Chef Jim

Summer salad fun

Summer Salad Fun I was walking the dog with My Wife and mother to be when we ran into some friends. As always the conversation quickly turned to food.  He was trying to make a salad dressing to which my expecting wife said “I can’t stand prepared salad dressings any more”!  Her taste buds have changed in such a way that she can taste all the preservatives in bottled dressings.  I have been making...

Chef Jim

Think Like A Chef

It is important in life to keep moving. If we get stagnant we start to tire and wallow in self pity. I have recently had a couple of cooks move on to greater heights; this is a great opportunity for them and a challenge for me. Good Luck Whit and Kristina!!!It is one of the hats that I wear, training young culinarians to make a name for themselves. It is always difficult letting the great ones go but I am...

Chef Jim

Summer Time Fun

This is just about my favorite time of year. Michigan farmers start to get their fields going, morels are in, the first of the porcini mushrooms are creeping up and I can Grill without a coat on. “A grill, which is, in short, but a roast on an open fire, stands, in my opinion, as the remote starting point, the very genesis of our art.” Auguste Escoffier Escoffier is the forefather of culinary arts;...

Chef Jim

AHHH Mothers

SO I guess it’s a little obvious to write about Mothers right after mother’s day. I can also guess that we understand how they are all unsung heroes. But I want to talk about a level of service that goes completely unnoticed. All of the mom’s that are here working on the day – dedicated to them. I got to work on Sunday at 5:00am to get the day rolling and already two Moms were hard at work....

Chef Jim

Cooking Class At the Village Club – Recipes included

I had the pleasure of cooking at the village club a week ago. The class revolved around party starters. Thirty hungry Ladies and a couple of yummies later I promised them I would post the recipes. So without hesitation they gave me my next blog. Spinach and Artichoke Dip 1 Box chopped spinach, thawed, and drained well. 2ea. can quartered artichoke hearts, drained. 3/4 cups Mayonnaise 3/4 cups Sour...