Food Raconteur

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What an incredible moment for St. Louis! Chef Loryn of Balkan Treat Box and Telva just brought home a prestigious James ...
06/16/2026

What an incredible moment for St. Louis! Chef Loryn of Balkan Treat Box and Telva just brought home a prestigious James Beard Award, and my heart is overflowing with joy and pride.
For chefs like me grinding every day in this city, this feels like a deeply personal victory.
The entire St. Louis food community is celebrating, and rightly so — this win shines a bright light on the talent, passion, and resilience we all pour into our craft.
To the whole chef fraternity: let this inspire you to keep pushing boundaries, dreaming bigger, and believing in your vision.
Our city’s food scene is on the cusp of something truly transformative in the next few years, and moments like this prove it.
I’m so happy, so hopeful, and honestly emotional seeing one of our own recognized on this national stage.
And let’s not forget the wonderful staff — the dedicated team members who hustle in the kitchen, who support the vision, and who make magic happen every single service. This win belongs to them too.
Thank you for your hard work, your heart, and your belief.
Welcome to St. Louis, James Beard Awards — we’ve been waiting for you!
Here’s to brighter days, more recognition, and endless inspiration for every chef, cook, and dreamer in our incredible industry.
Let’s keep rising together. ❤️🍽️

Dr. Calfee needs no introduction but we would never miss an opportunity to gush about her! 👏🏽 She's not just been an inc...
06/15/2026

Dr. Calfee needs no introduction but we would never miss an opportunity to gush about her! 👏🏽

She's not just been an incredible pediatrician to my son but is also an all-around fantastic human being💯
Just last year, we celebrated her dad's 80th birthday, and this time she gathered a group of amazing doctors to relive the St. Louis experience through food. Talk about a delicious trip down memory lane!

This group of friends were celebrating 25 years since graduation and have together built the bond of a chosen family.

Fun fact—Ryan and Archana tied the knot just a week after graduation!

Our team is always thrilled to be at Dr. Calfee's place, and with Jill, our resident magician, we transformed the space into something truly special.

The STL inspired Menu was a beautiful mix of;

*Appetizers*
- **Thai Corn Fritters (Tod Mun Khao Pod) with Peanut Satay Sauce**: A tasty tribute to Sen Thai's early days, perfectly paired with St. Louis’ love for fried goodies.
- **Fusion Street Taco**: A twist on Casa Gallardo's Taco Tuesdays, featuring an Indian coastal flair.
- **Toasted Ravioli with Global Fillings**: A St. Louis staple, elevated with CWE Greek Festival vibes and a Spanish touch.

*Mains*
- **Biryani Paella**: A delightful blend inspired by our Ping Break 2024 trip to Spain, cooked in a wide pan to capture that communal St. Louis spirit.
- **Chicken Vermicelli Bowl (Bun Ga Nuong)**: A fresh nod to the vibrant Vietnamese spots on South Grand Boulevard.

*Desserts*
- **Gooey Butter Cake Crème Brûlée**: Bringing together St. Louis’ gooey butter cake flavors with a torched caramel top—yum!

**STL Signature Cocktails**
- **Oz Night Fever**: A tequila-based delight that brings back the vibe of dancing nights at the Oz club.

As expected when you are surrounded by amazing people, the evening was a blast, filled with tons of laughter and good times, all thanks to those positive vibes that just seemed to rub off on everyone😁
Emillee and Edina, you absolutely rocked it! And Jill, you were a superstar!

Huge thanks to Archana and Ryan Calfee for an unforgettable night and the constant encouragement that we receive from them.
Keep soaring high!🥂

Hey Everyone! It's been a while since I last chatted about Food Raconteur's Studio. While food remains our central theme...
06/13/2026

Hey Everyone! It's been a while since I last chatted about Food Raconteur's Studio. While food remains our central theme, we've decided to expand and explore new offerings, all while staying true to our core beliefs and vision.

The past couple of years have been quite the adventure, allowing us to meet amazing people, create countless memories, and whip up a ton of delicious dishes.

Through this journey and conversations with others, we've realized just how important mindfulness is for the mind, body, and, of course, the stomach. 😊

With this intention, we started Food Raconteur Studios. 🧘‍♀️🍽️

Whether it's a private dinner at home, a live cooking class, or a meditative session that brings a bit of zen, we've created a space that caters to your needs.

And there's more! We believe in crafting experiences that are tailor-made just for you.

Feel free to reach out to us via DM or mobile if you're curious about what more we have to offer you. We're always excited to share our little world with you!😁
privatechef

Get ready to roll out the fun because National Egg Roll Day is here! This mouthwatering food holiday throws the spotligh...
06/10/2026

Get ready to roll out the fun because National Egg Roll Day is here! This mouthwatering food holiday throws the spotlight on the irresistibly crispy appetizer while giving a shout-out to the Chinese-American and Vietnamese-American immigrant families who turned this iconic dish into a nationwide superstar.

Kicking off in 2019 thanks to Van's Kitchen, a family-run business in Texas, the day marks the founding of the company by Vietnamese immigrants Van and Kim Nguyen back in June 1986.

Fun fact: despite the name, egg rolls usually don't have eggs in their filling. The magic happens in the thick, crispy dough wrapper, where eggs help create that signature crunch we all love.

The origin of the egg roll is a tasty mystery, with some crediting 1920s New York chefs like Lung Fong or Henry Low. But one thing’s for sure, the egg roll is a delicious American twist on the traditional Chinese spring roll.

Real-deal egg rolls are a scrumptious mix of finely chopped cabbage, pork, shrimp, onions, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts, all wrapped up and fried to golden perfection. So, grab your chopsticks and join the celebration in style!🥢🥢🥢

Tavë Kosi is Albania’s culinary sweetheart! Imagine a cozy, savory casserole starring tender lamb and baked rice, all wr...
06/08/2026

Tavë Kosi is Albania’s culinary sweetheart! Imagine a cozy, savory casserole starring tender lamb and baked rice, all wrapped up in a luscious egg-and-yogurt sauce that fluffs up like a soufflé. The name translates to "sour milk casserole" (with "tavë" meaning casserole and "kos" meaning yogurt).

Even though it's oven-baked, the ingredients are surprisingly light, showcasing bold flavors of garlic, oregano, and butter, all perfectly complemented by the tangy zing of yogurt.

Legend has it that Tavë Kosi dates back to 1452 during the Ottoman siege of Krujë. As the story goes, local cooks were marinating lamb in yogurt for the sultan. Instead of tossing the spiced yogurt, they mixed it with leftover grilled lamb to whip up what we now know as the beloved Tavë Kosi.

While lamb holds the traditional crown, many modern kitchens swap it out for chicken (Tavë Kosi Me Mish P**e) to make a slightly lighter, everyday version.

So whether you are Team Lamb or Team Chicken, this dish is sure to win your heart!👏🏽
(baked lamb and yogurt)

Let me tell you about Marissa and Howard Rosen, who are absolutely bursting with pride over their amazing daughter, Emil...
06/06/2026

Let me tell you about Marissa and Howard Rosen, who are absolutely bursting with pride over their amazing daughter, Emily. And rightly so! Emily, who is sharp as a tack, graduated this year from Ladue and is all set to head off to Tulane University in Louisiana. Tulane’s medical programs are top-notch, so you can just imagine how excited they are!😁

The Rosens joined us at one of the graduation events we organized last year, and they were all about making it an unforgettable moment for Emily.

We served up a menu inspired by New Orleans, featuring;

**Crab Cakes**

**Chilled Shrimp Remoulade**

**Vegetarian Caprese Skewers**

**Bruschetta With Tomato**

**Vegetable Crudité With Hummus**

**Andouille Sausage Bites**

**Sweet Beignets**

**Small Chocolate Desserts**

During the event, Marissa and Howard couldn’t stop beaming as they shared stories of Emily’s journey.👏

And once it was time to wrap up the party, the Rosens raised a wonderful toast to their daughter’s bright future, confident that her time at Tulane would only bring more achievements and adventures. It was clear that Emily had a strong support system cheering her on every step of the way.❤️

It turned out to be an absolutely wonderful day, and we had such a great time preparing these dishes for everyone😊

Carolyn, Rasmi, and Emilee were a huge help, and our star bartenders Katie and Tova (who’s an up-and-coming entrepreneur from St. Louis. Keep an eye on her!) took care of the drinks.

It was an amazing event and such a proud moment for Emily and her parents. Big kudos and congratulations to them!🥂

A while back, we had the delightful opportunity to celebrate Vimal's wife's birthday dinner. They couldn't stop raving a...
06/04/2026

A while back, we had the delightful opportunity to celebrate Vimal's wife's birthday dinner. They couldn't stop raving about it, which inspired their kids, Raghvi and Rishi, to plan a special brunch surprise for their dad.

We absolutely adore this family and the warm, inviting atmosphere of their home! It truly it’s one of those places that instantly feels like a second home.the perfect kind of atmosphere that helps churn out great dishes😄

The brunch was a feast for the senses, starting with the effervescent pop of champagne bottles. We enjoyed bottomless mimosas, with both classic orange and a refreshing blood orange twist🍾🥂🍾🥂🍾

The menu was a perfect mix of flavors, featuring;
** Fusion Bruschetta**
**Chicken Tikka Frittata**
**Lamb Keema Hash**
**Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail**
**Smoked Salmon With Dill Asparagus Sauce**
**Paneer Tikka Frittata**
**Soy Chunk Hash**
**Gulabjamun Affagatto**

Vimal was totally blown away by the surprise, and the family’s closeness is just heartwarming. You instantly feel like you belong and are invited to become a part of a very special memory💜

And guess what? We left with a thoughtful gift! That’s a first for us after nearly 2,000 events🤯

Huge thanks to Raghvi and Rishi for making it an unforgettable day! Your parents are truly wonderful, and Vimal, here’s to many more joyful moments!🥂

06/02/2026

Baking spices are like the unsung heroes of the kitchen! These amazing ingredients, like barks, roots, seeds, and buds, are perfect for adding warmth and depth to your sweet treats.

They balance out sweetness and boost aroma, turning simple doughs or batters into delicious pastries, breads, and desserts full of flavor.

( I know you are imagining that heavenly scent right now!)😄

And it’s a wonder how these beautiful spices when added in the tiniest amounts can totally transform a dish!

Adding a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of nutmeg can elevate a simple cake into a memorable masterpiece. Cloves can bring a festive touch to holiday cookies, while ginger adds a zingy kick to classic gingerbread. Don’t forget about cardamom, which lends an exotic note to everything from coffee cakes to muffins.

Experimenting with different combinations can lead to delightful and sometimes quite surprising discoveries!That's the beauty of each spice contributing its unique character to the mix.

So, whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just for fun, these spices can help make your creations truly unforgettable.

Most definitely one of those ‘ bake your cake and eat it too’ kinda moments!😁😁😁

Soutzoukos is the delightful, chewy treat from Cyprus that is such a fun, healthy snack! Imagine strings of almonds or w...
05/31/2026

Soutzoukos is the delightful, chewy treat from Cyprus that is such a fun, healthy snack!

Imagine strings of almonds or walnuts taking a dip in thick, grape-must jelly called moustalevria, over and over, until they’re just right. Then, they hang out to dry for a few days,till they reach perfection.

This sweet wonder is crafted from concentrated grape must (freshly pressed liquid obtained from grapes), flour, and your choice of almonds or walnuts, which gives it that irresistible, dense texture.

Traditionally, soutzoukos is whipped up during the grape harvest season, from August to October, especially in the picturesque Troodos Mountains.

The process is a bit of a culinary dance: almonds are blanched, soaked, threaded onto strings, then lovingly dipped three to five times in hot moustalevria, with a little drying time in between each dip. Thanks to this drying process, soutzoukos can hang around for quite a while, often lasting up to a year!🙌🏼

The name “soutzoukos” has roots in the Turkish word “sucuk,” meaning sausage, and it shares a resemblance with the Georgian Churchkhela.

It’s often sliced into thin, circular pieces, showing off its nutty heart, and served to guests with a side of local spirits like Zivania.

You’ll find it stealing the show at local festivals, like the Limassol Wine Festival. So next time you’re in Cyprus, don’t miss out on this tasty tradition!

Did you know there's a special day dedicated to one of the most scrumptious French dishes ever? Yep, it’s National Coq a...
05/29/2026

Did you know there's a special day dedicated to one of the most scrumptious French dishes ever? Yep, it’s National Coq au Vin Day, celebrated every year on May 29th.

We’re talking about that heavenly concoction of slow-cooked chicken swimming in red wine, mushrooms, and lardons. Thanks to the fabulous Julia Child, who brought this dish into the global spotlight back in 1961, it's now a classic!

“Coq au vin” literally means “rooster in wine”. Fancy, right? This dish has a legendary backstory that goes all the way back to ancient Gaul.

The Gauls supposedly sent Julius Caesar a tough old rooster, probably as a cheeky gesture. Not to be outdone, Caesar’s cook turned it into a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece by braising it in wine. Talk about turning the tables!😅😅

The traditional recipe calls for red wine, typically Burgundy, but there are delicious regional twists like Coq au Riesling from Alsace, Coq au vin Jaune from Jura, and Coq au Champagne.

This dish even made a star appearance in the 2009 movie *Julie & Julia*, giving it a modern boost in the culinary world.

So, whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen newbie, why not celebrate with a pot of this French delight? Bon appétit! 🍷🍗

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