Both my LA City Guide and NYC Guide have been updated! New coffee & matcha shops, no-reservation restaurants, favorite lunch spots etc…
Firstly, I need to start this newsletter by saying THANK YOU! The Condiment Book is a best-seller and that is due to your support. Considering I published a different version of the book in the fall, I wasn’t expecting the response to be so major and positive so I really can’t thank you enough. What a journey we’ve had! I’m really excited to share what’s next with you… Any guesses?
Although I sadly wasn’t able to make it to all of your cities (not in this economy bestie), I hosted a live cooking demo hundreds of you were able to join! My hot aunt Alex helped me whip up some recipes from TCB to serve with alongside her gorgeous spread. I loved seeing all of your Memorial Day photos on IG using both the Bloody Mary Ketchup and the Candied Jalapeños - your pairings were SO fun.
Alex will be in London end of June so let us know in the comments what you’d like us to whip up for you in our next zoom!
Outfits
Although yes, this book tour was filled with delicious events, the main questions I’d receive were about my outfits so I’ve compiled them all here. I haven’t updated the other folders in ages (SORRY) but this one has all of the US fits from these past few weeks. A few staples I always pack here below:
My comfy flats that take up zero space in my suitcase
Go-to jeans
My Longchamp (obv)
Surprisingly flattering WHITE jeans??
Everything else I wore on tour was basically Rails including this dress, shirt, set 1, and set 2 :))))
And unsurprising to you all if I wasn’t at an event I was in head to toe Lululemon per usual
I kept it really simple when it came to skincare because I’m still recovering from my Australia trip skin freakout?? Although I forgot to bring my LED mask (that I’m so obsessed with so they gave me a discount for you - CLAIREDCB), I opted for a simple moisturizer and new FAVORITE sunscreen.
Snacks
Coconut Cult - I gave in and bought the $10 yogurt… I loved the tang so I used a few scoops of it to make my own coconut yogurt! I’ll be sure to share the recipe here on substack.
Trader Joe’s - naturally I had to grab a restock of onion chips but they were SOLD OUT at the 8 locations I went to RIP to me. Instead, I picked up some pickle mustard, ranch seasoning, hand sanitizer, chai & matcha mints.
LAIRD - This brand was a new discovery for me! My aunt had it at her house and I loved the flavor it gave to my morning bev so I grabbed a few packs to bring home with me (on sale at Erewhon too shoutout).
Amazin - these plantain chips are so ADDICTIVE that I honestly didn’t bring any home because I can’t have my personality become plantain girl.
L’appartement 4F croissant cereal - I collaborated with the bakery on a pastry as well as a cheese/jam/wine pairing event and they kindly gifted me this cereal! I had seen it online for so long that I was thrilled to finally get my hands on it. I am yet to taste it but I am giddy just thinking about cracking that box open.
Davids Bar - I know this is basic but yes, I love these and love how much protein is in each bar (sue me)
Although the airline employees wish this was all I brought back, you can find everything in the video here below:
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Events
I had the BEST time on my USA tour because not only did my mom come with me (very special experience to share with her), I had so many family members and best best friends be able to come to the events. I have the dreamiest life and love to be able to share it with my loved ones.
Los Angeles
I hosted a supper club with The Infatuation at Gjelina, one of my childhood favorites. This was a dream come true! The people we brought together were all so interesting, each masters of their craft regardless of whether they were in the food world or what their “following” was like.
On the day of my book launch, I set up shop at Layla Bagels and was able to sign copies of the book whilst chatting with you all and eating bagels. This was a last minute event and was not ticketed! As exciting as an 8AM event can get.
Botanica in Silverlake served a “snacky hour” menu serving recipes from the book. This set up was so nice because I got to properly speak to each of you due to the different reservation slots.
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Digital
Hosted a live zoom that hundreds of you were able to tune into! This was so fun and we’ll definitely have to do it again.
The Hamptons
On the Monday of Memorial Day, Montauk General and I hosted a “brunch” at Spring Close Farm. I signed copies of the book and every one who attended was able to munch on free Goldberg bagels, delicious tomatoes from the farm, and sip on a salty vanilla matcha!
Brooklyn
L’appartement 4F and I had ourselves a DAY! In the morning, we served a special tomato vanilla basil jam pastry and in the evening, we hosted a wine, cheese, and jam pairing evening. You sold this event out within 3 mins??? And there were over 350 people on the Resy notify list… WILD. I am so grateful to you all and to the L’apt team. Thank you thank you thank you!!
Podcasts
Once of my favorite parts about book tour is all of the press I do. Whether it’s in the UK, South Africa, Australia, NZ, and this time the US, the questions I get asked are always FUN. I was lucky enough to chat with a bunch of different people on this trip about all things flavor, food history, favorite fruit, least favorite vegetables and so forth. I’ll keep updating this section as more of the podcasts come out but here are a few that are available to listen to now:
Eat My Globe - being on this podcast was a dream come true. I grew up watching Simon Majumdar on the Food Network and was always such a fan of his historical takes and cultural point of view. His podcas has been one of my favorites for years and if you flip to the back of my book, you’ll see it sted as one of the sources I used while I was writing my book (shoutout to JStor and my alumnae email address for helping me find any and all other primary sources)
Cherry Bombe - I wrote a butter piece for them last year in honor of the Paris Olympics so it was so fun to reunite with the company in this podcast.
Taste - this interview isn’t actually out as I’m writing this newsletter but it will be uploaded here when it drops!
LA Food Pod - ignore how horrible I look in this lighting please and thank YOU
Waitrose - ok this isn’t USA related but if you’re reading this from the UK, head over to your local Waitrose and grab a copy of their June Mag! I wrote An Ode to Ketchup, a condiment special for people of all ages.
also has a whole jelly section sooooo there’s no real reason for you not to get your free copy.
ANYWAYS, after 9 months, that’s officially a wrap on The Condiment Book on tour :’) I can’t wait for you all to see what’s next.
In the next few weeks I’ll be sharing my homemade coconut yogurt recipe here as well as my Erewhon smoothie dupe, some summer picnic favorites and historical deep dives (of course). ILY BYE HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
Yayayaya go you!!!!! My friends think we are friends how I refer to TCB and your Substack 😋😋😋
So....what' next after Condiments? I do think that adjuvants are important in cooking and wondering how the idea will continue to play out for you. Or will you do a complete switch?