Big Week!

This should be quite a big week for us at North End Wine Bar. At least from the kitchen's viewpoint.

I've got to get a lot of things in order there. The salads are quite disappointing and of the 6 desserts we have on the menu, we were out of 3 of them on Saturday night. Unacceptable.

My sous chef starts with me this week, so that will help a great deal in getting things organized and on track. Mark has a ton of great ideas and is a fantastic worker and chef. We will sit down and get the salads and desserts in order and then start working on a full menu change for the following week, or so.

I can not wait to get moving on my own ideas and food!

First Day at North End Wine Bar

My first day at North End wine Bar was yesterday.

In all the things that go through your mind as you ready for a new job, walking in to the health inspector on your first day IS NOT ONE OF THEM!

It wasn't nearly as bad as the shouting above may seem. Since the health department recently shifted districts, she was also new to the restaurant. For a health inspector, she was very corgial and understood both of us were heading into this as newbies. No major violations or anything, we're all good!

Just a strange way to start a new job!

A few more photos from the farm.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, Food.~is~Life.

I have been sitting on this blog for, heck, a year or more now. I've never found the time, or motivation, or desire to put anything in print.


I've decided that had to change. Everyone is blogging these days, so why not me? I have a blog, but with nothing on it. What a waste, huh?


I decided now would be a great time because there are a lot of good changes happening in my career. I am finally being given the chance to showcase the food that I want to do. My style, my presentation, my food.


This is happening starting tomorrow, at North End Wine Bar in Hudson, Ohio. I have been hired as Executive Chef there and have been given complete menu control. Do what I want to do, buy what I want to buy, and produce food that will take this restaurant to the next level. I am up to the challenge and can't wait to start putting my touch on the menu. Look for a good part of the new menu within a couple weeks.


In the meantime, I visited with an old buddy of mine, Jeremy Lisy at KJ Greens near Parkman, Ohio today. While I get ready for the new job, I wanted to get back in touch with the local farmers, of which I hope to use a lot at North End. Local products are the way every chef should go, and over the last year-and-a-half, I've gotten away from that.


No longer. Like I said, I plan on using a lot of local products and farmers at North End. Getting together with Jeremy was the first step in getting back in touch with the locals.


Here are some photos from the visit to the farm today.-Jeff