gracious entertaining is the essence of any special event, wedding or private party. food, ambience and décor defines style and presence. there is something spiritual about entertaining, in what our eyes take in and recognize as beautiful, and in what our sense of taste savors in the flavor of delicious foods. we can share this with people with whom we love and create great and lasting memories.

i remember my first really exceptional meal, it was when i was probably 4 and it was fresh trout, mashed potatoes, fresh beets and fresh corn on the cob, a salad of tomatoes and sweet onions and a peach pie for the dessert. The chef that night was esther hanson and she was my grandmother. The trout was caught by my grandfather, paul, and the vegetables were grown with the help of a very precocious 4 year old who loved to get dirty and sneak fresh raspberries with grandpa when grandma were not looking.

i also remember the first time i got excited about a party. i was about 8 years old, and my parents were getting ready to go to a big “event” for hundreds of people where my father worked. the event was planned by my dad and it was based around my mothers famous spaghetti and her favorite game, which is “bingo”. “spaghetti bingo’s” as they were called, became an extremely popular annual event and an amazing source of “food” for my imagination. hundreds of people, eating, drinking, dancing, having fun and playing bingo sailing around san francisco bay!! how glamorous………!!!!

i am all about passion, and food, and flowers and creating something beautiful from all of these things, food, flowers, ambiance…..and I am all about creating a experience of graciousness in the context of a meal, a party, wedding or special event, and how that experience can change your life. …i am all about, my own unique and memorable experiences and this is what I want to share with you, your family, your friends, recreating these experiences again and again.