Welcome to my food blog, Canapés and Chocolate!
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I moved to the Seattle Eastside some 25 years ago. I love finding and creating new recipes, enjoy discovering new restaurants, and trying foods that I am totally unfamiliar with, in hopes it will expand my culinary knowledge. Reading cookbooks as often as I read novels or biographies is also a passion. I like to experiment with new ideas in interior design and also find it both fun and challenging trying to master the art of food styling and photography.
When not experimenting with new recipes or working on the family genealogy, I can be found at my desk pounding on my keyboard putting the final touches to a new book. If you enjoy romance and suspense novels, you will find my books on Amazon as follows: The Last White Truffle; Seven Is Her Number; Till We Kiss Again; and most recently, Death By Stiletto.
My blog is titled Canapes and Chocolate as I think the best parts of a great meal are the appetizer and dessert – but in between rates high on my list too!
My blog was created in January 2012, and I welcome all comments in an effort to improve the site and also determine what is most interesting to my readers.
Bon Appetit!
canapesandchocolate.com 
Love this Claire! You go girl! xoxoxo Lynnette
Good luck to you. We are still new to the whole blog seen too.
Beautiful, both you and the website. Can’t wait to experience future recipes and blog posts. Looks like you have a winner on your hands! Best wishes, Joy
Claire,
You and your blog are lovely! The recipes and pictures are absolutely perfect. You have mastered food styling and the photography splendidly. I am so honored to be following your blog and am looking forward to more beautiful dishes.
Sincerely,
judy
Thanks Judy for your lovely comments. I am following you blog too and find it delightful – looking forward to reading your posts!
thanks for stopping by foodforfun. Enjoyed reading your posts–you have a lovely way with words. Also, photos are fantastic:-) Love that you love apps and desserts–you have style!
Thanks Liz – appreciate the comments, you are so kind! Am following your blog so looking forward to reading your posts.
Happy to be in your company 🙂 MJ Thanks for the follow; I’m returning the favour
Thanks MJ – love your site!
Dear ★ Claire ★,
I have nominated you/your inspirational blog for the One Lovely Blog Award!
Congratulations!
Please pick up your badge** and information/rules on how to pass the torch at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/one-lovely-blog-award-2/
😀 Enjoy! Fae.
**There are many images of the ‘One Lovely Blog Award’ badge.
If there is an image/badge you prefer to use for your blog, please go ahead and use that image/badge instead.
Dear Fae,
Thank you so much for the nomination for One Lovely Blog Award. This is my first nomination and I am so honored. I am not sure how this all works, so when things calm down a bit at work later this week I will re-read the rules and get started. Your nomination made my week!
What a beautiful blog! I love that you are also from the Bay Area! We will have to exchange favorite food spots at some point! 🙂 Your recipes and photos are beautiful – I look forward to seeing what you cook next! 🙂
Thanks for the lovely comments Lindsay. Yes, we will need to exchange notes on places to eat in the Bay Area, although it has been a long time since I lived there. Back at you on your beautiful photos and recipes – your blog is really delightful!
Hai Clarie… Thanks for the visit and follow and I am happy when I get new followers to my blog. You have a great one here …. really fantastic…:)….will be following u too….
Thanks for the follow Jenyjohn and for the lovely comments. Am looking forward to reading your posts too!
I have just started to follow your blog as I head into 2013. I always admire people, like you, who enjoy cooking and are able to create amazing and delectable food. I confess that I cannot. Well, let’s just say I haven’t put my mind to it and I am farther along in my time line than you are. One of my goals for 2013 (as it was for 2012) was to revisit my kitchen. I think that following your blog will give me the inspiration I need. And I see that some of my blogger buddies have already discovered your amazing blog…I’m ready for the blogging adventures of 2013. My bags are packed…
Thank you Clanmother for the lovely compliments. I checked out your site as well – very inspiring posts and you have such a beautiful way with words. Was a delight to read your blog and I am now following you.
And the adventure begins….
Congratulations! I have nominated your blog for Blog of the Year Award 2012. I hope you will receive your star and participate in this exciting blog award. For details about participation and receiving your badge icon, please see this post:
http://yummyfoodmadeeasy.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/blog-of-the-year-2012/
Claire, what a small world! Seattle, you say? Me too! Well, not quite Seattle, but a hop, skip and a jump =) Congratulations on starting this blog and much fun and success! Look forward to your future posts and many congrats on the award nomination from Fae!
Warmest wishes,
Christina
Hi Claire,
Thanks for checking out The Salty Table, I always love hearing from readers…especially when they share their experiences with one of my recipes, so fun and inspiring!
Can’t wait to see what you whip up in the New Year! (I see we’re all in good company here… hi Christina and Fae!)
Congrats on your lovely blog 🙂
Best,
Rebekah
Thanks Rebekah – and I look forward to reading all your posts as well!
Dropping by to say thanks for visiting my blog. I’ve taken a short tour of yours and like everything I’ve seen. In fact, you’ve made me pretty hungry. I’ve hit the “Follow” button, so, you’re stuck with me now. 🙂
Thanks Chicago John. Your site was really fun and I look forward to reading new posts from you!
Thank you for visiting and following my blog 🙂 My love for reading cookbooks has become reading blogs at the moment, and I’m about to have fun reading yours 🙂
Thank you. I too love to read a good cookbook but have found I also spend a lot more time reading blogs now – they are so in the moment and I have will have spent several hours just browsing blogs and not notice the time ticking away.
hi there, you’ve got a great blog….
thx for sharing Pink Vermouth Sauce, it’s a lovely sauce
Thank you!
Fun to have discovered your pretty blog. Been reading through… thanks.
Congratulations, Claire!
You are nominated for Versatile Blogger Award!
You are awarded at:
http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/the-versatile-blogger-award/
Enjoy! 😀 Fae.
Thanks Fae – it is so generous for people to take the time to nominate – thanks so much!
Thanks for visiting my page!
Strive to improve the site? Not to worry, you had me at chocolate canape!
Thanks Al!
I recently posted with growing up in the 50s in the Richmond District (s.f.)and asked if anyone could remember the name of the deli on Geary around 6th Avenue…I saw a potato salad offered in my market here in L.A that I sampled and it was exactly the same. Well after SEVERAL responses I reconnected with Hermans. Someone suggested I contact you and maybe you could get the recipe. So, what could I lose?
Hi Jackie,
You can find my recipe for Herman’s potato salad under my Salad section. And you will see many comments from many people, including Herman Voss himself.