Culinary Illusionist Gifts

"Behold! As I transform this family size frozen lasagna into a meal for one."

'A little piece of advice, Verl. . . cut your sandwich loaf on a diagonal . . . that way people will think they're gettin' more.'

"The dishes in your cook book look delicious. You must be a great cook."

"My mom really works at keeping my lunches interesting!"

"That's cheese sauce, or as mom likes to call it...'Broccoli Helper.'"

Magicking Food

Tartine

"I was with you right up to the cumin."

A woman standing beside a stove full of steaming pots and pans.

"Just bring me something that's going to look good on social media."

'I think the salmon is thoroughly smoked.'

"I know you didn't order the snails, sir. They're complimentary with the salad."

Every barbecue has its winners and losers.

'Progress of a bookshelf'

The wonderful world of cheese.

'Mildred-thy milk runneth over!'

Ice Cream Surgeon

'This is one of our most recent vintages!'

"That's it. We’re toast."

"You said the cauliflower is locally grown – would you elaborate?"

Soup of the month.

Pi Ala Mode.

"I'm afraid the challah got a little burnt this week."

'I'm going to make a batch of my ginger biscuits.'

'But Mom, I like potatoes in their jackets.'

"Maybe if we added some pumpkin spice?"

Children's Feast.

Wok. Don't Wok.

'He made an excellent jelly.'

"You're lost. This is Mom's apple pie."

'Needs salt!'

"Compliments to the chef! Pass it on."

'You realize we're only having three people over...'

"Waiter, can you heat this up? The wild salmon got cold while I was posting it to Instagram."

"All the butter was gone. There was no way out. The puff pastry had to be made with margarine... from a tub."