Nobuo Fukuda

Nobuo Fukuda at Nobuo at Teeter House. 2012. Phoenix, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Grapefruit and Hamachi. 2012. Phoenix, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Nobuo at Teeter House. 2012. Phoenix, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Nobuo at work. 2012. Phoenix, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

I have a deep, unwavering love for Nobuo Fukuda and the food he so carefully prepares each night at Nobuo at Teeter House. So excuse me for this incredibly loose edit of redundant pictures — I couldn't help it. I dream about his beloved grapefruit and hamachi dish — four luscious pieces of hamachi folded around grapefruit and avocado, sprinkled with white truffle oil and a Kung Fu Girl Riesling and then gently, lovingly placed in spoons. Nobuo has been creating some of the most exciting food in Phoenix for a long time. He was the 2007 James Beard winner for the Southwest and named best new chef from Food & Wine. He is as kind as he is creative and we're so lucky to have him.

Chef Ron Dimas at Orange Sky

Chef Ron Dimas. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Fig Jam and Orange Sky dining room. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

I love photographing food. I love talking food even more, especially with a chef like Ron Dimas — whose passion for food is wonderfully contagious. I photographed him while on assignment for Phoenix Valley Guide magazine. He's a lover of ethnic food, mom and pop restaurants and Sriracha hot sauce. We compared notes on the best hole-in-the-wall eateries, all while standing in the dining room of the gorgeous Orange Sky restaurant on the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort. I wonder if he slips any Sriracha into the chile citrus veal chop or the tobacco fried onion. I bet it would be delicious.

Glorious Pike Place Market

Gum wall outside Pike Place Market. 2010. Seattle, WA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Mixed medley cherry tomatoes. 2010. Seattle, WA. ©Jill Richards Photography

$1 Dhalias for sale. 2010. Seattle, WA. ©Jill Richards Photography

Wild caught sockeye salmon. 2010. Seattle, WA. ©Jill Richards Photography

On Assignment: Soi 4 Bangkok Eatery

Catfish in Red Curry. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Mustard Leaf Wrap. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Sauteed Turnip Cake. 2011. Scottsdale, AZ. ©Jill Richards Photography

Soi 4 is the latest addition to the Shops at Gainey Village in Scottsdale. The decor is modern. The food looks fresh. And the owners are long-time San Francisco restaurateurs. This place is definitely worth a visit. Here is a link to food critic Howard Seftel's review published in the Arizona Republic.

Chicken on The Bayou

Chicken on the Bayou. 2010. Breaux Bridge, LA. @Jill Richards Photography

Here's my best Louisiana travel tip: Don't ever ask a Cajun where to eat. Instead, ask a Cajun where he would eat.

Gerald and Margie Latiolais

If you want the best boudin (boo-dan) and the freshest crawfish, then head to the first hole-in-the-wall you can find. Or do like we did and ask your new friends Gerald and Margie Latiolais from Breaux Bridge, LA where they would eat. Although their first reaction was to send us to the "best" seafood restaurant on the water, they soon realized we didn't want to dine with tourists. We went to the Latiolais' favorite restaurant, Chicken on the Bayou, located in a gas station. Our meal of boiled shrimp, crawfish, alligator boudin and fried chicken was easily one of our best in Louisiana.