Late last year I was asked by Food & Wine (along with a handful of other photographers, including notable friends Danielle, Sara, Nicole, Hannah, and Helen) to cook, style, and shoot 10 recipes for their website.  Despite having other work commitments, deadlines, Christmas shopping, and a trip to Japan/Korea to plan and prepare for, I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a cool project. Let me just say that producing 2-3 recipes a day, on top of an already crazy schedule, is not for the faint-hearted.  But it gave me a chance to exercise some of those creative muscles that.. ahem.. have been sorely unused for way too long.

Chicken Parmesan Heros

Green Jalapeño Hot Wings

Pimento Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Spaghetti with Mussels, Clams and Shrimp

Roasted Carrot and Cumin Puree (unfortunately this one wasn’t used, but I still like it anyway)

Thai Chicken and Coconut Soup

Vegetable and Ravioli Lasagna

Three Cheese Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Pimientos

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

Smoked Shrimp

While we’re on the subject of Food & Wine, a huge, huge congrats goes out to my friend Bryant Ng, for being chosen as one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs of 2012! Couldn’t happen to a nicer or more deserving guy, great work Bryant. Here are a few photos I took (a little while back) of items from Spice Table’s lunch menu.

Pork Belly Sandwich / house-cured pork belly, fennel, cabbage, shallots, tamarind dressing

Shrimp and Walnut Lettuce Cups (no longer on the menu)

Fried Catfish / sambal, pickled curried cucumbers, garlic mayo, lime, lettuce

A few months ago I got the opportunity to write and shoot a piece about growing your own vegetable garden for Spenser Magazine. I have to say, pestering your subject matter with questions while trying to capture moments with the camera was not the easiest of things, but I think I fared ok. Thanks to the affable Jimmy Williams and his son Logan for putting up with me those couple of days! You can check out the story in issue 3 of Spenser mag.