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My friends and I are always comparing lists. I throw out questions such as, “What are your three favorite Beatles songs?” Or “What are your three favorite restaurants in New York?” Occasionally the questions become more specific, such as, “What is the best fish dish you have ever eaten?” Those types of queries are easyContinue reading “Best-Ever Lists”

Last week I learned that the United States Department of Agriculture had revised their food pyramid. I grew up with the 1970s version of the food pyramid, and have always been intrigued by the chart— mainly because my diet has never been anywhere close to what Uncle Sam recommended. Actually, it’s not even a foodContinue reading “The New Food Pyramid”

The first time I sat at a communal table— other than at a family or school function— was also the first time I ever ate at K-Paul’s restaurant in New Orleans. I didn’t really like the concept initially, but in that restaurant, back then, one had no choice. It was one of the first timesContinue reading “Communal Seating”

videotomato

“Cats look down on us, dogs look up to us, and pigs are our equals.” –Winston Churchill I am about to become a pig farmer. There will be some who read that sentence— my literary agent in New York, my editor on the Upper West Side, and others, from Peoria to Portland, who find thisContinue reading “Pig Farmer?”

Purple Parrot Café gardener, Micah Pogue, just placed 96 Roma tomato plants in the ground. Several weeks ago we planted potatoes, onions, carrots, and cucumbers. Pretty soon we’ll plant sweet corn, watermelon, okra, peppers, zucchini, and lots of other fresh vegetables and herbs for our restaurants. Last year was our first year to grow aContinue reading “A Planter?”

I am in the process of opening a new restaurant. For those reading this who have never been through that particular form of personal persecution, let me state here and now, you are an extremely smart individual to have chosen a field such as medicine, law, poultry processing, or waste collection. For those born withContinue reading “Cream of Tartar Sauce?”

This year I will celebrate the 21st anniversary of my 29th birthday. Over the weekend, I attended a collective birthday party for Hattiesburg High School alumni who will reach their fifth decade this year. Even though I didn’t attend Hattiesburg High, I figured since I had gone to elementary school with most of them, theyContinue reading “Numbers”

As I write, I am a week or so away from opening a new restaurant. I was a part of three new restaurant openings early in my foodservice career, and this will be the twelfth restaurant opening I’ve been a part of— as an owner— in the last 24 years. So, for those who areContinue reading “San Marzano Tomatoes”