Yeah, I know the real lyrics to the song, but it wouldn’t be true for me.
For many people, back stage passes at a concert or all area passes on a movie set are the coolest thing imaginable. They dream of meeting their fave celeb or rock star and having a few words and hopefully a photo taken. Not me. For me, the coolest thing ever would be to meet Chefs, cook with them in their kitchen or go out to eat with them. I dream of traveling with Anthony Bourdain (Moment of Truth – he scares me a little – and so does Octavia, his wife) or Andrew Zimmern and eating everything they do and not being a wuss about anything (I draw the line at bugs). I dream of getting invited into Hubert Keller or Thomas Keller’s kitchens and learning from them while we handle sharp knives together. Sadly, this has yet to happen. The closest I ever got to any of that is meeting Culinary Giants, chatting for a few minutes and having my photo taken with them. Oddly enough, I have worked in the kitchen with Rick Moonen, twice. Yes, I was afraid – he’s intense (Hello, Pot? This is Kettle.) – but we both had a few beers and we were both relaxed enough to tolerate each other’s idiosyncrasies.
Chef Rick Moonen and I with Friend Becky. Getting the dinner prepped for Friend Sam’s Bday Party. And Yes, I had been “goosed” right when this pic was taken!
Growing up I always wanted to be where the food was, and I still do. I wanted to know how it was made, where it came from (and that is a WHOLE different blog) and who did the cooking. As a kid, I thought anyone who did the cooking was a CHEF. Of course now I know better, and while I am a really good cook, I am not a CHEF. I haven’t earned that title in any way, and I am a little ashamed/embarrassed/humbled when people call me that, even though they mean it as a compliment. I haven’t worked professionally in the field, I haven’t completed school, and I have no idea how to run a whole staff of people. THAT is what a chef does. It is so much more than just the cooking part. I have been influenced by many really great cooks throughout my life, both men and women, some who really are chefs and others who just touched my life with their food. They all inspire me and I am grateful for their presence in my life!
High school buddy, Chef Tim Grandinetti (in the toque – Chef and operator of the soon to open Spring House in Winston Salem) and Chef Nathan Duensing – Exec Sous Chef at the Michigan Ave Marriott Hotel – at The Texas Pete booth at Vegas Uncork’d 2010
With Chef Kerry Simon at KGB in Harrah’s for Hunger Action Month Kickoff Party
The Silver Fox, Chef Hubert Keller at Vegas Uncork’d 2011
Chef Beni Velazquez from Bar + Bistro at the Shuck & Swallow Oyster event at First Food & Bar (watch for him on Food Network soon!)
The charming and lovely Chef Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods – one of THE nicest guys I have ever met!
So this week is more of a photo blog, of me, the people who inspire me and make me happy with their work in the kitchen and of course what I made for Valentine’s Day! It was not meant to be a retrospective on my hair, but yes, I do realize that my hair is different in every pic. And for those of you who are curious, I made Lobster Thermidor for VDay!
This week’s Food Memories are a wonderful Thai lunch with Friend Dani at Le Thai (downtown), Fancy dinner at home with the love of my life for VDay, Sushi at RM Seafood and getting to meet Andrew Zimmern.
Until next week, go out and make your OWN Food Memories!
