Weekly Column

Shrimp, Smoke, & Shirley

In the 1960s and early 1970s of my youth there wasn’t a lot of dining out in my family. Most special occasions were hosted by […]

Orange Memories

There are many ways to sum up a person’s personality and character. Attaching labels to them is a shortcut, but probably the most frequently used. […]

RSJ Top Ten 2019

Each year I compile a list of the top 10 dining experiences I enjoyed throughout the previous year. The list is never about the most […]

Merry Christmas

For the 20-plus years I’ve written this column I have not written about my faith very often. I feel that my faith is strong, but […]

The First Christmas Bonus

Last night we held our 32nd annual manager’s Christmas dinner. There were 30 people seated at the table for our once-a-year steak and ribs dinner. […]

An Atypical Tuscan Farewell (Or How Annagloria Saved the Day)

3:59a.m. Barberino Val d’Elsa, Tuscany— I am dead asleep in the small apartment below Villa il Santo. The pizza I had consumed hours earlier worked […]

Home Away From Home

BARBERRINO VAL D’ELSA, TUSCANY— My friend, collaborator, and business partner, Wyatt Waters, and I are working back in Italy this week leading a group of […]

Memories and the Greatest Trick Ever Played on Kids

Memories are the fuel that ignite and continually stoke this column. I have written in this space for over 20 years— approximately 1,000 words per […]

RSJ’s Thanksgiving Feast

Asparagus Casserole 1 Tbl Olive oil, light 2 Tbl Onion, minced 1 Tbl Shallot, minced 2 Tbl Celery, minced 1/2 tsp Salt 1/2 tsp Garlic, […]

Thanksgiving and The Five Fs

The primary and traditional American holidays are Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s, Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. I enjoy each of them for different […]

The Personality of Food

“Donuts are the funnest food.” That’s what my friend, co-collaborator, and business partner Wyatt Waters says. He’s right you know. I had never thought about […]

Dogs and Cars and Problems

There is a scene from my childhood that replays in my head often. It’s not of me crossing the goal line and scoring a winning […]