As you approach the entrance to the Market, there’s a giant banner announcing the arrival of Copper River salmon. When we made our way to the fish vendor, my customer pointed out the price tag - $90.00 a pound for Copper River king. She was curious as to why it’s so expensive.

Well, the Copper River is way far north in Alaska. The salmon that head into the river live in extremely cold water. Not only that, they’ve got a 300 mile journey upriver to their spawning grounds. This effort requires energy - lots of it. When those salmon enter into the river they are loaded with fat, making them what some call the “Waygu of salmon.” As they swim upriver, the burn this fat. In a few weeks, the price will begin to drop, eventually leveling out between $35.00 - $40.00 a pound. Is it worth the price to…

Sometimes it’s fun to just play around with different settings on the iPhone. The first photo was taken simply so that we could recall what the cocktail looked like if we decided to recreate it at home. The second photo was just for fun. I used on the “stage light” feature on portrait mode . While it’s not a photo I would include in my portfolio, this setting can really create a dramatic effect. In addition, it can be a lifesaver should the background not be all that picturesque as evidenced here. Have any of you mastered this feature? Share your tips, tricks, or your own fun photos!

When I created this group, I questioned whether or not the name might be too broad. At the same time, I didn’t want to create too many subgroups because that would be a lot for us to keep track of. So what are we going to discuss here?

• Any type of cooking - stovetop, oven, grill, etc.

• Any type of cuisine

• Techniques, tips, and tricks

• Food history

• Ingredients

Is it just me or do things always break at least opportune times? In a recent cooking class, I had just explained how helpful a food thermometer is when it comes to preparing fish. As luck would have it, my thermometer finally decided to give up the ghost during that very class! I need a replacement, but there are so many new products now on the market that I don’t even know where to start. I don’t really need anything fancy, like with bluetooth capability or other bells and whistles. I just need one that’s accurate, durable, and not bulky. Anyone have any recommendations?

When I’m traveling, I like to take food photos as part of the vacation photo album. The lighting in restaurants and on outdoor patios is not always conducive to taking the best photos. I try to frame the dish as best as I can and hope that I can bring it to life with some editing.

This photo was taken in Brussels. We were sitting outside on the patio. The sun had already dipped below the building leaving us with very cool light. Using Adobe Lightroom, I was able to increase the exposure and add some warmth, which brought the dish back to life.

Do you any before and after photos to share? What’s your favorite photo editing application / software?

Dish: Farm poached egg with asparagus cream, fresh mozzarella, and extra-mild smoked salmon

Restaurant: https://leselecto.com/