I met Lisa Dupar at the IACP meeting in Austin on the night she was given 2011 IACP Award Winning Cookbook for First Book – The Julia Child Award. She gave me this book as a gift, as well as a little bag of her cocoa nib steak rub.
I started skimming through the book on the plane on my way home and could just not put it down. I loved the layout of the book with lots of personal touches, including personal stories, handwritten quotes and beautiful pictures. The book is really easy to sail through and is meticulously organized. The recipes, although inspired mostly from her Southern upbringing, come from all around the world, including some Mexican recipes courtesy of her staff.
As I read it, I could almost picture myself laughing with her about her stories. It is definitely a charming cook book with lots of heart.
This evening I tried her rub. It was spectacular. It just exploded in your mouth as you felt the combinations of star anise, cocoa, salt, and pepper on steak. I definitely look forward to trying more of her recipes!
Dash of Spice and Life 
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