Welcome to Noel Barnhurst's blog. Noel is a food photographer based in the South Park neighborhood of San Francisco, California. He has photographed for a wide range of clients including Williams-Sonoma, Kashi, Haagen Dazs, Driscoll's berries, Sunset Magazine, and Burger King. Here you will find a plethora of recipes, tips, and news from a professional food photographer. Enjoy!

All photography is exclusively done by Noel Barnhurst.

Mussels are relatively simple to cook! All you really need is cooking wine, herbs, onions, and some potatoes. For those wanting to delve deeper than a simple recipe today, here are some facts about the common mussel. Mussels usually have a lifespan of about 2-3 years, similar to that of an oyster’s. Mussels are suspension feeders. Mussels grow in groups in “mussel beds.” For more facts, visit BBC.co.uk

Mussels are relatively simple to cook! All you really need is cooking wine, herbs, onions, and some potatoes. For those wanting to delve deeper than a simple recipe today, here are some facts about the common mussel.

  • Mussels usually have a lifespan of about 2-3 years, similar to that of an oyster’s.
  • Mussels are suspension feeders.
  • Mussels grow in groups in “mussel beds.”

For more facts, visit BBC.co.uk

“Get yourself a wide, casserole-type pan and fill it with boiling water from the kettle. Bring it to a light simmer over a medium heat, add a pinch of sea salt. Crack one of your eggs into a cup and gently pour it into the water in one fluid movement. Repeat with the rest of the eggs. You’ll see them begin to cook immediately – don’t worry if the edges look a little scruffy. Depending on your pan, a really soft poached egg should take around 2 minutes and a soft to firm one will need 4 minutes (it depends on the size of the eggs and whether you’re using them straight from the fridge). To check whether they’re done, remove one carefully from the pan with a slotted spoon and give it a gentle push with a teaspoon. If it feels too soft (use your instincts), put it back and give the eggs a minute or two more in the water to firm up.When they’re ready, remove them to some kitchen paper to dry off and serve with buttered toast and a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.”  - Jamie Oliver

“Get yourself a wide, casserole-type pan and fill it with boiling water from the kettle. Bring it to a light simmer over a medium heat, add a pinch of sea salt.


Crack one of your eggs into a cup and gently pour it into the water in one fluid movement. Repeat with the rest of the eggs. You’ll see them begin to cook immediately – don’t worry if the edges look a little scruffy. Depending on your pan, a really soft poached egg should take around 2 minutes and a soft to firm one will need 4 minutes (it depends on the size of the eggs and whether you’re using them straight from the fridge). To check whether they’re done, remove one carefully from the pan with a slotted spoon and give it a gentle push with a teaspoon. If it feels too soft (use your instincts), put it back and give the eggs a minute or two more in the water to firm up.

When they’re ready, remove them to some kitchen paper to dry off and serve with buttered toast and a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.” 

- Jamie Oliver

Eat lobster because it is chock full of Omega-3 fatty acids! Although it will taste better if you cook it immediately after purchase, it is possible to freeze the tail: tightly wrap in freezer paper and insert into a plastic bag before putting it in the freezer and don’t forget to eat it before two months pass. Information courtesy of Livestrong.

Eat lobster because it is chock full of Omega-3 fatty acids! Although it will taste better if you cook it immediately after purchase, it is possible to freeze the tail: tightly wrap in freezer paper and insert into a plastic bag before putting it in the freezer and don’t forget to eat it before two months pass.

Information courtesy of Livestrong.

Carnivores unite! NCBA provides some interesting facts about beef: Beef is an excellent source of protein, which helps support a healthy metabolism, and is a natural source of nine more essential nutrients including zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Eating lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet can help lower cholesterol. There are more than 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean and have a total fat content that falls between a skinless chicken breast and a skinless chicken thigh.  Browse through some great recipes courtesy of NCBA! Click here to begin your search. 
Carnivores unite! NCBA provides some interesting facts about beef: Beef is an excellent source of protein, which helps support a healthy metabolism, and is a natural source of nine more essential nutrients including zinc, iron, and B vitamins. Eating lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet can help lower cholesterol. There are more than 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean and have a total fat content that falls between a skinless chicken breast and a skinless chicken thigh.  Browse through some great recipes courtesy of NCBA! Click here to begin your search. 

Carnivores unite! NCBA provides some interesting facts about beef:

  • Beef is an excellent source of protein, which helps support a healthy metabolism, and is a natural source of nine more essential nutrients including zinc, iron, and B vitamins.
  • Eating lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet can help lower cholesterol.
  • There are more than 29 cuts of beef that meet government guidelines for lean and have a total fat content that falls between a skinless chicken breast and a skinless chicken thigh. 

Browse through some great recipes courtesy of NCBA! Click here to begin your search. 

Do you live in the city and struggle to find fresh herbs to cook with? Try planting an herb garden on your porch or windowsill. If you’re feeling bold, try urban gardening. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight (around 6-7 hours a day of direct sunlight is optimal) and water! Williams-Sonoma has some very accessible guides and charts for you to find the best times and herbs to plant in your area!  

Do you live in the city and struggle to find fresh herbs to cook with? Try planting an herb garden on your porch or windowsill. If you’re feeling bold, try urban gardening. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight (around 6-7 hours a day of direct sunlight is optimal) and water!

Williams-Sonoma has some very accessible guides and charts for you to find the best times and herbs to plant in your area!