Are you familiar with the Empty Bowls Project? I wasn't either until my neighbors, both amateur potters, hosted one in the courtyard we share. The premise is simple: Potters donate their handmade bowls and people are invited to a gathering where for a donation they choose a bowl and are served some soup to fill it up with. They can sit down with others in their community, share in the soup and company, and then take their bowl home with them when they are done. The money raised is donated to an organization that fights hunger. In our case, the event had raised $3000 for the Oakland Food Bank. Here's a closer look at the occasion! More

My wife and I celebrated our two year anniversary this week, an occasion that of course brought to mind that huge fun and emotion-filled day. We planned and coordinated just about everything ourselves, handing over the reigns of our big project to the venue organizer only on the day of the event. Since it is fall and wedding planning may be in the cards for some readers, I thought it'd be a good time to share some tips for putting your own personal touch on the wedding meal. More

Fall means the return of football and, more importantly in my book, the return of football parties filled with great food. And what's better to feed a hungry fall crowd than a big sub? Forget those stale supermarket variety subs and read on for four fresh and hearty sub recipes! More

Q: Help! My CSA is having a potluck/recipe contest next weekend, and I'm looking for suggestions for a crowd-pleasing, veggie-centric dish to bring. We've been getting a lot of peppers, tomatoes and onions in our share recently, so I'm thinking of focusing on those ingredients. More

I had my first experience of the Nickel Diner in downtown Los Angeles a few weeks ago, and you can bet I zeroed right in on the "Eggs Baked on Polenta with Spinach." My decision did not go unrewarded. In fact, I couldn't stop thinking about this dish and its divine trifecta of savory breakfast treats, even after I'd boarded my plane and flew home. More

Paella is a Spanish dish primarily characterized by a saffron-scented rice cooked in a very wide, shallow pan with a variety of additions including chicken, sausage, seafood, and rabbit, and vegetables such as onions, peppers and beans. There are many types and many interpretations on the paella theme as it easily lends itself to improvisation. It's is also the perfect party dish, as demonstrated in a recent article from the San Jose Mercury News. More

When it comes to quick weeknight meals, or a meal for a mixed crowd of people, tacos and burritos reign supreme. Fold a tortilla (corn or flour) around a scoop of fresh summer tomatoes and soft black beans, or pulled pork simmered in the slow cooker with peppers, and you have a meal that pleases nearly anyone. Tacos, burritos, and enchiladas may have originated in Mexico and Latin America, but they have been welcomed and adapted by cooks all over the world. More

Q: I'm having my wedding in mid-September, and it will be largely self-catered. I've found a lot of great wedding inspiration on The Kitchn, and I was hoping readers might have good suggestions for side dishes which can be made in advance and simply assembled or garnished on my wedding day. More

Q: Today, this question comes straight from me! I may be self-catering my brother's wedding dinner this winter. It will need to feed about 150 people, and should have the feel of a warm and cozy family dinner. We're on a serious budget, and obviously food would need to be cooked ahead of time. Any ideas? More

Q: We're going to the beach in a couple of weeks and one night my family has to cook for 17 people, including 3 vegans. I don't know what we'll have in the way of pots, pans, and utensils but I'm sure they'll be limited and not in great shape. Can you recommend some meals that will satisfy meat eaters and vegans?

Sent by Carolyn More