Lea McIntosh wears many hats at Nesting Newbies: co-founder, creative director, director of culinary content, food stylist…and now we can add fashion designer to the list! A traditional white chef coat just doesn’t fit Lea’s colorful personality, so she set out to find an alternative. Of course, chef coats are now available in a wide range of colors, and that’s a start in the right direction…but Lea’s right brain inspiration puts the chef coat into a haute couture category : )

Lea’s brainchild? A custom chef coat with removable and interchangeable cuffs! An idea we’ve never seen done before. Her first design is a burgundy coat with cuffs made from an Ashberry Transitional Print Cotton Sateen fabric by Duralee (#20836-561 Green Tea). She designed it for her appearance on ABC’s View from the Bay. New cuffs are in the works as is another coat in turquoise with its own set of interchangeable cuffs. Through her own innovation, Lea is building an epicurean wardrobe befitting her vibrant personality.

James McNair and Chef Jeffrey Starr, created a Burger Parties: Recipes from Sutter Home Winery’s Build a Better Burger Contest, featuring 16 themed burger parties. Words to the wise: Don’t open the book unless you are ready to fire up the BBQ and start grilling…the burger recipes will start the stomach growling and the taste buds tingling: ). Let us tempt you…”Little Italy Sausage Burgers,” “Sweet-Hot Thai Burgers,” and “Bouillabaise Sliders”…see what we mean?

James McNair has been the head judge of Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger® contest and he co-authored this book with Chef Jeffrey Star to feature the winning burger recipes from the contest’s recent 20th anniversary. Chef Jeffrey is the Culinary Director and Executive Chef for Trinchero Family Estates and Build a Better Burger…and a regular guest judge on The Food Network Challenge Series. The two created party themes and menus around the burgers, including super side dishes, sweet treats, and wine pairings (referencing Sutter Home wines).

The themes are fun and, in some cases, over-the-top…a good book if you are looking for new ways to make and serve burgers! There’s even more to inspire you on Build a Better Burger® at Sutter Home’s website.