Three Great Ideas for Host/Hostess Gifts

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

As I mentioned last week, whether or not the host or hostess of a party asks me to bring something, I always do. It may not be Next Day Treatssomething for the party, but a little gift for the host is always a good way to go in my book. But here’s the thing … I’m sick of giving bottles of wine. Everybody’s go to for a host/hostess gift is a bottle of alcohol – wine, champagne, scotch, you get the picture. I like to think a little outside the box with all of my other gifts, so why not with a hostess gift? If you want to show your appreciation in a way that doesn’t include wine, chocolate, or flowers, keep on reading for three of my favorite ideas for host/hostess gifts.Continue Reading

How to be the Perfect Party Guest

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

The holiday season is upon us. Between holiday shopping, end of the year work craziness, preparing for relatives’ arrivals, and taking care of regular business, we can all get a little stressed out. I know that when I am tried and stressed out, I am not alwaysHow to be the Perfect Party Guest on my best behavior as a guest at a holiday party. The wine is for everybody, not just myself. Anyway, before you hit up your weekend festivities (or any of the rest of the parties bound to happen between now and January 1), I thought it would be helpful to create fun dos and don’ts list to help you be the perfect party guest.Continue Reading

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

This time of year is Foodie Heaven. There are just SO many things to drool over, am I right? While we are all about what is on your Thanksgiving table, let’s not forget what this time of year is really FullSizeRender-1all about. Here at M&D, we are grateful for all of our hard working employees both behind the scenes and in the front of the house, our customers who have turned into friends and family, and the opportunities we’ve been given to help you celebrate the holiday with your family.

 

Tomorrow, as you sit around with family, I hope you find comfort and joy in their smiling faces (even if they are stuffed with turkey and mashed potatoes). Have a wonderful holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!

Holiday Shopping in Pawling

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Rebecca McKinney

I was born a foodie. My dad is a chef, baker, and restaurant owner and my mom might as well be because she owns whatever kitchen she walks into. I grew up working in my family’s restaurant and bakery in Pawling, New York – McKinney and Doyle. I started behind the bakery counter at 12 years old after begging my parents to let me start working. At 16 I worked as a hostess. By 18 I was serving tables and training behind the bar where I then worked every other weekend throughout my college career. Even now, when I am visiting my family in New York, I help out where I’m needed. To make a long story short, the food and restaurant industry has been my life for as long as I can remember.

I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.

So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!

Eat well & travel often,

Becky McKinney

Latest posts by Rebecca McKinney (see all)

 

 

I know that some of you are going to run in the opposite direction when I bring this up but … it’s almost time to start holiday shopping. Seriously, this Sunday is November first! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and we all Holiday Shopping in Pawlingknow how quickly the December holidays are upon us after that. Over the past few years I have noticed a shift in my holiday shopping style. I cannot stand going to the mall. It’s crowded, loud, and stressful. Yuck. But I also hate doing all of my shopping online because I feel like I miss out on so much of the holiday spirit. I have fallen in love with some of the boutique stores in Saint Pete and I was recently reminded that one can have that same experience right in our beloved village. Have you been in our gift shop lately? Good Tidings is the perfect place to find your season’s greetings.Continue Reading