Chief Cork Officer: food and wine pairing – it’s not magic

Actually, it’s science and your palate that determines best pairings By Brian Gurnham, Columnist, The Times Scour the web and you can find hundreds of articles about pairing various types of food with their perfect mate from the wine world.  The reality is that while there are a lot of guidelines based on science, it all comes down to personal preference.  It’s no different than the food...

On Your Table: All things fungi at Kennett’s Mushroom Festival

While there’s lot to see and do, it comes down to food — and delicious mushrooms By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times Servers having lots of fun at the Ferranto food tent plating up fried mushrooms during this past weekend’s Mushroom Festival. KENNETT SQUARE — People came hungry to the 28th annual Kennett Square Mushroom Festival last weekend and it was a good thing,...

On Your Table: Time for Heirloom Tomatoes

Late August is the peak of ripeness for these local wonders By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times At the peak of ripeness, a garden tomato is one of the things that make life worthwhile.  Luscious, sweet, tart or even spicy and always juicy, now is the time to catch tomatoes at their best.  Since earlier in August, all kinds of tomatoes are coming into season, ready to fix on salads,...

On Your Table: Making summer last

Canning is a great way to keep that fresh taste alive for months By Cathy Branciaroli, Food Correspondent, The Times If you are like me, right now you are probably staring at a pile of garden vegetables on the kitchen table imploring  “please do something with me” and wondering how in the world you are going to consume or preserve all that bounty. Earlier in the summer, that produce was seductive. ...

Have a fun and fabulous Fourth!

Fashion, food and fireworks make Independence Day one of my favorite holidays By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times How can it be time for the 4th of July?  With school ending so late, it seems as if half of the summer is finished before it has begun! Celebrating Independence Day has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Growing up, we attended our town festivities that included a bike decorating...

Inside the tailgating competition at Willowdale

English Country Afternoon theme offers stunning displays By Cathy Branciaroli, Special To The Times First place winners Jennifer and Jonathan Bordelon’s display featured hearty food and a place to lounge at the end of the hunt, during Sunday’s Willowdale Steeplechase tailgating competition. EAST MARLBOROUGH — Tailgating has been a part of the Willowdale Steeplechase tradition since...