Super Powers and Pinx T-Shirts

Cooking…is it a science, a talent, a learned skill or a super power? Alton Brown would have you believe that it is all science. Perhaps it is his Bill Nye the Science Guy approach to cooking or maybe it’s his glasses and his delivery, but when he speaks of culinary work, I feel like I should have a lab coat and step into a clean room. When I hear Chef Samuelson you would believe that it is all talent. His observations and opinions would have you believe that is the only thing that determines a chef’s success. Chef Zakarian would have you believe that it is a learned skill. His speech comes from a place that only the most experienced and educated can begin to comprehend. The super power…that is definitely Pink. She just woke up one morning and could burn like nobody’s business. Who thinks of Red Velvet Pancakes, Brown Sugar Glazed Lamb Chops, and Sweet Potato Pie Waffles with Salted Bourbon Caramel Sauce? Seriously…who comes up with this stuff?

 The Thanksgiving combinations – not the least of which being an actually moist turkey breast seasoned with sage and orange and a beautiful cranberry sauce made with a Port and Lemon Zest – are and have been so crazy good that when we hosted dinners at the house the masses grew from 15 to over 75 in a 3 year period. Even with the popularity of our destination, we never gave thought to actually making this a career choice. Even with the knowledge that when you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life, we never gave it real thought.

 The breakfast/brunch shin digs – highlighted by Sweet Potato Pie Waffles, Red Velvet Pancakes, Maple Glazed Applewood Smoked Bacon, Crab and Shrimp Frittatas and the like — put us over the top. When the food hits the table and the hungry masses descend like a swarm of locusts, you know that the table is supporting some good stuff. And yet we still did not recognize the strength of her mutant powers.

 Then there was Mover and Shaker. This is our dear friend who has been there from the beginning of our little romance as well as our journey into self determination. She is the single greatest networker on the Western Hemisphere. Seriously, she is connected to everybody. Her threats of outing us in the SF Street Food Festival actually pushed our little get together operation to a real public situation. Now the world – well a lot of people anyway — has seen the blinding glory of Pink Power.

 She glides through the kitchen with a stream of color (largely because she has an affinity for her Pinx T-shirt) with a dash of this and a pinch of that. She utilizes the force or some other super sensory perception to make everything taste good. I really don’t know how she does it. If she were to write a cook book…she would have to take three months alone to figure out her measurements. She has her pet seasonings (I am afraid if I expose the goods, I may never again be allowed to partake in the wonderful creations) which I cannot tell you. The secret sauce must remain a secret.

 So today we have mostly recuperated from last week (3 jobs – too much for our little crew). This week we are preparing our Thanksgiving Dinner orders, acquiring our first fleet vehicle and working out the logistics for our participation in the Jovance Winter Wonderland, December to Remember Holiday Festivus event. Translation, we are working out the details for our menu options as well as selecting shirt colors. So for those of you, who have seen and requested a shirt, come find us December 10th. Rumor has it the waffles will be making an appearance.

 Life is short…eat something memorable.