One of the premier chefs of the pacific northwest, Renee Erickson is owner of the acclaimed Seattle restaurants, The Whale Wins, Boat Street Café, The Walrus and the Carpenter, and Barnacle. Her cooking is defined by the gorgeous bounty of the Puget Sound region, as well as by her love of France. This personal cookbook is filled with menus that are arranged seasonally and offers a glimpse into her life as she celebrates special occasions cooking for family and friends. Peppered throughout are stories of her growing up in the northwest, her experiences at the restaurants, and the people who spark her imagination her today. From her favourite 4th of July beach crab feasts, to her highly-anticipated Normandy dinners held each November in the courtyard of the romantic Boat Street Café, to cosy dinners at home, Renee Erickson’s food, casual style, and appreciation of simple beauty will inspire readers in the region and beyond.