M&D’s Famous Irish Soda Bread

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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)

Irish Soda BreadEvery March, I share M&D’s legendary Irish Soda bread story. Can any of you recite it by memory yet?Continue Reading

Curried Cashew Quinoa Cakes

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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)

Hi my long lost foodies! Well I guess I am maybe the one who has been long lost. Sorry for being so MIA lately! I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how hectic life can get sometimes, especially when you throw lots of traveling into the mix. Speaking of traveling, quinoa cakesI am back in Pawling for a few weeks to spend some time with my family, both biological and M&D, plan my wedding, and get my fill of New York springtime – assuming it warms up sometime soon that is. Last week, I spent the day in the offices of McKinney and Doyle. I really miss that place you guys. It was so great to be back in that environment – fast paced but warm, gourmet but laid back, and busy but happy. Anyway, it would appear that I chose a good day to hang out in the restaurant because I got to play taste tester for last week’s specials. Both were incredible. The deconstructed ratatouille was so flavorful and beyond gorgeous on the plate but the curry quinoa cakes … these things have officially made it to the top of my favorites list.Continue Reading

The Blue Olive: More Local Holiday Shopping Tips

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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 Blue Olive is a premium olive oil and vinegar tasting bar located at 26 Charles Colman Blvd. Its owners, Beth and John Canevari, have been Pawling residents for over 10 years. They once visitedThe Blue Olive a store with the same concept in Boston, had an amazing experience, and wanted to share it with the Pawling community. Together, with co-owners and close friends John and Laura Leahy, their dream became a reality last July when the store opened.Continue Reading

Akvavit? What the Heck is Akvavit?

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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)

If you are subscribed to the M&D newsletter, you received our November edition this morning and learned that this month’s featured cocktail is the Old Fashioned. If you are not subscribed to the newsletter and are interested akvavitin staying on top of what’s going on in the bakery and restaurant, you can subscribe here. Anyway, our very talented restaurant manager and professional mixologist, Andrew Sarubbi, came up with a really unique twist on the Old Fashioned and it features Akvavit. When he was first explaining the drink recipe to me, I was lost. “WTF is Akvavit?” I figured I can’t be the only one in the dark on this one so today I want to share what I’ve learned.Continue Reading