Table For One Please

Table For One Please Tommy is an independent consultant for Pampered Chef and maintains a career as a restaurant critic.

Here's another strangely counter-intuitive day for me. I tend to think of cotton candy as a summertime or autumn fair/fe...
12/08/2023

Here's another strangely counter-intuitive day for me. I tend to think of cotton candy as a summertime or autumn fair/festival food. Still, Dec. 7th is noted as "National Cotton Candy Day."

Is this one a 'yes' or 'no' for you? I tend to say 'no' for myself. Just too much sugar.



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It seems a bit counter-intuitive to celebrate National Gazpacho Day in December (in the Northern Hemisphere) when none o...
12/06/2023

It seems a bit counter-intuitive to celebrate National Gazpacho Day in December (in the Northern Hemisphere) when none of the produce is fresh. Still, here we are with Dec. 6 as the day to celebrate this tasty cold soup.



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It's only fitting that we celebrate cookies as we start the holiday season. This is really the only time of year when I ...
12/05/2023

It's only fitting that we celebrate cookies as we start the holiday season. This is really the only time of year when I actually think about baking them!

What's your favorite cookie recipe?



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Dec. 2 is "National Fritters Day." I don't think I have ever cooked a fritter at home! Does anyone have a good recipe an...
12/02/2023

Dec. 2 is "National Fritters Day." I don't think I have ever cooked a fritter at home! Does anyone have a good recipe and/or some tips?



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A few days ago, we celebrated cake day so it's only fair that we give pie some love, too. Today is "National Pie Day." I...
12/01/2023

A few days ago, we celebrated cake day so it's only fair that we give pie some love, too. Today is "National Pie Day." I suppose I thought this day should have fallen on March 14 - but it's on Dec. 1 instead.

I love a good lemon meringue or key lime pie. What's your favorite pie?



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We close out November with "National Mousse Day." This photo pictures a chocolate mousse with mint. I think that might b...
11/30/2023

We close out November with "National Mousse Day." This photo pictures a chocolate mousse with mint. I think that might be one of my favorites, actually!

What's your favorite mousse? Anyone got tips on how to make this at home?



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November 28th is "National French Toast Day." I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of this one. I tend to shy away from ...
11/28/2023

November 28th is "National French Toast Day." I must admit that I'm not a huge fan of this one. I tend to shy away from sweet things for breakfast/brunch. I am more of a fan of savory.

Do you like French Toast? If so, what are your favorite toppings?



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National Cake Day!This is a wide open category today. There are so many amazing cakes out there. My personal favorite is...
11/26/2023

National Cake Day!

This is a wide open category today. There are so many amazing cakes out there. My personal favorite is my mother's (in)famous coconut cake that takes about five days from start to finish.

What's your favorite cake recipe?



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November 24th is "National Sardines Day." I think these are a "love it or hate it" kind of food item. I personally love ...
11/24/2023

November 24th is "National Sardines Day." I think these are a "love it or hate it" kind of food item. I personally love sardines. What about you?



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Today is "National Cashew Day." These are some of my favorite nuts. There's a hint of sweetness in them that pairs reall...
11/24/2023

Today is "National Cashew Day." These are some of my favorite nuts. There's a hint of sweetness in them that pairs really well with salt. What about you? Are cashews a "yes" or a "no"?



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We are closing in on Thanksgiving and today is National Cranberry Relish Day. As a kid, we always had the jiggly jellied...
11/22/2023

We are closing in on Thanksgiving and today is National Cranberry Relish Day.

As a kid, we always had the jiggly jellied cranberry sauce out of a can. Now, I prefer making my own relish using whole cranberries.

What's your favorite recipe for this?



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November 21st is "National Gingerbread Cookie Day." I love these, but definitely prefer crispy instead of soft/chewy.Doe...
11/21/2023

November 21st is "National Gingerbread Cookie Day." I love these, but definitely prefer crispy instead of soft/chewy.

Does anyone have a good recipe?



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Broccolini and Bacon salad with roasted grapes, sunflower seeds, golden raisins, creamy bacon vinaigrette. ...
11/20/2023

Broccolini and Bacon salad with roasted grapes, sunflower seeds, golden raisins, creamy bacon vinaigrette.



Starting my evening with Yi (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Aloe Vera, cucumber, charcoal). ...
11/19/2023

Starting my evening with Yi (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Aloe Vera, cucumber, charcoal).



It's National Vichyssoise Day. This was Julia Child's favorite soup and if you look up her recipe, you will find that it...
11/18/2023

It's National Vichyssoise Day. This was Julia Child's favorite soup and if you look up her recipe, you will find that it's incredibly simple to make!

Have you ever tried it?



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A not-so-little pre-theater meal. Pork Porterhouse, paired with a Decoy Merlot.
11/18/2023

A not-so-little pre-theater meal. Pork Porterhouse, paired with a Decoy Merlot.

November 17th is "National Baklava Day." Normally, I don't love things that are super sweet, but I make an exception for...
11/17/2023

November 17th is "National Baklava Day." Normally, I don't love things that are super sweet, but I make an exception for good baklava. Yum!

Do you have a good recipe?



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It's "National Fast Food Day." I cannot recall the last time I ate any fast food! I think it was fried chicken from a ce...
11/16/2023

It's "National Fast Food Day." I cannot recall the last time I ate any fast food! I think it was fried chicken from a certain famous national chain - always the extra crispy for me. 🍗🍗🍗

What's your favorite fast food fix?



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November 15th is "National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day." Even though I live alone and try to keep up, I must admit t...
11/15/2023

November 15th is "National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day." Even though I live alone and try to keep up, I must admit that my refrigerator (and freezer) sometimes get a little scary. I guess this is a kick in the rear to go do some cleaning. 😊😊



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It's "National Pickle Day." I love pickles! My preference is not for sweet pickles, but for the nice tart kind. And I mu...
11/14/2023

It's "National Pickle Day." I love pickles! My preference is not for sweet pickles, but for the nice tart kind. And I must admit to a guilty pleasure for fried pickles. Yum! 🥒🥒🥒



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November 12th is 'National French Dip Day." I have always loved this sandwich, but it drives me crazy I hear "French Dip...
11/12/2023

November 12th is 'National French Dip Day." I have always loved this sandwich, but it drives me crazy I hear "French Dip with au jus.'

Umm - check your French grammar, please. 🤔



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Sometimes, only comfort food will hit the spot. Today, primevrib sandwich, fries, and a glass of 2019 Chappelet Mountain...
11/11/2023

Sometimes, only comfort food will hit the spot. Today, primevrib sandwich, fries, and a glass of 2019 Chappelet Mountain Cuvee.

November 11th is "National Sundae Day." I rarely eat ice cream, but now that I am writing about it I am suddenly craving...
11/11/2023

November 11th is "National Sundae Day." I rarely eat ice cream, but now that I am writing about it I am suddenly craving a sundae. 🍨🍨🍨

What is your favorite combo for an ice cream sundae?



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Treating myself to a nice lunch.
11/10/2023

Treating myself to a nice lunch.

It's "National Cappuccino Day." I rarely have one, but every once in a while I get a craving. I am not a fan of sugar, s...
11/08/2023

It's "National Cappuccino Day." I rarely have one, but every once in a while I get a craving. I am not a fan of sugar, so for me it's always going to be strong, black coffee. What about you?



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November 6th is "National Nachos Day." What are your favorite toppings for a big nacho treat? Please subscribe to my You...
11/06/2023

November 6th is "National Nachos Day." What are your favorite toppings for a big nacho treat?



Please subscribe to my YouTube channel!
https://www.youtube.com/tommyhensel

November 5th is "National Doughnut Day." My favorite type is a cruller. I like that light, airy texture. I have never be...
11/05/2023

November 5th is "National Doughnut Day." My favorite type is a cruller. I like that light, airy texture. I have never been a fan of the 'cake' types.

What's your favorite doughnut/donut?



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How Do You Like Them Apples? Made with Catan Pisco, Mezcal Union, Giffard Pamplemousse Liqueur, honey, cinnamon, lemon, ...
11/04/2023

How Do You Like Them Apples? Made with Catan Pisco, Mezcal Union, Giffard Pamplemousse Liqueur, honey, cinnamon, lemon, Peychaud's Bitters.

Some days, only comfort food will do. Today, fish and chips (the dish that actually ). ...
11/04/2023

Some days, only comfort food will do. Today, fish and chips (the dish that actually ).

November 2nd is "National Deviled Egg Day." These were frequent treats when I was a kid growing up in South Carolina - e...
11/02/2023

November 2nd is "National Deviled Egg Day." These were frequent treats when I was a kid growing up in South Carolina - every picnic, barbecue, potluck, or funeral meal.

What's your favorite 'go to' deviled egg recipe? Please share!

If you are wondering why they are called "deviled" then check out this informative link: https://bit.ly/2YHojLr



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We begin the month of November with "National Cook For Your Pets Day."How many of you actually cook treats for your pets...
11/01/2023

We begin the month of November with "National Cook For Your Pets Day."

How many of you actually cook treats for your pets? If you do, please share the recipes!



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We end the month of October on Halloween with "National Caramel Apple Day."As a kid growing up in the sixties and early ...
10/31/2023

We end the month of October on Halloween with "National Caramel Apple Day."

As a kid growing up in the sixties and early seventies, we were still in a relatively 'safe' zone for Halloween and often got both this and candied apples when we would go out for 'trick or treat.'

Do you enjoy caramel apples? As an adult, I would only really enjoy this if the apple was tart and firm so that I had a nice interplay of 'sweet' and 'tart.' Extra bonus points if it's salted caramel!



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Coming up to Halloween I suppose it's natural that we see "National Candy Corn Day."What do you think? Is this on a "yes...
10/30/2023

Coming up to Halloween I suppose it's natural that we see "National Candy Corn Day."

What do you think? Is this on a "yes" or a "no" for you?

I'll start. "No" for me (except the little white part). As a kid, I would drive my mother crazy because I would bite off the white part and throw the rest away. 😁



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October 29th is "National Oatmeal Day." I never really enjoyed oatmeal until a few years ago. As a kid, if we had this i...
10/29/2023

October 29th is "National Oatmeal Day." I never really enjoyed oatmeal until a few years ago. As a kid, if we had this it was the 'quick' pre-packaged kind. Not until I bought good steel-cut oats and made it myself did I realize that it can be a tasty breakfast!

Here's a tricky question for all of you. Do you have an oatmeal-based recipe that is not sweet but instead is savory and intended for a meal other than breakfast?



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Yes! Today is "National Chocolate Day." I tend to swing to the extremes in chocolate. I love bitter dark chocolate, but ...
10/28/2023

Yes! Today is "National Chocolate Day." I tend to swing to the extremes in chocolate. I love bitter dark chocolate, but I am also a fan of sweet white chocolate.

I once got food poisoning from a milk chocolate Easter bunny, so I detest milk chocolate to this day (too many bad memories).

What's your favorite type of chocolate?



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October 27th is "National American Beer Day." Sorry to all of my friends in other parts of the world, but today we celeb...
10/27/2023

October 27th is "National American Beer Day." Sorry to all of my friends in other parts of the world, but today we celebrate American products.

With the proliferation of craft breweries in the US over the past 20 years, this is not a hard day to celebrate! What your favorite local beer where you are?

I am a huge fan of a micro-brewery just around the corner from my house, Kinshlager in Oak Park, IL. https://kinslahger.com/



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I suppose I thought this one should be on Oct. 31, but today is "National Pumpkin Day." Besides carving for Halloween, w...
10/26/2023

I suppose I thought this one should be on Oct. 31, but today is "National Pumpkin Day."

Besides carving for Halloween, what's your favorite way to use a pumpkin? I enjoy a nice roasted pumpkin soup during cold weather.



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Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a good old, deep fried, greasy meal. Today is "National Greasy Foods Day."My guilt...
10/25/2023

Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like a good old, deep fried, greasy meal. Today is "National Greasy Foods Day."

My guilty pleasure is a bucket of fried chicken from a well-known national chain named for a certain Southern state. What's your go-to greasy food when you need a fix?



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Videos

Tasty Tuesday with Tommy - Coconut Cake
Tasty Tuesday with Tommy - Coconut Cake

This week I share my mother's classic recipe for coconut cake, what I call her "Seven Day Coconut Cake."

Thirsty Thursday with Tommy
Thirsty Thursday with Tommy

In this episode, I feature another of my favorite refreshing gin-based cocktails. I also answer some questions about wine sent to me by viewers.

Tasty Tuesday - the Wednesday editon
Tasty Tuesday - the Wednesday editon

Due to a power outage, I had to scuttle my normal Tuesday broadcast, so here we go with a second try. Join me as I demonstrate a quick, easy way to use up some of those pesky cucumbers that are likely filling your gardens about now.

Thirsty Thursday with Tommy
Thirsty Thursday with Tommy

Join me on Thursday at 6 p.m. Central for a demonstration of one of my favorite gin-based cocktails. I will also share some tips about pairing wine with dessert.

Tasty Tuesday with Tommy
Tasty Tuesday with Tommy

Join me for another installment of Tasty Tuesday where I demonstrate a quick, easy summertime dip that can convert into a great sauce for a cold pasta salad.

World Premiere! Thirsty Thursday with Tommy
World Premiere! Thirsty Thursday with Tommy

Join me for my newest series. Every Thursday that I am available to broadcast, I plan to go live to highlight my favorite cocktail recipes and provide some tips about wine and food/wine pairing.

World Premiere! Tasty Tuesday with Tommy
World Premiere! Tasty Tuesday with Tommy

Join me for my newest series. Every Tuesday that I am available to broadcast, I plan to go live to highlight my favorite kitchen tips and some tasty (and easy) recipes.

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The new focus of the website is now a triumvirate:


  • Solo dining in restaurants.

  • Solo cooking/dining at home.

  • Solo travel.