Category Archives: Weekly Column

BARBERINO-TAVERNELLE, TUSCANY— I first came to this part of the world in 2011 on a three-week stopover with my wife and kids during a six-month family jaunt through Europe. What struck me within the first few days I arrived in Tuscany was that it felt a lot like the American South. It’s not a hardContinue reading “Tuscan Son”

It’s funny how at different ages I have assumed I had life completely figured out. When I was 19 no one could tell me anything. I thought I knew it all. The truth is I was clueless and wandering aimlessly down a dangerous path. By 21 I was clean and sober and starting a lifeContinue reading “It’s All Lessons All the Time”

PALAERMO, SICILY— Ten weeks out of each year I work over here leading tours of Americans through European countries. It’s a job I love and a job I take seriously because people trust me with a week to 10 days of their valuable vacation time and vacation savings. It’s work, but if you’ve got toContinue reading “Breakfasts Abroad”

“Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” – Theodore Roosevelt. ROME— My first paying job was as a 12 years old. I mowed the lawns of my neighbors. Growing up in the house of a widowed single mom who was aContinue reading “It’s Good Work If You Can Get It”

This past weekend was a memorable one for our family. Our 26-year old daughter got engaged to her longtime boyfriend. His name is Robert (good name), he’s a great guy, and he’ll be a nice addition to our small nucleus of four. Someone counseled me with the ol’ standby, “You’re not losing a daughter. You’reContinue reading “An Engagement to Remember”

Everyone has a personal wonderland. When my brother visits a hardware store, a garden center, or a tackle shop he has hit peak existence as those places are his wonderland. When my wife is in an antique store it’s her little slice of heaven. Years ago, my mother loved art galleries and art supply stores.Continue reading “Wonderland”

Featured image:  “Crabs” by Wyatt Waters, from our book A Southern Palate One of the most frequent questions I am asked in interviews is, “What is your favorite ingredient?” That’s a broad and subjective question, but it’s low hanging fruit for an interviewer when speaking to someone in the food business. My answer typically variesContinue reading “The Blue Crab Invasion of 2023”

NEW ORLEANS— In a poll of national food critics I believe New Orleans would be listed among the top three food cities in America. To my taste— and I’ve eaten extensively in most of America’s top restaurant cities— New Orleans is number one. Period. No question. End of discussion. I consider myself fortunate to haveContinue reading “RSJ’s New Orleans Restaurant Recommendations 2023”

Let’s talk about addiction. I know what you’re thinking. Ol’ St. John is about to ramp up all that recovery talk again. Granted, many of you already know that story— and it’s probably over-documented, that— I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict with 40 years of sobriety and clean time. I have never shiedContinue reading “My Latest Addiction”