Runs with knives!
Runs with knives.
Wendy & I just got back from an astounding trip aboard the Chandrilla Star Line’s Galactic Starcruiser “Halcyon” at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. We cruised June 4-6, 2023. It was an entirely amazing experience throughout! We’ll post much more soon, including…
Wendy & I have added two new inmates to the asylum. Meet Toast and Truffle! They’re litter-mates and were born May 28, 2023 or thereabouts. Toast is the Siamiese-looking male, and Truffle is the female void-cat. My friend Abby helped come up with Toast’s name…
I’ve lost two of my most significant Chef-mentors in the last 7 months. Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel in December 2022, and Chef John Kinsella, CMC earlier this week.
Chef Kinsella was the force that shaped me from a newbie into a culinarian. His stern-but-mean-but-compassionate-and-angry leadership style toughened us up. Chef Kinsella introduced me to butchery, charcuterie, and garde manger, which are still areas of specific interest to me. Chef K was rarely without a glass of something in his hand, as the attached picture shows. He was a great teacher who could be a real SOB, but a great teacher.
Chef Jean-Robert took me from a newbie cook (full of enthusiasm but ignorant to the ways of the culinary world) to a Chef, proper. JR trained me in the French tradition of food preparation, menu development, hospitality, and management. His stern-but-mean-but-compassionate leadership style forged me into who I am today culinary-wise.
These two giants leave massive emptiness here. I hope that my culinary work is testament to their legacy. We’re all heartbroken, but as Chef Jean-Robert would say, “Allez, donkey! We’ve got people to feed…“
RIP, Chefs.
Hello, and welcome, Halcyon Family! (don’t miss bonus video below!) Thanks for checking out Under the Tusken Sun, the hot new fantasy romance by Sienna Starfall published by Spicy Bantha Publishing. Enjoy the first chapter here, and may the stars light your way! To see real books,…
Jean-Robert de Cavel, the Chef for whom I worked for over 14 years, passed away on December 23, 2022. He was 61 years old. I worked with him at an event on November 19, 2022. This was the last time I saw him. Fortunately, the…
What a busy week/weekend for the Vogel household, especially for me (see below), but we made sure Wendy was busy and had a great time on her birthday weekend.
On Monday, September 12, 2022, I started a new job that I am absolutely loving so far. I haven’t been this enthusiastic about and engaged with a new job in some time. It’s refreshing!
On Friday, September 16, 2022, I prepped for a party (to be held Saturday) and made it to a pre-ride rooftop event (at The Phelps) to enjoy the amazing view, wonderful weather, food & beverages, and live music.
On Saturday, September 17, 2022, we celebrated Wendy’s birthday by riding bicycles in the RIDE CINCINNATI FOR CANCER RESEARCH ride. I completed 16.25 miles in 1:05:32, 14.9 mph. HR zones: Hard (141-157): 29% (19:19); Cardio (125-140): 66% (43:15); Fat Burn (108-124): 4% (2:36); Easy (0-107): 1% (0:21).
Wendy was the Honorary Starter for our group, the Survivor Spotlight for our team, and got a couple nice shout-outs from the DJ announcing the event (thanks Jonjon!) for her birthday. Want to donate? You still can (until end of October, 2022!) at this link: https://ridecincinnati.org/rider/654
After the ride, I went to Baker-Hunt Art and Cultural Center (https://www.bakerhunt.org) to cook for their annual fundraising event called TWILIGHT IN THE GARDEN. It was a friendly “Top Chef” style competition between the 6 chefs attending, and my dish, Shrimp Banh Mi, was voted best by the guests! Wendy was pleasantly surprised when Summer & Kara showed up with boozy cupcakes to celebrate her birthday.
Sunday was a day of rest! Well-earned for both of us, I think.
It was a great weekend. Happy birthday, Wendy!
Yesterday, I learned of the passing of Iron Chef Masahiko Kobe (on March 14, 2019). I didn’t know that he’d passed. He was the youngest of the original Iron Chefs. Kobe was considered “Iron Chef Italian” and the “Prince of Pasta”, even though he lost…