Culinary Types

Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 – A Year of Culinary Types

As the year 2010 draws to a close, I am grateful for the people who taught me the artistry, the importance and the history of food, those who showed me the simple pleasures of growing and cooking food, and those who remind me time and again of the ultimate adventure afforded us by eating.

To all the Culinary Types of 2010, I celebrate them with a hefty slice of Dorie Greenspan’s “Perfect Party Cake,” a fetching confection of butter cream, raspberry jam and coconut.

At the start of the New Year, we learned a lifetime of culinary lessons from the grit and wisdom of my French Culinary Institute instructor, Chef Candy.

Andrew Kaplan of Yum-o! talked about teaching kids to appreciate food.

Mary D shared her long-coveted recipe for the classic covered dish – a notoriously good rice pudding.

Lynne Olver, the oracle of food history and creator of The Food Timeline, shared how food is our common experience through the ages.

The creators of Gourmet Prep launched a new business in Houston designed to teach foster teens job skills.

Spring finally arrived and with it, another season at Restoration Farm. We relished the first tart of summer.

George Garbarini, the gentleman farmer of Restoration Farm shared his recipe for Iowa City Coffee Cake.

We experienced the joy of Saturday berry picking …

... And, the guilt that comes with CSA membership.

As the record season drew to a close – all too quickly -- we celebrated the farmers and the simple gifts of Restoration Farm.

My college roommate Ford McKenzie lured me on a series of culinary and mixology misadventures, including the voracious incident of the Brooklyn Beefsteak.

And, I couldn’t let the year pass without a nod and a wink to inimitable Mad Me-Shell, dear Zany, and Marie Antoinette, who have made it their mission in life to keep me from eating green beans. You make me laugh, and you make weekdays worthwhile. The search for Mr. Pink, the Chowder Fest, the stop at Frites’ N’ Meats and The Lunch Before Christmas were indeed some of my most memorable dining experiences!