Chef and food critic Katie Lee celebrated the release of her new book “Groundswell” at the W Los Angeles – Westwood with Gilt City and Downtown L.A.’s The Edison on Tuesday night. We chatted with Katie about drinking and eating in the summertime!

Tequila Time

The menu at the book party featured three specialty drinks — Katie Lee’s Pink Grapefruit Margarita (made with The Edison’s new private label Casa Noble Reposado tequila, triple sec, ruby red grapefruit juice, simple syrup, lime and a kosher salt rim) Katie Lee’s Tequila Sangria (made with The Edison’s new private label Casa Noble Reposado tequila, Prosecco, triple sec, lemon lime soda, and fruit) and the Sandia del Fuego (made with The Edison’s new private label Casa Noble Reposado tequila, muddled watermelon, muddled cucumber, lemon juice, simple syrup, watermelon and jalapeno garnish).

Katie came up with the first two cocktails for the party. She was inspired by her time in Mexico, where Tequila is pretty much the national liquor. Katie spent a month down south doing research for her novel where the protagonist escapes New York for the beaches of Sayulita, Mexico. “Nothing like tequila to get the creative juices flowing,” Katie joked.

Fresh Dishes with a Glass of Fizz

“Groundswell” is Katie’s first fiction novel but her background is in the culinary arts and she has penned two cookbooks. Katie tells us in the summer she really enjoys healthy cooking and light fresh dishes. She says she loves going to the farm stand in the Hamptons for fresh produce and seafood. When it comes to summer cocktails, Katie says she “drinks rosé like Kool-Aid.” She also enjoys “anything fizzy” and recommends mixed drinks with Prosecco like an Aperol Spritz (Prosecco, Aperol Orange Liqueur, soda or seltzer)

Since Katie is based in New York, we had to ask, “What’s the difference about eating out in NY vs. L.A.?” Katie smiled and said in Los Angeles “no request is turned down.” Waiters are used to guests asking for sauce or dressing on the side. Los Angeles is the land of pretty (and picky) people.

“Groundswell” is bookstores now.

Additional Information
http://www.whotels.com/LosAngelesWestWood
http://www.edisondowntown.com/
http://books.simonandschuster.com/Groundswell/Katie-Lee/9781439183595
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Photography provided by Alberto Rodriguez/Wireimage