Doughnuts for Chapel Hill
Months ago I convinced Marilyn Markel, the director of the cooking school at A Southern Season to host me for a demonstration class. Amy and I decided to celebrate our 25th at the same time so we turned it into a long weekend, sans kids. I surprised her by trading favors with a friend and he […]
“Chef, what if you don’t have an Iron?”
New Orleans in August is damn hot and the air-conditioner in this 40 year-old building was struggling. There were 45 of us crammed into a class room designed for 30. Eager, arrogant, excited and cocky but most of all we were sweaty. The first day of culinary school at Delgado Community College, dressed in our […]
Happy 25th Sweetheart
Although our anniversary is still a few weeks away, Amy and I are celebrating this weekend. We’re headed to Chapel Hill where I’ll teach a cooking class at Southern Season centered around the food in my novel, Doughnuts for Amy. I swapped favors with a very good friend of mine and he has loaned me […]
Jessica the Carpenter
When I first read Jessica Kristie’s poetry, I was stunned into silence. Jessica has an incredible, God-given talent to polish, soften and shape a handful of words into three demensional images and breathtaking emotions. Take a few minutes from your busy day to read Waiting Bridges. First close your eyes, take a deep breath, then slowly read Waiting Bridges. Now […]
May-Lick or Mah-Lick?
Back in the summer of 2001, Fox & Friends was hosting a Labor Day Cookout show and they invited three chefs to prepare outdoor recipes and somehow or another I made the cut. So I reached out to Bell & Evans Chicken and they wanted in so I went to NY and represented Bell & Evans Chicken. I […]
Lonely
My family is away for the weekend. I get home about 11:15. I lingered at the restaurant, looked for little things to do before leaving but eventually the boss chased me out. I take my time driving home then have a slow drive through our neighborhood before I stop in front of my house. I […]
Just what is para-normal?
“I’ve got to get you to the doctor.” Amy was shaking her head as she read the thermometer. “A hundred and three, damnit, come on John, can you get up?” I was drained, sweating and shaking from the chills and weak from two days without food. My wife managed to stuff me into the front […]
The Ageless Appeal of Pinot Noir
Thomas Torrey, the web and video genius for Senior Living Communities, shot this video of me hosting a Pinto Noir tasting in the dining room of my former place of employment. I loved getting out of the kitchen and doing fun events such as this. My wine tastings always a big hit and a lot […]
Chicken Sausage Enchiladas
Every day, every shift, we make a meal for the staff. It’s usually made from scraps, leftovers and tidbits and it’s always delicious. It better be because in a busy restaurant where teamwork is paramount, everyone needs to know that they are important to success. One of the ways that’s done is through […]
The Inscrutable Mind of a 14 Year-Old Boy
We have a guest bathroom in our house. It’s on the first floor, just a small bathroom with a toilet, sink, a mirror and some decorative sconces filled with dried flowers on either side of the mirror. There’s no room in that bathroom for toiletries because it’s a guest bathroom, for guests, and you wouldn’t […]