O
ur community is filled with hidden talents. Beyond designing beautiful jewelry, our designers and brands are musicians, DJ’s, painters, classic car collectors, yogis and lead singers, among other impressive skills. One prowess we know is common among many of our designers and brands is cooking, baking and mixing cocktails! In fact, correlations between these skillsets are often drawn, with designers describing what they do as creating something unique to them using the same ingredients to which everyone has access. In the spirit of the season, we reached out to our designers and brands and asked them to submit their favorite recipes. From holiday-party-worthy punch to sweet treats to a simple way to elevate a week-day meal, we’re proud to present the most hunger-inducing submissions!
Namrata Kothari, SYNA
Namrata’s Warm Colorful Autumn Salad:
While the husband and wife duo behind SYNA is often on the road doing trunk shows and personal appearances, and they’ve had lots of adventures to show for it, they make no secret of their enjoyment of staying home and delighting in the company of family and friends. Namrata is an absolute wiz in the kitchen, and regularly whips up extravagant, multi-course spreads without, seemingly, even breaking a sweat! Luckily for us, she sent along a recipe that appears simple enough for even a kitchen novice to attempt to recreate, and one that sounds like the perfect comfort food for the chilly days ahead.
To see a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Melissa Chen, Lunar Rain
Oyster Moytoyaki:
We always take such joy in discovering how closely connected our designers’ creative output is to their life experiences and world views. Designed by Vancouver Island-based Melissa Chen, Lunar Rain‘s collections pay homage to nature and are filled with elements that evoke the beauty of the sea. The same influences also extend to Melissa’s culinary skills. “I live on the eastern side of Vancouver Island, where there is an abundance of fresh oysters from local oyster farms,” she explains. “The oysters are very tasty and help keep the ocean water clean. During the colder months, my family often makes baked oyster Moytoyaki as a yummy appetizer.”
To see a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Matthew Harris, MATEO
Jamaican Curry Shrimp:
MATEO New York jewelry designer Matthew Harris is well known for his sleek, minimalist designs, his astute business sense and his acerbic wit. A proud Jamaican, he also displays that country’s flair for deliciously charismatic cuisine, even on an average work day, “This is a dish I normally make during the work week after a long day. Truly easy dish and one can have dinner in literally 30 minutes. As a child, I would come from school and my mother would whip this up in no time.”
To see a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Victor Velyan
Salmon Plate:
Often described as “a designer’s designer,” Victor Velyan has the unique ability of making everyone feel like family. Whether out on the town or in his own Southern California home, Victor is the quintessential host, delighting in extending that characteristic hospitality for which Armenians are well known. Victor doesn’t reserve his kindness for off hours. In fact, it is with a great deal of frequency that he’ll cook lunch for his entire team, right in his Downtown Los Angeles-based studio, providing both nourishing food and a moment for bonding among his crew as often as he can find the time.
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Meredith Young
Life Changing Bread
Designer Meredith Young spent almost a decade working in corporate America before taking the leap of faith and officially making her “side hustle” her professional life. Elegant and refined, Meredith’s jewelry feels like a natural extension of the designer’s authentic personality. Describing herself as “kind of a health nut,” she applies the same thoughtfulness and attention to detail to her diet as she does to her beloved designs. She shares that the cranberries included in her “Life Changing Bread” make this perfect for the holidays, but confesses that she makes it all the time!
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Sophia Macris, Verragio Fine Jewelry
“Italian Stallion” Sourdough Crackers
While the darkest days of the pandemic were unquestionably tough for all of us, for those who thrive on entertaining, it was a particularly difficult time. The creatives in our industry, however, took advantage of the relative calm to express themselves through their designs or to throw themselves into other artistic pursuits, like baking! Sophia Macris, the Creative Director of Verragio Fine Jewelry, did both.
“I love entertaining and hosting aperitivi hours,” she tells us. “As an amateur baker who fell victim to the sourdough craze of 2020, I was at a loss for how to use my discard starter until I discovered this cracker recipe on King Arthur’s baking website. I’ve adapted it to create a delicious, Italian-inspired cracker that pairs well with provolone piccante, asiago, or a hearty smear of mascarpone.”
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Gismondi 1754
Ciambellone al Cioccolato:
Italy is well-known for a variety of characteristics–exceptionally crafted jewelry, exquisite wine, superior coffee and, of course, decadent chocolate! With a history that dates back generations, and a tradition of working with Popes and Royalty, Gismondi 1754 is steeped in all that has earned Italy its venerable reputation. Bearing few similarities to the average, American donut, the brand’s recipe for Ciambellone al Cioccolato is sophisticated enough to impress the most discerning guests, while also making for a perfect accompaniment to a truly quality cup of coffee.
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Buddha Mama
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread:
The Mother/Daughter duo behind Buddha Mama, Nancy and Dakota Badia, are the epitome of laid back, effortless chic. Anyone who meets them walks away blown away by the beauty of their jewelry and marveling at their genuine warmth and kindness. They’ve got such an appreciation for their many blessings that, in the words of one friend, they are “easy to root for.” The joy and happiness they feel in being surrounded by loved ones is palpable, so it is in keeping with their general attitude towards life that they’d submit a recipe that is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Nadine Tacorian Arzerounian, TACORI
Walnut Caramel Wafers:
A contemporary brand of handcrafted jewelry created by master artisans in California, TACORI‘s designs are imbued with history and tradition. Combining a European sensibility with modern-day appeal, the brand offers several classic styles, vintage inspired collections and bespoke offerings, all incorporating their signature Crescent Fabric design detail.
Head of Design for TACORI, Nadine Tacorian Arzerounian, also showcases a penchant for history and tradition with her holiday treats, “These cookies are all about the holidays for my family,” she explains. “My grandmother made them every year and then my mom took the baton. We make them for family, friends, teachers and give them out for the holidays. Everyone loves them and they are so easy to make! Just kind of hard to find the wafer sheets.”
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Jennifer Maxwell, Leigh Maxwell
Champagne Punch
At the core of Leigh Maxwell jewelry is a desire to forge and foster relationships. In fact, it was the relationships she made and the gifts of jewelry she received during her travels as a physician specializing in international health that inspired the brand’s designer, Jennifer Maxwell, to launch her own collection of “casual luxury” jewelry. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where her jewelry is handcrafted, Jennifer is often surrounded by big groups of family. The recipe she submitted is, not surprisingly, intended to be served to a large crowd of revelers. Cheers!
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
Sethi Couture
Masala Chai Tea
With a multi-brand store in Palo Alto, California, as well as their own eponymous collection of jewelry, sisters Pratima and Prerna Sethi of Sethi Couture draw on their family’s heritage in the industry, while also maintaining a forward-thinking mindset in their approach to business. One of their tag lines is “Elevate the Everyday” and one of the ways they do that in their personal life, as we saw in our first ever installment of our Day in the Life series, is with a lovely cup of tea. Pratima described it as a “cup of comfort” that she looks forward to every day. And this time of year especially, isn’t that what we all need?!
For a printable version of this recipe, click here.
