Sorry I am day late! I am working with Texas Pete Hot Sauce at the Flavor Experience in Newport Beach, California. I THOUGHT I would have time yesterday to post, but it was a whirlwind of epic proportions from early in the morning until late at night! Enjoy this week’s post and thanks for being patient!
Do you wonder what Chefs do on their night off? Well some would say they eat soup and frozen pizza, but I know better. They cook for each other.
Last week I was invited to participate in dinner at Chef Jesse Moreno’s house. There were no less than 6 Chefs and at least 2 pastry Chefs in attendance and I was instructed the theme was “Mediterranean”. Of course I twitched and freaked – I mean SHIT! Chefs were going to be eating my food – AGAIN! (Moment of Truth – I ALWAYS freak out when Chefs or Critics eat my food – massive fear of failure). I made spanakopita and dolmades – because I can do that with my eyes closed and KNOW it is edible. Not fancy, but FAMILY style food that can be picked up and walked away with. I made a good choice, because there was some amazing food and no duplicates! Gorgeous chicken kebabs, lovely salmon, falafel, tzatziki, hummus and other fab food. All made in collaboration and with a fair measure of humor and love. And last but not least was Carmen’s amazing baklava.
You would think that egos enter into the picture and that they are constantly trying to “out-do” each other, but with this crew, that is not the case. I KNOW some Chefs have egos as big as the great outdoors, but with the Cutthroat Crew it is more about collaboration than about proving who is best. It’s a real family affair with kids, spouses and everyone getting their hands in on the action. Hubby John has a unique talent that the Chefs appreciate and his beer is always a hit! Everyone takes turns washing dishes, straightening up and holding the babies.
Set aside the fact that there was a film and camera crew there. Everyone left their egos at the door and had a great time. So, here is the thing, there are the old school Chefs who are established and staid and frankly…well, sometimes a little boring if truth be known. And then there is a whole new breed of Chefs. The Underground, the Fringe, the Upstarts. I told Friend Lynn about how fun this event was and she said she remembers going to events JUST like this twenty five years ago with Charlie Palmer, her ex-husband Rick Moonen and David Burke where they were the upstarts with BBQ’s of their own. Now it is Christian Dolias, Jesse Moreno and their gang (it’s not a gang, it’s a club – the Black and White Knife Club to be exact).
This may come as a shock to some of you, but in school I was NOT one of the “Cool Kids”. Red hair, freckles AND smart? Really? No! I THOUGHT I wanted be a “Cool Kid” when I was in school, and then I decided I was fine the way I was. As an adult I am WAY cooler than I was in school and now the “Cool Kids” invite me to their events and I STILL feel like the Ugly Duckling, even though I know I am a swan.
