Diary of a Foodie Appearance: Aromas

I'm on the latest episode of Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie, "Aromas: Fragrance and Taste", and wondering whatever happened to Smell-O-Vision? Seriously. At least we can watch the preview online.

Sneak a peek at the fascinating Monell Chemical Senses Center; Morocco's argan tree climbing goats - yes, I said goats; and hot Coi chef/owner Daniel Patterson (BTW is it wrong to treat him like beefcake?) with Aftelier Perfumes' adorable Mandy Aftel. They're co-authors of Aroma: The Magic of Essential Oils in Foods and Fragrance. Mandy also makes an excellent line of Chef's Essences, which a fabulously-maned Ruth Reichl called "magical".

I was in Grasse, the historic parfumerie town in the south of France, to visit the kitchen and sunny hillside gardens of Jacques Chibois. Oh the things I do for you. He creates a Provençal "Aroma Menu" using edible flowers, including dishes like La Salade de Saint Jacques avec son Blanc Manger de Pomme de Terre, Olives, Mitonnée de Tomate [Salad of Scallops with Blanc Manger of Potatoes, Olives, and Mitonnée of Tomato] seen above. Why, yes, he did toss in a few slices summer black truffles, over the golden sunflower petals.

I've actually been on a few episodes again this season. Some segments ended up on the cutting room floor, but I am so not complaining. This year I've had the insane fortune to travel the world and this time work seriously behind the camera.

To see the show, check your local listings, which I am continuing to exhaustively compile.

Comments

[Vincent]

Congrats, Louisa!

[Farmgirl Susan]

Oh the things you do for us is right! ; ) I've been rudely out of touch, meaning to write you since (gasp) New Year's (how can that be?) but think of you every time we have venison for dinner. We started preparing it a la chicken fried steak with a thick coating (still in homemade lard of course) instead of just dipped in flour. Oooh la la! xoxo

[mary]

Can't we watch the whole thing online?