Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2009 – A Year of Culinary Types

Food provides nourishment and is central to our lives. But the people who grow, cook and share food are those who give it context and relevance for our sustenance and our celebrations. During 2009, the stories of “Culinary Types” reinforced how important individuals are to our understanding, enjoyment and collective appreciation of food.

We started the year shopping for the Perfect Pantry item at Dean & Deluca with blogger Lydia Walshin. The quintessential community organizer and nurturer, Lydia’s Drop In & Decorate Cookies for Donation will soon mark the donation of a total of 10,000 cookies to local nonprofit organizations serving basic human needs.
Community is key in Lydia’s Perfect Pantry

Cousin Meg created a cake for Valentine’s Day that was as big as her generous heart.
Jan Hazard, the Kitchen GadgetGal offered a primer on the best culinary tools on the market.
We sampled burgers in the Big Apple and then joined Zany and Mad Me-Shell as we chased the food trucks of Manhattan. The sidewalk feast was extraordinary - waffles, dumplings, sweets, burgers and the ultimate schnitzel.
Pursuit of the Schnitzel Truck was - at last - rewarded

The urban gluttony continued as we went “dawging” with Ford McKenzie. And, a continent away in the Pacific Northwest blogger Brett Burmeister took us on a lively lunchtime tour of the famous food carts of Portland.

Brett Burmiester is Portland’s food cart ambassador
We sampled homemade bread made from local grain with writer Eric Steinman as he began to chronicle the stories of Edible Hudson Valley.
Chef John MacPherson published the elegant Foster Harris House Cookbook and we observed Chef John’s creative process during a visit to the Foster Harris House.
We met Casey Blankenship, an outstanding New Jersey teenager who showed us how a passion for cookies can actually help the community.

Casey Blankenship sells his homemade cookies and donates profits to charity
We explored the local food of Long Island. Karen Catapano shared how outstanding animal care results in the extraordinary goat cheese available at the Catapano Dairy in Peconic, Long Island.

Karen Catapano and her husband produce award-winning goat cheese on the North Fork
Entrepreneur Rich Stabile took us on a tour of Long Island Spirits in Baiting Hollow, and talked about how Long Island potatoes had inspired the creation of LiV Vodka.

Long Island potatoes inspired Rich Stabile’s creation of LiV Vodka
And, we spent a glorious season at Restoration Farm.

Greens, carrots, snap peas, sweet potatoes, beans and luscious berries were just part of the stunning bounty, and we learned from head growers Dan Holmes and Caroline Fanning about the challenges and rewards of producing sustainable food.

Restoration Farm’s head growers Caroline Fanning and Dan Holmes were collaborators in my kitchen
Indeed, the farm, the sense of place, the soil, the elements and the standard of care all contribute to the pleasures of the table.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year to all!
©2009 T.W. Barritt All Rights Reserved

16 comments:

Julia said...

And I have so much enjoyed reading your stories and adventures.All the best to you in the new year!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Thank you so much for including me as one of your Culinary Types this year. I can't think of a better way to start the year than shopping with one of my favorite food bloggers. Shall we make it a tradition? Wishing you a most delicious 2010!

~~louise~~ said...

It was an amazing culinary adventure this year T.W. Thank you so much for taking us on your journeys. I couldn't begin to pick my favorite. Although, jaunting though the streets of Manhattan still strikes a chord:)

Once in a Blue Moon New Year's Eve glows with a Blue Moon. This year wherever I am I will be offering that heavenly toast to YOU!!! (I haven't decided what I'll be toasting with yet:)

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year, T.W. "See" ya next year:) Louise

Foodiewife said...

I look forward to another year of reading your culinary adventure stories, terrific recipes and blogger friendship!
All the best for a joyful and very Happy New Year!
Debby

Christo Gonzales said...

I only hope my year is as good as one of your months - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Stacey Snacks said...

Glad to have met you in 2009 TW, and I hope we can break some bread in the new year!
I have enjoyed reading Culinary Types this year!
Happy and Healthy!

Kathy said...

Happy New Year T.W! I look forward to reading lots more of your culinary adventures this next year.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Julia - Happy New Year!

Lydia! Sounds like a plan!

Louise - enjoy that toast, hopefully in your permanent home!

Debby - many thanks, and all the best for 2010!

C - cheers, and wishing you an amazing New Year!

Stacey - let's break that break! Or at least some crostini! Happy New Year!

Kathy - thanks so much - keep those Food Company Cookbooks coming, and Happy New Year!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Rochelle, I think I accidentally lost your comment, but many thanks for your kind words, and Happy New Year!

Bon Weekend said...

T.W. Wishing you a 2010 filled with good tastes and great friends to enjoy them with! (And the next time you're in town, have I got a tarte tatin for you!)

Kalyn Denny said...

I love that photo of Lydia! It sounds like you had a very good culinary year. Many more adventures in 2010!

veron said...

Happy New Year, T.W. Thanks for this wonderful recap of your fabulous year!

Fresh Local and Best said...

This is an inspiring round up and a good reminder of several things to be grateful for.
Wishes for happiness and blessings in the coming year.

JM Barritt said...

Great review of the year! Happy 2010! Cook your way to success!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Happy new year. I've enjoyed your posts very much and look forward to the new year.
Sam

Mad Me-Shell said...

What a wonderful, and delicious year you had! I look forward to uncovering more culinary delights in 2010!!