Book Review: ‘Taste Makers,’ by Mayukh Sen

As Sen moves through his subjects’ stories, each chapter raises questions about the obstacles that prevented them from ascending the ranks of the food industry and achieving the fame of other luminaries, such as Julia Child. He nimbly weaves in an “interlude” on Child — “Julia Child, American Woman” — which examines her rise as…

Bottega Veneta Has a New Designer

After the surprise announcement last week that the Bottega Veneta creative director Daniel Lee was leaving the Italian luxury house, a successor has been named: Matthieu Blazy, who may not be widely known outside of fashion (much like Mr. Lee when he took on the job in 2018) but is well regarded within the industry.…

How to Improve Your Thanksgiving Dinner

Since my Iranian-immigrant mother spent my childhood resisting assimilation, I didn’t sit down to a proper Thanksgiving dinner until my early 20s. I like to think that I’m unburdened by all the nostalgic associations that cloud everyone else’s judgment of the meal. And so I’ll say what no one else will: It’s pretty boring on…

A Cruet for Dressing or Syrup

These well-designed cruets from Civilian Objects, a company created by Nicko Elliott and Ksenia Kagner of the New York design studio Civilian, make a fine house gift or handy accessory. While they are intended for oil or vinegar, or a combination, they also beg to be filled with maple syrup for a holiday breakfast because…

Let’s Talk About Latkes

A group of experts on Jewish food will toss around the subject of latkes at an in-person and virtual event at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center on Nov. 22. Gabriella Gershenson, a writer, will lead the discussion, joined by Jake Cohen and Leah Koenig, both cookbook authors; Sophie Rand, an owner of Luxe Latkes, a…