If you follow me on Instagram, then you already know that I’m pregnant! My DH and I are ecstatic to announce that Baby Militello will be making an appearance February 2016.
I’ll be documenting my pregnancy and other details on my lifestyle blog, Hello Militello. Follow along there for all of my updates! I’m keeping Lovin’ From the Oven strictly food related.
xoxo,
kim
Two weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to go on an exclusive behind the scenes kitchen tour and suite menu tasting lunch at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
I know, I know.. I’m a little delayed with this post since the Grammys have come and gone, but better late than never, right?
It was an intimate group of about twenty people or so. We entered through the side and went straight into the kitchen.
We were welcomed by Chef Joseph Martin, who is the Staples Center Executive Chef. He’s in charge of the food for all of the events at the Staples center… and that’s a lot considering how many sports teams play there!
Look at that smile! I just love people that love food. How can you not?
Some tidbits for you… Did you know that for the Grammy awards, the Staples center served:
Can you imagine all that food? They spend countless hours preparing the food and leave the final details for the day of.
The Staples Center kitchen is run by Levy Restaurants, which was founded in Chicago in 1978. They are known as one of the leaders in sports and entertainment dining. They definitely know what they’re doing!
Here we have the Scottish salmon salad: poached and chilled with pickled cucumbers, dill mustard glaze, watermelon radish, chervil, and saffron poached Dutch yellow potatoes. 
Preparing the miniature vegetables with herb yogurt dip. I may or may not be slightly obsessed with those tiny carrots.
Buttermilk panna cotta.
Ahi tuna BLT sandwiches with Asian slaw and a sriracha aioli. Oh yes.
Here’s the beautiful spread that we got to taste.
Organic farro salad: roasted root vegetables, shaved Carmody cheese, and a red wine-honey vinaigrette. 
Nueske’s wrapped jumbo prawns: peppered grits and worcestershire sauce.
The BLT’s again and California beet, red quinoa, and goat cheese salad.
Vietnamese hand rolls served with Thai red curry sauce and house made sweet chili sauce.
“All about the Sushi”: record of the year roll, California roll, vegetable roll, spicy tuna roll, shrimp tempura roll, salmon, and tuna served with wasabi and pickled ginger.
My personal favorite: the Top of the Charts Mini Desserts! There was an assortment of cookies, macaroons, cupcakes, cheesecakes, banana financier, peanut butter-chocolate bites, Vosges Chocolate Encyclopedia Box Set, and Rock and Roll Candy.
Seriously, the dessert was the best. I want to eat one of everything right now.
Here’s my plate (not including my dessert):
My personal favorite was that salmon salad. So many good flavors in one dish!
The whole experience was pretty amazing. Getting a chance to see all the food being prepared behind the scenes was surreal. There are so many people that work on the menu that you never even think about. Someone has to rinse all of the vegetables, cut them into little slivers, let it marinate, and then garnish each individual tiny dish. That’s a lot of commitment and dedication!
I’m still dreaming about my meal.
For the upcoming holiday season, I’ve teamed up with Nespresso and Sur La Table to create a preview of my “Festive Finds!” The wonderful folks sent me on my own personal shopping experience, where I got to visit the Nespresso boutique in Beverly Hills for lunch before heading over to shop at Sur La Table in the Farmers Market, Los Angeles.
I had no idea that Nespresso had boutiques where you can actually order food and coffee at! All that I’ve ever seen are the little shops in departments stores where you can sample and purchase their machines.
We ordered a quick bite to eat (which ended up being a lot more food than I imagined!). I ordered the club sandwich with the special drink for the month of October. It was called the Caramelo and had salted caramel ice cream, milk, caramel, cinnamon, and Voltesso Grand Cru.
My DH ordered the prosciutto panini and an iced dulce de leche drink.
When we couldn’t possibly eat any more, we went over to Sur La Table, where I fell in love with just about everything in the store. I also bored my DH since I spent so long roaming the aisles figuring out what to spend my gift cards on.
Gosh, how I wish my pantry looked like that picture above. I. would. die. Hey, a girl can dream.
What did I end up walking away with? Well, I’ll show you!
I’m one happy camper! Let’s break it down.
I also bought E. Guittard Semisweet chocolate wafers (who doesn’t need more chocolate to bake with during the holidays?), a Le Creuset super-size silicone spatula (it’s GLITTERY!), Ikat Napkins, and Nespresso glass cups.
All in all, you can definitely find a gift for anyone and everyone at Sur La Table. They’re the one stop destination for your shopping needs this holiday season.
This is a sponsored post, but the opinions expressed are my own.
