Memoirs of a Taste Bud

Eggnog, the Classic Holiday Cocktail

Recipe: Classic Eggnog

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Last week I spontaneously opted in to an office potluck at the very last minute, because of course I have the dire urge to be part of any food-related soiree. With only 24 hours to come up with a festive contribution, my colleague and I began brainstorming and finally agreed that nothing screams Christmas more than eggnog, the most classic of all holiday cocktails. Much to our surprise, eggnog also doubles as a conversation starter in this region as the American classic hasn’t really gained momentum in this part of the world, for most it was their first encounter with the cocktail.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Experiments

The Last Minute Food Aficionado Gift Guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2015

Photo Credit: Silsal Design House

Photo Credit: Silsal Design House

The holidays are upon us and whether you are celebrating or not, this is the season of giving and you’ll likely be looking for some gifts for those dinner parties, stocking stuffers or secret santa soirees. Whether you are gifting to a chocoholic, the hostess with the mostess, a film buff or a wino, we’ve got you covered. Here are seven of our favorite food aficionado holiday gifts this season which are easily accessible before Christmas day and suitable for all budgets!

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Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Lifestyle

Dinner & a Movie: Japanese Edition

(Little Bite) Film & Restaurant Review: Film “An” and Restaurant Yo! Sushi

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I decided to indulge in a solo Friday of cinema and food last weekend, with the Dubai Film Festival in full swing, I had my pick of art house and foreign language films. I braved the mobs at MOE, running late I sprinted past the gigantic ornaments that dangled from the central atrium and maneuvered past the Christmas band flash mob until I finally arrived the new and improved Vox Cinema. I tucked into a packed theater for An a Japanese film, dubbed culinary drama, about so much more than just the art of perfecting dorayaki, a Japanese sweet consisting of two pancakes filled with An, Japanese for red bean paste. The plot, slow and long, seemingly begins as a film about a pancake stall in the shadows of plush cherry blossom trees and unravels as a much more serious drama about secrets, love and loss.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Lifestyle, Restaurant Reviews

Fox Life’s Twist of Taste with Vikas Khanna

Twist of Taste with Vikas Khanna – The Persian Trail

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This past summer I had the pleasure of being part of the upcoming season of Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna’s show Twist of Taste, for Fox Life India, which premiered November 4th. This is the first season the show goes international with stops in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Istanbul, namely entitling the season The Persian Trail. The producer of the show reached out to me last spring to see if I would be interested in being featured in an episode of the show. While my professional life has taken me in and out of the TV and film production world however I have never been involved in a reality show, naturally I eagerly said yes.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in In the Press

Degustation at Pearl’s by Michael Caines

[Big Bite] Restaurant Review: Pearl’s by Michael Caines

Photo Credit: Jumeirah Group

Photo Credit: Jumeirah Group

I was whisked away for a staycation a couple of weeks ago in Abu Dhabi, a wonderful reason to explore the capitals culinary scene, a scene I admittedly do not know enough about. With several restaurants on my Abu Dhabi list, I decided to make a reservation at Abu Dhabi’s latest and greatest Pearl’s by Michael Caines. The two Michelin Star chef joins an army of British celebrity chefs to open their inaugural international outpost in the country, aspiring to revolutionize the local food scene. One trip to the Formula 1 last year and one follow up visit to cook for UAE royalty sealed Caines fate as a Abu Dhabi restaurateur, fast forward one year, Pearl’s by Michael Caines was born.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Restaurant Reviews

Braised, Boiled & Burnt: A Food Bloggers Thoughts on Burnt

Film Review: Burnt

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Photo Credit: IMDB

With the rise of reality TV we’ve had the opportunity to see amateur and professional chefs battle it out in the kitchen for different titles like Top Chef, Master Chef, Iron Chef and Chopped Champion, the list goes on. And even though these shows are littered with Michelin star judges, we have never really been exposed to the relentless and sometimes vicious nature of work it takes to earn three Michelin stars. Last week I sprinted to the theater to watch a film about just that, culinary cinemas latest blockbuster Burnt. I relish in any picture when food and film collide, from Chef to The Hundred Foot Journey and Julie & Julia. I always sit in the back row eagerly in the glow of the silver screen with my buttery kernels of popcorn in hand, these are a food bloggers thoughts on the latest foodie flick.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Lifestyle

The Huffington Post: Blast from the Past: In Conversation with Chef Oldřich Sahajdák

Feature: Interview with Chef Oldřich Sahajdák as seen on The Huffington Post Taste Blog.

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The idea of farm to table cuisine has most certainly gained momentum in recent years but I have never met a chef who took the concept as literally as Czech Chef Oldřich Sahajdák. The Michelin Star chef is so adamant about farm fresh food, he is amidst buying his own farm in the name of his pride and joy La Degustation in Prague. The restaurant is one of only two Michelin Starred restaurants in the capital and the only one to serve Czech cuisine. I sat down with the chef, who put on his apron at the mere age of 13, to learn more about his old school approach to fine dining.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in In the Press, Lifestyle

Taste Bud Round Up: 101 Great Places to Eat Out in UAE Favorites

Taste Bud Round-up – 101 Great Places to Eat Out in UAE Favorites

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They say that “Life starts at the edge of your comfort zone” and i’m a firm believer in this, so when the Producers of 101 Great Places in the UAE reached out to me to become a presenter on the show, I was far removed from my comfort zone. I was nervous and excited at the same time, a sentiment which immediately propelled me to say yes. What I didn’t realize is that presenting is quite different from blogging, in fact the two are literally night and day, despite their common thread of eating. Blogging goes something like this: Eat, Reflect, Write, while presenting goes something like this: Smile, Eat, Speak, the differences are stark. It’s a tricky trade but a rewarding one at that, to step into the kitchens, meet the chefs and learn the tricks of the trade is such a privilege.  Continue reading →

Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in Restaurant Reviews

The Huffington Post: Eating My Way Through Prague

Culinary Travel: Prague – As seen on Huffington Post Travel

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Prague, a city known for its gothic church spires, baroque architecture and red rooftops is so much more than just a pretty face. A small family reunion turned culinary pilgrimage gave me a glimpse into the delicacies of the Central European-inspired fare. The Bohemian empire has quickly become one of Europe’s most coveted tourist destinations, but with mass tourism comes tourist traps, with this in mind I immersed myself in homework before traveling and here is what I found.

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Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in In the Press, Lifestyle, Restaurant Reviews

101 Great Places to Eat Out in UAE – Sacci

101 Great Places to Eat Out in UAE

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Sharing another episode of 101 Great Places to Eat Out in UAE, this time I take on Sacci in Abu Dhabi. If you go, be sure to indulge in their Chocolate Soufflé, wow!

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Posted on by MemoirsOfATasteBud in In the Press
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