Hi Reader,

The spring is always beyond busy around here as we travel for research, and the travel rush kicks into high gear. So, I thought I’d share what’s been on my mind, on my plate, and on my reading list.

A Postcard from Cherry Bombe Jubilee

I just spent the last few days in New York for Cherry Bombe Jubilee, and it was phenomenal, per usual. This event brings together women business owners in food, hospitality, and pretty much every corner of the industry we love.

I reconnected with old friends, met incredible new ones, and got to celebrate the kind of women that honestly make this industry so exciting to be a part of. I also tried a lot of great stuff.

The standout tastes? The new bottled craft cocktails from Via Carota. If you’ve been to their restaurant in the West Village, you know they don’t mess around with cocktails, and the bottled versions are just as good. I also swooned for the cardamom sable sandwich cookies that our friend Kyra’s Bakeshop created for California Prunes.

Blueberry Season Is Here & We’re Ready

California blueberries are coming into season, and I’m here for it. Spring means leisurely weekend brunch, and the recipe I plan to make on repeat is these gluten-free blueberry pancakes. They’re made with almond flour and fresh blueberries, plus a little cinnamon and vanilla that give them this warm, almost nutty depth.

They come together so fast you can pretty much make them ahead if you’re hosting, which is kind of a game-changer for a celebration (ahem, Mother’s Day). But the power move is the blueberry honey syrup, as it doubles down on that blueberry flavor in a way that regular maple syrup just can’t.

See You In The South of France

We’ve been getting more and more requests from clients wanting help planning trips to France, and I couldn’t be happier. I went to culinary school in France and have extended family there, so helping our clients see it on a deeper level is always a treat.

With so many new hotels and experiences, I’m especially excited about getting people into the South of France during the shoulder season. There’s something about the light, the markets, the way the pace of everything just naturally slows down. If you haven’t seen it yet, our South of France travel guide is a great place to start getting inspired. Or, you can reach out for help planning your next trip.

What We’re Reading

My recent research trip through Burgundy reminded me of one of my all-time favorite books: Wine and War by Don and Petie Kladstrup. It’s the story of how the French wine industry survived World War II, and it’s one of those books that completely changes how you look at wine.

The book tells the stories of families who hid their best vintages from the Nazis, kept their vineyards alive during the occupation, and basically refused to let centuries of winemaking tradition disappear. When you’re standing in a Burgundy cellar tasting something from a vineyard that’s been producing wine for 500 years, you feel the weight of that history. If you’re into wine, history, or France (or all three), it’s a really great read and the perfect thing to pack for a long flight.