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Father and son, both shirtless, we stood in front of the mirror, razors in hand. He carefully mimicked my actions as we applied a thin sheen of Gillette’s best before he hefted the razor suspiciously. “You don’t need to rush this,” I offered. “These blades may be incredibly thin but they’re unimaginably sharp. So […]
Kid Stuff
This essay originally appeared in the September 2002 issue of Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine The Beechcraft King Air 200 has shut down; the passengers disembarked and as the pilots are walking away I whisper into my 4-year-old son’s ear “Wave at the pilots”. It works like a charm. One of the pilots walks […]
Bits of Glass
I recently picked up one of my favorite books from my childhood, Edward Jablonski’s Flying Fortress. It’s a highly researched and detailed account of the brave American airmen that flew B-17 bombers during World War 2. I can remember devouring that book in fifth grade and hoping that one day I would also be […]
Bits of Glass
I recently picked up one of my favorite books from my childhood, Edward Jablonski’s Flying Fortress. It’s a highly researched and detailed account of the brave American airmen that flew B-17 bombers during World War 2. I can remember devouring that book in fifth grade and hoping that one day I would also be […]
“A Friend is Coming to Visit” Part 4 of Phil and Rannie’s Story
Phil has lost more weight, his pajama clad form looks as if he’s become one with the bed, and his body has sort of melded into the sheets and blankets. I sit down next to him and reach for his hand and he grimaces in pain so I release his hand. For weeks his daughters […]
Cabot Pimento Cheese & Chicken Soup
I’m always taken aback when I cook at a friend’s house and I’m asked if I “mind cooking.” I’ve actually known chefs that would answer “Yes.” Seriously, if you don’t love it then why would you do it? While spending a week at the beach with friends I’ve been doing a lot of cooking […]
Goliath
“Who the hell’s talking to you , ya goh-dang moe-rahn!?” The words thundered out of his mouth on a vitriolic spray of spit, his bloodshot eyes burning into mine. My heart rate exploded and the bile immediately rose into my throat. This Goliath of a man had at least 100 pounds on me and towered […]
Handmade Doughnuts for Nat’l Doughnut Day
Friday June 1st is National Doughnut Day so why not celebrate this quirky event by making your own doughnuts from scratch? It’s not that hard but you will have to stand over a half gallon of 325 degree oil. If you can exercise a little caution with the oil and promise not to fry these […]
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 […]