Posts in November 2011
Travels with George, 2011: Europe
My wife, Paula, and I have been avoiding Europe for a number of years due to our desire to see the rest of the world and the punishing value of the dollar versus the euro. Overcoming fear of bankruptcy, we set out for Spain in early September. Our first stop was San Sebastian, a city of 187,000 people in the heart of the Basque country bordering the southwestern flank of France.
Read MoreBlue Hill at Stone Barns: My Staging Experience
I’ve never done a “stage.” Well…maybe as part of interviewing for a new position, but never to just hang out and learn or absorb what another chef is doing. About six months ago I started thinking about staging with Dan Barber at Blue Hill at Stone Barns. I’m not sure what prompted the thought, but I believe it had something to do with the creation of our TBL3 concept. My relationship with the farms we use, especially Chino Farms, has shown me the responsibility I have to use their produce with the utmost respect and I knew Dan was living this same reality, although on a grander scale. I wanted to go not just to see the food, but also to get a sense of how the relationship between a chef and the ingredients translated into a clear and personal culinary vision.
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