The Tastemaker Top 10 with Beth of Food Fashion and Fun

The Tastemaker Top 10 is a collection of 10 questions asked by me and answered by some of my favorite bloggers. Here they will tell you a little bit about themselves, their blogs, and of course, their favorite foods and restaurants. Today, we have the fabulous Beth from Food Fashion and Fun talking about all of her favorite foodie things. Beth's blog covers everything from food to fashion to travel... and to top it all off, she's based in sunny southern California. Jealous! Also, I absolutely LOVE her answer to question #6. Read on and get to know Beth today!

Name: Beth Jacques

Blog: Food Fashion and Fun

Location: San Diego, CA

In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about your blog: It's a lifestyle blog that focuses on living well without breaking the bank. I focus on food, shopping, style, and cocktails. Since we just bought and renovated a new home, I'm getting more into home and diy.
 
Now, tell us about your...

1. Favorite meal, food, or cuisine: I love a lot of different foods but nothing is better than getting a live lobster and cooking it up at home. It's wonderfully fresh and delicious with just a little bit of clarified butter and pepper. My boyfriend and I have been known to eat lobster all weekend long when they are in season. Now I want lobster . . .

2. Least favorite meal, food, or cuisine: Lima beans. I'll eat just about anything but those things are disgusting. I hated them as a child and my parents thought it was just a phase but it still holds true for me today.

3. Favorite restaurant in your city: I'm actually new to this city (I just moved from LA) so I haven't been to a lot of restaurants just yet. Although we have found a really great Chinese place (it's actually a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese) that has traditional food like Pho. It doesn't even have an english name but the service is shockingly good and the food is fresh and delicious. We are really lucky to have found this place so close to home.

4. Favorite restaurant outside of your city: One thing I miss about LA is the sushi. I'm not a fan of covering up the flavor of the fish with cream cheese and sauces which is what I've found most places do outside of larger cities.

5. Favorite food memory: My siblings and parents all live in different cities so it's rare when more than a few of us get together. It took some major planning but my brother, sister-in-law and parents were able to spend the day together a few years ago and ended up having the most amazing multiple course meal. I think there were about 10 courses. It was incredible. We still talk about how great the food was.

6. Favorite guilty pleasure food: I refuse to feel guilty about eating food. I just love it too much. I'd feel guilty all the time! If I want something I eat it. I just try to eat everything in moderation and work out.

7. Favorite ingredient (something you love to cook with, or something you see on a menu and know you have to order): When I'm out and I see a really strange item on a menu then I absolutely have to order it. I like the adventure. Last time I was in a Persian restaurant and I saw brain on the menu. I just couldn't resist. I would never make that myself. I wouldn't even know how to make it! At home, my favorite ingredient would probably be soy sauce. Lately I've been using it in a lot of dishes. It goes so well in salad dressings, marinades, soups, I could go on. . . It's my secret salty weapon.

8. Favorite kitchen tool, utensil, product, etc.: Right now, it's my slow cooker. I just started using mine and I absolutely love it. I should have started using this thing years ago. Why no one told me about the joys of the slow cooker is beyond me?! I'm telling everyone I know!

9. Favorite recipe: Since it's summer, I like a refreshing cocktail. Something light and fruity like my Pineapple Sage Champagne.

10. Favorite thing about blogging: I like the creativity. I love taking photos and coming up with new ideas and sharing them with everyone. I also like the people. The people that follow me are so sweet, genuine and supportive. It really means a lot. I also enjoy meeting with other bloggers and business owners. I find so much inspiration these entrepreneurs.
 
11. BONUS! Five favorite blogs/blogs that A Squared readers should know about:
-Apartmenttherepy.com - I'm addicted. They've been one of my favorite resources and inspirations before/during/after our home renovation.
-Kendieveryday.com - She has the cutest outfits and the blog posts are always so witty.
-PinchofYum.com - Great food blogger. Her photos make my mouth water. I also love that she tracks the sites progress and profits. It's interesting to see how and what she's done to make the site a success. She's also inspired me to release a ebook. Hopefully I'll be finished by this fall/winter.
-AnnStreetStudio.com - Just drop dead gorgeous photos. It's eye candy.
-WithLoveFromKat.com - She has an effortlessly pulled together style that I admire. I'm also very curious as to where she puts all of her clothing in a NYC apartment because every time she posts photos, the place is perfectly pulled together.

Thanks so much for your thoughts, Beth!

Do you have a blogger that you'd recommend to be featured on the Tastemaker Top 10? Or are you a blogger that would like to participate? Email me at aasquaredblog@gmail.com and let me know!