Chef Varin will smoke just about anything—cola or caramel, fish, roe or fowl. In this installment of Smoke Signals he takes salmon to a whole new level when he goes for the eggs. Chef Varin: Fish roe is such a magical, unique food. With their tiny packages and their characteristic “pop!” these little eggs pack…

Indulging in Desserts this Valentine’s Day? Similar to love, it took the Heartwood team a few tries to get this year’s Valentine’s Day dessert just right. Chef Varin and Amanda Reed are constantly reworking recipes and adjusting the most minute flavors, textures, and ingredients to create an intriguing pairing. In this case, a yogurt panna…

Heartwood Provisions has been over a year in the making. At the center of this new concept are pairings that unite the bar and kitchen. We sat down with Beverage Director Amanda Reed and Chef Varin Keokitvon to learn about the inspiration behind Heartwood’s menu, and to get a sneak peek of what’s to come….

Inspiration for menu items at Heartwood Provisions comes from more than just the pairings and the seasons: For both our chef and Beverage Director, Amanda Reed, alike it also comes from travels. And when you win a Hennessey Cognac cocktail competition—as happened to Reed—and get sent to Cognac, France, you come back bubbling with ideas….

Each year after the ball drops in Time Square, fireworks finish bursting in the sky, and the dust settles, Americans begin avowing change. They resolve to lose weight, to learn something new, to save money, and live life to the fullest. To all of these we have a solution: Start smoking. We aren’t talking cigarettes…

In 2011 Chef Varin was very fortunate to be selected for an ICEX Spain culinary scholarship, which allowed him to travel to Spain for nearly a year, learn about the cuisine, and work in two great restaurants—El Celler de Can Roca and Espai Sucre. It also allowed him to discover a great passion: jamon Iberico…