This week's events have left me curious: Exactly what activities does one partake in at a Pig Stein? Or a Yambilee? If you have attended these in the past, I'd love to know. Will anyone be at the James Beard Foundation's Taste America in Las Vegas? If you know something we've left out, please leave a message in the comments below! Las Vegas, NV: Rising Stars Las Vegas — Oct. 21 Torrance, CA: Read more

While they're often used interchangeably here in the United States, yams and sweet potatoes are not the same thing. In fact, the two are not even distantly related to one another! Sweet potatoes originate from South America, and come in two different kinds: a pale-skinned variety, which has a thin yellow skin and a crumbly flesh similar to a baking potato, and a darker-skinned variety, which is Read more

Although Kwanzaa is relatively new as far as holidays go — it was created in 1966 — the foods used to celebrate it are based on old traditions. The final feast of the holiday — the Karamu — showcases fruits and vegetables that symbolize the past and current growth of African culture. Old family meals are often served in order to share them with the next generation. Some of the great Read more

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving dinner is eating the lovely sweet yams. This year I might try this recipe for maple-glazed gingered yams. They look so tasty! — Ladle and Whisk Read more

Candied yams are a tradition of the Thanksgiving meal. But this year why not forego the candied element which involves a lot of sugar or corn syrup and just simply roast the yams instead? Yams and sweet potatoes are so sweet on their own. Here's how: 4 medium peeled yams/sweet potatoes, cut into 2 inch pieces (you can precook these in the microwave to decrease roasting time, and save space in Read more