Portfolio Confidential

Insiders' Guide to Kansas City

2009-06-08T09:37:00.007-05:00

Whether you're a Kansas City native, new resident or planning a visit to our fair city, you need to check out this teriffic new guide featuring the very best of everything Kansas City has to offer. Authored by KC Insider Katie Van Luchene, the Insiders' Guide to Kansas City features in-depth looks at accommodations, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, attractions and more in and around the greater Kansas City area. Of course you'll find Portfolio Kitchen & Home included in the Shopping section under Home Furnishings & Accessories on page 145. Click here to preview Portfoio's listing in the book online. Enjoy!

Congratulations Are In Order

2009-03-05T09:51:00.005-06:00

Each year Midwest CEO magazine compiles their list of the Midwest's most powerful female executives and entrepreneurs in recognition of their business achievements and contributions to community. Team Portfolio is pleased to announce that Midwest CEO has named our team leader, Portfolio President & CEO, Geri Higgins as one of their Influential Women of 2009.

Click here to learn more about Midwest CEO's Influential Women of 2009.

Congratulations to Geri and all of this year's honorees!

Shake it Up!

2008-11-18T11:19:00.006-06:00

As we are wrapping up 2008, and anticipating the arrival of 2009, we feel that now is the time to begin our campaign for The Shamrock Shake in 2009!

Here at Portfolio, we are all about things that are classic and hip. And we think the Shamrock shake is just that!

This past St. Patrick's Day, we were so upset that McDonald's had discontinued the famed holiday shake, that we went so far as to buy vanilla shakes and actually make our own (with peppermint extract and green food coloring). It took a while to match the color, but in the end, it just wasn't the same.

So, show your support for the Shamrock shake!

Some more food for thought: Mickey D's has also stopped making their cherry pies!

And P.S., forget about bringing back the McRib year after year...

Client Profile: Melissa Thompson

2008-11-06T11:17:00.008-06:00

From time to time we will feature a Portfolio client profile here on Portfolio Confidential. Our debut profile is Melissa Thompson.

Melissa and her husband Dennis moved to Kansas City from St. Louis. They spent about nine months looking at new construction North of the river before deciding that all the houses looked too similar - the same floorplan, same cabinets, same countertop. The Thompsons ended up buying a house below what they could afford with the plan to remodel the small and outdated kitchen and master bathroom.

Melissa began by interviewing three kitchen design companies in Kansas City. Of course, the chose Portfolio, for how "at ease I felt with Kira (Portfolio design specialist) and how she looked at the whole house to get a feel for my style."

We spend some time this afternoon with Melissa getting a tour of her new Crestwood kitchen. Here is some of what she shared with us:

Portfolio Kitchen & Home: What were the most important elements to incorporate into the new design?

Melissa Thompson: I knew I wanted black and brown cabinetry, a copper sink, double ovens, a five-burner stove and lots of storage.

PKH: What about your new kitchen brings you the most enjoyment?

MT: The overall feel of it. And all my stuff fits!

PKH: Why did you choose to go with such a high-quality cabinetry company?

MT: I used to work as a Quality Engineer, so it was worth the extra money to have a higher quality.

PKH: How would you describe your Portfolio experience?

MT: I loved it! I had a lot of fun - I enjoy designing and selecting all the details. If I had to choose between all the designs again, I would still go with Portfolio.

PKH: Now that everything is complete, how do you find yourself spending time in your new kitchen?

MT: My husband's family comes over a lot; the extra space allows me to be getting stuff ready without people in the way. Our friends come over and sit at the bar and talk. And I just baked Halloween cookies last week. I had three cookie sheets in the oven at once!

Our thanks to Melissa and Dennis for choosing Portfolio!

A Dog Named Christmas

2008-11-06T08:00:00.005-06:00

Last night we were glad to partner with Rainy Day Books to host a booksigning of author Greg Kincaid's debut book, A Dog Named Christmas. Over 130 people turned out to have their copy autographed by Greg, and also enjoyed some very tasty Christmas sugar cookies and Portfolio's signature Mulled Apple Cider.

Just in time for the holidays, Greg's book tells the story of how one very special dog changed the lives of his adoptive family and an entire town - forever. In keeping with the heart of the story, the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City sponsored an informational table about pets available for adoption.

To purchase your own copy of A Dog Named Christmas, visit Rainy Day Books in Fairway or click here to go to their product page.

Greg Kincaid is also an Attorney Partner with Norton, Hubbard, Ruzicka, Kreamer & Kincaid, LLC in Olathe, KS.

Express Yourself!

2008-11-04T12:35:00.001-06:00

High Octane Launch

2008-10-25T10:00:00.007-05:00

Team Portfolio was on hand yesterday for Nebraska Furniture Mart's "Ignite 2008" event at the Kansas Speedway. This annual event is a day of information and fun for clients of NFM's Contractor Sales Division. Attendees learned about all of the fantastic appliance lines available at Nebraska Furniture Mart from NFM staff and factory representatives on hand from all the major appliance manufacturers. Participants also had an opportunity to take a ride around the track in an actual Sprint Cup NASCAR race car. Very cool!

The highlight of the day, however, was the official announcement of the new alliance between Nebraska Furniture Mart and Portfolio Kitchen & Home (see the post from yesterday, October 24th for details). Team Portfolio was introduced to the Ignite participants and our own Geri Higgins gave a presentation on how this new NFM/PKH collaboration will bring added value to the builder, developer, and contractor clients of Nebraska Furniture Mart. After the presentation attendees had the opportunity to meet and interact with the Portfolio staff and learn more about Portfolio products and services.

It was an exciting day and a great way to kick off our new relationship with NFM.

It just keeps getting better...

2008-10-24T11:00:00.006-05:00

We are excited to announce that Portfolio has begun a new collaboration with Nebraska Furniture Mart to enhance our dedication and commitment to bringing our clients the most comprehensive experience possible.

Truly a unique, cutting-edge aproach to design, this alliance will bring numerous benefits to our clients and will enhance the experience of both Portfolio's clients and Nebraska Furniture Mart's customers.

This exciting relationship continues Nebraska Furniture Mart's commitment to providing their customers with state-of-the-art, upscale appliances and Portfolio's ability to provide expertise and experience in cabinetry and award-winning design.

Click here for the full press release.

A Real-Life Look At Portfolio Confidential...

2008-10-20T10:46:00.002-05:00

I have to preface what follows.

For those of you who are keeping up with the blog, we have entitled it, "Portfolio Confidential", playing on Anthony Bourdain's memoir, Kitchen Confidential. The purpose of our blog is to serve as a behind-the-scenes look at kitchen design - chronicling the people, places, events and interesting (and sometimes unusual) happenings at Portfolio Kitchen & Home.

That being said, we received this email from one of our clients after delivering pies to our friends who contributed over $200 each to Geri's "Hot Legs of KC" campaign, benefiting The Touched by Cancer Foundation.

This client is in the middle of a kitchen remodel with us and, at the time, the new kitchen cabinetry was being installed. We thought the description of this experience was so refreshingly candid, and just had to share.

"Please give my thanks to the Portfolio crew for the apple pie. I just ate my first piece and it tasted great. Unfortunately, I was forced to eat it with plastic silverware on a tissue-thin paper plate with a McDonald's napkin. I am sure it would have been even better with real china, good silverware, a scoop of ice cream and a nice napkin. I am sure you can appreciate our short-term challenges..."

Art On The Plaza

2008-10-07T12:52:00.003-05:00

We had an excellent showing - in both senses of the word - on the seventh floor of the 4646 Broadway lofts!

Geri Higgins, owner of Portfolio, and Grant Lundberg, Reece & Nichols exclusive realtor for the 4646 Broadway lofts, hosted an art exhibit featuring artist Robert Quackenbush and pieces from his latest "Structures" series, exclusively created for Portfolio's design office.

Throughout the evening, Robert and Geri enjoyed visiting with Caleb Fey, curator for Truman Medical Center, Marcus Cain, curator of the Epstein Gallery, Zim Loy, editor of Spaces magazine, Merrily Jackson and David Jimenez, columnists for Spaces, Lee Norman, Chief Medical Officer at KU Med, Katie Van Luchene and others during the event.

There was a lot of mingling throughout the evening, as well as a sampling of wine and cheese.

Five of the six mixed-media panels in the "Sturctures" collection will be back on permanent display at Portfolio this week.

Welcome To...

2008-09-23T09:59:00.010-05:00

Portfolio Kitchen & Home proudly supports environmentally sustainable building and remodeling solutions. As part of our commitment we've opened "The Green Room" on our website. The Green Room is a dedicated resource for environmentally friendly products, materials and methods that make up the necessary elements of "green design". We will continually update and add to this resource as we discover new and exciting components to incorporate into our designs. Enjoy!

Thank You!!!

2008-09-15T09:25:00.009-05:00

All of us at Portfolio would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to all that gave so generously to the Touched by Cancer Foundation's "Hot Legs of KC" campaign, benefiting the Foundation's Wellness Center. Those gifts are helping fund Wellness Center programs for area cancer patients and allows the Foundation to continue to be a source of inspiration, information and wellness for all whose lives have been touched by cancer. Click here to learn more about Touched by Cancer Foundation programs and services.

Again, thanks to all who donated to this wonderful organization and for making "Hot Legs of KC 2008" a great success!

Hot Legs, Cool Cause!

2008-08-14T12:35:00.005-05:00

We are pleased to announce that Portfolio president/owner Geri Higgins has been selected to be a contestant in this year's "Hot Legs of KC" fundraiser benefiting the Touched by Cancer Foundation. This month-long event features 16 notable Kansas Citians - doctors, dentists, athletes, broadcasters, students, entrepreneurs and business superstars - competing in an online vote to raise money for the Foundation's Wellness Center and to earn the title of "Hot Legs of KC". Your tax deductable donation with every vote helps fund Wellness Center programs that provide healing therapies to area cancer patients and make the life changing journey of this disease more bearable.

Click here to vote for Geri. Voting ends September 14th with the winner being announced on September 18th.

We also have several special events in the works to help out with the campaign. Click here to visit the "Hot Legs" events page on our website for updates.

As always, thank you for your support!

It's Finished And It's Fantastic!

2008-07-31T11:01:00.013-05:00

The renovation of our design office is finally complete and WOW does it look teriffic. If you haven't stopped by the showroom lately you have to come and take a look at our newly remodeled design area. From the clean, flowing lines of the two-tone continuous work surfaces to the stunning original works of art by Robert Quackenbush that adorne the walls, this space gives our designers a creative environment equal to their talents. Special thanks go out to the team at Top Master for their excellent craftsmanship on the Corian solid surface worktops (Rain Cloud & Earth) and to artist extraordinare Robert Quackenbush for creating an original series of mixed media works just for us!

Getting Out The Vote!

2008-07-30T15:36:00.007-05:00

As you all know, we've been keeping a close eye on this season of HGTV's Design Star competition and the success of KC's own Jennifer Bertrand on that program. We hope everyone voted (multiple times) for Jennifer over the past 3-1/2 days as we've done here at Portfolio. We think the world of Jen and wish her the best of luck for a winning outcome in the Design Star finale (Sunday at 8pm central time on HGTV).

Click here to read about some of Jennifer's experiences on the show from her interview appearing in the August issue of KC Magazine.

An Artful Escape

2008-07-15T10:18:00.009-05:00

This morning we had the good fortune to visit the very talented artist Robert Quackenbush at his Leawood studio.

We were amazed at his collection of paintings, works in progress and found objects, which serve as inspiration to be incorporated into future pieces.

Robert even gave us a sneak peek of five works for a special exhibit he is preparing for Portfolio. These pieces are phenomenal and should be completed and installed in our design office by the end of July. We can't wait!

Our thanks to Robert and his lovely wife Merry for inviting us into their home and allowing us a look into Robert's studio.

Lunch: Catered In

2008-07-10T13:32:00.005-05:00

We love the Chiefs and, apparently, so does everyone who wants to work at the Levy Restaurant at Arrowhead Stadium.

Long story short, a couple of weeks ago, we received hundreds—literally hundreds!—of phone calls from an ad that ran in the Kansas City Star for openings at the Levy Restaurant. The phone number listed was misprinted and ran as our phone number at the showroom. You can see where this is going…

So, over the next week, we had the honor of talking to all kinds of interesting people. After a solid week of the phone ringing off the hook, Geri called the restaurant to inform the manager of what was going on. As an apology for the whole hassle, Director of Operations, Gregg Artley, arranged for Executive Chef Kevin Williams to cater in lunch to the showroom for the staff: chicken and veggie wraps, Caesar salad, and the most delicious Chocolate cheesecake!

Go, Chefs! Oops…we meant Chiefs. Or did we???

How Lucky Are We?!?!?

2008-07-08T11:08:00.003-05:00

Jen Bertrand, contestant on this season’s Design Star on HGTV, stopped by our showroom this afternoon. I had an opportunity to chat with the lovely Jen for a few minutes about what it is like being back in Kansas City, and watching herself on TV on Sunday nights.

Jen says the hardest part of being back “is keeping [the ending] a secret.” The finale of the show has yet to be filmed. It’s scheduled for next week, and is actually the reunion show, where viewers also vote for their favorite designer from the remaining two finalists.

Jen says this week’s coming show (Sunday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. CST) “is crazy…we [design] a kitchen in 24 hours.”

Here, at Portfolio, we can’t even imagine! In awe, I asked Jen how in the world she was able to pull that off. She laughs, “I’m the ‘Paint Queen’…it’s all about using what we have, with the resources we have [on hand].”

Baby Bird Update: They've Hatched!

2008-07-07T11:06:00.002-05:00

Over the holiday weekend, our mama bird must have done a lot of sitting, because her eggs have hatched. The babies are not exactly the most attractive birds (think tatertots with a few feathers), but they are sure noisy—and hungry!

Jen Bertrand, KC's own Design Star!

2008-07-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

Each Sunday at 8:00 (central time) on HGTV, we have been cheering on Kansas City-native, Jen Bertrand, as she competes on this season’s Design Star.

Jen, interior designer and owner of Bertrand Designs with husband, Chris, began Bertrand Designs five years ago. They provide artwork, murals and faux finishes. In fact, Jen has been a very good friend to Portfolio, designing a special paint finish for Geri’s office and exhibiting her art in our showroom.

On Design Star, Jen and the other contestants each have a weekly design challenge and a budget to design everything from dining and living rooms, to themed designs from around the world, and their living space for this season—a Nashville lakehouse! The judges eliminate a contestant each week, and in the end, viewers choose a winner (think American Idol meets HGTV), who becomes the host of a new HGTV show.

Good luck, Jen! Everyone at Portfolio can’t wait to see what you’ll design next!

Portfolio Cookies

2008-07-02T13:34:00.004-05:00

Here at Portfolio, we believe in living well, and living beautifully. We also believe in hospitality and hope our clients feel as comfortable in our kitchen showroom as they do in their own kitchens.

Playing a part in the Portfolio story is Kristi, our current intern, who will be joining the team as a designer in September. Along with experience in design and journalism, she also brings with her a culinary background from teaching cooking classes at Williams-Sonoma. This Spring, Kristi began offering our clients her signature ‘Portfolio’ cookies along with their cappuccino upon visiting the showroom. The cookies are essentially crinkle cookies: rich, fudgy cookies that ‘crack’ through their powdered sugar coating as they bake.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Portfolio Cookies
Ingredients
3 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1-1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/8 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon instant espresso powder
3/4 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

Preparation
Make and chill the dough:
1. Melt chocolate in a metal bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water or in the top of a double boiler, stirring until smooth. Remove bowl from heat and set aside.

2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. Beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light yellow and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add egg, beating well to incorporate. Beat in melted chocolate until combined. Add milk, vanilla, and espresso powder, beating to incorporate. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough until firm, 2 to 3 hours.

Form and bake cookies:
1. Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Sift confectioners sugar into a bowl. Use a small ice cream scoop, or a teaspoon to roll dough into 1-inch balls, placing them onto the wax paper as rolled. Roll balls, 3 or 4 at a time, in confectioners sugar to coat generously and arrange 2 inches apart on lined baking sheets.

3. Bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are puffed and cracked and edges feel dry (but centers are still slightly soft), 12 to 14 minutes total. Transfer cookies (still on parchment) to racks to cool completely.

4. While first batch is baking, roll remaining dough into balls. Line cooled cookie sheets with fresh parchment, then roll second batch of balls in confectioners sugar and bake in same manner.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

Bravo, David!

2008-06-27T16:52:00.004-05:00

Our biggest congratulations to David Zebley, Director of Design at Portfolio, for receiving FIVE Design Excellence Awards this evening! What an incredible tribute to his knowledge, dedication and success in consistently achieving excellence in design.

Part of the Portfolio philosophy is that each individual on staff brings something totally unique to the group. As an integral part of the Portfolio story, David truly brings inspiration and soul to everything we do here.

Please join us in celebrating David and all winning designers!

To view the complete list of award recipients, please see the July/August 2008 issue of Kansas City Home Design Magazine.

Which came first...?

2008-06-26T16:47:00.001-05:00

This Spring, we were so blessed to have our new Juniper trees serve as home to a momma bird and her four baby eggs. Over the course of several weeks, we were able to see the eggs hatch, watch the babies grow, and eventually fly away. It was so magical, and we shared our baby birds with all our friends and clients who stopped by the showroom. But, as families often do, momma bird also moved on from her home as she was now an “empty-nester”. We were definitely sad to see them go…

Well, over the past week, a new momma bird has moved in, and we couldn’t be more excited! She has done a little remodeling, and has definitely “feathered” her nest. When we came into the showroom on Tuesday, there were four eggs again! But how thrilled were we when, on Wednesday, there were five?!? And today, would you believe it, SIX! We are all hoping there will be lucky number seven tomorrow, but by now this little momma bird has got to be pretty exhausted…

The point of all this, really, is reflective of the changes we are going through here at Portfolio. With our clients, as many families grow and change, so do the needs of the design of their home…and we are so fortunate to have them look to us for inspiration. As well, Portfolio is also growing and evolving to meet our customer’s needs. This summer Portfolio is proud to introduce Studio PKH, a fabulous new division of Portfolio offering the same great design in an affordable price range.

For more information on Studio PKH, click here.

Portfolio Named One of KC's Top Companies by KCB Magazine

2008-06-17T13:08:00.004-05:00

As a small company with eight employees, being selected by KCB Magazine as one of Kansas City’s Top Companies is a great compliment to what we call “The Portfolio experience”.

Following a cocktail reception at the downtown Kansas City art deco landmark, Hotel Phillips, KCB presented a brief program in which this year’s top companies were announced.

Recognized for our progressive work environment, contributions to Kansas City’s lifestyle, exceptional customer service, expansion beyond the local market to include international business, and involvement in community service, Portfolio is delighted to be among the Top 30 Companies in Kansas City!

Thanks to all our clients, friends, and colleagues for their generous support (and awesomeness!).

BBQ Queens Take Over Portfolio's Kitchen

2008-06-14T16:00:00.005-05:00

One of Kansas City’s own BBQ Queens, Karen Adler, spent the day at Portfolio cooking up delicious food from her newest book with fellow BBQ Queen, Judith Fertig: BBQ Bash. Karen shared tips and ways to “deck it out, change it up and raise a glass” to great summer dishes perfect to be cooked on the grill.

One of our favorite ideas Karen shared was for those of us who love Maytag blue cheese. One of the finest blue cheeses, Maytag can often cost a pretty penny for the small wedge you buy in the grocery store. But, did you know, a whole wheel of cheese for the company doesn’t cost much more? A 2-pound wheel is only $28.50! And, if you don’t need that much, two 8-ounce wedges is just $15.95. To purchase from the company, call 1-800-247-2458 or visit the Maytag website for their full catalog.

Among the fabulous dishes Karen prepared were asparagus rolled in prosciutto, cooked on the grill and then drizzled with balsamic vinegar and topped with shaved pecorino cheese; pecan-smoked goat cheese-stuffed peppadews, the perfect balance of smoke and spice and just the right size to pop into your mouth; blue cheese coleslaw made with grilled Napa cabbage and toasted pecans; and a fruit salad of peaches, pineapple and strawberries, drizzled with Muscat and amaretto.

Karen’s recipes from BBQ Bash delivered exactly what the book promised, “a be-all, end-all [BBQ] party guide” with recipes to be eaten at any occasion, from barefoot to black-tie. The book boasts 100 recipes for your grill or smoker, and can be purchased through the BBQ Queens website.

Portfolio Salutes Urban Times

2008-06-13T16:34:00.002-05:00

Happy Anniversary, Urban Times!

Portfolio Kitchen & Home salutes ChristinaBoveri for truly being a maverick in Kansas City's urban livingexperience, not only by reporting it, but also defining it. Urban Times is a celebration of the best in urban design, focusing on the unique andcreative lifestyle of Kansas City's urbanites and bringing it to theforefront. More than a hip publication, each issue of Urban Times trulyillustrates the rhythm of our city.

Congratulations!

Stylishly yours,
Geri Higgins & Team Portfolio

Kitchen Couture

2008-05-31T10:53:00.005-05:00

Our intern, Kristi, just returned from a trip to France, where she was lucky enough to spend a couple days in Paris. While there, she spent the good part of the day in the 7th arrondissement, checking out the kitchen design studios along Boulevard Saint Germain.

Her first stop was at the Gaggenau showroom, where she was wowed by the new wall-mounted lift oven. At the push of a button, the glass ceramic base of the oven moves down, allowing dishes or trays to be easily placed into the oven. Push the button again and it raises back up, ready to cook!

At the Miele showroom, she was impressed with their display kitchens and the two Elica star island hoods.

Further down Saint Germain, she made the requisite stop at Grange to examine the gorgeous bookshelf cabinetry.

Around the corner, at Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Luynes, is the newly remodeled Mark Wilkinson Showroom . Spending most of her time in the “New England” display kitchen, she was able to talk with one of their designers and saw lots of unique storage ideas.

After all this product research it was definitely time for lunch…lucky for her La Grande Épicerie, where the American supermarket meets French cuisine, was just at the end of the street!

Live From Our Kitchen......Chef Jasper Mirabile!

2008-05-19T14:27:00.009-05:00

This Saturday (5/17/08), Portfolio Kitchen & Home hosted Jasper's weekly radio show on KCMO 710 AM. Each week, Jasper interviews a guest while preparing a signature dish or two for those in the live audience to enjoy.

This week, Jasper and Geri Higgins, owner of Portfolio, talked about Geri's recent trip to the Eurocucina 2008 International Design Show in Milan, Italy last month. Geri gave listeners a preview of what is in store for kitchen design in the coming year: "Color in kitchen cabinetry is emerging with the purples. There are black-cherry stained wood cabinets and also eggplant finishes. The colors are all very rich and classic looking."

During the show, Jasper also interviewed acclaimed cookbook author, Diane Morgan, on her new cookbook, "Grill Every Day". This is Diane's second cookbook on grilling; she says the goal was to write a book "not only for barbecue lovers, but also for practical people who want quick, simple, and flavorful grilled meals throughout the week."

Even more impressive, during both interviews Jasper prepared his Italian Sausage (available at Hen House Markets starting today). Jasper's authentic recipe is made with top-quality pork, with hints of fennel and red pepper flakes. The 1/4-lb. sausages are packaged four to a pack. Jasper also prepared Geri's favorite dish - homemade creamy polenta (recipe follows).

Polenta is made from coarsely ground cornmeal and is a staple of Northern Italy. It makes a wonderful serving base for osso-bucco, short ribs and Jasper's Italian Sausages sauteed with bell peppers and onions.

For more information on Geri's experience and what's new in design, listen to the podcast of "LIVE! From Jasper's Kitchen".

Jasper Mirabile's Creamy Polenta
The simplicity of this creamy polenta recipe belies its true wonderfulness. This polenta is so light, so fluffy, so creamy, it could almost be a dessert.

(4) cups water or chicken broth
Salt to taste
(1) cup instant polenta
(4) tablespoons butter
(1) cup shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese
(1/2) cup heavy cream

Heat water/broth lightly seasoned with salt to a boil over high heat, about 5 minutes. Quickly whisk in the polenta until fully incorporated. Lower the heat to a low simmer, 5-10 minutes. Add the butter and allow the polenta to cook, stirring occasionally, and finish by stirring in the cream, cheese & salt to taste.

Click here to read Jasper's blog and for the recipes featured on the show.

Ch-Ch-Ch Changes!

2008-05-08T13:23:00.002-05:00

It’s been an exciting week at Portfolio, as we have been busy reinventing our office space! With the help of our friends at TopMaster, we were able to reconfigure our work areas from the traditional computer workstations into a unique, free-form configuration that better suits the synergistic environment here at Portfolio.

Other than only having one phone line and working in one of our display areas in the showroom for a couple of days, everything went very smoothly and we were so excited to “get back to business” after the install was complete.

In keeping with our signature black and white colors, we chose Corian countertops in Rain Cloud and Earth.

Thank you to all our friends at Dupont and TopMaster for all their hard work—and our fabulous new office!

All that glitters...

2008-05-02T21:00:00.006-05:00

This evening, Tivol and Portfolio partnered to host Penny Preville’s trunk show, where the jewelry designer’s latest creations were on display.

Penny Preville, the award-winning designer whose signature style is defined by “femininity, luxury and an eye for intricate detail”, was such a delight to meet and her newest baubles made the evening sparkle with sophistication. In staying with the kitchy theme, the models donned aprons and oven mitts, carrying trays of jewels, as if they’d just come out of the oven piping-hot!

Penny Preville’s styles have become synonymous with romantic taste and style, which is why we here at Portfolio love her—she lives well, and lives beautifully!

Steve Chick was also on hand, whipping up delicious food for everyone to enjoy in Portoflio’s kitchens.

Thanks again to Tivol and Penny for a fabulous evening!

Click here to learn more about Penny Preville.

Book Signing A Go-Go

2008-04-01T15:04:00.002-05:00

If you weren’t here, you missed a fabulous party.

Last night, Portfolio was proud to host author Katie Van Luchene as she celebrated the release of her newly revised travel guide, The Insider’s Guide to Kansas City (Third Edition).

In this newest edition, Katie guides readers through our city’s eclectic array of offerings—from restaurants and shopping to attractions and accommodations—with enthusiasm and style. Katie was present to sign copies of her latest book, available now at bookstores.

Many of the “best of the best” listed in the book also turned out for the event. The booksigning featured heavy hors d’oeuvres from some of the noted restaurants in The Guide, including: Jasper’s, The Mixx, Natasha’s Mulberry and Mott, Seven, Webster House and The Wine Bar. Signature drinks and a live DJ playing house music were provided by Blonde. The Roasterie provided the perfect nightcap—it’s Kansas City blend of coffee. Mazzaresse jewelers also helped Katie and Geri celebrate by making their evening extra sparkly!

Not only did we celebrate the book, but, as it turns out, it was also Katie’s birthday…so, after the booksigning, our friends at Blonde hosted a fabulous afterparty, with lots of dancing!

Cheers to Katie! Thanks for another fantastic Guide and Happy Birthday!

The Insider's Guide to Portfolio...

2008-03-03T14:58:00.003-06:00

Oh my gosh! We’re in the book!

Author Katie Van Luchene, a wonderful friend of Portfolio, had the following to say about us in her newest book, The Insider’s Guide to Kansas City (Third Edition):

“You won’t leave this stunning showroom with a shopping bag, but you might come away with an entire new kitchen, bath, or dressing room worthy of any diva. Since opening a few years ago, owner Geri Higgins has become the go-to girl for Kansas City’s most persnickety gourmets and style mavens. The showroom displays five complete kitchen environments, including a Zen-like haven, a loft-ready contemporary concept, and an Old-World classic style. Though you might be tempted to point and say, “I’ll take that one,” you’ll want to have the on-staff designers create your own dream kitchen. Geri takes full advantage of the showroom’s refrigerators and multiple burners to turn Portfolio into party central several times a month when she hosts a fundraiser or other fabulous event. This is one A-list you’ll want to join.”