Cathal Armstrong

Too bad!!

Is it Todd??

Please join me in wishing two long time posters "Tripewriter" and "Walrus" congratulations and best wishes on the impending wedding date this coming Saturday November 11th in Santa Fe New Mexico. Good luck, love each other. Cathal

For what it's worth Cadbury has factories in the US and England and Ireland among others. Their best chocolate is made in Ireland and no, british candy does not get angry when it is called irish because they were not occupied by the irish for 600 years. You asked....

Ahem.....Irish, not British.

Petition your congressman to stop supporting farm subsidies to industrial farmers. You already pay for industrial commodities with your tax dollars. $19 billion per year to corn farmers. Get up and make your voices heard.

I understand very much the cost of buying locally. A chicken in the supermarket costs 79c per pound, a free range chicken from Polyface Farm costs $2.20 per pound, but what is the future of our planet worth? I look at it this way: we are at zero, every plus one is plus one. We must make an effort, if foodservice professionals and food lovers don't try the food chain is doomed. Not only fast food but restaurant chains that thrive off cheap food like Cheesecake Factory will be the future of fine cuisine. The questions I ask myself when I buy for the restaurant are: are the $3.50 per pound tomatoes worth it, are they different, do they taste better, do they last longer, do I feel better about myself, can I stay in business buying product that is 3-4 times more expensive than the alternative. There is no doubt in my mind, that is why I will drive 400 miles next Wednesday to pick up my chickens from Joel Salatin that will be alive when I get to his farm and served that evening, beef, eggs the same. Take the test.....cook a supermarket egg and a free range egg side by side, you will see and taste the difference. We must teach our children the value of food culture, what is more important to the developement of a childs mind than good sustenance and the nurturing effect of the family dinner? Happy dining.

Everyone who loves food should read this book and pass the message on. Brilliant insight into the very different worlds of industrial, organic and sustainable farming.

We just passed inspections and were approved to close in. Hoods arrive on Wednesday and kitchen equipment arrives later in the week, probably 2 to 3 weeks away, all things being equal. We will keep you posted as we progress.

We have an opening in the kitchen.

Thank you for posting this topic, SOS has changed it's original goal which was to fight hunger in the United States and their new mission is to fight and eradicate childhood hunger in the US. This lofty mission has deservedly earned the support of many of us in the foodservice industry accross the country. This years Taste of the Nation will be attended by many of the stars of the culinary field in the area. I am honored to be the honorary chef chair and we hope, with your support, we can pull off the most successful Taste to date. Please go online to strength.org to find more information on the event and the chefs attending, as well as instructions for purchasing tickets. There will be many features at the event including a bar chef table showcasing 4 prominent bartenders creating signiature cocktails and over a dozen wine and spirit vendors. Jeff Gaetjen and I will have a live culinary cookoff along the lines of IC. Food, drink and fun for a great cause. Look forward to seeing you there.

January 3rd..."The Return Of The Lickity Split".

I am sitting here at 1.30am, tired but enthused, waiting for my hotdogs to heat up. Thinking.....imagining David driving home in his van...1.5 hours to go...I wait for my hotdogs. I'm f**king starving. I have cooked foie gras, wild scottish pigeon, the best of the best ingredients. But I am happy to have my hotdogs. David brought me Crones tonight, beautiful, delicate Crones, I can't wait to work with them tomorrow....like Jingle Bells. I have watched Camile Beau over the last couple of months in awe...I greedily want David's stuff and want to be with my kids on Sunday...the best of both worlds. They selflessly help. There are no words to express. It's mindless. It's too much. But they do. Over and over. Someone on the other side criticised Margaret.....absurd!!! I'm going to eat now. Charity.......... "Ramblings of a tired, happy, grateful chef"

Tonight in the Tasting Room

FYI David and I will be doing a segment for NPR on November 2nd. When I have more specific information I will let you know.