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Material Culture Auctions a Selection of Items from Tolstoy Descendant Left: Countess Natasha Ogden Tolstoy (1943-2014).  Right: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) "Countess Natasha Tolstoy was married to Count Sergei Tolstoy, great grandson of the famous author, at the Tolstoy Foundation in Nyack New York in its magnificent Russian Orthodox Church on November 22, 1970. She wore the exquisite taffeta wedding dress with hand stitched pearls for the elaborate marriage ceremony designed for her at the iconic Fifth Avenue, New York store, Henri Bendel, and a double strand of graduated cultured pearls adorned her neck. She and the Count enjoyed her stunning antique American Gorham Sterling silver tea and coffee service having Rococo style Repousse decoration depicting cherubs, florals, fruit and scrolls which she  brought to the marriage along with the intricate Repousse sterling silver dressing set and the Russian Icons designed  by the famous Russian artist, Henryk Winograd. Her sterling silver English carriage clock always sat on her desk in her study, and its chimed hours were reminiscent of Big Ben. She and her “Count” would sit on their porch using her lovely patio table and chairs, enjoying the sounds of nature and perhaps some fine champagne and caviar. Occasionally they would eat [...]

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Aliza Green, Chef Manager of Baba Olga’s Kitchen & Supper Club, is an acclaimed chef and culinary tour leader, and an enthusiastic life-long traveler who has worked with local chefs and food artisans internationally to master her craft in the context of culture and history. She is the James Beard award-winning author of fifteen cookbooks and food guides including her newest, The Soupmaker’s Kitchen, which the Washington Post picked as one of the Top 10 most important cookbooks of 2013. Making Artisan Pasta was named by Cooking Light Magazine as “One of the 100 Best Cookbooks of the Last 25 Years.” Her popular and erudite Field Guide series of books are essential reference books for professionals and non professionals. Green brings her bold and flavorful culinary sensibility and strong commitment to working with local chefs and seasonal foods to Baba Olga’s Kitchen & Supper Club. As one of the pioneer chefs who helped make Philadelphia a national dining destination, Green was also one of the first women chefs to make a name for herself in the region. Earlier in her career, she served as executive chef of the renowned Ristorante DiLullo, where she landed the restaurant a four-star rating. She was chef of [...]

I’ve had a long and varied career in food as a chef, writer, food stylist, culinary tour leader and more. I never expected to become a caterer specializing in weddings but I’ve had the privilege to work with so many charming and fascinating couples in the last few years to help them plan the best day possible for their celebrations. I always enjoy getting to know all of them as a wedding is such a personal occasion. Our wedding couples come from all over the country and the world and from all kinds of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. But, one thing they all seem to have in common: our customers are curious and well educated; they love travel; are open-minded; and love the kind of bold, “roots cooking” that is our specialty at Material Culture. Many work in non-profits, and many own their own businesses. Many are professors, doctors, teachers, attorneys, scientific researchers, visual artists, musicians, curators, chefs, and restaurant managers. Some brew their own beer, make their own jams, bread, and come up with some really creative table decorations. I work closely with all of them and you to create a delicious and beautiful menu full of appealing choices [...]