February 2012
2 posts
10 tags
Ode to the perfect knife. I can't help it. I'm in...
This, friends, is my knife.
Well, not my knife individually, but they are one in the same. You get the picture.
I’m not a rep, a salesperson, nor do I have any affiliation with the company. But I am OBSESSED with my Wusthof Classic Chef’s Knife.
It is a thing of beauty. It fits my hand like it was designed for me. It balances perfectly. I can hold it a solid four different...
7 tags
January 2012
1 post
7 tags
Teamwork
The kitchen is a battleground. It’s you and your team versus everyone sitting in the dining room. If that team isn’t a cohesive unit, you go down in flames. When your team doesn’t work together, it’s like going to war with just your sidearm.
Recently I have become frustrated with my team. No, not with the whole team, because most of them are on the same page as...
December 2011
4 posts
6 tags
Citrus Vinaigrette
See the previous post for the story, but, this is my take on a fresh citrus vinaigrette. It is sweet enough to cut the acid of all the citrus juice, but not so sweet that you can’t find the flavors. Goes great on any summer salad, or as a marinade for chicken and fish.
1/2 c Fresh Orange Juice
1/2 c Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 c Fresh Lime Juice
1/3 to 1/2 c Fresh chopped cilantro
1 Tbsp...
Citrus Vinaigrette and Satisfaction.
It can be frustrating to go to the same kitchen, the same station, every single day. You get tired of making the same food over and over, you get bored, you lose motivation. It happens. To everyone.
Then there are these brief shining moments that make it all ok.
Like when someone trusts you enough to hand you 30 short ribs and say “braise these, here’s the recipe.”...
7 tags
Now trending....food lists for 2011 and 2012... →
I thought this guy was nuts... then I got the... →
November 2011
1 post
Simple words, great weight.
Nothing great ever came from taking a shortcut. Look at your finished product… it was worth it, wasn’t it?
A wise person in my kitchen said this tonight.
She then continued to say (later in the conversation):
High risk, high reward, you know? I almost burned down the house tonight, but ….. mmmmmm delicious.
Sometimes, simple words carry an incredible weight....
September 2011
1 post
Welcome to Friendly's, Can I take your order?
SO here’s a good one -
person comes into the bar a few nights ago… and proceeds to order 20 bud lights and 20 servings of ice cream…. to go.
the bartender laughed in the person’s face before the realization set in that they were serious.
Here’s my beef - I do not work at friendly’s. While yes, icecream is on our menu, and I suppose you are entitled to...
August 2011
2 posts
I don't care what you have to do, SHOW UP.
Quick story about my day/night last night, then we’ll get into the deep-seeded issue I have that makes this such a big deal.
So the east coast got pounded by Hurricane Irene over the past few days, we all know this.
I live 40 minutes from the restaurant, which happens to be on the east coast. I went to work yesterday. I drove back into Irene, after she had cleared out of my vicinity,...
New Day, New Job, New Rants.
Recently I began working as a professional cook. For fear of losing my job, I can’t tell you who I am or where I cook and I can’t use any names, but stay tuned for a variety of ranting, raving, laughing, crazy times. Topics will include:
get up, show up, shut up
never, ever, stop moving.
disillusioned culinary arts students
what ever happened to integrity, anyway?
THERE IS NO...