Andy Hayes began Plum Deluxe after watching his mother’s battle with cancer. Despite her illness, those final years were some of the best of her life because she made every moment count.
Food is about so much more than calories and survival; it’s about the moments we share. It’s about simple appreciation of all the little things life offers. It’s about enjoying yourself. It’s about making every moment count.
Andy Hayes took a moment to tell us about Plum Deluxe, about making memorable moments that matter with food and drink, and simply doing the things we enjoy. He also shares some exquisite tips on tea, chocolate, cheese, and some delicacies from his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
You’ve stated that Plum Deluxe is your life’s purpose. For people unfamiliar with the site, why is that?
I started my small business journey after a decade-plus career in the technology industry. After 2 corporate acquisitions, I found myself in a toxic work environment with a stressful job that created a variety of health challenges for me. Starting a business was my way of trying to create a better life for myself. Now I see that Plum Deluxe and the stories we share are my way to help our readers create better lives for themselves. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to impact people’s day-to-day experiences in this way.
When relating Plum Deluxe’s moving origin story of your mother’s battle with breast cancer, you talked about the last years of her life being some of her best. What were some of the things she did to make these years so memorable, and how did you incorporate this philosophy into what you do with Plum Deluxe?
Here’s the thing: many of the things she enjoyed were so simple! She spent more time with her girlfriends. She gave herself massages and spa treatments. She visited her favorite city, Paris. She spent more time outdoors walking. It’s no surprise that many of these themes are some of the most popular topics on Plum Deluxe. Many of the tips and advice given on Plum Deluxe are rather straightforward or simple, because that’s what so many of us crave.
One of the reasons that Plum Deluxe exists is to help readers decide what kind of moments are important to them in order to make a live a life they love. What are some things someone could ask themselves to decide what’s most important to them? How can food help someone feel like they’re living a life they love?
Here’s a great question to think about (or better yet, get your journal out and jot down some thoughts): if you had a free afternoon, day, or weekend, and money was no object, what would you really want to spend your time doing? Be honest, nobody is looking.
As for food, I imagine everyone reading has a favorite flavor that makes them happy. How can you treat yourself to that flavor a little more often (in moderation, of course – too much can spoil a good thing)? Love champagne cake? Great; bake one. It doesn’t have to be your birthday. Love lobster? How about a monthly date night with your partner at the local lobster shack to celebrate your successes that month?
You’ve got a wide array of useful sections on Plum Deluxe, including Weekend Getaways. Do you have any travel recommendations that foodies might particularly enjoy? Where should a discerning gourmand visit to tantalize their culinary appetites?
If we’re sticking to North America, my vote would go for Montreal, Canada (almost as good as visiting France!) or Portland, Oregon. I would also give the underrated vote for Pasadena, California. Internationally, my favorites include Melbourne, Australia, Hong Kong, and San Sebastian, Spain. My totally underrated vote would go to Brussels, Belgium.
You’ve talked about how gathering around the kitchen table is one of your favorite things to do. First of all, what do you love so much about dinner parties? What is it, apart from the food, that makes it so special? Could you also share one or two of your favorite or most popular posts from the Dinner Party section and what makes them your favorite?
For me, it’s just about the intimacy of the group conversation. You need to curate your guest list to fit the size of your table. Because of that, there’s always some kind of magic in the connection that those people make across the dinner table; and of course, with the host, who has opened up their home, their sanctuary, to guests. Human beings have gathered to connect over plates of food for centuries, and it’s still one of life’s best experiences.
One of my favorite recent entertaining posts we’ve had is the wine swap. I have seen a lot of our readers hosting wine swaps and having a lot of fun with it. The other one I like a lot is the brunch dinner party, mostly because it reminds people that you get to choose the rules; so if you want to have breakfast for dinner, you can.
You are avowed cheese lovers at Plum Deluxe, from baked cheeses to a foodie’s guide to chocolate pairings. What are some things you look for in a cheese? What are some of your personal favorites? Which cheeses DO pair well with chocolate?
It’s hard for me to find a cheese I don’t like! My favorite is Parmesan – but in small chunks, not the pulverized stuff that you see in the TV commercials. Because of that, I tend to look for the salty cheeses. If we’re having cheese and chocolate for dinner, I sure hope it’s a traditional Swiss fondue! My favorite pairing, though, would be aged gouda with dark chocolate.
Do you have a favorite recipe that you’d like to share with us?
Sure!
Ceylon Shortbread Circles
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons Mindful Morning blend tea
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
Preparation:
Use a clean coffee grinder to crush your loose tea leaves; you don’t want them pulverized, just lightly crushed. If you don’t have a grinder, you can run them briefly through your food processor, or just use a knife.
Combine the tea, flour, and salt in a food processor, and pulse until the tea is evenly distributed. Add the sugar, vanilla, and butter; continue to pulse until the mixture starts to form a dough.
Drop the dough on a sheet of plastic wrap, being sure to smooth out any unmixed portions; roll it into a log about 2.5 inches in diameter. Work quickly as the butter will start to warm from your hands. Wrap the plastic wrap ends tightly and put in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes.
Before removing dough from refrigerator, preheat oven to 375 F.
Slice the dough into 1/2-inch thick circles. Place circles on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, keeping them evenly spaced. Bake until edges are browned, around 12 minutes.
Cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then move to wire racks to cool. Best enjoyed still warm with a cup of tea or glass of red wine.
Plum Deluxe is partially funded by your line of teas, which features a tea of the month club as well as your regular inventory. What have been a few of your teas of the month? How do you pick which teas will be featured? What makes you passionate enough about tea to go into business where you craft and sell it?
Our Christmas tea of the month was a blackberry spearmint black tea; it was such a delightful flavor to enjoy on a cold winter day. Right now, my favorite is our new Portland Chai, a spicy rose tea. I tend to avoid caffeine after lunchtime, so I drink a lot of herbal teas. Our Cuddletime blend is a chamomile/vanilla/peppermint tea that is perfect if you have a sweet tooth at bedtime.
I also really enjoy white teas (lightly caffeinated), and recently we put out an Afternoon Tea with flavors of peach and pear, which is similar to a tea I used to drink often when I lived in the Netherlands. My world travels do influence the types of teas we feature, but I spend a lot of time trying creative combinations and popular ingredients to try to craft teas that feel like a healing treat. After living in Europe for many years, I found myself with a tea ritual that helps me slow down and be more mindful – and this is a perfect tie in to the philosophy of Plum Deluxe!
You have a very useful section of resources on Plum Deluxe’s website, including Fresh Ideas For Making Moments Matter. What are some highlights from the Making Moments Matter guide? What other resources would a foodie flip for?
The making moments matter guide helps you break down your day/week/month into smaller pieces, where you can focus on what activities you can hit delete on, giving you some space and freedom to find things that you really want to spend your time doing. For example, so many people tell me their mornings are so rushed (and they don’t get to eat a proper breakfast), and then turn around and mention they spend 30 minutes watching the news. Skip the negative stuff, make yourself a nice breakfast, and meditate. You’ll feel much more fulfilled before 9AM.
Are there are any eateries near where you live that you are particularly passionate about?
I live in Southeast Portland, which is sort of turning into a gourmet destination in itself. One of my favorite eateries within stumbling distance is Nostrana, one of the finest Italian restaurants on the west coast. Make sure you have a cocktail on arrival. If you’re wanting to go wine tasting, try one of our urban wineries such as Hip Chicks Do Wine or Enso.
Breakfast foodies must go to Pine State Biscuits (worth the wait in line, absolutely); and if you have a sweet tooth, see what unique flavors are available at Salt and Straw ice cream.
What would you say to someone who thinks you have to be independently wealthy to be a foodie? What are some ways that you can make memorable moments on a budget? What are some reasons to forsake a budget and enjoy yourself?
I just don’t think that’s true. For example, I like to cook and bake as opposed to dining out. So, it is easy for me to enjoy special treats because I can make them. But, if there is some kind of food or foodie experience you truly enjoy, then make that your priority and craft your budget to suit. Maybe you don’t need those extra cable TV channels. Maybe you don’t need the extra large latte every morning. I’m not suggesting that anyone make sacrifices, but that we all can make smarter choices about where we spend our money. Don’t listen to what your friends, family, or TV commercials say. Instead, spend your time AND money in ways that feel fulfilling and enriching.
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The post Expert Interview with Andy Hayes Of Plum Deluxe On Making Memorable Moments That Matter appeared first on FoodyDirect Blog.