The video expresses much about why I consider this a treasure book. Let me prelude it by saying when you are a restaurant owner or the chef of one this book is a godsend. We know how tough this business is. The general populace has learned much about this over the last decade even if they’ve never worked in one. The hit series, “The Bear” … at least season one got closer to the insides of the soul of it than any other I’ve seen. Things got less on track over time but for awhile I found myself nodding my head often. Loved Matty’s energy. And Cousin Carmy might have stolen the show for me.
For a period of time Janet and I were shuttling to NYC often when I became a member of the James Beard Foundation’s Board. It was an honor and also a thrill to be amidst such a smart and culturally committed group of individuals. More on that another time perhaps. Before we’d leave Gotham we found a very nice way to give ourselves some ‘off time’ by going to a long lunch in town before taxiing to La Guardia. When we were feeling a desire for something luxe and refined we’d go to the restaurant, “Chanterelle”. The owners became friends in the way we can with such shared passions for cuisine and service. I did a ‘Treasure Book’ on ‘Chanterelle’, the cookbook. Check it out on my site if you like. When David and Karen came out with this one I snapped it up. I was always trying to have our ‘Staff Meals’ aka ‘Family Meals’ at the restaurant be ones that would set us up for success. This book is a treasure not only for that but for all kinds of home cooking, but designed by two of the best minds for it.