tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71261093148811956852024-03-13T19:56:11.128-04:00Fork&CorkA biased compendium
of cultural artifacts.Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-31961557487562487552013-05-28T19:09:00.000-04:002013-05-28T19:09:10.804-04:00Eat to the Beat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4U64Cc0KNQ/UaU4MCyjDEI/AAAAAAAAJqM/PA9UIVs_ka8/s1600/tableside_music4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="328" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4U64Cc0KNQ/UaU4MCyjDEI/AAAAAAAAJqM/PA9UIVs_ka8/s400/tableside_music4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t’s said that the color red is supposed to stimulate the
appetite. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bright dining room lights (vs.
dim) are supposed to make you eat faster.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Textures and appearance are critical to your eating mood, especially if
you’ve ever eaten sushi.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Restaurants pay
thousands of dollars installing sound-dampening panels to ensure when they
fill, it doesn’t sound like The Super Bowl.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, what about the effect of music on your eating habits?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The speed of music played during a meal directly affects the
pace of eating, and thus the rate or ease of digestion. Studies have shown a mild increase in the
rate at which people eat when there is spirited music versus gentle
classical. And louder, more aggressive
music works the opposite way, reducing the number of bites and leaving the
eater with an irritated, uneasy feeling.
This trade secret has long been in the quiver for many unscrupulous, if
savvy, restaurateurs looking to turn tables in a pinch. And, if you’re the last table of the night
and suddenly notice the music shut off, that’s your cue to hit the road, Jack.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpehSiKOQxI/UaU4L5KWO9I/AAAAAAAAJqU/5DlYRDksbTs/s1600/tableside_music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wpehSiKOQxI/UaU4L5KWO9I/AAAAAAAAJqU/5DlYRDksbTs/s320/tableside_music.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are obvious arguments for music in restaurants, most
of them common sense. Music provides an
ambient noise that makes people feel more relaxed to talk among dinner guests
without being self-conscious of others listening in. Also, music is a useful fog for that
sensitive discussion between acquaintances, attorneys or would-be cheaters. Music in a major key is more melodic to the
ear and relaxing than minor, or dissonant tones; for example, Jack Johnson good,
The Cure, bad. In a public dining room,
melodic rhymes relieve diner tension; Bustah Rhymes, causes it. This same aural psychology is applied in
casinos. A cacophony of slot machine clatter
would drive anyone mad after 10 minutes, but in a harmonic loop of arpeggios, the
<i>bings </i>and <i>bongs</i> of winning machines become hypnotic. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_TieXWzHgU/UaU4L6FYRWI/AAAAAAAAJqg/bs3k44DgUoM/s1600/tableside_music2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_TieXWzHgU/UaU4L6FYRWI/AAAAAAAAJqg/bs3k44DgUoM/s320/tableside_music2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Music is personal and subjective. Whether you’re preparing a meal or eating
one, we play what makes us feel good. It
motivates! Home cooks and line cooks
rarely share the same playlists, of this you can be sure, but both hook in and
stir it up to their own personal soundtrack.
A little bossa nova, Coltrane or café accordion can relax the soul when
putting together a leisurely Sunday supper for the family. Alternately, a gritty grill cook breathes a
little easier when the occasional f-bomb or axe solo grinds out of the Ipod
dock. Music is also a cheap and
accessible pressure valve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not every professional kitchen, however, condones
music. Even in my own first kitchen, I
wanted complete focus. As much of an
audiophile as I considered myself, I wasn’t willing to let details slide if
someone was off in a Pink Floyd fantasy.
But, one afternoon while prepping for a party, I was alone and threw on
some Rolling Stones to get me over the hump.
When the cooks arrived, they smiled, put on aprons and quietly went to
work. I’m pretty sure the food was some
of the best we put out. From that moment
on, I’ve always shared the stereo with my cooks. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2dOOz_Ih9M/UaU4L1IQjNI/AAAAAAAAJqc/MAeVEOljBU0/s1600/tableside_music3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R2dOOz_Ih9M/UaU4L1IQjNI/AAAAAAAAJqc/MAeVEOljBU0/s1600/tableside_music3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is an example where music may have actually helped
improve the quality of food of an establishment. One of the hottest and most revered
restaurants in the world is Eleven Madison Park in <st1:city w:st="on">New York City</st1:city>. In 2006, when a critic reviewed the
restaurant, though her comments were favorable, she lamented that the kitchen
could use “a bit more Miles Davis”. Without
fully understanding what she meant, the line resonated with the chef and
manager. So, Swiss-born chef Daniel Humm
read as many articles as he could find about Miles, and came up with a list of
the words most commonly used to describe him. The list included: cool, collaborative, fresh,
vibrant, endless reinvention and spontaneous, to name a few. Today, the sounds of his quartet and quintet
can be heard piped into the kitchen as well as the dining room. And, a reverent black and white framed photo
of the trumpet master hangs in the Spartan kitchen. Last month Humm was named Best Chef in the <st1:place w:st="on">US</st1:place> by
the James Beard Foundation, and Eleven Madison Park among the top 10 restaurants
in the world, with three Michelin Stars and four from the New York Times. <i>Cool</i>,
indeed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xugDI0H4vU/UaU4uZXXFzI/AAAAAAAAJqk/dZ1L54Do3s4/s1600/kindofblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xugDI0H4vU/UaU4uZXXFzI/AAAAAAAAJqk/dZ1L54Do3s4/s1600/kindofblue.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Music can affect mood, even if you’re not aware of it. When the Shoprite at the waterfront opened a
few years back, I queued up like everyone else to see what modern marvels
awaited the culinary curious. Much to my
surprise, I first noticed not the shiny floors and pyramids of produce, but the
music that was playing. There was a
smart playlist piped in of 80s tunes from slightly off the beaten path. It added an unconscious spring to my step and
made me take note of the age of other shoppers, mostly under 40, also tapping
their toes. Grocery shopping <i>cool</i>?
It could happen. But, I get
it. We all have to shop, so any little
nugget of newness can be a tipping point for customers looking to break up the
monotony. “</span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I met you in the res-tau-rant.
You could tell I was no debutante!”</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Originally published in Out & About Magazine June 2012</span></i></div>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-5055707245606966472013-03-23T16:12:00.001-04:002013-03-23T16:12:39.265-04:0050 Things They Never Told You About Being a Chef: A Rebuttal <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_XzFqUu0gQ/UU3-iIXmRZI/AAAAAAAAJgU/c1FC8F637gM/s1600/pro+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f_XzFqUu0gQ/UU3-iIXmRZI/AAAAAAAAJgU/c1FC8F637gM/s400/pro+kitchen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>o, there’s this list going around the
internet called "What to Expect When You Choose a Life as a Chef." I read it.
I saw it reposted by a number of chefs and cooks. And I re-read it. And it made me think. Two things were pretty obvious: it was written by a cook, not a chef, and it
was written by a Brit, not an American.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The latter can be witnessed by certain
accepted spellings of Queen’s English, but a bit of history would reveal that
nearly all the great expectations listed come from a different culture, one of
European origin, and one that is largely becoming extinct from American kitchen culture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GiWdqBYbzrk/UU3-obLm41I/AAAAAAAAJgc/vLIodyJhiag/s1600/orwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GiWdqBYbzrk/UU3-obLm41I/AAAAAAAAJgc/vLIodyJhiag/s320/orwell.jpg" width="202" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">One of the most impactful books a young cook
can read is George Orwell’s “Down and Out in </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Paris</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> and </span></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">London</span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">”. It chronicles the travails of two young immigrants
employed mostly as kitchen <i>plongeurs </i>around
1900 when kitchen work was not just blue collar, but on the lowest of rungs of
acceptable employment. One step above
being in prison. And many of its
employees were ex-cons, unskilled laborers and transient types. Fortunately, between the addition of indoor electricity,
proper ventilation, and the slow elevation of the profession of cooking by one
Auguste Escoffier, cooking in </span></span><st1:place><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Europe</span></span></st1:place><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> rose a few rungs up the ladder
of respectful employ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Yet, a certain kind of Darwinian mentality
still exists in many kitchens across the continent, mostly because of a
hierarchy established by the same man who emancipated generations of kitchen
slaves. Escoffier's Brigade System explained in short: everyone in the kitchen has a job to do, and they become perfect at it or they
get the boot. Says Orwell of his
experience, </span></span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">"I think I can say that I
have exaggerated nothing except in so far as all writers exaggerate by
selecting. I did not feel that I had to describe events in the exact order in
which they happened, but everything I have described did take place at one time
or another."<span class="a"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITTdhDgu6X0/UU3_oGwph-I/AAAAAAAAJgk/A5KB4rWYaLI/s1600/ramsay-vs-white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ITTdhDgu6X0/UU3_oGwph-I/AAAAAAAAJgk/A5KB4rWYaLI/s320/ramsay-vs-white.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It certainly doesn’t help that two notorious
European chefs who have gained international fame, fortune and notoriety in recent years have
used this hook of “suffer to succeed” to earn millions of dollars from
television shows and being branded as being “mean”.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Luckily across the pond, schools of the
culinary arts have been instilling a different mentality in young cooks: one of
mutual respect among kitchen employees, but with the same work ethic as the
European model and without the debasement of earning physical and emotional
bruises for your mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">So what is the difference between being a
cook/chef in the </span></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">US</span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> and abroad? Below is the list that was compiled of all
the realities</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">of day to day life as a chef, based</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">on the </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">experience and observations of
one of their own. The biggest factor you
must consider when trying to understand the nature of a cook/chef through a
list of this kind is assuming that people who choose this lifestyle want the
same things in life that other professions offer. In essence, we are the opposite of people who
would watch American Idol or similar claw-to-the-top type of talent shows and expect it can happen to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">My replies are in italics.</span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><b><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">What you can expect from making a living in a
professional kitchen:</span></b></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">1</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll almost</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">always have</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">open</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">wounds on</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">your hands</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you do, you’re not doing it right.
Yes, we learn from our mistakes, but if you constantly walk around
looking like a leper, you’re not learning, you’re stuck in a masochistic loop,
and maybe you should consider getting out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">2</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll never</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">meet</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">new</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">people</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">because your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">social life</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">deteriorates into</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">non-existence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’ve met the most interesting
people in my life through the hotels, kitchens and restaurants I’ve worked in
without traveling to all the various countries of their origin. Gotta go with “false” on this one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">3</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll find</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">it</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">hard to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">start relationships because</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">alone time</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will become</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">precious thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">True, it is hard to start
relationships, but I also know many inner-kitchen relationships where both have
a more honest understanding of what that person is made of. You won’t find a super-model, but then again,
you weren’t looking for one, were you?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">4</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">lose</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">social</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l12"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not sure what that means, but
if it means not knowing how to act at a tea party, Walmart or the DMV, I’d say we fit in
just fine with the rest of the public. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">5</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">sense</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">humour</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will degrade</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">into</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">politically</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">incorrect and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">socially </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And we’d be right in line with
those in the military, teachers, those in TV production, the music business and a host
of other professions that tend to appeal to those with not-so-serious attitudes
about the small stuff in life. Let’s
face it, these are the ones you’d rather be with, anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">6</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll eventually</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">start swearing</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">like a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">sailor and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">you w</span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">on't even</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">notice yourself doing</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See answer above.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">7</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll turn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">into an</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">anorak/monomaniac and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">always turn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">all conversations</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">back to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l12"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">I confess I had to look this
up. “</span>In British slang
an anorak is a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps
obsessive, in niche subjects.” My answer to this is, if you’ve ever worked in
corporate cubicle life, the office is littered with such types. There's always one or two who don't know when to shut it down, but I wouldn't say it's exclusive to the biz.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">8</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">earn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l12"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">pittance</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">for</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">years/decades.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This presumes, as I stated
earlier, that you chose this profession to become rich. There are very few people who make it out of
their first kitchen job who don’t understand they aren’t doing it for the
money.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">9</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll either lose</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">a vast</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">amount of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">weight or</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">gain a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">vast amount</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">of weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the other option is
remaining the same weight all the time?
Honestly, how many people do you know who are this way?? It is true when you first enter a new
kitchen, your body will adjust to the work load, the eating habits and
schedule. When you do find equilibrium,
so will your weight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">10</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll never ever have</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">a tan ever</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, horrors. Now I’ll never be famous or get laid.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRL30gCvfE/UU4IL2UEjFI/AAAAAAAAJgs/rbVCQDJH2sU/s1600/linguini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jFRL30gCvfE/UU4IL2UEjFI/AAAAAAAAJgs/rbVCQDJH2sU/s1600/linguini.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">11</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">won't become</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l11"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">famous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think I’ve covered this in the
previous answers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">12</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll develop a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">habit, whether it be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">coffee, cigarettes, alcohol,
gambling, cannabis, </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">cocaine,
or even red bull.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">I can think of a few that are
missing, but while this may be true, you’ve just described more than half the
workforce in </span></i></span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">America</span></i></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">. Next.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">13</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your feet</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will get</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Buy and wear proper shoes, you dummy.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">14</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your back</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will get</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Insist on rubber mats, and stand the hell up straight when you
cook. This isn’t a librarian’s job, it’s
physical labor. Stay sharp, or you will
reap what you sow.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">15</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your hands</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l9"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will get</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See answer #1. And, if you’re holding onto the hope one day
you can parlay this career into being a hand model, perhaps he’s right. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">16</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll live in a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">constant state of sleep</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">deprivation, indefinitely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again, once you develop a
routine, you will find your balance, including a sweet spot for sleep,
relaxation and even personal time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">17</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll have to ask your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">friends to plan everything
around your schedule, which is in com</span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">plete opposition with their availability,
because you never know your days off in advance and you probably won't be able
to change it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait, I thought we didn’t have
any friends? Plus, you’re used to
showing up late anyway, as long as you get there, it’s like being upset you’re
not the first at a party. Boohoo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">18</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll become of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">a very</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">highly strung nature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you smoke pot, this is
patently false. Seriously though, all those self-help
books out there also apply to us, and that is, it’s all small stuff. If you do become Captain CrankyPants, you are
only upset with yourself for not being able to admit you’re in the wrong field.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">19</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll become more prone</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">to temper flare ups.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See above. And puff puff GIVE.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">20</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your awareness of other
people's lack of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">efficiency and common sense will increase and </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">your tolerance of it will
decrease. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yeah, it’s called
professionalism. You don't want to be around
people who are morons. There is nothing wrong with wanting to work with the ones who get it. This is not exclusive to a kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">21</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You'll spend the largest part
of your life cooped</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">up in a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">small, undecorated room with </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">poor ventilation, high
temperatures, a lot of noise, humidity, no natural light and no windows, with a
small group of people who will become your only social interactions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Zero Dark Dirty Little Lie.</i> Jeez<i>-
this sounds right out of Orwell’s book. A
bit melodramatic. But that small group of
people they refer to is called a second family. Unless
you’ve experienced it, you can’t understand it.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">22</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will work longer hours than
you ever</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">imagined
possible or thought legal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="l6"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you love it, you’re not aware of the hours you work. It’s
just your job. But <b>any</b> job you hate will
make you feel like you’re a slave to the time clock. Be honest with yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">23</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will spend all your waking
hours on</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">your
feet, never getting a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">chance to sit down </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">even for 5 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">It’s like saying pilots are
constantly flying all day long without a chance to get up and walk around. You can't cook sitting down! Plus, with all that caffeine and red bull
coursing through our veins, who can sit down and rest??</span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mVKump5Rao/UU4Izw3gGpI/AAAAAAAAJg0/qTf0ywtjjw0/s1600/zombiekitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mVKump5Rao/UU4Izw3gGpI/AAAAAAAAJg0/qTf0ywtjjw0/s320/zombiekitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-line-height-alt: 8.4pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">24</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your shortest work days will be
longer than</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">most people's longest, and your longer work</span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">days, which make up about half
of your working week, will be longer than the <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">average person is awake in a day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Answered this already. Wah.
Surgeons and mid-wives don’t complain, neither should you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">25</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will not cook gourmet
dinners at</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">home. You'll be too tired, and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">too fed up o</span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">f cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then you don’t really know the
restaurant crowd. A few times a year,
that group of degenerates you’re forced to hang out with all year round because
of your "lack of social skills" will convene for pot luck dinners and piss-ups that
rival any partying you’d have read about in Kitchen Confidential. <b>We are pros at this shit. And we do it up right.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">26</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will probably start eating</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">mostly fast food and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l8"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">cheap instant noodles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">A weak argument, but I admit
the kinds of foods available to us at those unusual times of the day/night are
limited. Someone should fix this and
open a 24 hour sushi-bar, otherwise known as </span></i></span><st1:city><st1:place><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">New York City</span></i></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">27</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will be the subject of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">abuse, whether physical or
emotional. Officially, it will be as a </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">test of character. In reality, it will be as a
form of entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If it is physical, move the
hell on, because they’re not professional or
your friends. The rest is part of
bonding with your new family. You cannot
take shit too seriously and be so sensitive.
If you are, it makes them stronger and your life will be hell. Laugh back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">28</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will end up</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">spending so much time at</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">work that your colleagues will
know you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">better </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">than your
partner/family/friends do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yup. And?<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">29</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will meet and form strong</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">bonds with types of people</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">whom you'd previously
never </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">even
have imagined sharing conversations with.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bonus!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">30</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">in a constant</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">state of stress.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not true. You must work your station not let your
station work you. Have a healthy sense of anxiety, but put things in perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">31</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will never be irreplaceable
and will be ex</span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">pected
to constantly give 110%.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span class="a"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If that is true, I’ll hire you
on the spot. As long as we understand
each other. Even my sous chefs will move
on- and I accept that. You should, too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">32</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You w</span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">ill always be</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l10"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">exhausted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yeah,
if you sit up playing video games all freakin’ night, smoke too much, drink too
much and sleep on the couch. For
Christ’s sake- be an adult. Take care of
your body and your mind. </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">33</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will not be allowed</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">to call in sick for a hangover.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>And
if you do, you will pay for it the next day in spades.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">34</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will be expected to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">place your work before any
other part</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">of your life in your list of </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; padding: 0in;">priorities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not
true with me. Family first. Because you ARE family, and that’s how
families treat each other. But don’t
tell me you have to miss a Saturday night because your buddy’s band is playing. That's "day one" shit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">35</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will never</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">be congratulated on your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Again,
this falls under the heading of reaping what you sow. I frequently thank my people for their work,
and I recall the times as a cook when I was myself thanked. Don’t take abuse, but also don’t expect a pre-school
atmosphere. You are expected to perform
at a high level because it’s part of the job.
Here’s a hint- if you don’t hear it enough, maybe you aren’t saying it
enough.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">36</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will be expected to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">treat your superiors as
absolute masters and never answer </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">back, try to explain yourself, start a
conversation, or show any other type of insubordination, even if you know
that they are in the wrong or feel as if their behaviour towards you is
unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There
is a time and a place for everything in a kitchen, including expressing your opinion,
feelings or ideas. Know when and life
will be a lot easier. Computers have
many working parts, but only one mother board. Don't be a virus.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">37</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">It will become</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">very difficult to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">watch friends cook.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, in
the beginning, you’ll want to stop them from fucking up something really
simple, but when you shut your mouth and realize that others are cooking for you,
no matter how trivial, it is the holy fucking grail of kitchen wisdom. Non-restaurant people will never understand
that, because there really are some people who criticize others' cooking. Chill the hell out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">38</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Your mum will stop</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">cooking for you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">because she feels</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I
don’t have a “mum”, but your Mom knows the score. She taught you to cook, so don’t be a
dick. She brought you into this world,
she can take you out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">39</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will be expected to</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">cook for family gatherings such
as Christmas EVERY SINGLE</span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">YEAR. Luckily, at least one year out of two, you will be working
on Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Haha! It’s part of growing up. Like expecting to be off every time it’s your
birthday. When you realize it’s not such
a big deal, you stop torturing yourself.
If you are off on a holiday, have that talk with the family. </i><st1:place><i>Holiday</i></st1:place><i> means
holiday. That said, at least carve the
turkey, you </i><st1:country-region><st1:place><i>Turkey</i></st1:place></st1:country-region><i>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They’re
proud of you, and this is their way of showing it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">40</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">At least one year out</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">of two, and maybe</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">every year, you will work
Christmas, New Year's </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">Eve,
Easter, Valentine's day, Mother's day, Father's day, bank holidays, Halloween,
your birthday, and pretty much every other day of celebration on the
calendar.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statistically,
this is not possible. Find a balance
with your family and loved ones, and stop putting so much pressure on yourself
to be there “at the important” times.
It’s kind of cruel for them to expect you to be there on the actual day
of all these holidays. Tell them to
lighten up and have some perspective and flexibility.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">41</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will have to w</span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">ork many years in menial
positions before attaining any level of </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">authority in the workplace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not
if you’re good at what you do, you won’t.
We work in a very transient field.
Promotions are possible all the time.
And the ones that stand out for excellence are the ones that get
them. We’d rather promote the line cook
who knows the staff, the menu and the operation than bring in a guy who applied
for sous chef simply because he wants the title. You have it all over that guy. Don’t hide in the shadows. Own what you do!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuOMSNCGc6s/UU4KBTSaSBI/AAAAAAAAJg8/1n8D-5I9b3o/s1600/Eleven-Madison-Park-kitchen-484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EuOMSNCGc6s/UU4KBTSaSBI/AAAAAAAAJg8/1n8D-5I9b3o/s400/Eleven-Madison-Park-kitchen-484.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">42</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">The better the restaurant is,
the longer</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">the work hours become, the more pressure you </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">end up under, the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">more unhealthy your lifestyle
will</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">become,
the more likely you will be </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">to develop a habit, the more competitive the people around you
will become, the less sleep you'll get, the less you'll eat etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There
is a truth to this. Know going in that you won't be there forever. However, it is
working in those environments that make you the unique chef you will become one
day, and I promise you- you cannot trade the feeling that comes with knowing
the temporary sacrifice you made has separated you from the pack. You are on your way to becoming a true chef.</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">43</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will constantly make
mistakes, and every time you do</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">make a mistake, someone will </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">notice it and make you
understand that you are clearly a subhuman because only a subhuman could make
such a mistake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If
I don’t notice mistakes, I’m not doing my job.
If you don’t notice your mistakes, it’s because you’re not paying
attention, and whatever type of motivation works, a chef will find it to get
the best out of you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">44</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">If you are a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">woman, you will constantly be
the subject of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">misogynist remarks and jokes, </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">sexual harassment, belittlement
and remarks about your menstrual cycle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And
you will also make jokes about our pathetically small penis. </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">45</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">None of your friends or</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">family will understand what is
involved in your work and you </span></span></span><span class="l6" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">will </span></span><span class="a" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">never be able to make them understand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Invite them in to eat one shift. And maybe
take them on a little tour of your kitchen.
And let them see how much you are respected, or how hot the kitchen is,
or how noisy, or chaotic. Or you could
just give them a copy of Orwell’s book. But, you likely share that misunderstanding of aspects of their life, too. Know thyself.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">46</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will spend vast amounts of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">money on equipment, books,
eating in</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">good restaurants, </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">etc, which will leave you with not much money
for other things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Such </span></span></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">as? Bills? We must constantly educate ourselves or
become irrelevant. We most motivate
ourselves (and each other) or become stale.
We must treat ourselves, or we’ll become bitter. It’s called “renewing yourself”.</span><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">47</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">develop a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">creepy obsession with</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">knives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If by creepy you
mean wanting really high-quality ones, or keeping them razor sharp, or taking them with you when you leave because you don’t want them stolen- then, yes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">48</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">If you are a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">pastry chef, you will develop a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">creepy obsession with spoons.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would argue it’s
spatulas, but, whatever. Spoons are for
tasting, and if you're using a spoon to taste instead of sticking your grubby
little fingers in everything, then fine- creepy is as creepy does.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">49</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">You will get a</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">rash in your arse crack from
the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">mixture of heat, sweat and
friction that will </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">not
heal well, sometimes get infected, will mostly always be slimy and itchy and
will be there most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, Christ. Take a shower! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eULP_5GevT8/UU4KUpRKqlI/AAAAAAAAJhE/APH2dw1aw88/s1600/bocuse_DV_20111005153634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eULP_5GevT8/UU4KUpRKqlI/AAAAAAAAJhE/APH2dw1aw88/s400/bocuse_DV_20111005153634.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">50</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">If you are the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">right type of person, you will
thank your lucky</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">star every single day for the </span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; letter-spacing: -0.45pt; padding: 0in;">rest of your life for making
you take the best decision you ever did and become a chef.</span></span><span class="a"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> And you</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">will fall in lov</span></span><span class="l7"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">e with your</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;"> </span></span><span class="l6"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0in;">job and never look back. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You bet your sweet arse.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">C</span></i><i style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ongratulations, you’ve graduated to Chef.</span></i></div>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-51883299337990910452013-03-12T19:10:00.000-04:002013-03-12T19:10:11.958-04:00Chef Quote of the Week: Andrew Carmellini<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErqOz8SOe6c/UT-0kkSUDAI/AAAAAAAAJgA/OvTgJ99M3HY/s1600/carmellini_chef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ErqOz8SOe6c/UT-0kkSUDAI/AAAAAAAAJgA/OvTgJ99M3HY/s400/carmellini_chef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">’m going to try not to sous vide anything over there,” he said. “It takes some of the love out of cooking, for me. It takes out some of the fire and smells and caramelization. Some things are just better roasted in a pan.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/dining/andrew-carmellinis-food-does-the-talking.html?hp&_r=0">Chef Andrew Carmellini of Lafayette</a></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I've updated the blog, and I feel reinvigorated to do so with all the food and wine activity here lately. I've met some wonderful new friends who are very talented, and I've gotten a chance to reconnect with some old ones. </span><br />
<br />
Look for new and more frequents posts in the coming weeks...</div>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-4988921815532286192013-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:002013-01-31T08:20:10.116-05:00Mind Your Peas and Queues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JF-LGymOaD8/UQnLHFEhGpI/AAAAAAAAJfY/P28tOfhoWHY/s1600/WaronWords_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JF-LGymOaD8/UQnLHFEhGpI/AAAAAAAAJfY/P28tOfhoWHY/s400/WaronWords_cover.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>or someone who never had a great interest in the English language in high school, I cannot offer much explanation for how I turned out to be a word nerd. I recall giving my parents book reports and such to proofread, but I would become agitated when there was a lot more red pen than I had bargained for. Yes, I wanted to know if I had left out a comma or apostrophe, but not that my syntax was wrong, or that there was a more efficient or eloquent way to express the thought.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYB4iy3xwQ0/UQnMFULoSwI/AAAAAAAAJfg/RRMYLh8R0Io/s1600/Crossword11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYB4iy3xwQ0/UQnMFULoSwI/AAAAAAAAJfg/RRMYLh8R0Io/s200/Crossword11.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was during college that I became hooked on the <i>New York Times Crossword Puzzle. </i> Many view it as the pinnacle of puzzles, others, a self-inflicted punishment of puns and wordplay. But I saw it as a daily lesson on language and an opportunity to bone up on dinner party parlance. Let's face it: after a few years of doing them on a regular basis, you're going to pick up a lot. A lot of what I gained was due to my understanding of the Spanish language. I never studied Latin, but when conjugating words, similar rules apply to most of the romance languages. Even in English, it only takes filling in a word you <i>think</i> you know how to spell to find out that it doesn't fit, and then you know the right way. More than anything, I liked the challenge of finishing what I started.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How I became a Grammar Nazi among my friends, is still up in the air. I still lay no claim to being anything beyond decent at punctuation. I've always been a chatty person, and so my sentences tend to run on. So when writing creatively, I take a lot of creative license, which is, of course, another way of saying I don't follow the rules. This is evidenced in the very post you are reading, as it has taken me three paragraphs to finally mention the subject of this post: <i>The War on Words<b>,</b></i> a new book written by my colleague, <b><a href="http://thewaronwords.com/">Bob Yearick</a>.</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bob is the editor-in-chief at <i>Out and About Magazine</i>, <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">a
Wilmington, Del., monthly that covers the arts, entertainment and restaurant
scenes.</span> He has been writing for 45 years. As you can imagine, I was a little intimidated when first approached by O&A for writing a regular column, but I was encouraged in hearing that the staff enjoyed my blog posts. I saw this as another opportunity to strengthen my writing skills under the tutelage of a seasoned pro. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bob’s “The War on Words” column, which debuted in 2007, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">has
become a reader favorite. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Now
these columns have been collected in a paperback book. Each page contains a
lesson in grammar, punctuation or pronunciation, all presented in an
entertaining and sometimes snarky manner, of which <b>Fork-n-Cork</b> is heavy in content. Still, like crosswords, there are rules, people. And if we want to be taken seriously in the real world, we need to know how to spell. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
book reveals what Yearick believes is the most misused punctuation mark and the
most misused word, as well as such language niceties as the true meaning of
“begs the question.” Hint: it does not mean “raises the question.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The
English language and its abuse, especially by public figures, has been his
obsession for many years. <span style="font-size: large;">“I spent a lot of time in the corporate world and I’m
a big sports fan,” he says. “Corporate types and sportscasters and sports
writers are among the primary offenders when it comes to misusing the language.
They’ve given me plenty of fodder for my column.”</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">In
the introduction to the book, Maria Hess, editor-in-chief of </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Delaware Today,
</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">says, “Bob gets actual fan letters and has become something of a local grammar
superhero. He can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound, but he </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">has</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> managed to get thousands of people
to care about proper use of the English language. In a world where texting,
twittering and email are eroding our writing skills, Bob’s accomplishments are
nothing short of heroic.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Yes, word nerds rejoice; we have a hero, and his name is </span><a href="http://thewaronwords.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Bob Yearick</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>The War on Words</i> can be purchased through the Out & About website: www.outandaboutnow.com, for $9.95 plus $3 shipping, or contact Yearick at ryearick@comcast.com. It is also available at Ninth Street Books in Wilmington and the Hockessin Book Shelf. The e-book is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony and iBook for just $3.95. </span></div>
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Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-18010259106856512462013-01-09T16:00:00.003-05:002013-01-09T16:00:47.141-05:00New Year's Eve Black Tie Gala at the Whist Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x60HF5stfH0/UO3T3gxRpfI/AAAAAAAAJdY/ve64HOcIBFU/s1600/New+Year's+Eve+Chef's+Table+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x60HF5stfH0/UO3T3gxRpfI/AAAAAAAAJdY/ve64HOcIBFU/s400/New+Year's+Eve+Chef's+Table+014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>ur second annual New Year's Eve </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black Tie</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gala was held last week at the University and Whist Club. It was a very festive and convivial evening with everyone in formal attire! All the stops were pulled out for this 12 course food and wine event. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="" name="OLE_LINK5"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK4"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK3"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK1"><b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Chef’s
Table <o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 16.0pt;">at the<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 16.0pt;">University and Whist Club<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wilmington</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">December 31, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWyGLbBLi14/UO3T5qw7R1I/AAAAAAAAJdg/Vc3NPiPhlMs/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+030-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWyGLbBLi14/UO3T5qw7R1I/AAAAAAAAJdg/Vc3NPiPhlMs/s320/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+030-001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A velvety blend of chardonnay and pinot noir in magnums, </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">this grower Champagne was an elegant beginning to the meal</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG5UvUeFp10/UO3UBMeBoQI/AAAAAAAAJd4/30nw3ytqjRw/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SG5UvUeFp10/UO3UBMeBoQI/AAAAAAAAJd4/30nw3ytqjRw/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Creamy and rich Fanny Bay oysters from the Puget Sound in Washington State had a lovely melon and cucumber finish to them; they were topped with a sliver of serrano chili. </span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reception</span></b></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Fanny</span></i></st1:placename><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">
<st1:placename w:st="on">Bay</st1:placename></span></i></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">
Oysters <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Ponzu-Wasabi and Serrano<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Serge
Mathieu Cuvée Prestige, Brut, NV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpzv-U4JB-s/UO3UBu0qluI/AAAAAAAAJeE/nJO7976Leis/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bpzv-U4JB-s/UO3UBu0qluI/AAAAAAAAJeE/nJO7976Leis/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+083.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a salute to a dish in the gorgeous "Eleven Madison Park", we prepared this exotic ice cream made from potato with red sea salt, creme fraiche, chive and American caviar.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Amuse
Bouche</span></b></div>
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<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Kentucky</span></i></st1:place></st1:state><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">
Paddlefish Caviar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Potato Ice Cream, Chive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YORvfkmXNvo/UO3UB5wbKEI/AAAAAAAAJeA/o4CJZWlDH20/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YORvfkmXNvo/UO3UB5wbKEI/AAAAAAAAJeA/o4CJZWlDH20/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+105.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite course of the evening, this foie terrine is layered between a tuile cookie of almond and pretzel, dusted with dark cocoa and drizzled with pomegranate molasses. The <i>Pineau des Charentes Blanc</i> was provided by Moore Bros. of Delaware. Thank you to the great tasting team there for an exquisite pairing.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First
Course</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Foie Gras Terrine<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Pomegranate, chocolate, almond
tuile<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Vieux
Pineau des Charentes Blanc, Jean Fillioux, NV<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80W5tr6ZM4M/UO3UDCtIrlI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/6VgrRRCkjAY/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80W5tr6ZM4M/UO3UDCtIrlI/AAAAAAAAJeQ/6VgrRRCkjAY/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+146.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winter Striped Bass from Maryland; a pool of English pea nage is jumped up in flavor with fine herbs and braised salsify. Confetti of winter flowers jump off the plate.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Second
Course</span></b></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Maryland</span></i></st1:state></st1:place><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">
Striped Bass</span></i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">English pea nage, winter flowers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">J.M.
Boillot Meursault, 2008<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JnHMKdGlACk/UO3UDlCnwBI/AAAAAAAAJeU/BfdEAqnVThY/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JnHMKdGlACk/UO3UDlCnwBI/AAAAAAAAJeU/BfdEAqnVThY/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As much a comfort dish as it was elegant, this was a beautiful example of thinking<br />outside the box with flavors.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Third
Course</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Veal Sweetbreads<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">pork belly, Grain mustard crème,
savoy slaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Kistler,
Chardonnay, Les Noisetiers, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Napa</st1:city></st1:place>, 2010</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Intermezzo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Orange-Cardamom
Sherbet</span></i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Candied ginger, orange zest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUXcmciuDuA/UO3UDnR06XI/AAAAAAAAJeY/lwxrMRfOi1w/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kUXcmciuDuA/UO3UDnR06XI/AAAAAAAAJeY/lwxrMRfOi1w/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+213.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Braised rabbit saddle in its own juices with shaved Grana Padana and wild chanterelles. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hearty, rich, soulful and restoring. </span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Game</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Braised Rabbit<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Handkerchief pasta, golden
chanterelles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Domaine
Joseph Voillot, Volnay “Vieilles Vignes” 2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oK2QstPxdiM/UO3UGUMBofI/AAAAAAAAJe0/amJvs5tHpeM/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oK2QstPxdiM/UO3UGUMBofI/AAAAAAAAJe0/amJvs5tHpeM/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A first for many attendees, this "filet" of ostrich from OK Coral Ranch in California was tender and juicy and just the right foil for cognac and truffles. The Saint Cosme was revelatory!</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Main</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Ostrich Filet<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Black truffle, faro, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cognac</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Saint
Cosme, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2005<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8VwiDuNLl0/UO3UFlpWB0I/AAAAAAAAJes/HetNyluAmuw/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8VwiDuNLl0/UO3UFlpWB0I/AAAAAAAAJes/HetNyluAmuw/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+251.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another "outside the box" dish, the carrot tartare was fully cooked, but resembled a true beef tartare in every way. Much credit to Sous Chef Drew Ramage <br />for this creative and well-executed dish.</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Carrot Tartare<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Caper, truffle and brioche
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmTCz4gXpos/UO3UFvpVJoI/AAAAAAAAJeo/rXp1-xGEpAw/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pmTCz4gXpos/UO3UFvpVJoI/AAAAAAAAJeo/rXp1-xGEpAw/s320/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+254.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The garden gods were with us, as we landed some fresh Turkish figs accompanied by the smokey Idiazabal from Spain with chorizo-almond and plump winter blackberries.</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cheese</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Idiazabal<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">almond-chorizo crumble, Turkish
figs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Camins
del Priorat, Alvaro Palacios, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAVGce-BA3g/UO3UG4Y3nsI/AAAAAAAAJe8/P55TTifmGTA/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DAVGce-BA3g/UO3UG4Y3nsI/AAAAAAAAJe8/P55TTifmGTA/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A fun display of milk chocolate bouche de Noel, dark chocolate ganache Christmas tree and Bailey's Irish Cream -white truffle snow man with coconut and apricot.</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"> </span></i><b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dessert</span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Chocolate
Wonderland<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Taylor
Fladgate Vintage <st1:place w:st="on">Porto</st1:place>, 2000<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><br /></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5LS_sU7TKg/UO3T2_QOakI/AAAAAAAAJdQ/D-HKz8k5nfE/s1600/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N5LS_sU7TKg/UO3T2_QOakI/AAAAAAAAJdQ/D-HKz8k5nfE/s400/New+Year%2527s+Eve+Chef%2527s+Table+008.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mignardises
and Coffee<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light';">Executive Chef Robert A. Lhulier</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Sous Chefs Andrew Ramage and <st1:personname w:st="on">Stephen Seth</st1:personname><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Pastry Chefs <st1:personname w:st="on">Debora Saienni</st1:personname> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light'; font-size: 12pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">and Michael Preske</span></div>
</span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-28192526807353315662012-12-05T12:29:00.000-05:002012-12-05T12:29:13.940-05:00In Memory: Dave Brubeck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-2EtTE_yko/UL-ELwVGmBI/AAAAAAAAJb4/7VPGuMDv04M/s1600/Brubeck_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-2EtTE_yko/UL-ELwVGmBI/AAAAAAAAJb4/7VPGuMDv04M/s400/Brubeck_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>o live to the age of 91 is an admirable accomplishment, and we must accept that all our jazz mentors will one day pass. But, Brubeck's passing (one day short of his 92nd birthday), especially at this time of year, is significant for me. I can't think of a time when I was first learning about jazz that there wasn't a Dave Brubeck. He was a giant in his art form, and like Bill Evans, had a style that was all his own. Just listen to this version of "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" and tell me you don't hear that joyous quartet synergy that exists in every one of his recordings. Somewhere in Manhattan (or Paris) Woody Allen is having a moment to himself.</span><br />
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<br />Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-50834481291116894732012-11-02T13:18:00.003-04:002012-11-02T13:18:53.479-04:00Take Stock: The 5th Annual Stock Up For Seniors Sale!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7FjudvdG-o/UJP8EAXvOmI/AAAAAAAAI-8/9nKUMCGXVlA/s1600/sufs_website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7FjudvdG-o/UJP8EAXvOmI/AAAAAAAAI-8/9nKUMCGXVlA/s400/sufs_website.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>bout 15 years ago I first became affiliated with <a href="http://www.mealsonwheelsde.org/">Meals on Wheels Delaware</a> when asked to participate in their Celebrity Chef's Brunch while chef at Deep Blue. Over those years, it's given me immense pleasure and personal satisfaction to be affiliated with this organization. I have met innumerable good friends, shared some great laughs and memories, cooked in the homes of some wonderful people, drank some amazing wines, and cooked some really great food. I never dreamed all that fun would actually equate to raising millions of dollars to help provide home-bound seniors in Delaware with hot, nutritious meals. It must be how The Boss feels when he does a benefit concert! <i>Everyone wins.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span>ut, that's only half the story. Now in its 5th year, the <b><a href="http://mealsonwheelsdelaware.ticketleap.com/sufs/">Annual Stock Up for Seniors</a> </b>event teams <b>Meals on Wheels Delaware</b> with the warehouses of luxury cookware brands <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>EmileHenry, Rösle, Duralex, Mauviel 1830, and Lékué</b> located in New Castle, Delaware. The weekend warehouse sale gives Delawareans a chance to stock up on kitchen and cookware at deep discounts while the good people of <a href="http://www.emilehenryusa.com/">Emile Henry USA</a> donate proceeds to MOW Delaware. <i>Another win-win</i>. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2r_EwgKDUA/UJP-9DOrldI/AAAAAAAAI_U/NUiiQwMnwqM/s1600/mauviel_set.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e2r_EwgKDUA/UJP-9DOrldI/AAAAAAAAI_U/NUiiQwMnwqM/s400/mauviel_set.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">O</span>n the evening of Dec. 6, 2012, shoppers will have an opportunity to shop exclusively and get first pick of the sale items, which continues through Sunday, December 9. <a href="http://mealsonwheelsdelaware.ticketleap.com/sufs/">A mere $25</a> (which also goes to MOW) gives you this amazing privilege. And, just to show you we care, I'll be on hand preparing all sorts of delicious appetizers and snacks for you to feast on while you shop. I'll demonstrate a classic risotto with locally foraged mushrooms, parsnips and Winter Black Truffles. Or, how about a simmering pot of Fall Squash and Apple Bisque? Got that, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an event that, like M.O.W., is becoming a true Delaware tradition. But, get your tickets today and get there early, because this event sells out fast!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pCRE5rFOlFY/UJP4AZWY1NI/AAAAAAAAI-k/g4iTMeGDn9I/s1600/warehouse-sale-print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pCRE5rFOlFY/UJP4AZWY1NI/AAAAAAAAI-k/g4iTMeGDn9I/s400/warehouse-sale-print.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-53197412091448525352012-10-20T20:28:00.002-04:002012-10-20T20:28:26.814-04:00Four Years Later, It's Still About Hope and Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moJQA6-4YFY/UIM9nYscQWI/AAAAAAAAI-I/OBUPhdLjfxg/s1600/hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-moJQA6-4YFY/UIM9nYscQWI/AAAAAAAAI-I/OBUPhdLjfxg/s400/hope.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he Fall of 2008 was a dark time for me personally. The previous 8 years had put me in a long-term, deep depression. Two elections had been stolen from the American people and fear, lies and war dominated the American landscape. A crippling financial storm rolled in to blanket the country, and those who created it slunk quietly out of town with no repercussions and their pockets stuffed with you</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">r savings. Jobs dried up and pay was cut for many, with employers admonishing those who remained, <span style="font-size: large;">“You should feel lucky you still have your job.”</span> I am grateful I have a job and am working. But, I do not feel “lucky” about having a job. <span style="font-size: large;">Luck has nothing to do with me earning my place in the work force or keeping my job. </span>I accepted that I had been kept under thumb by a frozen economy while making the same salary for the last 8 years, but that I also had the power to change that.</span><br />
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I cast my vote for our current President that November because his opponent showed little sign that he would do anything other than extend the failed policies of his predecessor. </div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Barack Obama ran on a platform of “Hope and Change” with many campaign promises. So many people like to focus on the ones that were not kept. But, for a man who promised hope and change, he delivered on the promise of both hope and change to me and many of the people I care about. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">I for one would have loved to have seen President Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleeza Rice prosecuted for war crimes and perjury, but our President decided it was more productive to move forward and not back. He went, instead, after the Wall Street criminals who abused the system to personally gain and rob Americans of billions of dollars of their hard-earned money. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Obama ended the Iraq war instead, hitting them where it hurt most. Naturally, this upset those cashing in on the profits of war. And just as importantly, on his second day of office, he reversed torture policies of the Bush administration known as “enhanced interrogation techniques”. Perhaps Americans against Obama forget what it felt like to wake up every morning and read how disliked America was for our conduct in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Or that we had given up fundamental civil rights (Patriot Act) “for our protection”. I do not. Maybe they just miss the fear-mongering that gave them a false sense of nationalism. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">My gay and lesbian friends couldn’t safely serve in the military, to say nothing of doing so openly or with pride, but now they can. And, while same sex marriage is decided by the states, knowing our President thinks everyone should be treated equally is indeed hope that our country can move closer to a day when we all actually get the freedoms guaranteed us by the Constitution. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">President Obama fought for and won what so many before him had failed at: a fight for a health policy that is inclusive and fair for a majority of Americans. If you admire tenacity in a leader, you have to admire his determination and commitment to keep a promise that for so many other candidates would have just been a campaign talking point (i.e. 12 million new jobs). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Passing credit card reform may seem like a minor issue, and no one seems to talk about it, but how many people are able to make ends meet now that they aren’t persecuted for being one day late with a payment and then having their balance jacked up for over-the-limit fees applied and criminally high interest rates for doing so?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Eliminating the Bush administration’s restrictions on stem-cell research has allowed countless discoveries to be made that further the study of diseases that shorten the lives of our young and old. We all know someone affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as childhood cancer. How was this bad for our country? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><i>There’s your change, America.</i> And only a tiny portion of it. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Now, how about hope?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">With the passing of four years, I have hope that America is moving in a direction where everyone has a chance to live the American dream, not just those with privilege and access to power. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b>I have hope </b>that with all the education reform of the last four years and the reversal of the failed No Child Left Behind policy that our young people will get the education they need and deserve to live that dream. And, that the reform in school nutrition under the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act will allow them access to better and healthier meals that help stem obesity and a reliance on the medical crutch that so many are reliant upon today. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b>I have hope</b> that the economy will continue to gain confidence so that so many people who have lost jobs (and are infinitely qualified to hold them) can return to work, earn a living and have pride in a doing a full day’s work. I have hope that those whose pay was cut can return to being rewarded for their hard work and competitive nature, because nothing kills a person’s spirit more than knowing they will never get a raise or bonus for their hard work because “times are tough”. Bullshit. Employers: if you think you’re being held hostage by workers’ wages now, wait until the economy fully rebounds and these people start their own businesses (a.k.a your competition). Yes, you see I can believe in my President AND capitalism and a free economy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><b>I have hope</b> that my daughter can and will read about this dark time in our history and learn from the mistakes of human greed and fear. From ignorance and bigotry. To know that a lie is a lie, and that those who speak them says volumes about that person, especially those seeking to govern. That she will grow and come to realize that every time her mother and father told her that her body is her own and that no one should tell her what she must do to protect her health and happiness, was not a lie, but a reality and a right. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">I know that four years later supporting the policies of an administration, while imperfect, has vastly improved (or will improve) the lives of more Americans who hadn’t those chances before, and was the right choice. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">I reject your labels of liberal, left-wing, Democrat, socialist, communist, free-loader or whatever bullshit tag you may be mumbling to yourself right now. I am and have always been a registered Independent, and I pride myself on being an intelligent, articulate and free-thinking human being with common sense. <span style="font-size: large;">These are not regurgitated talking points of the left, but my own observations as an active member of our society and of the political process.</span> I care enough to know what the hell is going on.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that when someone who craves power, money and position so much that they will say and do anything to wield that power, should never, ever be allowed to govern this country, ever AGAIN.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Put aside your fears. <i>We are better than this.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">Finally, why more Americans aren’t outraged at Congress and Speaker of the House John Boehner and his obstructive politics of “hold our breath until we get our way”, is staggering. <i><b>People: Congress makes and votes on the laws that make our lives better or worse.</b></i> To accept the gridlock of the last two years as partisan politics is apathy at its absolute worst. It is a criminal waste of two years of an opportunity to get our country out of the hole that President Bush put us in, and Governor Romney says he can fix. <span style="font-size: large;">As citizens, you have an obligation</span> to throw those who have contributed to a frozen government OUT on the street November 6.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">If the Mayans were right about 2012 being the end of civilization, it will be as a result of a Romney presidency. And I can tell you this: there is no way in Hell I intend to take it lying down.</span></div>
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</span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-71350480285215678522012-10-04T23:13:00.001-04:002012-10-04T23:13:42.085-04:00Chef Quote of the Week: Marc Vetri<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: #f8f6ed; color: #555555; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<i>"I'm not all that interested in knowing that you spent two months picking herbs at Noma, and three months scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush at Alinea. I would prefer to hear that you cooked at a bar for the last three years and can make a medium-rare hamburger like nobody's business. That's something I can work with!" Chef Marc Vetri</i></h3>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-45482176227938721252012-10-03T18:52:00.001-04:002012-10-03T18:53:26.565-04:00Change is Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>e loves it when the seasons change, Precious. This Chef's Table we dove in with both feet, and Fall splashed out all over the place. Of course, it never hurts to have great ingredients. And, this was the first dinner we've done using the new combi-therm oven (with confidence, anyway). All I can say is, after only two years of Chef's Table dinners, we're just getting started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 18pt; text-align: center;">THE
CHEF’S TABLE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">at
the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">UNIVERSITY
and WHIST CLUB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">WILMINGTON</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SEPTEMBER
27, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Grande;">A last taste of summer: Maryland crab with hon dashi, heirloom tomato, corn "butter" and scallop chip</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RECEPTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">LAMB
SHOULDER, HORSERADISH-BEET PUREE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ROCKSHRIMP
WONTON<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Andre Bonhomme, Vire Classe, Macon,
2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AMUSE
BOUCHE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MARYLAND</span></b></st1:place></st1:state><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> BLUE CRAB COCKTAIL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">HON
DASHI, CORN BUTTER AND SCALLOP “CHIP”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FIRST
COURSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">RABBIT
AND BARLEY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ROASTED
GARLIC, SAGE, GRANA PADANA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cavollotto Fratelli, Langhe Pino Nero,
Piemonte, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Scented with root vegetbles, white wine and sage, the tender barley popped with flavor and the Grana pulled all the earthiness out of that rabbit. The wine, extremely rare, is white pinot noir from Piedmont, exhibiting all the raciness of a Tocai from Friulli. It was a delicious foil to the rich flavors, and a nice surprise for guests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SECOND
COURSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">VEAL
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GOLDEN
CHANTERELLES, PORCINI AND TRUFFLE RAGOUT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jean-Luc Colombo, Chateauneuf du Pape,
“Bartavelles “ 2009<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three plump, meaty tortellini sit surrounded by a <i>poelle</i> of North Western chanterelles, swimming in the braising juices of the veal which is tucked inside the pasta with gooey Taleggio. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PUMPKIN,
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MAIN</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MOULARD
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SZECHUAN</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
PEPPERCORN, RED KURI SQUASH AND VINDALOO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Faustino, Rioja “Riserva”, 2005<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>SIW Farms </i>rises to the occasion again with rich, velvety red kuri squash (here both as a sauce and roasted with vindaloo) while Swiss chard rests beneath the sous-vide breast of duck, kicked up with Szechuan peppercorns and roasted cauliflower "crumble". </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>HUMBOLDT
FOG</i> CRANBERRY ENROBE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>AMAZING ACRES </i>GOAT WITH PUMPKIN</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">POMEGRANATE,
PLUM MOSTARDA<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Rioja Riserva had legs to carry over for this sampling of Fall goat cheeses. We had Humboldt Fog enrobed with cranberry, and Amazing Acres (PA) fresh goat with pumpkin. Plum mostarda, pomegranate and baguette toasts tagged along.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DESSERT
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHOCOLATE
PECAN BOMBE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHESTNUT
MASCARPONE, PORT SYRUP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Warre’s
Vintage Porto, 2000<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soft to the fork, this bombe had the smoky essence of chestnut bound with sweet and creamy mascarpone, nutty pecans and deep, ruby port wine syrup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MIGNARDISES
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">WHITE
CHOCOLATE CRANBERRY TRUFFLE, MAPLE SHORTBREAD, SWEET POTATO TARTLET <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Next Month</i> has BRAISE written all over it, and mushroomer Art Inden arrived yesterday with the first of what he thinks will be a banner year for locally foraged mushrooms. </span><!--[endif]--></div>
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<br />Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-77769779048070798642012-10-03T08:32:00.000-04:002012-10-03T08:32:58.379-04:00Good Morning<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/q7GYffh7qnw?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-55776999816772469252012-09-11T08:57:00.000-04:002012-09-11T08:57:38.033-04:00F&C Rewind: September 11, 2001; A Tale of Three Towers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLZudA-GG_w/TmvDLe_50zI/AAAAAAAAIAw/2eNe_BHHDwI/s1600/The+Thinker+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JLZudA-GG_w/TmvDLe_50zI/AAAAAAAAIAw/2eNe_BHHDwI/s320/The+Thinker+BW.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Musee Rodin, Paris 9/11/01- Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>t crept up on me this year, I have to admit. So many things going on- school starting, the campaign, your life. The first reminder was a crystal blue sky and slight chill in the air. Or so I'm told. I wasn't even in the US on 9/11, but the dichotomy of that beautiful, blue sky and the sheer terror that rained down on it will forever be etched in all Americans' memories who lived it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the anniversary nears, I hear and read words like "dredge up" (as in feelings), "unhealed wound" and other ways of trying to put that day in to context. We all can attest to the effect it had on us, and for each, the healing process has been at a different pace. I waited 10 years to put mine on paper. And when I did, I felt a calm release. Here is that story. My hope is that each person has their chance to tell theirs. It's part of the healing process, and one of the critical things that make us uniquely American.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>'m not going to write anything. I <i>am</i> gonna write. I'm <i>not</i> going to write something. No- <i>I am</i>. <i>I should</i>. No: I'm not. As the days counted down closer and closer to this Tenth Anniversary of September 11, I felt the grim milestone inch nearer and the pull of its weight like 110 floors of concrete and steel. It would be naive to say I was profoundly struck by what I had witnessed and felt on the day of September 11, 2001. Because, all Americans were. But, just like the days following the attacks, we had to seek the therapy that came with telling where we were when it happened. Ten years later, we feel the same stirrings- viceral and wholly unnerving- to relive those feelings, whether we want to or not. So, I've decided to write.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">M</span>y mother and brother share a birthday. On the morning of September 6, 2001, I called to wish them well on their day and finished packing my bags. I left Philadelphia early that evening on a flight to meet up with my two traveling companions and good friends, Dan and Kasia, for a 10 day vacation to the city I had always dreamed of seeing in person. I had spent the month leading up to that day watching live webcam shots of the Eiffel Tower throughout various stages of the day- sunrise, sunset, rain storms, fog, lights on, lights off- I was enraptured. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTUzyTQEc6I/Tmu_nZmrXDI/AAAAAAAAIAk/Hwqi6eS-Vk8/s1600/Eiffel-Tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTUzyTQEc6I/Tmu_nZmrXDI/AAAAAAAAIAk/Hwqi6eS-Vk8/s1600/Eiffel-Tower.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Courtesy of SketchPlease.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the moment I landed in Paris, I began to search for my precious icon. When I finally spotted her in the morning rush hour traffic from my cab, I didn't take my eyes off of her until the morning of September 16 when I left. In the city that twists and turns and climbs and falls, there are no straight streets. But, once you've positioned in your mind the location of the Tower on a map of the city, you can get your bearings in the instant you spot the spindly, iron landmark. It was most comforting. I felt no fear or apprehension walking the city, day or night. It was like having a second sun on the horizon. Always at your side, warming to your skin, nudging you through the shadowy streets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It made sense, then, that it wasn't until I had been in Paris five whole days before actually making my official visit to the Eiffel Tower. I had lots of time and she wasn't going anywhere. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DS7YVwfCi9Y/TmwpKoLLA7I/AAAAAAAAIBE/5kTQqWCVpcM/s1600/Street+with+Eiffel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DS7YVwfCi9Y/TmwpKoLLA7I/AAAAAAAAIBE/5kTQqWCVpcM/s320/Street+with+Eiffel.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">In the shadow of le Tour Eiffel~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had spent the days leading up to that ill fated day gregariously embracing the gustatory history of the city. Each meal was spent discussing where the next one might come from. So many bites and sips were taken with eyes at half mast, it felt every bit like the final minutes of a dream you never want to awaken from. And as I now know, that's exactly what it was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, as dreams fade, memories last.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a45j7KJ0C-s/TmvDQTPcPAI/AAAAAAAAIA0/Stlm12YcGiM/s1600/Marble+Heads+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a45j7KJ0C-s/TmvDQTPcPAI/AAAAAAAAIA0/Stlm12YcGiM/s320/Marble+Heads+BW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Marble Study~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What was a crisp, blue September morning for this side of the Atlantic, was a greying Tuesday afternoon for us. We three decided to visit the Rodin Museum near <i>Les Invalides</i>, the glistening gold-domed Hotel of museums and monuments that was a former military hospital. And, which happens to be a short, but spirited walk away from <i>le Tour Eiffel</i>. Dan and Kasia had already made their pilgrimage a day earlier and decided to spend the afternoon strengthening the French economy by visiting the world famous shops of the area around l'Arc de Triomphe. And why not? It was Dan's birthday today. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we approached the high-walled Musee Rodin and gardens, the day took on an austere quality. In retrospect, it was the perfect weather to do the museum. Afterall, it's hard to concentrate on paintings, marble and bronze when golden sunlight is streaming through the windows. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I started on the ground floor looking through the sketches and small bronzes, instantly recognizing so much of what I had studied in school. Rodin's human figures were the most real for me. No vaunted, ideal, bigger than life beings- just gorgeously sculpted muscles and bones beneath a thin skin of marble and bronze. I don't recall any floors in between the ground and top, just that when I reached the top, I was struck with an urge to stay for as long as possbile, alternating between the life-sized studies and peering at the lush gardens, which I could now see spralling out in all directions, the city not far behind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I began to shoot.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uixLzK0jE/TmwpceLBnVI/AAAAAAAAIBM/gBBDnO8FxSc/s1600/Detail+of+Sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2uixLzK0jE/TmwpceLBnVI/AAAAAAAAIBM/gBBDnO8FxSc/s320/Detail+of+Sculpture.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Marble Study 2~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Walking around sclupture gives you a sense of the real. But, framing a figure with a lens helps put those figures in perspective and can make them a bit dreamier. <i>Or nightmareish</i>. I moved between Rodin's impossibly silken-skinned figures rendered in grey marble with arched backs, tilted necks and delicate limbs- and the lurching, twisted, tortured faces of his studies for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gates_of_Hell">The Gates of Hell</a>. Clenched fists, taught triceps and gaping mouths of sorrow, despair and pain. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dmUBMmSuMI/TmwzoDBfs1I/AAAAAAAAIBY/LQ8Lq-_mG2s/s1600/gates+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" nba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2dmUBMmSuMI/TmwzoDBfs1I/AAAAAAAAIBY/LQ8Lq-_mG2s/s400/gates+detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Gates Detail~ Photo Ken M Photography</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I kept shooting.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igsjThpeA4o/TmwpYPfj9YI/AAAAAAAAIBI/VBJ997AIRss/s1600/Study+for+Gates+of+Hell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-igsjThpeA4o/TmwpYPfj9YI/AAAAAAAAIBI/VBJ997AIRss/s320/Study+for+Gates+of+Hell.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Bronze Study~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The walls started to feel closer now. And the crowd was thinning as we approached the early afternoon. I went out into the gardens. Almost empty, I took a deep breath and let my camera rest at my side. If you're an audiophile like myself, you always carry a messenger bag when traveling to keep a discman and selection of changes on hand. I had done some recent music shopping, too. <i>Aqua Bassino</i> is an electronic band who produce atmospheric instrumental and vocal music. Their just released album "Beats and Bobs" was in my player at the time, and I decided to walk, my soundtrack at my side. Its tracks are all over the map, musically, but <i>Moonlight</i> (listen below) was playing while I strolled the gardens.</span><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6A-SooRrQCw" width="640"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span>ow is it, you say, that you can recall what was playing at that time? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well- listen to it. It's profoundly reflective and haunting. It's a soundtrack for sadness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is said we can detect when "big" things are about to happen. Even feel that something is happening while it unfolds without knowing that it is. I remember what it was I was listening to, therefore, because as I sat in disbelief a full 24 hours later, it struck me that the song that played in those lonely gardens would stay with me until my final hours knowing what was unfolding (or about to) at the exact same time some 4,000 miles away. It even <i>feels</i> tragic. A story unfolding, a slow montage of wiping and fading images, telling a terrible tale of epic proportions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was done with Rodin. It was time to get on with my day. And, as I looked over my shoulder, there she was. It was time, at last. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Different music, different attitude, different walk. I was on my way to see the Tower up close. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you approach, she becomes more exhilarating, her web of iron beams woven into a constantly changing lattice of steely, sensual beauty. I spun around as I reached the underside of the Tower, snapping pictures furiously, giddy with pleasure. The mall before her stretched northward toward the Trocadero, a popular gathering spot for viewing and taking full scale photos of the Tower.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHVt1wHCzRM/TmvcqeRUHLI/AAAAAAAAIA4/W8DLNNQLj8k/s1600/paris-2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xHVt1wHCzRM/TmvcqeRUHLI/AAAAAAAAIA4/W8DLNNQLj8k/s400/paris-2004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Courtesy of FulcrumGallery.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was a tremendous buzz of activity at the foot of the steps at the plaza. It was a gathering of people from what seemed to be every nation on earth. All races, colors and creeds- hugging, posing for pictures, arms entwined, laughing and smiling. Jugglers, musicians, and hacky sack. It was magnificent. After I shot a dozen or so photos, a young girl asked if I wanted my photo taken. It seemed indulgent, but I was completely caught up in the touristy moment and said, "yes". I wasn't really prepared for my photo to be taken, but ready or not, it was. It was approximately 3:30 pm, Paris time. The photo serves as my "moments before it happened" portrait.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7GQ0DH99Aw/TmwpDZMFYaI/AAAAAAAAIBA/iraVcbAF5DE/s1600/Merry-go-round+B%2526W.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7GQ0DH99Aw/TmwpDZMFYaI/AAAAAAAAIBA/iraVcbAF5DE/s400/Merry-go-round+B%2526W.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Carousel at the base of the Eiffel Tower~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was feeling really energized and happy. We would be meeting back at the apartment in a little while for some Champagne, perhaps a little nap, and then off to celebrate Dan's birthday in style. I walked all the way from the 7th, back to our flat in the 4th and eyed up a little boutique that cut hair just around the block. On a completely spontaneous whim, I ducked in and asked for a haircut. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was ready for a change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Normally, English is spoken all over Paris, but my little shoppe was inhabited by all Parisians. And in Paris, if you don't strike up a conversation with someone, they'll just assume you aren't interested in any light banter (quite the opposite of US cities).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were only two chairs in the salon, so there was a bit of a wait for a walk-in. Carefree and my mind on our evening, I thumbed through a magazine from my bag and didn't pay attention to anyone else. Finally, it was my turn. I began with a quick wash, and when I sat in the proprietor's chair, <i>le jig</i> was up: I was an American. I had to explain what I wanted done, so in my worst broken French, I used a combination of Charades-like hand motions and "snipping" sound effects, punctuated with "<i>un peu</i>" and "<i>un petit peu</i>" to explain. As he began to cut</span>, I started to tense a little. Just then, a very voluptuous and stylishly dressed Madame came in, flitting around nervously and speaking very quickly in French. Again- sometimes I'd tune it out when I didn't need to listen- and so I wasn't. But the word "American" kept slipping into the conversation catching my attention, and my curiosity was peaked. My cutter kept darting his eyes back to me in the mirror, and mine to him and back to her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"You have heard what has happened, monsieur? In New York?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Umm- no?" I squeaked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Madame was next. "It eez terrible- two airplanes- they have crashed into zee towers, and they come all the way down- all the way down." Whether or not she uttered the word Pentagon was completely superfluous, because I was now fixated on whether she was a crackpot, or telling the terrible, horrible truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Yes- this is true", said my guy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this point, my entire body locked up and my eyes shot to my ashen face in the mirror, wondering how much longer this haircut could possibly take. As the snipping continued, I began to feel the blood drain out of my limbs, straight through my feet. My palms were sweaty, and I couldn't fathom what it was that had really happened and why, to say nothing of the real magnitude. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What seemed like the longest 25 minutes of my entire life, was finally over. I paid what I now believe to be $75 for my haircut and burst out the door. I feverishly ran through the curving streets that only days earlier might have taken me an hour to navigate. I began looking around at the people on the street, sitting in cafes, walking, talking on their phones and to each other. <i>They all knew what had happened- except for me. </i> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ran faster.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Down the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/meteorry/2780017799/">Rue du Bourg Tibourg </a>, passed the Lizard Lounge and up to the heavy door, I pushed hard and stumbled to the lift. As I got to the door, I burst in looking for a familiar face and found Dan sitting on the couch, putting on his shoes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Did you see? Did you hear?? Dan- Dan- put on the TV!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first images were of a city street strewn with fluttering papers and thick clouds of dark dust. There were pictures within pictures on the screen, and I could see emergency vehicles, scrambling people and jittery camera shots. A beautiful wide image of New York City sky was muddied by billowing black smoke, and then- right there, where the two most iconic of all American buildings once stood, there was nothing but blue sky and smoke. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The replay showed in succession the toppling of the south tower and then the north. I held one hand to my mouth and the other instinctively reached for Dan's knee as I uttered, "No. Noo. Oh, my God, Dan, no." </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21g1Z6JNRuA/TmwpoJSMDOI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/o_7Vjf8a5Ac/s1600/La+Guerre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" nba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21g1Z6JNRuA/TmwpoJSMDOI/AAAAAAAAIBQ/o_7Vjf8a5Ac/s400/La+Guerre.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Next Day: A State of War~ Photo R. Lhulier</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In France, we had the unique opportunity of seeing footage of the first plane hitting the first tower. If you recall from the miles of coverage, the only footage shot of the first plane was from a team of French film makers doing a movie on fire fighters in New York. That footage belonged to them- and was subsequently transmitted back to the stations in France. In it the beautiful clear sky and towers are framed in the rear, the cameraman completely unaware of what was about to happen. When the plane hit, it made a loud "POP", and the camera shook a little. Smoke began to immediately pour out the sides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The footage then cut to the moments after the towers fell. By then the brothers had turned their cameras to the streets beneath the shroud of ashes and smoke, a place that would forever be known as Ground Zero. That's when it got surreal. No movie or news footage ever looked as ominous or desolate as the images being broadcast. Men in business suits, still holding their briefcases, doused in soot, stumbled the streets along side dazed rescue workers. Bloodied women fought to keep ashes and tears from their eyes. Glass everywhere. And the paper continued to fall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It wasn't until we saw the next round of footage that we "heard" about the Pentagon and saw it burning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had to get out and get information, we needed to get the story. We went where we had gone just about every day since arriving, to the local internet cafe. The tiny storefront was lined with Americans who had pulled up real-time footage and headlines as they developed. Some were crying, some were dumbfounded. All were petrified. The picture was beginning to sharpen: 4 planes, terrorists, scrambled jets, a missing president, New York, DC, Pennsylvania, and always, the replay of that second jet hitting the tower. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only way to reach anyone in the States was through the internet. And at that time, most people were using the wholesome community of AOL for chatting and email. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Phones were so jammed with calls, they didn't work until the next day. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we signed on, no one- and I mean no one- was answering their chat. We finally reached a friend who promised to pass on to our families that we were "ok". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we resumed a slow, dogged pace back to the apartment, we spoke little as the facts were settling in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The world had changed. In an instant. There was no going back, and it would never be the same again.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ducked into the <a href="http://www.cheapblonde.com/">Lizard Lounge</a> across from our flat, owned and operated by American expats. Our Champagne was replaced by big glasses of vodka over ice. We talked of what was next. What could we do with the little resources we had, this far away from home. On Thursday of that week, we were supposed to leave Paris and head to the Loire valley for a wine tour for the rest of our stay. That plan was quickly scrapped. Would travel be disrupted? Would flights be cancelled? How long would we be "stuck" here (if there is such a thing as being stuck in Paris)? Were we at war, and if so, with whom? I don't remember exactly what else we talked about except one thing: s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">itting in front of the television or computer wasn't going to change anything. W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">e were going to go out and celebrate Dan's birthday. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Metro and stops along the way to the hotel where we would eat was empty, and suddenly, it was easy to get a cab on the street. The entire time prior to today, we three had done our absolute best to fit in among the French- using our French whenever we could, double-kissing, trying distinctly regional foods and drink, and buying clothing and eyeglass frames with a particularly Gallic feel to them. Tonight, however, we decided to be the people we were: unique, diverse and resilient Americans. And, hungry ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The appetite returned, the vodka kicked in, and we began to do what any red-blooded American would have done in our situation: we made fun of and mocked our snooty French waiter. After all, he was being a complete turd to us, so we let him have it- and we laughed and laughed over our opulent dinner. We even managed to drag the young busboy/fromager over to our side, as he became clearly aware of what we were doing. He managed to get in a jab or two at his <i>maitre de salle</i> in English. We had made a friend out of a stranger, and without his pity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span>s we caught a cab back, we sat silently, drinking in the beautiful colors and amber lights of the city. I kept a close eye on my now-illuminated, golden companion in the distance, her vigilant search light skimming the low-hanging clouds. This was to be no dream I would awaken from. And- yes, there was no going back. We all lost something that day, some significantly more than others. But, I was one of the lucky ones. For even though we had just met, I would go to sleep knowing she was there, watching over me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, it made it somehow a little easier to dream that night.</span><br />
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-92226944307022640872012-09-02T09:28:00.000-04:002012-09-02T09:28:48.870-04:00F&C Rewind: Gold in the Air of Summer<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kings of Convenience "Gold in the Air of Summer"</span></div>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-14900259325216177672012-08-30T13:35:00.000-04:002012-08-30T13:35:16.061-04:003 Years and a Blue Moon, Again<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>hree years ago this week (<a href="http://forkncork.blogspot.com/2009/08/august-27-2009-day-287-trapped-on-this.html">8/27/09</a>) I began ForknCork. With not much of an idea about what I would blog, I set forth and let the creative process develop. It's been a very rewarding experience, and one wholly self-indulgent. Rather than reflect on posts of the last three years, I decided that in observance of tomorrow's <a href="http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/when-is-the-next-blue-moon">Blue Moon</a>, I would re-post my Blue Moon post from October, 2010. It's a tribute to really rare wines, delicious food and very good friends. That pretty much sums up, for me, what ForknCork has been about. Enjoy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A</span><i> <b>"blue moon"</b></i> is one of those over-used superlatives indicating something so rare and so fancy-pants that everyone should take note. I admit it's both fun, but trite to use, but then my friends and I didn't really consider that when we dubbed what we thought was a once in a lifetime opportunity to taste uber-rare wines, while attempting to pair lofty cuisine worthy of their pedigree, would be the first of...more?</div>
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While a true lunar blue moon occurs when there is a second full moon in a calendar month (that's about 7 times every 19 years), we truly thought our opportunity was more akin to the mythical type (you know- like almost never?) than the literal. Yet, math was on our side.</div>
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Last year, I <a href="http://forkncork.blogspot.com/2009/08/once-in-blue-moon.html">blogged a dinner amongst these same friends</a> that documented the very scenario above. Given the enormity of it's rareness, we thought we were not likely to see one again, any time soon. It featured some of the most precious and sought after wines in the world- including a <b>1975 Chateau d'Yquem</b>, multiple first growth bordeaux, a <b>1963 Vintage Taylor Port</b> and a <b>1919 Chateau Haut Brion</b>, all provided by a passionate food and wine lover simply because he saw the enthusiasm with which we produced the first menu. It was, like the first time 10 years earlier, a night to remember. </div>
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Two months ago I got the call that our benefactor was coming back to town for business, and he wanted to do it all again, just 14 months later. As with the first two times, he chose 12 wines from his expansive and impressive cellar, emailed us the selections, and then shipped them overnight with painstaking care. Except this time, we had not six weeks to prepare a menu and line up our game plan, but three. </div>
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When faced with the prospect of pairing world-class wines from first-rate vintages, <span style="font-size: large;">you don't think about busting out the molecular gastronomy and culinary bells and whistles. <i>It's all about the classics</i>.</span> Example: a pairing from the first dinner 10 years earlier, which will forever be indelled in my memory, was as simple as it was brilliant. <b>A 1962 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti "La Tache" </b>was paired with a locally raised, <b>braised rabbit leg</b> with parsnips and local mushrooms. Simple. The rabbit was simmered until "confit tender". </div>
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It wasn't until days before our seafood purveyor, of all sources, queried whether we'd be interested in taking some fresh Maine wild blueberries that were being brought in by the same guys who were shipping day-boat halibut. The answer was a resounding, "DUH?". And so, to bridge that all important gap between what could be a white wine course <i>or</i> a red wine course, we added the berries to our braising juices and let them simmer. <b>The result defines the term "sublime" </b>(there was another impressive Burgundy paired with the dish from an equally impressive producer and vintage- but, the la Tache was so incredibly on point, and our elementary rabbit dish was so wonderfully complementary, that it silenced our group). Its extraordinary complexity and delicateness commanded a moment for us to regroup our thoughts before continuing. The perfect balance of components, married with a harmony of fruitiness, acidity and earthiness leaves me swooning to this day. Such is the power of the classics.</div>
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Sticking with that formula, a forward team that consisted of just myself and my surrogate "chef brother" Paul met one steamy, humid Sunday eve last month to handle the latest challenge. We gathered our notes on the latest round of wines, and, to lend some inspiration, we opened and reverently sipped a 1990 Chateau Latour. As is common, we aligned the wines in order of likely service and fleshed out an outline of the basics: main component and main flavor profile. With 12 wines slated for consumption, we decided to pour two per course, with the dinner lasting at least six courses (supplementary wines are often added by equally passionate attendees). But, we knew the crux of how it would all go down. We had only three days after that to consult a couple other possible chef friends who would participate to fine tune and finalize the menu, order our special ingredients and prep. All this while working our full-time jobs, managing our personal lives and performing our duties as <i>Pere de la Maison</i>. Challenging? Yes. Fun? Of course! Nerve racking? Well... you answer. The previous two dinners had consisted of no more than 10 attendees, and the most recent was looking more like 7 or 8. No matter, it like the others, had to be perfect.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Why does great wine command such respect and awe?</span> Like architecture, it's man's greatest achievement of harnessing nature to produce a product solely for the purpose of his pleasure. </div>
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The menu was finalized and the pieces fit into place, as they so often do. Pairing food and wine is an art, yes- but, it also becomes an exercise in common sense. Delicate wines require delicate preparations, aggressive ones need a little push. Never repeat ingredients. Create diversity of textures and temperatures. Contrast and complement. Multiple courses should build in intensity then back down- begin gentle, finish gently. Leave the table sated, not stuffed.</div>
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Despite how it may read, the following menu and wines were the final choices, and they followed all the guidelines above. The pictures, of course, tell the real story.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Warm up</span></b>: A little pre-game with Charles Gardet & Co.</blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1st Course</b></span><br />
Ragout of Veal Sweetbreads “Blanquette”- with beech mushroom, local sweet corn, tarragon and veal jus (not pictured)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2000 Chevalier Montrachet~ Bouchard Pere et Fils</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2000 Montrachet Marquis de la Guiche~ Joseph Drouhin</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2nd Course</b></span><br />
Braised Oxtail over quinoa and Doctor Martin lima beans - with thyme infused braising juices<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1989 Chateau Mouton Rothschild~ Paulliac</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1989 Chateau Lafite Rothschild~ Paulliac</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A little "fuzzy", I know- but trust me. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3rd Course</b></span><br />
Crispy Colorado Lamb Rillettes – risotto style “potatoes” and hen of the woods mushrooms<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1990 Chateau Latour~ Paulliac</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1966 Chateau Gruaud Larose~ St. Julien (not pictured)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Fourth Course</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pink Peppercorn Crusted New Zealand Veal Rack - truffle scented heirloom eggplant and lingonberry demi glace</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: large;">1995 Colgin~ Cabernet Sauvignon</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">2000 Inflagrante SQN~ Syrah</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">5th Course</span></b></b><span style="font-size: small;">Coconut Milk and Rum Braised Short Rib<br />With mole sauce and savory baked ricotta</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b></b><span style="font-size: large;">2003 Harlan Estate~ Cabernet Sauvignon</span> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">2006 Erna Schein “Fat Boy”</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6th Course</b></span></b><span style="font-size: small;">Roasted Black Mission Fig – gorgonzola dolce, pulverized prosciutto, pistachio and honey</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvYoZsjflI/AAAAAAAAGck/RCEUm0jyzdQ/s1600/Summer+2010+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvYoZsjflI/AAAAAAAAGck/RCEUm0jyzdQ/s400/Summer+2010+131.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: large;">1971 Chateau d'Yquem~ Sauternes</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">7th Course</span></b></b><span style="font-size: small;">Chocolate Espresso Pot d’crème with blackberry</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><span style="font-size: large;">1963 Graham's Vintage Porto</span><b><br /></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvZc6BIPzI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/KGohMzhM2jg/s1600/Summer+2010+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvZc6BIPzI/AAAAAAAAGdQ/KGohMzhM2jg/s320/Summer+2010+127.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvZWbXqIxI/AAAAAAAAGdM/1z6yFLfAY-4/s1600/Summer+2010+140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TKvZWbXqIxI/AAAAAAAAGdM/1z6yFLfAY-4/s400/Summer+2010+140.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chef Contributors: </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Paul Bouchard, Matt Crist and Robert Lhulier</span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wine Inspiration:</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">D. Paige and </span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ron Bouchard</span></span></span><br />
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-23561738197509070582012-08-29T14:53:00.000-04:002012-08-29T19:05:21.519-04:00Saluting a Mentor and Master<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmOyiSoC_KI/UD5Yv50r_AI/AAAAAAAAI3M/i9KXUvUkCjU/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+2012+111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pmOyiSoC_KI/UD5Yv50r_AI/AAAAAAAAI3M/i9KXUvUkCjU/s400/Chef's+Table+August+2012+111.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hen cooking for someone of importance, there is an undeniable motivating energy that comes while doing so. You have an extra "umph" to your slice, an extra "snap!" to your dice. When I first got out of school, I made a goal of setting a standard: "Never put out a plate that you wouldn't be proud of serving one of your instructors [from CIA]." I still use that credo today. But, when you're cooking to posthumously honor someone- and a very famous someone at that- not only do you step it up, but you feel a twinge of apprehension and a pang of pensiveness. "Must- not- mess- this- up." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mind you, high-end restaurants do their best work when the conditions are just right. That is, the tone is set by the chef and drives the rest of the kitchen. Create some "healthy anxiety" (as Charlie Trotter would say) and you'll get a lot more out of your people. They know it, too. When preparing the same food, day-after-day, this kind of diversion can be a welcomed change in the line-up. Such as it was e</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">arlier this month at <a href="http://www.universityandwhistclub.com/">The Whist Club</a>. We honored the late <b>Julia Child</b> on what would have been her 100th birthday with a special Chef's Table event. All the courses were chosen from or inspired by her essential cookbooks and ground-breaking cooking show. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo1Z1rRnH_k/UD5Z8fLhhmI/AAAAAAAAI40/XbZJv0sw0_k/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+2012+141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zo1Z1rRnH_k/UD5Z8fLhhmI/AAAAAAAAI40/XbZJv0sw0_k/s320/Chef's+Table+August+2012+141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I spent the days leading up to the dinner, I became engrossed in Julia's books (<i>Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vols. 1&2 and The French Chef).</i> Having met Julia while employed by the <a href="http://www.virginiahotel.com/ebbitt.html">Virginia Hotel</a> in Cape May as dining room manager, I felt a certain connection that brought me back to her memorable presence. And, what's not to love about her off-the-cuff, self-deprecating style of charm? You can actually <i>hear her voice</i> when you read the recipes. I can't say that about very many cookbooks I own. And so, with precision and determination, my team performed admirably. A great time was had by all. Here is the menu and some shots from the dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">UNIVERSITY
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CELEBRATES
JULIA CHILD’S<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">100<sup>TH</sup>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AUGUST
16, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Diner en Bleu</i><br />a nod to Julia's alma mater, Le Cordon Bleu</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MOUSSE
DE FOIE DE POULET<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PALMIERS
GOURMANDES<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gosset Brut Excellence, NV<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Outstanding, robust style of sparkling<br />from the oldest Champagne house in France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Chicken Liver Mousse, p. 559 Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol. 1, here on toasted brioche with fig jam and chervil</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hhuz31vEI8/UD5Y0RrAN3I/AAAAAAAAI3g/YtfjMk257m4/s1600/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9hhuz31vEI8/UD5Y0RrAN3I/AAAAAAAAI3g/YtfjMk257m4/s320/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+154.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our version of "palmiers" or elephant ears- savory;<br />one with sundried tomatoes, the other with pesto and goat cheese</span></td></tr>
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SWEETBREADS, BEECH MUSHROOM, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">COGNAC</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">A not-so-timid bite to begin: <br />dusted lightly in almond flour with cognac demi-glace and mushroom</span></td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Domaine du Carrou Sancerre "La
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velvety and fresh- the oysters from Cape May (Salts), NJ</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">SECOND
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SOLE
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">J.M. Boillot Meursault, 2008<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Delicate fillets of Dover sole with shrimp-scallop vin blanc, <br />black truffles and mushroom</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>with candied ginger</i></span></td></tr>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ch</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande";">â</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">teau
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReR1KUL96yc/UD5Y8VQEoRI/AAAAAAAAI4M/q4SHRJuvRUQ/s1600/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReR1KUL96yc/UD5Y8VQEoRI/AAAAAAAAI4M/q4SHRJuvRUQ/s400/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">J</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">ulia recommends buttered peas- but, we couldn't resist the Doc Martin limas we got earlier that day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hand-cut pappardelle noodles for the stew.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHEESE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TOMME
DE SAVOIE, PICO, SAINT AGUR <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AND
</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande";">É</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">POISSES;
SUGAR PLUMS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32aPTL0J2gs/UD5Y9isrciI/AAAAAAAAI4U/j62D63_FQGE/s1600/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32aPTL0J2gs/UD5Y9isrciI/AAAAAAAAI4U/j62D63_FQGE/s320/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DESSERT
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">VIENNESE
CARDINAL SLICE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mas Amiel <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Muscat</st1:place></st1:city> de Rivesaltes, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDVLztEsi84/UD5Y-h2GEmI/AAAAAAAAI4c/GmW7n_UrRpw/s1600/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDVLztEsi84/UD5Y-h2GEmI/AAAAAAAAI4c/GmW7n_UrRpw/s320/Chef%2527s+Table+August+2012+323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">layered meringue, genoise, espresso mousse with almond Anglaise</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MIGNARDISES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PETIT
FOURS AND MACARONS <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">As always, a little last few bites: apricot petit fours, chocolate-cherry and strawberry macarons.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">EXECUTIVE
CHEF ROBERT A LHULIER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SOUS
CHEFS ANDREW RAMAGE and STEPHEN SETH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PASTRY
CHEFS DEBORA SAIENNI <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">and MICHAEL PRESKE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE: See a feature article in the <a href="http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120829/LIFE05/308290022/French-master-chef?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CHome&nclick_check=1">Wilmington News Journal that ran today</a> on the dinner! And more photos on the <a href="http://blogs.delawareonline.com/secondhelpings/2012/08/29/wilmington-club-honors-julia-childs-legacy/">Second Helpings Blog.</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">RE-UPDATED: Ok- and now some video, too! This from <i>Signature Brandywine</i> Editor <b><a href="http://blogs.delawareonline.com/signature/2012/08/29/an-inspired-dinner/">Lucia Blackwell</a> </b>(also in attendance for the dinner).</span></div>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-33818961594428477982012-08-15T10:16:00.002-04:002012-08-15T10:16:58.006-04:00Happy 100th Julia!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TGISomkz_6I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/LiHrXXtvo20/s1600/amd_juliachild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/TGISomkz_6I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/LiHrXXtvo20/s400/amd_juliachild.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">"Just like becoming an expert in wine -- you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford -- you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. Then you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences."</span></blockquote>
Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-85371091058101581342012-08-10T10:19:00.000-04:002012-08-10T10:35:49.262-04:00F&C Rewind: Rainy Day<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr95F4CWfeI/AAAAAAAADf8/8v6dpOWOVjU/s1600-h/555px-Parcheesi.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr95F4CWfeI/AAAAAAAADf8/8v6dpOWOVjU/s400/555px-Parcheesi.svg.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>t's that awkward time of a Sunday morning when it's too early for lunch, nothing's on TV, I've read the paper and it's raining like a slow divorce. Rainy days like this remind me of when I was growing up. To kill the time, we went to the board games. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr96zvqEaTI/AAAAAAAADgE/xd6U2Ie2-rE/s1600-h/Parcheesi_piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr96zvqEaTI/AAAAAAAADgE/xd6U2Ie2-rE/s320/Parcheesi_piece.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's funny how your entire life can be relived in just a few Google-clicks. In looking for an image of the Parcheesi game (above), it sparked a brain cell or two of all the games we used to play growing up on rainy days. It also provides some added tidbits of trivia; for example, I didn't know Parcheesi was the National Game of India. Nor did I know it was first marketed to the world in 1867?! Colorful and simple, it was a game we could all play without getting into a fight (see Monopoly). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the other games were definitely age and gender specific. Take for example, the game my sisters loved, <b>Mystery Date</b>. Say what you will about the simplicity of Parcheesi, but no other game made 10 year old girls scream with delight like when they turned the knob and opened the door of their MYSTERY DATE! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr97tnqdHiI/AAAAAAAADgM/SeOukMpOX-E/s1600-h/mystery-date-board-game-classic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr97tnqdHiI/AAAAAAAADgM/SeOukMpOX-E/s400/mystery-date-board-game-classic.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was blatant and hilarious stereotyping at it's best, racist and elitist at worst. Note to all "nerd" types: our "look" has finally come into fashion. There was a playboy, a jock, a cab driver...just seeing if you're paying attention. So, if you were the little brother and wanted to play (of course you did), no matter who you opened the door on, it was cause for tittering at your expense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's about the time we'd cause the game to expectantly fly up into the air. And then we'd start another we could all get serious about: The Game of Life. <i> Dah-dummmmm</i>. Accumulating a carload of kids and getting insurance for your house while getting tax penalties was indeed a game about life, but not sure exactly what was fun about it. Oh- that's right- the people. Funner than filling your pie for Trivial Pursuit, it was the only important thing in The Game of Life: accumulating kids. To make it more accurate, they should have had food stamps, school lunch credits and Wal-Mart coupons.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr98rR63KGI/AAAAAAAADgU/OZtdz3iBFko/s1600-h/lifecartoon.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr98rR63KGI/AAAAAAAADgU/OZtdz3iBFko/s320/lifecartoon.gif" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the road, retirement awaited. When a Lifer reached the crossroads, he repaid his loans and parked the car in Countryside Acres or the ritzy Millionaire Estates, if he thought he had more money than his opponents. When everyone else had joined him, all the players counted their money, their stocks, their life insurance…and surprise, the Lifer with the most loot won. UPDATE: We are the 99%, indeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then, as in real life, you join the local bingo hall and develop an attachment for polyester.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-AKsadSRI/AAAAAAAADgc/i-vrmkkDHNM/s1600-h/cootie.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-AKsadSRI/AAAAAAAADgc/i-vrmkkDHNM/s320/cootie.bmp" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simpler games were available for less cerebral stimulation. Take for example, <b>Mouse Trap.</b> Build a Rube-Goldberg contraption, pull the lever and see if you can get the pre-fab plastic pieces assembled the way they were meant to without tearing a hole in the board and make the little bowling ball go through the trap. (Hey, I said it was less cerebral) Note: if you lose the ball, a marble will work. A golf ball will not. Or, what about the game <b>Cootie?</b> As in, you've got them. Construct a cootie bug and you win. THIS WAS REAL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anything that amounted to the suspense of something falling, breaking or buzzing was a big hit. <b>Operation</b> caused the most anxiety, however, as I began to sweat when it was time to remove the funny bone, only to feel a stronger than usual "jolt" of 9-volt generated punishment for doing so. Followed by a slight spritz my the Underoos.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-BGTrlnYI/AAAAAAAADgk/G46shhNUjRc/s1600-h/waitergame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-BGTrlnYI/AAAAAAAADgk/G46shhNUjRc/s320/waitergame.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another fave of mine that is apparently still around, <b>Don't Tip the Waiter</b>. A stupid balancing game whose name was the most clever aspect. <b>Jenga!</b>, another balancing game, was simply about appearing to be deft enough to not topple the tower of wooden blocks. <i>Jenga</i>!, by the way, oddly resembles the Spanish four letter word you might actually yell if you were playing with adults and the dog knocked this thing over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But there was one game I enjoyed only slightly more than <b>Clue</b> and that was <b>Masterpiece</b>. A game that involved only luck and collecting famous works of art you've paid for at auction, only to find out they could be forgeries. But, it included the names of the artists and the titles on the cards. As a kids' game, you were exposed to the world's most famous artists and their paintings. I'm SURE one reason <b>Grant Wood's American Gothic </b>is ingrained in the American conscience is because of this game. Or artists like Whistler and Rothko. WTF? Seriously, this was one cool game.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-DKHXt88I/AAAAAAAADgs/TIdGPZ5ABkk/s1600-h/masterpiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-DKHXt88I/AAAAAAAADgs/TIdGPZ5ABkk/s320/masterpiece.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You could always get Mom and Dad involved in a project, like <b>Shrinky Dinks </b>or <b>Shrunken Heads</b>. Again, I'm not sure where people's minds were in those days, but an activity that involves putting plastic into a hot oven seems dicey at best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, by the time you went through all the games under the sofa, it had likely stopped raining. Or <b>Ultra Man</b> was on. And, all was as right as rain.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-HIrS_gXI/AAAAAAAADg0/RenNrL4PfsQ/s1600-h/ULTRAMAN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/Sr-HIrS_gXI/AAAAAAAADg0/RenNrL4PfsQ/s200/ULTRAMAN.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-9780246074179942652012-07-31T16:46:00.000-04:002012-07-31T19:01:12.769-04:00July Chef's Table: Inspiration<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">F</span>or a chef, stepping outside the comfort zone to dine at a space that is hailed as one of the world's best restaurants can be both exhilarating and unsettling. There is a certain truth to the question chefs get all the time: "Are you super critical of food when you go out to eat?" There are two answers. I am not when I am dining where I know what I'm going to get. I am, when there is an enormous amount of hype about said meal. It's like going to meet your idol: what if they're an ass? I can safely say that was not the case last month when dining at <a href="http://elevenmadisonpark.com/">Eleven Madison Park in New York City. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not a tribute menu to that meal, nor was it meant in any way to mimic a technique or style. Simply put, this was the first Chef's Table after having eaten at EMP. And, between the always pristine produce of Haskell's SIW Farms, just-out-of-the-water seafood and the double digit courses from my New York experience, it became a meal based on inspiration. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 18pt;">THE
CHEF’S TABLE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">at
the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 16pt;">UNIVERSITY
and WHIST CLUB<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 16pt;">of
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">WILMINGTON</st1:place></st1:city><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">JULY
21, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">ROCK
SHRIMP<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">CORN<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Mumm Cordon Rouge, Brut NV<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warm corn fritter with corn "butter" and baby basil. Like the "grid" used to choose courses at EMP, I wanted the individual items to focus on only one ingredient and really sing. The bi-colored corn from Haskell's was sticky with sugar when husked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">HORS
D’OEUVRE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">RABBIT
TENDERLOIN and FIG<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">CRISP
NORI, SOY GLAZE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">magine the sweetness of fresh water eel; rabbit was wrapped in nori with fig jam and seared. Sweetened soy and micro </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">beet greens bridge the flavors</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">FIRST
COURSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">MASSACHUSETTES
ROCKFISH<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">CAVIAR
SAMPLING, SHAVED KOHLRABI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Pascal Jolivet Sancerre, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been doing a variation of a sashimi in this manner. I don't like to duplicate Chef's Table dishes, but when the quality of fish is so superior, it's hard to treat the fish any other way. Here three types of tobiko, and one of our own: persimmon-yuzu beads had all the pop and salt of a real caviar, but with a burst of citrus</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">SECOND
COURSE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">COLD
WATER LOBSTER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">HIJIKI
SALAD, CELERY HEARTS, </span><i><span style="font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light';"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Talbott, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yf3A-srDci4/UBg1uiD9J6I/AAAAAAAAI00/EuMOZsruQBE/s1600/Chef's+Table+July+2012+250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yf3A-srDci4/UBg1uiD9J6I/AAAAAAAAI00/EuMOZsruQBE/s400/Chef's+Table+July+2012+250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Far tastier than it photographed, a sous-vide lobster tail is placed atop hijiki seaweed seasoned with sesame and lotus; braised celery hearts hide beneath, adding a mellow curry flavor, and a reduced lobster stock is emulsified and spooned over the completed dish. The oak on the wine was subtle, but just enough to grab the nuttiness of the seaweed.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">PIMM’S
CUP AND GINGER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of several inspirations from our dinner was this intermezzo based on a cocktail. It contained the French spirit "Suze" (largely unavailable in the US) with Italian bitters, ginger and mint. Our version was made with Pimm's Cup, cucumber water, fresh ginger and orange bitters. Remarkably floral and refreshing.</span></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">MAIN</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">DUCK
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">APRICOT,
FOIE GRAS, WHIPPED POTATO<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Marchesi Antinori Badia
a Passignano Riserva,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Chianti Classico, 2006<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxgJFvpvhw4/UBg2DmXwB3I/AAAAAAAAI1E/zdQy3yh9pTU/s1600/Chef's+Table+July+2012+321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxgJFvpvhw4/UBg2DmXwB3I/AAAAAAAAI1E/zdQy3yh9pTU/s400/Chef's+Table+July+2012+321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seared breast of duck with apricot glaze; torchon of foie gras, fava bean and foie gras whipped potatoes. Toasted lemon thyme and fennel seed crust. If I never have the lavender honey duck at EMP again, I'll always have this dish to remember it by. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">CHEESE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">“SIW
FARMS” TOMATOES AND WARM MOZZARELLA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">MELON
CARPACCIO, SMOKED TOMATO VINAIGRETTE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7yyJQQsTdI/UBg2KLlAX0I/AAAAAAAAI1Q/jCIkH6mshn4/s1600/Chef's+Table+July+2012+379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x7yyJQQsTdI/UBg2KLlAX0I/AAAAAAAAI1Q/jCIkH6mshn4/s400/Chef's+Table+July+2012+379.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, what's so special about a caprese salad? When the mozzarella is made moments before it's served (and still warm), followed by heirloom toybox varietal tomatoes, sweet melon and smoked tomato vinaigrette, it becomes special.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">“DANCE
OF THE SUGARPLUMS”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">FIG
AND <st1:place w:st="on">PLUM</st1:place> TARTLET, BUTTERMILK ICE CREAM<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">Moet et Chandon,
Imperial, N.V.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atIl-vip47A/UBg2QvyEfNI/AAAAAAAAI1Y/5VPk8AF9xVc/s1600/Chef's+Table+July+2012+386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atIl-vip47A/UBg2QvyEfNI/AAAAAAAAI1Y/5VPk8AF9xVc/s320/Chef's+Table+July+2012+386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>SIW Farms</i> comes through again with sugar plums and figs, layered in buttery, rich pastry with a scoop of buttermilk ice cream (hiding) and cinnamon tuile. Served warm, naturally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 14pt;">MIGNARDISES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">HAZELNUT
ROCHER, STRAWBERRY COOKIE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><i> Next Month: A Tribute to Julia Child</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">August 15 will have been Julia's 100th Birthday. We'll be creating a special Chef's Table menu that pays tribute to the dishes and cuisine Julia popularized in her books and television cooking appearances. </span></div>
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<br /></div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-68863026584599385032012-07-11T16:57:00.000-04:002012-07-11T16:57:36.056-04:00Chef Quote of the Week: Marion Cunningham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8chltHLpNs/T_3n7yxMZnI/AAAAAAAAI0M/idwa0HxJrQs/s1600/cunningham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8chltHLpNs/T_3n7yxMZnI/AAAAAAAAI0M/idwa0HxJrQs/s320/cunningham.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“People are living like they are in motels. They get fast food and take it home and turn on the TV. Schools and sports groups have soccer practice or what have you during what used to be called the dinner hour. We don’t need more competitive sports. We need to sit facing people with great regularity, so we are making an exchange and we are learning to be civilized.” <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/us/marion-cunningham-cookbook-author-dies-at-90.html?hpw">Chef Marion Cunningham 1922-2012</a></span></span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-15861139118398736192012-06-13T15:17:00.000-04:002012-06-13T15:17:00.532-04:00Father's Day: A Short History of Inherited Lunacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbHCozMtoUI/T9jhx3IdIhI/AAAAAAAAIzo/oYHpu75mRVQ/s1600/fathers-day-beer-lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbHCozMtoUI/T9jhx3IdIhI/AAAAAAAAIzo/oYHpu75mRVQ/s400/fathers-day-beer-lg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I</span>n honor of Father's Day <b><i>and </i></b>my daughter graduating pre-K, I am reposting an article from last year's <a href="http://outandaboutnow.com/">Out & About</a> issue on, er-um...paternal inheritance! <i>Happy Father's Day!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~~~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>urning a certain age as a father, you begin to realize that
many of the paternal clichés you grew up with are destined to become part of
your life once again. It’s different
than the parental curse. Naturally,
that’s when your kids act just like you did, or worse. No, this is when you slowly inherit all the
traits you secretly snickered at your dad about behind his back as a kid. It begins with not asking for directions in
your 20’s. In your 30’s, you plan Sundays
in front of the TV with precisely the same snack spread as your pop, right down
to the favorite stinky cheese and nostril-flaming mustard. In your 40’s, you can nap on command. No lie.
Until recently, I never understood how my uncle and grandfather could sleep
through what can only be described as sheer mayhem at raucous family
gatherings. And, <i>snoring</i> like only a deep sleep can produce. Formidable is the only word that comes to
mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, what happens when the parental curse and the paternal
curse merge? I was having a rather
unsuccessful morning preparing the little one for daycare when she told me,
“N-O, spells </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NO</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.” I said, “That’s MY line!” Another back-atcha came when I grabbed her to
cut some of the roughly 20 minutes it takes to get her into the car seat, and
she turned just before I swooped my arms around her. She said with all the sincerity of a doctor
giving bad news, “Don’t even think about it.”
Four. Years. Old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am, and always have been, I suppose, the Master of Breakfast. It’s the first memory I have of cooking. Now it’s my gig, again. And, good thing, too. For my daughter, I usually have 7 or 8 viable
choices in the morning, all of which can be knocked out in 5 minutes or
less. I was making bacon for her last
month and asked, “What would you like with your bacon?” She said, “Sausage.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not all dad-isms, however, are offspring related.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For example, I confess a certain titillating feeling when I
enter the hardware store with a list of only two things to buy, and then I eye
up one of the liquor store-sized carts and begin planning an afternoon of
ambitious projects as I catch the heady aroma of fertilizer and garden hose
rubber. And, then I remember I only came
in for light bulbs and a bungee cord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps the most cliché of all is the myth of our innate
penchant to barbecue big pieces of meat.
<i>The steak is a lie</i>. Well, partially. Yes, we can barbecue (and barbecue well,
thankyouverymuch), but the idea of sending dear old dad out to the back yard
for roughly three months of the year to cook was created by the charcoal and
lighter fluid lobby headed by an all-female executive board. <i>Stick with me.</i> They discovered that giving “the man of the
house” an important task like cooking dinner and the freedom to do it outside
in the warm sun, usually with a beer in hand and the game on the radio- well,
let’s be frank: it leaves a rather peaceful and drama-free household for the
female sisterhood to enjoy. I believe in
corporate <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>,
they call this the “win-win”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what else is there to look forward to? From what I’ve seen, there’s cutting the lawn
in black socks and sandals. Memorizing
all the channels on cable. Boasting proudly
about your electric lawn and garden grooming devices. I’ve not yet been stricken with the
thermostat bug. Though, I hear once you
start, you can’t stop. I’m okay with
all of this. It lends a certain air of lunacy
and confusion to your standing in the family.
It might even, if you’re lucky, get you taken off some important (read: annoying)
task, leaving you time, of course- to nap. </span></div>
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</div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-13291998734030955312012-06-04T15:33:00.001-04:002012-06-04T15:33:20.489-04:00Salt, Round II<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCX4K-81tvY/T80MtrJfWaI/AAAAAAAAIzc/NXwHoVDHvqs/s1600/salt_shaker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCX4K-81tvY/T80MtrJfWaI/AAAAAAAAIzc/NXwHoVDHvqs/s320/salt_shaker.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Y</span>ou know summer is coming when news about salt intake and supersized soda banning makes it to the headlines. Well, here we are! I felt compelled to re-post one of my favorite tirades about idiocy in our society as it relates to moderation of the intake of everything from fat to salt, sugar, alcohol and even <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/nyregion/mayor-supports-plan-to-change-marijuana-arrest-policy.html?hp">marijuana (Mayor Bloomberg, you sly dog.)</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First, let me link you to the story on salt and how <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/opinion/sunday/we-only-think-we-know-the-truth-about-salt.html?_r=3">they're now saying there is no connection to hypertension and high blood pressure </a>(the rest of the argument falls in line, as far as I'm concerned.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second, to the aforementioned Mayor of the Big Apple and his personal crusade to slim down NYC residents. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/nyregion/bloomberg-plans-a-ban-on-large-sugared-drinks.html?pagewanted=all">One Big Gulp at a time. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sigh.</i> Here we go again...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it any more!!"</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you begin to read daily about idiotic food legislation, especially as it hits closer to home, you can only stay quiet for so long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is with these people? Assemblyman Felix Ortiz of the New York State Legislature <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/03/11/2010-03-11_assault_on_salt_an_insult_chefs.html">has proposed a bill</a> that would make it an offense for any restaurant in the state to prepare food for public consumption with...SALT. With each offense punishable by a $1000 fine. Yes- the calendar is correct- it is NOT APRIL 1.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seems Ortiz lost his father to a stroke from high blood pressure resulting (or so it's claimed) from high-sodium diet. Where was Ortiz when Papi was chomping on the pork rinds and soy nuts? He says high medical costs and poor health is what inspired the bill. This reeks of special interest groups and backroom funds changing hands. I mean- salt? Really?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Biologically speaking, salt (sodium) plays a major role in human health. It not only feeds nutritional mineral elements to our cells, it also dissolves, sanitizes and cleanses toxic wastes from our system. It is this latter function that makes salt such a healing substance. All classic biology textbooks refer to salt as the cleanser of bodily fluids." From <a href="http://altmedangel.com/salt.htm">"Everything you ever wanted to know about salt"</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay- so, if we're on the same page that salt is not the evil killer of restaurant goers, let's get on the same page regarding seasoning with salt. For a cook or chef to not season with salt (and pepper) is like a swimmer who tries to do laps without getting wet. Salt goes in the water your pasta is cooked in, it goes in the water your veggies are blanched in, it goes on the thick cuts of meat that get braised to permeate and season throughout for FLAVOR. FLAVOR, folks. Salt is a naturally occurring substance (you know, like on the periodic table of elements??) in foods. Fish live and thrive in salty water. I don't want to hear any flack from neo-hippies about raw veggie, no-salt diets. You're wrong about flavor. Seasoned food tastes better. Period. If you have issues with your salt intake, YOU deal with it, but keep your legislation off my pots and pickles! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt is a necessary (albeit tiny) component in baking. The baking process NEEDS salt. Are you going to tell me now that the great bakeries of New York City are going to have to cut salt from making their breads? NO salt= no bread. Idiots. Before we had commercial bakeries and bread was only made by hand, salt wasn't added because the salt from the hands of the baker and perspiration was all the bread needed to complete the chemical process of yeasts, sugars and salt, also known as fermentation. </span><br />
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<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="pageBodyColor">Salt slows down all the chemical reactions that are happening in the dough, including calming fermentation activity to a steadier level.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="pageBodyColor">Salt also makes the dough a little stronger and tighter.</span></li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="pageBodyColor">Salt impacts the shelf life of baked goods, but its effects depend on weather conditions. Salt is hydroscopic, which means it absorbs water. Consequently, in humid climates, it will trap moisture from the air, making a crisp crust soggy, and therefore shortening shelf life. In dry climates, however, the salt helps hold water in the bread longer, inhibiting staling, and thus extending the bread's shelf life.</span></li>
<li><span class="pageBodyColor"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt, of course, adds flavor to baked goods. It also potentiates the flavor of other ingredients, including butter and flour</span>.</span></li>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/S6D0VyriBOI/AAAAAAAAE64/lj3kfFqPpXc/s1600-h/BakeSaleVolTwo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/S6D0VyriBOI/AAAAAAAAE64/lj3kfFqPpXc/s320/BakeSaleVolTwo.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But enough about salt. Let's talk about legislation in schools. The same progressive city of New York is now sticking their heads in public schools and dictating not only how many bake sales can be held a month (ONE), but what can be sold ("<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/dining/17bakesale.html">Taking the Bake out of Bake Sale</a>") Otherwise, only fruits and vegetables and any of 27 packaged items that meet city Health Department guidelines on calories, fat and sodium (again with the sodium) can be sold at schools. I'd love to know what those 27 packaged items are, who came up with them, and what connections those people have to the companies that produce, market and sell them. More Nanny State b.s.. I don't see the State or City Legislature going after McDonalds. And you know why? Because they have too much money and political influence- and they can squash just about anyone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now Philadelphia has become the second city (guess who's first) to ban trans fats from ALL restaurants. Not some. All. It starts with things that are fried in trans fats and any spreads. Then after September 2010, it goes to all trans fats in foods of any kind in restaurants. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/S6D0lV4QwAI/AAAAAAAAE7A/TH5mBvH5qK4/s1600-h/FatDavidStatue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_raqQerK9Fno/S6D0lV4QwAI/AAAAAAAAE7A/TH5mBvH5qK4/s400/FatDavidStatue.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To say that education is the problem seems both obvious and unpopular. So let's break it down. <a href="http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/">This country is too damned lazy.</a> There is a reason more than half the population is considered "obese". There is a reason pre-packaged, hi-sodium, high-trans fats foods exist in tremendous abundance today: we are too god damned lazy. We want it fast, we want it convenient and we don't want to make it ourselves. And companies know this and create products because of the "need". Gives disgusting a new meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we took an interest in our health, our family's health and our impact on each other, awareness would more than serve as a balance. We are at a point in history with technology and information where practically everything is at our fingertips. Why do we need ridiculous laws to govern the ungovernable when radio, news and television could do stories on these "dangers". Why are they only covered when someone tries to pass widespread legislation that hamper our civil rights? I know there are documentaries out there. But people pay to see them. It's like preaching to the choir. Why not put an hour long special on prime time television about salt and show people why it's necessary, how too much can harm you, a little bit of history, and throw in some boobs to keep people interested. This country has gone over the edge, I tell ya.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do we really need to connect the dots for some people? Do we really need to narrate a not-so-unbelievable scenario that has people buying soggy, taste-free bread because we're unable to trust ourselves with intake? Do we really want to go into restaurants and ask for the salt shaker (to apply the salt ourselves) before we ask for a menu or cocktail? Do we really want and need ANY agency to tell us what we ingest, how much and to what degree? The answer of course is "NO" to all the above. We don't want or need those scenarios, but they are not far from becoming reality if we don't do something and say something about it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The French must be laughing their asses off at us. "No salt in zee food?! Ahaaahaahahaahaaa! What next? U can cook only in purified water?!? Ahhahahahahhaaaaa!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm certain the bottled water lobby has a plan on the table already.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen- I'm not a fanatic. But this is just people in positions of power making STUPID laws because they think WE are stupid. And unless we say "no", it's going to continue. It starts with awareness and needs exposure and education. And how about some responsibility? A dash of common sense? Are these fanatical concepts? Nope. They just keep us from looking...well, stupid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-25167627290798261702012-05-25T18:01:00.000-04:002012-05-25T18:01:54.970-04:00Spring Comes to Dinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RyaTFrJYHU/T8AA2Mw94MI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/u4UehqA0W0Q/s1600/UWC+Kitchen+Shots+108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RyaTFrJYHU/T8AA2Mw94MI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/u4UehqA0W0Q/s400/UWC+Kitchen+Shots+108.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he Chef's Table at University Whist Club had been on hiatus, but last night it returned with a seasonal flourish. Here's what was on the table.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobster Medallions on Brioche with Strawberry-Mango Relish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Beef and Lettuce Wrap with Jicama Slaw and Horseradish</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Roederer L’Ermitage Brut, NV<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bouche<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Steeger
St.</span></i></st1:address></st1:street><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"> Jost Riesling, Kabinett
Halbtrocken Wingut, <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d17VJD5zWw/T7_-iA1_4SI/AAAAAAAAIxo/a-jdACZN3-M/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7d17VJD5zWw/T7_-iA1_4SI/AAAAAAAAIxo/a-jdACZN3-M/s400/Chef's+Table+August+079.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon Vinegar and Mirin, Tangerine Lace and Pink Peppercorn</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First
Course<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Southern Fried
Soft-Shell Crab<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">smoked ham gravy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Darioush Chardonnay, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Napa</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype></st1:place>,
2010</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cLnQ2Rvmrw/T7_-wrVhUkI/AAAAAAAAIxw/ULX6b9jqQZ8/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cLnQ2Rvmrw/T7_-wrVhUkI/AAAAAAAAIxw/ULX6b9jqQZ8/s320/Chef's+Table+August+086.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smell of this dish was intoxicating.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Second
Course<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Guinea Hen Breast and
Foie Gras<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">summer truffles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Ponzi, Pinot Noir, Reserve, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Willamette</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Oregon</st1:state></st1:place>,
2003</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">(not pictured) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Intermezzo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Kumquat and Honey
Sorbet<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<st1:place w:st="on"><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Main</span></st1:place><span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Korean Style Beef
Short Rib<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">pickled heirloom vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Domaine Combier,
Crozes-Hermitage “Clos des Grives”, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2onwXwNJZw/T7_-95Io-QI/AAAAAAAAIx4/pjGbZ9daILY/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y2onwXwNJZw/T7_-95Io-QI/AAAAAAAAIx4/pjGbZ9daILY/s400/Chef's+Table+August+091.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Layers of flavor; rubbed, braised and then charred with bean paste. The greens were the tops of the mini veg.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cheese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Brillat Savarin
and <st1:place w:st="on">Mission</st1:place> Fig<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">toasted hazelnuts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VjHAI4wH-Y/T7__I2uUlGI/AAAAAAAAIyA/9faGadyFiqg/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3VjHAI4wH-Y/T7__I2uUlGI/AAAAAAAAIyA/9faGadyFiqg/s400/Chef's+Table+August+094.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple; delicious.</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dessert
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Blackberry-Rhubarb
Crepe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">orange zest syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Roero Brachetto “Fosso della
Rosa”, Giovanni Almondo, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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(not pictured)</div>
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<span style="color: #003366; font-family: 'Copperplate Gothic Light'; font-size: 14pt;">Mignardises</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";">Coffee-Chocolate
tartlet and pistachio madeleine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJrSNITs97I/T7__XkO5zEI/AAAAAAAAIyI/VqYQqV3JVPg/s1600/Chef's+Table+August+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJrSNITs97I/T7__XkO5zEI/AAAAAAAAIyI/VqYQqV3JVPg/s320/Chef's+Table+August+101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Light";"><br /></span></b></div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-13354640568055390012012-05-18T11:50:00.000-04:002012-05-18T11:51:16.022-04:00Chef Quote of the Week: Thomas Keller<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k4RyJJYTJ8/T7Zs7roE_6I/AAAAAAAAIpg/yHlAIGI8Neg/s1600/kellerperse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_k4RyJJYTJ8/T7Zs7roE_6I/AAAAAAAAIpg/yHlAIGI8Neg/s400/kellerperse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">“W</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith the relatively small number of people I feed, is it really my responsibility to worry about carbon footprint?” Mr. Keller asked. “The world’s governments should be worrying about carbon footprint.” </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/dining/for-them-a-great-meal-tops-good-intentions.html?">Chef Thomas Keller on "chefs' obligation</a>"</div>
</span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-82485761746199523322012-05-15T19:21:00.000-04:002012-05-15T19:53:29.701-04:00"Perfection" is just CLIX Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pI1cf_WE1ts/T7LN8sZH6II/AAAAAAAAIpA/FbXfg2ULcmg/s1600/clix+vodka.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pI1cf_WE1ts/T7LN8sZH6II/AAAAAAAAIpA/FbXfg2ULcmg/s320/clix+vodka.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span>he other day, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was reading my foodie news online before I took a shower, and I did something I never do. I clicked on one of the ads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was for <i>CLIX Vodka</i>. Then, I looked down and saw the price: <b>$299.99</b>. <b>Harlan D Wheatley CLIX Vodka</b> sells exclusively on the Pennsylvania Liquor Board's wine and spirits website. $300 Vodka; really? <i>Whoa</i>. It comes in this handsome crafted burl wood travel box and (of course) a crystal decanter. Let's face it, if you're gonna drop three bills on a bottle of vodka, it should be travel-ready, right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CLIX does not rhyme with *sticks*, it's actually Roman numerals for 159, or how many times this vodka has been distilled. Double whoa.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> ...Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley didn't stop until he reached 159 distillations when he created his namesake vodka, HDW CLIX. Named for Harlen Davis Wheatley and the Roman numerals denoting the number of times it was distilled, (159), the HDW CLIX project idea started ten years ago at Buffalo Trace Distillery.</span></div>
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The vodka is made from red winter wheat, rye, yellow dent distiller’s grade corn and distiller’s malted barley, combined with limestone-rich water. The process includes cooking, fermenting and distilling from an original 28,400 gallons of mash, dividing it down and re-distilling over a period of twelve months, resulting in 159 distillations, 332 gallons and 2,000 bottles of vodka. Before the final bottling, the product was rested in a stainless steel tank for 12 months.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e45dsEBj5pA/T7LOBKxtbXI/AAAAAAAAIpI/7IFIJhPGSRU/s1600/CLIX-Still.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e45dsEBj5pA/T7LOBKxtbXI/AAAAAAAAIpI/7IFIJhPGSRU/s400/CLIX-Still.png" width="275" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This is the still where CLIX is made. This is straight-up Willy Wonka shit right here. Impressive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most vodka drinkers enjoy a smooth vodka with no harsh aftertaste. And, obviously the more you distill something, the smoother it gets. Let's be clear, distillation removes impurities. Clarified butter is butter removed of its impurities, too; fat solids that, in some people's opinion, equate to flavor. Yes, you can cook longer and at higher temperatures with clarified butter, but brown butter is one of cooking's greatest hidden pleasures. Baking, for example, with brown butter that resolidifies is sublime. Deep, nutty flavors emerge from heating the butter and cooking those impurities, not OUT of the butter, but IN the butter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vodka when distilled, depending on your ingredients, will give you a clean flavor, too, but doesn't it stand to reason the more you distill the spirit, the more neutral it will become? Does neutrality of flavor equal quality?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what they say,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"...In creating HDW CLIX, we strove to capture the essence of perfect vodka - smooth; subtle; soft; elegant; structured; clean on the nose and palate. Extensive organoleptic testing and sophisticated chromatography confirm the results - we achieved the perfect vodka." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Organoleptic testing and sophisticated chromatography? Okay- sounds like very few people would (or can) argue with that, especially since it's confirmed. Now what the hell does it mean?!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpw88wHzf6E/T7LfVdlSYKI/AAAAAAAAIpU/soJ46Te_kD0/s1600/Vodka+is+just+awesome+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dpw88wHzf6E/T7LfVdlSYKI/AAAAAAAAIpU/soJ46Te_kD0/s320/Vodka+is+just+awesome+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">So full disclosure, here: I'm not a huge fan of vodka. In general, I think a lot of vodka is insipid. I enjoy Kettle One, but only by itself. Vodka and any mixer is just a way to get effed up without the calories of beer and wine, and is less likely than scotch to get you a road test if pulled over. Flavored vodka? It is proof that the Devil exists and he wants your young adult children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What does it taste like, I wonder? I've found it very difficult to find any sort of product review, other than the shelf-talkers on every website that has the same photos I have posted. I presume it should be kept in the freezer and never touch ice. If you're going to go that far, why taint it with merely once-distilled tap water? You should probably choose a glass that will complement whatever bouquet (essence de rien) it may yield. And, it goes without saying, this is sipping vodka.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sigh. I dunno. I'm trying to imagine if I'm really missing anything, and I can't. </span></div>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7126109314881195685.post-75254059048859074862012-05-10T20:06:00.000-04:002012-05-10T20:06:13.237-04:00Mother's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oO0IEzur27w/T6xRjcHNd7I/AAAAAAAAIok/FE8sTybJO-o/s1600/Stay+at+HOme+MOm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oO0IEzur27w/T6xRjcHNd7I/AAAAAAAAIok/FE8sTybJO-o/s320/Stay+at+HOme+MOm.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span>hen that day which is dedicated each year to our mothers comes around, it seems almost insincere and rings a little hollow to hold it just once a year. I mean, there really ought to be one each month, if we are to properly acknowledge their familial contributions and sacrifices. I know every 28 days I was thrilled that I made it through another month, mostly as a result of being spared by my mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My argument for this stems from my belief that mom is the Worrier in Chief. They deserve a little more consistent recognition. For example, when you're off putting on 20 extra pounds at college, snorkling in areas far flung from ambulances or a heli-pad, unexpectedly quit your job or are overseas visiting a country during a huge ethnic conflict, you're able to enjoy yourself because you've left your worry at home. With her. Like the dog. Sure, it'll be "ok", but every once in awhile she worries about it. Lets it out to run around. And then tucks it into bed. (And you had better bring a gift back.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They take a lot in stride. Such as the cliches associated with Mother's Day.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gileso8VQM/T6xR_kZDI0I/AAAAAAAAIos/sSIiaREPX9s/s1600/vintageads3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3gileso8VQM/T6xR_kZDI0I/AAAAAAAAIos/sSIiaREPX9s/s320/vintageads3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like, where the origins of preparing breakfast in bed for mom ever came about cannot even be found on the internet, so let's just agree it's safe to say this is a complete misconception, and one likely to annoy the hell out of her. Anyone in their right mind knows that this would increase the chances of getting crumbs in the bed- hello, toast??- the sheets dirty or spilling syrup on the duvet. What the hell were you thinking? No- from what I've seen, moms would be happy if everyone just cleared the hell out of the house for 5 or 6 hours so they can clean and have some peace and quiet. And when you do return, don't even think about messing up for three days after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we're talking about cliches, let's talk about flowers. If you've given mom fresh cut flowers, you're thinking, but not hard enough. She's now got to change the water every other day and clean up the dead petals for the next five days and then throw the whole damn thing away. And, if you've given a potted plant, you've just made even more work for her. Another thing to take care of, except the more water you give it, the longer it lives. <i>Good thinking!</i> No; flowers and plants are also a misconception of what mom wants on her day. Now, if you show up on Sunday and water the garden and cut the grass? Now you've given her something she can use. Rake the cut grass and put the yard waste into separate bags- and while you're at it, take the trash to the curb, because after re-doing the garden the day before for all that company, there's all kinds of crap to get rid of. And take your shoes off before you come in, you little piggy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And before you even think it, chocolates are right OUT. Now she has to deal with the guilt of eating them, while pretending to appreciate the gesture. Way to go. So, when she shares them, you had better take them. Not to mention, only she knows where to get the really good chocolates, so just forget it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be considerate of what your mom's been through! Anything short of a Platinum Level pass to the mall is unacceptable. Or Hollywood-grade spa services. Or hard liquor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tell her that her hair looks terrific, that her blouse really compliments her eyes and that compared to her, Joan Collins is a tramp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please don't cart her around in the sedan and trot her out to the buffet with punch fountains and tomato roses. In short, Mom just wants to know that <i>YOU</i> know how hard she's worked, and the longer she gets to sit in one place that day, the happier she'll be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01996108412614179437noreply@blogger.com0