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“Kimchi is more than just a trendy food item. Kimchi is a Korean person’s identity. It’s our pride and it’s a staple of our cuisine because it’s the only food that got Koreans through the harsh winter months, got us through the wars, the Japanese occupation and the Korean War.” Sarah Ahn On this Special Edition of Kitchen Chat: A Taste of Luxury, History, and Hospitality, join your host, Margaret McSweeney, as she welcomes the celebrated cookbook author, Sarah Ahn of @ahnestkitchen on Instagram. Sarah and her mother Nam Soon Ahn co-wrote a heartfelt and acclaimed cookbook, Umma: A Korean Mom’s Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes. In Umma, Sarah and her “umma” (mother) memorialize and share a rich exploration of Korean culinary heritage, family traditions that celebrate Korean culinary culture and hospitality, as well as the historical perspective of one of the world’s oldest culinary traditions. Here is our video chat: Join Margaret as she invites Chehn to share the heart of Umma, uncovering its significant history, treasured family narratives, and the traditions of hospitality woven throughout the book. Together, they will explore the art of preserving culinary traditions and the luxuriousness of comfort found within the simple, authentic flavors of her own Korean mother’s kitchen. Prepare to be immersed in a conversation that promises a true taste of history, served with the warmth and generosity of Korean hospitality. A true taste of luxury is sharing a meal with family and friends and celebrating the culinary traditions of loved ones. Comfort, Dasida beef stock powder, Spam, Styled Food Shot, beef franks, fermented, gim, pork belly Comfort, Dasida beef stock powder, Spam, Styled Food Shot, beef franks, fermented, gim, pork belly Kimchi is an inherent part of Korean cuisine and honors the country’s heritage. This dish also offers several health benefits that include probiotics. Kimchi grilled cheese is a nod to the past and a taste of the present. Sarah shares this recipe in her book. She says it was surprisingly one of the most difficult recipes to develop but one of the easiest recipes to prepare. The secret is to use munster cheese, sourdough bread and re-seasoning the kimchi before serving. Many thanks to Sarah Ahn and her team who graciously shared the recipe for Kimchi Grilled Cheese from the new cookbook, Umma: Styled Food Shot, Yasik Kimchi Grilled Cheese 김치그릴치즈 Serves 1 Total Time 30 minutes Sarah 세라 Thanksgiving has always meant a trip to Costco with Umma to purchase their premade holiday foods. Of these, one staple we never skip is their macaroni and cheese. It’s creamy, cheesy, and comforting—a perfect complement to our annual Thanksgiving meal. Despite our love for this dish, my family never quite manages to finish it all on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, as with many other leftovers, Umma has found a way to bring the macaroni and cheese back to life after the holiday by pairing it with kimchi. The spicy kick of the kimchi elevates the creamy richness of the mac and cheese to a whole new level. It’s now a ritual in our household to enjoy them together after every Thanksgiving—a fusion of comfort food and Korean flavors that we cannot get enough of. Inspired by this family tradition and its delicious blend of traditional American and Korean foods, Umma and I endeavored to create a kimchi grilled cheese sandwich that celebrates this pairing. Our recipe brings together the rich and gooey goodness of melted Muenster cheese with the spicy, tangy flavors of kimchi, sandwiching them between buttery griddled sourdough bread slices. For even more depth, we include a layer of chopped green onion, along with a blend of seasonings. Umma’s Kitchen Wisdom A sturdy bread, such as sourdough, is ideal here to prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy. I use well-fermented Mat Kimchi (Cut Napa Cabbage Kimchi) to make this dish. If you wish to use store-bought kimchi instead, look for a well-fermented kimchi in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Labels will not always specify “fresh” or “wellfermented,” so here are some clues to help figure it out: The jar should contain wiltedlooking vegetables with muted, darkened color, surrounded by a thin juice. The texture will appear softer than fresh kimchi, and when you taste it, there will be a pronounced tangy sourness that comes from the longer fermentation. When measuring out the kimchi, simply pick it up with tongs with ...

Join KItchen Chat host Margaret McSweeney as she steps both into the future and back in time, to the hallowed, historic grounds of the Raffles London at The OWO. Experience the property’s recent magnificent transformation of the Old War Office, a building where history was profoundly made, from the days of Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Today, the historic building’s storied past seamlessly intertwines with Raffles London at the OWO’s unparalleled commitment to modern hospitality and culinary excellence. I especially enjoyed the exquisite Afternoon Tea. Just the name “Raffles” conjures images of timeless luxury and exotic elegance. The first Raffles opened in Singapore in 1887. Recently, host Margaret McSweeney took an extraordinary journey to witness the most anticipated re-emergence of one of the world’s most timeless luxury destinations. Discover how this Grade II* listed Edwardian masterpiece, completed in 1906, has been meticulously reborn as a beacon of elegance. Last year, Margaret had the honor of interviewing Philippe Leboeuf who at that time was the Managing Director of Raffles London at The OWO. His precious dog Archie joined them for the Kitchen Chat. Explore the magnificent, refurbished corridors and the innovative global kitchens that are ushering in a new era of gastronomy in London. Here is a look at our video chat: Raffles London at The OWO is a dazzling, contemporary landmark, embodying a rich historical legacy and the vibrant future of world-class, timeless luxury, history and hospitality. *Photo credit to Raffles for a few of the images included in video. The post Raffles London at The OWO: A Taste of Luxury, History and Hospitality appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

On this particularly timely edition of Kitchen Chat®: A Taste of Luxury, History, and Hospitality, host Margaret McSweeney whisks you away on a flavorful journey into the captivating world of Matcha! From World Tea Expo in Las Vegas and the Chicago Tea Festival, where the global popularity and ceremonial allure of Matcha was undeniably the “hot topic. Join Margaret as she explores what this powdered green tea is, by uncovering its fascinating history, its luxurious applications, and the warm hospitality that surrounds its preparation and enjoyment. We’ll hear from distinguished experts who are shaping the modern Matcha landscape. Included are Noli Ergas, a certified Japanese Tea Master from Sugimoto Tea, who will illuminate the traditional art and nuanced preparation of authentic Matcha. We’ll also connect with Don Ho, co-founder of BDH Consultants in addition to HairoUSA.com, to explore innovative perspectives and the expanding reach of Matcha culture. Discover Matsushita Tea Garden’s Ajan Sparkling Tea. Furthermore, we’ll glean wisdom from Mark Arathoon, the CEO of Blue Ocean Tea, as he shares his expertise on the broader tea industry and the rising prominence of Matcha. We will speak with a Japanese Tea Ceremony expert from the Japanese Culture Center in Chicago. Here is our video chat: Finally, we’ll even get a taste of refined elegance as we explore the art of High Tea at The Balmoral in Edinburgh. (part of the Rocco Forte collection), featuring the distinctive touch of Matcha in pastries created by the talented Executive Pastry Chef Ross Sneddon We invite you to join Margaret as we explore the captivating world of Matcha – a true taste of luxury, steeped in history and served with exceptional hospitality! The post Matcha, Matcha, Matcha! appeared first on Kitchen Chat.

“The garden is the canvas, and we take all our inspiration from the garden and the seasons.” Executive Chef Luke Selby Embark on a journey with host Margaret McSweeney to one of the most exceptional luxury resorts in the world for a truly special edition of Kitchen Chat®: A Taste of Luxury, History, and Hospitality. Join Margaret as she discovers an enchanting, Michelin-starred world in the heart of Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, on her first visit to the hallowed grounds of Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel. This isn’t merely a visit to one of the world’s most exquisite resorts; it’s an immersion into an enchanting luxury oasis of sustainability where Michelin-star standards of gastronomy intertwine with a profound respect for the ecosystem, practices of sustainability, and history within the enchanting bounty of nature. Please enjoy our video chat here: Created by the legendary Raymond Blanc OBE, Le Manoir has held two Michelin stars since its inception in 1984, a testament to unwavering culinary artistry. On a side note, Chef Blanc has a new cookbook, Simply Raymond: Recipes from Home is now available. Beyond this celebrated estate’s pioneering commitment to sustainability, recognized with a prestigious Michelin Green Star, discover how Le Manoir’s philosophy, deeply rooted in its expansive organic kitchen gardens, seasonal harvests, and a zero-waste ethos, elevates the dining experience to a world-class level. Even the welcome amenity is a delicious presentation. Join Margaret in conversation with Executive Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Luke Selby, who returned to Le Manoir in January 2023 after starting his career there in 2009 working alongside the legendary Chef Raymond Blanc. Traverse the resplendent grounds and gardens with Margaret and be transported from the meticulously cultivated vegetable patches to the serene Japanese tea garden, uncovering the secrets behind Le Manoir’s exceptional cuisine. Learn how the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, many grown mere steps from the kitchen, inspire the innovative menus crafted by Executive Chef Luke Selby and his esteemed team. More than just a luxury destination, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is a living testament to the harmonious relationship between exceptional hospitality and environmental stewardship. Please refer to the library. www.clivenichols.com How fitting that the artichoke, a symbol of hope and prosperity, welcomes you to the property both as a sculpture and as a thriving part of the garden. Le Manoir is a place to celebrate. Margaret and her dear friend, May Wong, who lives in London, celebrated 40 years of friendship just ...