THE TASTE CURATORS: Binding Agents
Fantastic Philly
Hello,
Earlier this spring we did a special event in Philadelphia with Binding Agents, a fabulous cookbook store run by Catie Ganor. We had been dreaming up various ways of doing an event together and landed on partaking in their spring cookbook club. About 50 guests came, each with a dish made from our Palate Palette cookbook series. It was a kaleidoscopic feast to watch unfold. Each table was devoted to a color from the books: Red, Yellow and Purple. Many of the guests also dressed in the color they cooked and a lively conversation unfolded as the night went on. We had a wonderful Q&A where everyone’s senses continued to open up as we talked about the taste of color. It was truly exhilarating to see our books come to life.
Here’s a note from Catie after the event that perfectly summed up the night:
“Strolling the spread and talking to everyone, I was struck anew by how thrilling it is that Palate Palette offers permission for cooks to choose dishes (and feel connected to them) for different, more joyful reasons than many of us are used to. I really loved the energy that gave the evening, and I have a feeling people discovered several recipes that will end up in their regular rotations.”
The next day we happened to run into someone who had attended the event and they said they were surprised to discover they preferred eating yellow, but they thought it would be purple. This aha moment is what we have always hoped people would discover when folks give themselves permission to do so. To really go deeper on another level and find out what color makes them happy. For those that have the books, we encourage you to do the same! Cook through them and see how color changes your life.
Why are we all gravitating toward sensorial experiences with a story? After a whole generation was secluded during COVID where some of us couldn’t even smell, we are invested in how we want to experience the world. We want to connect to things on a more personal level. Color makes you feel. Food makes you feel. Together they elevate you to another level of experiencing life. We seek out in person, tactile experiences - and in this case, for one night in Philadelphia, food and color created magic. If you are interested in hosting a colorful event, get in touch with us and let’s talk!
Things Making Us Smile
Curated Inspiration - Philadelphia
Calder Gardens
We both agree that this might be the most peaceful and balanced museum experience we have ever had. This small but mighty gallery houses a number of Alexander Calder’s sculptures and mobiles, which in and of themselves are both strong and etherial. Add in the addition of natural light and a cast of shadows and the entire exhibit changes right before your eyes. It is indeed the perfect place to stop and take a deep breath.
Find your calm here
Cambodian Cuisine
We got extremely lucky to get into the much talked about restaurant Mawn. This happened to be the day before the NY Times came out singing its praises. With a little patience, and perhaps a small snack for Lish, we were able to wait the 45 minutes for a table and we’ll be honest, it was well worth the wait. Every dish had that element of familiar while introducing a new spice, heat or texture. The noodles were all completely slurpable and the one pic we actually remembered to take of the Bermese ginger and melon salad was the ideal way to start the meal, cleansing the palate while getting you excited for all that was to come. Service was attentive and fun making the entire lunch a delightful date.
Jump in line here
Vintage Fashion
We’ve written about the amazing vintage scene in Philly before, but love it enough to write about it again. This time we found out that Moore Vintage just opened a new spot in Tribeca, so if you can’t make it to Philadelphia then perhaps you can see the heavily curated pieces of Issey Miyake, Chanel, Tom Ford, Patrick Kelly and more in NYC.
Find your next vintage piece here
Dining in Fishtown
We had an excellent lunch at Fiore on our way into the city. Chris Morocco from Bon Appetit had recently written about this adorable little cafe and bakery so we had to stop and taste for ourselves. There is no doubt they are doing what they do VERY well. From the chewy pizza bianca with ribbons of fluffy mortadella to the crunchy fried chicken sandwich on a soft buttery bun, there was not a crumb left on our plates. Desserts were equally as delightful.
Stop by for a treat here
Lastly, as always we appreciate your love and support! Give this post a heart, comment, consider becoming a paid subscriber or buy our cookbook series Palate Palette here. Don’t forget to add a gift message to yourself or the one you love.
Until next time, we are all Taste Curators...stay curious!
Lish and Abbey