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I am a first-generation Vietnamese daughter to two hard-working parents. From my frugal mother, I inherited a sustainable approach to cooking; nothing (that could be) edible goes to waste. From my technical father, I developed strong work ethics. I don’t do things the fast or easy way; I do them the right way. Even if it means that one cooking project can take a whole day.
Three ingredients I always have are edible flowers, nuoc mam, and European butter. Also mandatory: my morning coffee, which I take black.
I am passionate about serving others. I do it best by making food.
When asked, and on occasion, I cater gigs and make (non fondant) wedding cakes. I also bake when I can’t sleep.
Every other Wednesday, I cook for 250 people who wouldn’t otherwise have dinner.
When not in the kitchen, I’m in the garden!!! With a third of an acre, mild climate, and an endless supply of chicken poop fertilizer, we’ve grown just about everything.
Have I mentioned that we have a flock of chickens?! Extras are for sale at $5/dozen (March through October only).
When not making food, I host jazz concerts, underground suppers, pop-up chef events, winemaker dinners, and other special occasions (like food truck launches, food-writing seminars and cookbook author signing parties).
When not at home, I stalk local eateries… especially to order what I can’t make myself (anything smoked, cooked in a wood-burning oven, or… Japanese fish).
When not in town, I travel to places like Provence, PDX or The Crescent City. There, I recharge my soul, steal creative menus, and stow away keepsakes: usually spices, pottery/ceramics, and cookbooks. [See also: borrowing new culinary ideas.]
If you’re a company or brand seeking partnerships: I’m open to all kinds of creative ideas. Shoot me an email; let’s chat.
And to all, thanks for stopping by. If you’d like to connect, please drop me a line at rusticgardenbistro [at] gmail [dot] com, or holler using any of the links below. Please note that I am addicted to Instagram and don’t remember my Twitter handle half the time.
Cheers!
[K]
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram: @KimBrunelli
Orange County, California
Website launched: 11/9/2009
About Us Last updated: 4/28/2013
Howdy Kim: Was cool having you up here, glad you had a good time! I’m not much of a cooking dude but wish I would have followed you back to Orange County for some of the chukar!
Your blog is very colorful and caught my interest! Fine cooking is certainly quite an art! Hope it all comes true for you guys!
All my best, Graydog (Steve) Reynolds
Hello Kim! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the 2 suggested books! I’m excited about both, and promptly reserved them at the Boston Public Library. Your blog is lovely. Once I settle down (maybe moving back closer to family in northern California), I may venture into gardening! Your above picture of the breakfast omelet looks so good! keep up the great blogging and cooking!
Hey Kim-
Awesome site! If approach cooking with as much drive and passion as you did Planning, you should be a spectacular success. Good Luck on the new adventure.
I’m writing to ask you for permission to post your Baked Chicken with Lemon and Garden Herbs (and corresponding links back to your site) in our Lemon LoveFest Library. Please check out the links below for more specific info on the Library and to see what Lemon LoveFest is all about.
http://www.wineimbiber.com/index.php/lemon-lovefest-library-2010/
http://www.wineimbiber.com/index.php/2010/01/lemon-lovefest-2010/
If you’d rather make the submissions yourself, please let me know. We are conducting a Meyer lemon giveaway in conjunction with Lemon LoveFest, and anyone who submits lemon recipes or posts about lemon recipes and then makes a submission becomes eligible to win Meyer lemons from one of two California growers. It’s a weekly random drawing through February 21st; I hope you’ll consider making a submission!
Even if you are not interested in making a submission yourself, I hope you will still allow us to post your lemon recipe photo/link in the Library anyway. We are slowly building up a nice collection of recipes, photos and websites for other lemon-lovers to view, and yours would make a nice addition. We aren’t doing this for profit or anything like that (we don’t even accept advertising on our site). We just thought it would be nice to create a source for people who are always on the hunt for lemon recipes (like me) and also appreciate discovering new websites in the process. People who aren’t as fortunate as me to own a Meyer lemon tree (or have access to Meyer lemons) will have the opportunity to win some Meyers, and hopefully the growers who are supplying the lemon prizes will benefit from the exposure as well. That’s pretty much our motivation for doing this project.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Regards…
Leah
You are chefs, gardeners and wine aficionados! That combination can’t be beat!
Your blog looks terrific. Lots to see and read about. Good luck with your venture!
Gwen
Hi, fellow Orange County dwellers! I found your blog on Foodbuzz. Your garden is beyond beautiful. As a fairly new resident of California, I am constantly amazed by abundance of fruits, vegetables and greenery in DESERT!
I left my beautiful 1/3 yard with a compost bin and a great garden in suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I hope somebody is taking care of it:(
One day (I hope very soon), I can join you in gardening. Right now, I have a cherry tomato in a planter, bunch of herbs on my patio and a solitary lemon tree – my first attempt at growing something citrusy. The next on my list is a fig.
BTW, what Farmers Markets do you visit? I went to Irvine last Saturday, but would like to find some more.
Greetings from Mission Viejo.
Hi, I am so glad to have found your site.
I live in Orange County too, but grew up in the Long Beach area.
I have browsing thru your recipes and all your beautiful pictures. I am just starting to have a garden in my home (I am a beginner and grew a few herbs and tomato plant this season). I am envious of the abundance of your fruits and produce. I hope to have a garden like yours in many many years from now.
I will be following your blog from now on and I look forward to reading more.
Hi Lea! So glad you found my site – thank you for leaving a comment!! Since you’re so close, we should get together!!!
[K]
Have just found your blog…and I love it! Can’t wait to try your recipes and enjoy your excellent ideas! Thanks for sharing!
I just want to say that your recipes and photos are BEAUTIFUL! I’m so glad I found your site, I look forward to following along with you
Kim,
Love your site… I dream of having lots of people over for lots of dinner parties. But at may have to wait until the kids are a bit older.
Thanks for your recipes, your pics and our inspiration.
{deena} … stay at home FOODIE