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Welcome back to Insider Pix, where we uncover what entertainment and culture insiders are watching, reading, and listening to! Next up:
Courtney Alexander
Courtney Alexander is the Director Integrated Marketing at Sur La Table, the beloved kitchen and cooking retailer known for its cookware, culinary tools, and hands-on cooking classes. A longtime marketing and brand strategist, Courtney previously held roles at Cap Hill Brands and Zulily.
Courtney’s 5 Picks
Best TV show you’ve watched recently?
I’m incapable of picking just one! My two most recent binges were Sterling Point and My Brilliant Career. And for my fellow food people, Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars and Chef’s Table are chef’s kiss. I love getting a glimpse into the artistry, precision and obsession behind the craft.
Best movie you watched recently?
Remarkably Bright Creatures. I had read the book and already had such a clear picture of that world in my head, so I was thrilled with the adaptation. The changes they made really worked for moving the story forward on film, while still capturing so much of what I loved about the book.
A hidden gem you wish more people knew about?
Your local public library! Obviously libraries aren’t hidden gems, but I’m always surprised by how many people don’t realize everything their library card can unlock digitally. E-books straight to your Kindle, audiobooks, movies and TV shows, all for free. It’s one of my favorite life hacks.
Go-to weekly podcast?
My weekly podcast rotation has a little bit of everything: My Favorite Murder, Two Parents & a Pod and Best Brands on Earth. Murder, parenting and marketing pretty much covers the bases.
A 5-star-worthy book you’d recommend to anyone?
I’m obsessed with reading, so I normally interrogate people about what they like before giving a recommendation. If I must give a blanket recommendation, it is The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. It’s a phenomenal memoir that really opens your eyes to how addiction can impact anyone. Her story explores addiction, incarceration and redemption, but also the incredible difficulty of rebuilding your life after prison. It’s incredibly human, eye-opening and ultimately inspiring.
Pix: What three things are missing from the average home cook’s kitchen that we all need?
CA: A bench scraper. Once you have one, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. Use it to scoop chopped vegetables off your cutting board, portion and shape dough, cut butter, transfer ingredients, clean flour and sticky dough off your counter, or corral all those little scraps after prep. It’s one of those incredibly simple tools you’ll suddenly reach for constantly.
A blender spatula. My favorite unsung kitchen tool. It gets every last bit out of a food processor, smoothie, sauce, or even the peanut butter jar.
A sharp knife (or a knife sharpener!). Seriously, SHARPEN YOUR KNIVES! A sharp knife makes prep faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Your knives are probably better than you think. They just need a little love.
Pix: What’s one food trend you’re loving right now and one you’re ready to leave behind?
CA: Loving: Matcha everything. What I love most is how people keep finding new ways to play with it. We’ve moved well beyond the classic matcha latte into strawberry matcha, matcha tonics, matcha butter and some truly incredible-looking baked goods. It’s such a versatile flavor and ingredient, and I love watching a trend continue to evolve as people experiment with it. It feels like we’ve only scratched the surface of where matcha can go.
Ready to leave behind: Protein-maxing. Solely because it’s not for me! I’m a veggie girl at heart. Give me all the produce!
Pix: What cookbook has earned a permanent spot on your shelf?
CA: Impossible question. I have an entire cupboard dedicated to cookbooks and read a new one front to back like a novel, trying to glean every tip and technique. I also have one non-negotiable: I want a photo of every recipe. I need to know what I’m working toward!
For approachable but elevated cooking, Just Cook It by Justin Chapple and The Modern Proper are staples. Anything Molly Baz is great for technique and unexpected flavor combinations. Right now, I’m also working my way through Maxi’s Kitchen and love how it’s organized around how we actually cook throughout the week, from easy Mondays to more involved weekend meals.
Pix: Go-to meal to make at home when you have 30-minutes?
CA: Fish en papillote. It sounds fancy, but it’s really just my favorite formula for an easy, elevated dinner: fish + whatever vegetables I have + fresh herbs + citrus + olive oil or butter, all wrapped in parchment and baked. It’s endlessly adaptable, feels special enough for company and, maybe best of all, there’s almost nothing to clean up.