June Updates from Tanya's Kitchen Bulletin
Sharing stories, hospitality news, events, and recipes...
Bonjour!
I’m writing to you from beautiful France, on one stop of my James Beard Windstar Cruise! I finally made it Brittany—Bretagne—and I am absolutely enchanted. The seafood is so fresh and delicious and the coastal towns are so charming.
I have to say that France always felt like a second home to me because I know the language and the culture best out of the countries where I’ve traveled. I often find myself wishing there were no politics, no borders, no biases, and more empathy. I’d be a citizen of the world for sure. For now, I'm reveling in the sights and sounds that will bring back so many wonderful memories from my time here. I know I will return!
My first small-group tour to Lisbon last month was a huge success thanks to my partners Mahoney Global Travel. We just launched an Instagram account for Travels with Tanya which you can follow for the latest. It was my first time in Portugal—everyone I know who has traveled here has loved it—and now I know why. Alissa and Gaylen Mahoney, the daughters of one of my regulars, Julia Voorhies, helped make it an unforgettable experience. Julia, who very sadly passed away in 2018, was an avid traveler and a dear friend. If she wasn't traveling she was having breakfast or lunch at Brown Sugar Kitchen. Here’s a photo of us together at BSK and in France, when I visited her there.
Thanks again for your interest in my journeys! This JBF Windstar Cruise has been fantastic. I’ve been sailing with the Luxe Group of Gallo. Next stop, two nights in Dublin! I’ve never been and even though I don’t drink it regularly, I plan to enjoy a Guinness!
Upcoming Events
JUNE 10 - JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION AWARDS
I return stateside for the 33rd Annual James Beard Foundation Awards at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. As the Chef Chair, I’m incredibly honored to present on stage and celebrate the excellence of our industry with my colleagues. It’s a joyous weekend to be sure. Tickets to the ceremony are available here. Here are a few photos from last year. This year’s photos to come!
JUNE 15TH - OAKLAND FOOD TOUR
Here’s a rare opportunity to go on a local food tour with me! My cherished friend Lisa Rogovin founded her company Edible Excursions twenty years ago. Lisa was one of my first friends in the Bay Area and has always supported Brown Sugar Kitchen in all of its iterations. Now we’re collaborating as I host a Soulful Sips & Bites tour on Saturday, June 15th from 1:30 - 5pm with Edible Excursions in uptown Oakland. The tour is sold out but you can join the waitlist here. We’ll snack and drink at more than a half dozen of my neighborhood haunts like Señor Sisig, Sobre Mesa, and Tay Ho.
JUNE 16TH - JUNETEENTH AT CIA COPIA
The following day I head back to CIA Copia for a Juneteenth Celebration like no other. It’s amazing to me that I was born almost exactly 100 years after Juneteenth was established in Texas in 1865 to celebrate the emancipation of slaves and that it only became a national holiday in 2021. Most of my maternal family migrated to California from Northwest Louisiana, very close to East Texas and everyone loved to celebrate this monumental day. There will be delicious BBQ at this celebration… maybe some B-Side favorites, plus the official DJ of the Golden State Warriors, DJ Sharp on live music! Tickets are $65 a pop. Space is limited so reserve here.
JUNE 23RD - FOOD FOR THOUGHT AT BOMBERA
Whenever anyone asks me where I like to eat in Oakland, Bombera is at the top of the list! And now I have an event there on June 23rd from 1 - 4 pm with the first black female chef in France to receive a Michelin Star, Giorgiana Viou from Marseilles, along with filmmaker Vérane Frédiani, food reporter and translator Alexis Steinman, and historians David do Paço and Carlos Manuel Solomon. The event celebrates the release of the English translation of the Vérane Frédiani’s cookbook Taste the World in Marseille. Guests are invited to discover dishes reflecting the identities of Oakland and Marseille forged by their communities. More details here. Tickets will be announced soon, so check back often.
JUNE 30TH - BRUNCH IN ST. LOUIS
Meet me at a family-style brunch event at River City Casino in St. Louis on June 30th, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm! This is a seasonally inspired brunch experience featuring my greatest hits from Brown Sugar Kitchen. It’s all your favorites: buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, veggie scramble with sweet potato hash, plus plenty of sides and a personally designed specialty cocktail. Book your tickets here. Last time I was in St. Louis was 2011. Too long ago. I’m looking forward to returning and seeing you all!
HAPPENING IN JULY
Next up is a voyage on The Disney Fantasy! I will be sailing the Western Caribbean the second week in July. I hope that some of you will join me one day.
JUST FOR FUN
(also the title of one of the songs on Beyoncé’s new Cowboy Carter album!)
I’ve been in my cowboy phase. The first photo was taken on the Mendocino ranch owned by Alice Waters and the next two are from the collection of art that I commissioned April Banks to create for my second restaurant, B-Side BBQ. These were printed on recycled wood by Magnolia Printers. I loved the local curation of these pieces. Art, music, food, and fashion…what else is there?
Food and travel are my joys, but moreso, it’s the people with whom I’m experiencing it with. I’ve been so lucky to visit all but one US state and so many countries! I’ll share a list at some point, but there are so many places that I still want to go!
Where do you want to go? Tell me and maybe Travels With Tanya can make it happen. In the future we're working on these potential itineraries: Tuscany, France, Tanzania, Brazil, New Zealand, and more. Make sure to bookmark my page Travels with Tanya on Mahoney Global and follow Travels with Tanya on IG. That’s where all the information for my trips will live. And be sure to leave your contact information in the inquiry form for future culinary travels.
Favorites Corner
Don’t forget to bookmark Rancho La Puerta, a sanctuary for body and soul. I’ll let you all know as soon as my next stay is scheduled. In the meantime, if you visit, use code RLP-PRP to book and mention that I sent you! First-time users receive a $250 gift certificate to put towards a spa treatment or perhaps items in the gift store.
Here are a few more photos from my time there. I am always inspired by the landscape and gardens, designed by the founder's daughter, landscape architect Sarah Livia, and the remarkable 102-year-old co-founder Deborah Szeleky. And of course, my students at La Cocina Que Canta getting serious about their recipes. It was all delicious!
The California Soul Blend is my exclusive collaboration with Equator Coffees as part of their Chefs Collection. This unique blend of Ethiopia and Sumatran beans features notes of pecan, blackberry, and bittersweet chocolate. For every 12 oz bag purchased, $1 is donated directly to Mandela Partners. $2 for every 2 lb bag. Your purchase will help build community power through food. Click here to order online!
Join me at any of the events above to purchase a signed copy of my cookbook, California Soul. Brown Sugar Kitchen cookbook is also still in print. Otherwise, to buy a copy of California Soul today simply click below:
With more than 80 seasonally inspired recipes, my recipes are influenced by the historical migration of African American families, including my own. May you find comfort and nourishment in the beautiful stories and delicious recipes.
Always cook with soul,
Luv ya! Dad