For The Love of the Greek Gyro
A couple of months ago I returned from another wonderful visit to Greece. Beautiful Mykonos again. I couldn't wait to go back to that small Gyro place that I went to last time. I craved that Gyro! On our way there I could barely contain my excitement. My mouth waters, and my heart beat faster. I was staring at Alesandro as he was preparing it, and when he poured that tzatziki sauce on top I almost grabbed it from him. We sat on the blue and white steps and indulged in every bite.
Yummy. I had one every day of my visit....
When I returned to LA, I went to a local Greek restaurant to continue my Gyro feast, but it wasn't even close to being the same... SO... I made one, and photographed it! And when I turned my back to pick up the phone, Lenny, my daughter's dog was on it...scarfed it down....
CARVED DELICIOUSNESS
In a small shop, downtown Los Angeles, behind the vending machine, I found Fabian. An artist. A fruit carving artist. I needed some fruits carved for a project, and he was more than happy to help. The shop was sparkling clean, and he greeted me with a big warm smile. I didn't know what to expect, "Just use your imagination!" - I said. "Okay" he answered with a calm confident smiled, and thanked me.
Thirty minutes later, I returned to the shop and my jaw dropped. A fantasy garden of flowers made of fruits bloomed right there in front of my eyes. Cantelope, apples, mango and watermelon morphed into gorgeous colorful flowers!
"You are such a fantastic, talented artist, Fabian! A hidden gem!" With a humble smile he thanked me again.
If you are in Los Angeles, and need fruit or vegetable carving, go downtown to Fabian. He will make your special occasion bloom.
His company name is "Sweet 10tations", phone number (213)608-5620.
The Many Faces of Coffee!
I love coffee! A big mug of steaming Cafe Latte is the first thing I crave and have when I wake up in the morning. It has been a ritual since I was a teenager, when my dad used to make us sweet cafe latte before going to school... Back then, it was more latte then coffee, yet still so delicious! There is this little coffee shop in my neighborhood, the owner, Craig, travels all over the world to get exotic coffee beans. It's a real treat to visit this shop, and have a coffee tasting time there!
Photographing coffee is wonderful, as there are so many stories which can be told through the lens. What is Your story? Is it indulging in your coffee with a donut or bagel? Rushing at work from one meeting to another, holding that eternal cup? Staying up late at night with your cup in front of a piles of books or paperwork?
And if you own a coffee business, who is your clientele? What is your vision of your special aromatic product? Who do you see drinking it? And what kind of story you would want to tell about your coffee? I will be very interested to know! So give me a call, and let's talk about your vision! ...Over a cup of coffee... :-)