Author Archives: Robert

“My employees almost blew up a wedding.” That was my response when someone asked me about my brief stint in the catering business. I’m not talking about “blew up” in the sense that we almost “blew it” by losing a layer off of the groom’s cake. No. We almost annihilated the entire house and theContinue reading “Nuclear Nuptials”

Women are beginning to lead the way in the culinary world. It all started with Julia Child. When she came along, only male chefs were considered “legitimate” in an upscale professional kitchen. Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse in Berkley, took it a step further bringing local cuisine to the forefront. My favorite restaurants in otherContinue reading “The Grande Dames”

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians whoContinue reading “Vegan Journal V— The Final Vegan Column”

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians whoContinue reading “Vegan IV”

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians whoContinue reading “Vegan Journal— Week Three”

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail. Vegans are vegetarians whoContinue reading “Vegan Journal— Week Two”

Last September I lived for 30 days as a vegetarian. During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, challenged me to take it one step further and go vegan. This year I did. A quick recap: Lacto-ovo vegetarians don’t eat anything that— at one time— had a face or a tail (some break itContinue reading “Vegan Journal—Week One”

In 2009, I spent the entire month of September as a vegetarian. The impetus for the month-long lifestyle change was in response to a billboard campaign in Florida in which the controversial animal-rights outfit, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, posted a picture of a very large woman with the tagline, “Save the Whales,Continue reading “Veganism 2010”

I catered a big party in Jackson over the weekend. It was a fundraiser featuring the cast and crew of the movie “The Help.” The actresses, actors, director, and producers took a break from filming in Greenwood and were all bussed down to the event site in Madison. We created an elaborate spread for theContinue reading “Lights, Camera, Vegan”