No one ever told me not to play with my food. Perhaps that’s because I, like a lot of kids in New York City in the early 90s, grew up with some really uninspired blah food. Eating was for sustenance, not fun. I mean there was still pizza and mac and cheese but really, people weren’t experimenting that much with complex dynamic flavors like they are now.

When I started the Coffee And Champagne website, I swear to you, I knew zero, zilch, nada about food. Let me be explicit here, I. DIDN’T. KNOW. HOW. TO. COOK. I mean, I could throw a piece of chicken breast or salmon in the oven, cross my fingers, set a timer, and pull out something technically edible. But that’s not cooking, that’s praying. I didn’t have a frame of reference or experience, so I sought it out.

It’s amazing what you can do by simply mustering up the gaul to ask—a huge “thank you” to all of the awesome people who have said “yes” to me! I’ve been in the kitchens of some of the most famous restaurants in New York City learning from executive chefs. I’ve dined at the request of restaurants in the most beautiful spaces. I’ve attended exclusive events, been amongst the first to taste new-to-market food products, traveled around the world to experience how food is different outside of Manhattan—I’ve learned.

Now, I don’t simply cook. I create. It’s so fun! My hope is that these recipes bring fun and excitement to both your cooking experience and your table.

I’m just a girl in the (food) world.

My Food. My Recipes.

The recipes you will find on my website are meant to bring excitement to your table—whether it’s an intimate bite with your special someone over your first cup of coffee, a playful picnic lunch in Central Park with friends, a New Year’s bite to nibble on before and after your champagne toast, or even a full Thanksgiving feast. These dishes are meant to be conversation starters both visually and with every mouthful. I want you and your guests mumbling the word “wow” with a full mouth before even swallowing your first bite and then nodding and sharing in that exciting moment together. In short, my recipes are meant to bring you and your friends and family closer together through exciting and flavorful food experiences. Whether you are cooking together or cooking to-gather, my dishes are meant to inspire togetherness. I hope you enjoy.