close proximity to all things Chicago is just the remedy to welcome in 2022.

A Swissotel Chicago Staycation

If you haven’t considered a staycation before, I highly recommend it. Whether you reside in Chicago or live in close proximity (driving distance if air travel is not being considered), you must book a stay at the Swissotel.… Read more

Nov 30

Easy Homemade Caramel Corn

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Desserts, Foods, Recipes | 16 Comments

This post was sponsored by Truvia® Sweet Complete®. All opinions expressed in my post are my own.

As soon as the weather has a chill in the air, my baking equipment comes out of the cabinet. Pantry shelves become filled with different varieties of flours, chocolates and nuts. And of course, I need a sweetness to make my desserts decadently good. Which is why I am sharing my first recipe of the season for my Homemade Caramel Corn using Truvia® Sweet Complete® Brown Sweetener.

This zero-calorie per serving sweetener adds a warm brown sugar flavor using plant-based stevia. When you use it in your recipes, it measures cup-for-cup making it so easy to replace traditional brown sugar in your creations.… Read more

Nov 08

ShelfGenie: High Quality Custom Shelving for your Home

Posted by Inspiring Kitchen | Chicago, Home Design, Kitchen Design, Organization, Remodeling | 12 Comments

What’s your favorite room in your home? For me, it is my kitchen. No surprise to anyone who knows me or follows me on social media. In my houseware world and home design adventures, I learned about a company called ShelfGenie. And they really are!

A Genie that is. They can magically make cabinets and drawers a place of organization and not dread. I’m sure you know what I mean. You need to find an ingredient in your pantry but it looks like a deep cavern of boxes, bottles and bags. In order to find what you are looking for, you have to take everything out.… Read more

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