Yesterday, Portland’s own tea smith, aptly named Steve Smith, gave KOIN Keep it Local host Araksya an insiders look into his new tea line Steven Smith Teamaker.  Watch as Smith, founder of Stash Tea and Tazo Tea, takes viewers on a tour of the Smith Teamaker small batch facility and tasting room in Northwest Portland, where he shows Araksya how to blend (and slurp) tea.

Click here to view the segment.

One of the many perks of working in restaurant industry is getting cooking advice and recipes from the chefs themselves.

Last Sunday, while I was savoring my WT (biscuits dressed in sausage gravy and two fried eggs with potatoes) at The Country Cat with a friend, I casually mentioned my afternoon undertaking (baking a cherry pie) to Jackie Sappington, pastry chef and co-owner of The Cat.  ”You want my recipe?” she asked, to which I smiled and proclaimed, “YES!”  My master plan worked…

Now, those who know me know that baking is not really my thing – I’m more of a spontaneous cook.  In other words, I do not use measuring cups very often.  Yikes, I know.  So in this case, I need to give much credit to my roommate Ellie – baking master – whose careful measurements and dough rolling skills made our cherry pie even more delicious.

Photos below.  Jackie’s recipe soon to follow…

Steven Smith Teamaker is quickly becoming a household name.

Steven Smith Teamaker, the latest small batch, full leaf tea line by Stash and Tazo founder Steve Smith, caught the eye of Martha Stewart Living back in November, and we are thrilled to see the piece hit newstands.  The choice brew is Mao Feng Shui, Smith’s spring harvested full leaf China green tea.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with Haiti and all those affected by the earthquake around the world.

If you have the means, please find ways to help.  Here is a list from today’s Oregonian detailing ways to donate to Haiti relief efforts and get involved from Portland:

1. Medical Teams International – www.medicalteams.org

2. Mercy Corps – www.mercycorps.org or call 888-256-1900

3.  World Vision – Worldvision.org

4.  World Concern – worldconcern.org or call 866-733-2767

5. Yele – text message “yele” to 501501

6. UNICEF – accepting donations at unicef.org or call 800-367-5437

7. Doctors without Borders – www.doctorswithoutborders.com

8. The Salvation Army – salvationarmy.org.

Monday’s Tasting Table eblast turned the spotlight on jerky, and featured none other than Portland’s own Adam Sappington of The Country Cat Dinnerhouse & Bar.  How does Adam do it?  It’s all about the salt, celery seed, chile and molasses marinade.  The article’s below.

Tasting Table highlights the resurgence of the ’settler’ lifestyle.  For those of you who didn’t catch the Sunday NYTimes’ Style section, there’s another lifestyle trend that’s coming on the scene – the caveman lifestyle and it’s hunter gatherer, prehistoric values. Read it here.  Thoughts?

Watershed’s recipe for getting a small, Portland neighborhood restaurant into the New York Times.

Ingredients:

1 passionate sommelier

5 curious local wine writers enjoy a natural wine tasting at Tabla

1 great local story.  Natural wine positioning in motion.

2 PR pros with well connected, strong freelance writer friends

1 fantastic August evening hanging out with Hannah Wallace as she researched her way through Portland, Ore.

The result speaks for itself.

We know that there are tons of small neighborhood businesses that are as passionate about wine and food as Michael.  We’d love to share our ingredients to success with you.

Congrats Michael, Tabla and Hannah!

Click here to read the piece, and if you haven’t already, check out Michael’s natural wine list at Tabla.

USA Today featured Nostrana as one of the country’s 10 great places to savor winter’s flavors, highlighting Executive Chef Cathy Whims’ seasonal chanterelle flight. Congratulations to Cathy and the Nostrana team.  Click here to read the article online.

She grew up on a farm, but Stephanie Selk brings home more than just the bacon.

Last night, while some of us were busy at Livestock, Stephanie and Lota represented Watershed at the annual Spotlight Awards presentation at The Governor Hotel.  The Spotlight Awards are presented to public relations professionals who have successfully addressed a communications challenge with skill, creativity and resourcefulness.

At the end of the evening, the ladies accepted two merit awards for accounts headed by Ms. Selk – Event: Zwickelmania and Press Conference: Holiday Construction Moratorium.

Congrats, Stephanie and the whole Watershed crew!

Who said he was in Mexico?  Happy Halloween everyone.  Till next time.

The Crew

This Halloween we thought a client look-a-like would be a fun (hilarious!) way to celebrate the holiday at Watershed headquarters.  We love our clients and wanted to spend the day walking in their shoes…With a $100 cash prize we’re all eager to be the top chef.  We wanted to put it out to the blogosphere, so cast your vote and help us decide whose look is spot on.  Vote by leaving your feedback in the comments section below – only comments received by 5:00p.m. today will be counted.

Lisa Donoughe a.k.a. Cathy Whims, Beard nominated Executive Chef/owner – Nostrana

As seen in Portland Monthly's Restaurant issue

Katie Burnett a.k.a. Anthony Cafiero, Chef de Cusine – Tabla Mediterranean Bistro

Stephanie Selk a.k.a Adam Sappington, Executive Chef/owner of The Country Cat

Lota LaMontagne a.k.a Jeri Riggs, General Manager – Hotel Vintage Plaza

Michael Phillips a.k.a Ester Lev – The Wetlands Conservancy

Ashley Kordestani a.k.a Lisa Schroeder, Executive Chef/owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar, Mama Mia Trattoria