The year that was, The year to come...

2010 is jut about done and a new year nipping at our heals. So here is a little reflection and speculation...

2010 was a pretty good year for me. I battled a major bout with depression and still have not recovered but I am determined to beat this in 2011. I had lost a bunch of weight and gained a ton of it back! Have a long road ahead of me but I am going to get back on track in 2011. There is really no choice; if I do not do something, I will most likely be dead! Reality Check! No resolutions, just hard work and back on track!

In 2010, I had the opportunity to work with Paula Dean and Spike Mendelsohn (from "Top Chef". Both experiences were really cool and I hope to get to work with some more great chefs in 2011!

So there is no way to really predict what is going to happen this up coming year of 2011, but I hope to accomplish a few things: Manage my money better, work more on our house, try and embrace social media and blog more, to be a better husband, son, brother, and friend! Lose weight in a sensible and practical way is tops on the list!

Last but not least, I hope we can buy a dog in 2011!

Cheers! Please keep safe and have an amazing new year!

My warped sense of reality...

If you are a doctor or insurance man, please turn away and do not read this!

I hate doctors and insurance! No other way to say it, I just despise these two careers. They gouge us financially because they can and really for no other reason. 3stitches in my foot cost me over $1000 a few years back; next time, I would rather stitch up myself! I had no insurance at the time so it was cash out of my pocket.

Now this is where my warped sense of reality comes in to play. Besides the fact that I hate going to see doctors for any reason, I usually will not go for the simple fact that the insurance I have now is pretty good and not very expensive. Why should I put another company through the financial responsibility when they have a reasonable price on a program. I do not want to go just for the sake of going. Because of life changes, I added my wife to my health insurance policy and my rate went up dramatically (I knew this was going to happen and was expected).

Now that I am being charged so much extra money a month, I want to go just for the sake of going! Is that twisted or what? I know we need preventative maintenance and all that jazz each year but now that you are taking so much extra from my personal well being, lets going ahead and get the premium package!

For me, a lower rate means more conscientious decision making about my health. A higher rate means lets go for the gold and let everyone else suffer the effects! Right now, I could go for an eye exam, dentist visit, heart specialist, nutritionist, dermatologist, orthopedic, podiatrist. While we are at it, lets throw in a couple of other medical specialists just for kicks and giggles!
I think I need a tune up, I need a complete and total rebuild on my engine!

Sure has been busy lately...

Yes, this has been a really busy time of year for me! Am looking for a little bit of down time nest week with the Thanksgiving holiday and a little more time off over the Christmas holiday. Hate that I have not posted much lately! So here are some observations and things which have been going on recently...

- It is official, I am a big tub of goo again! I need to get back on track!
- I love mulching leaves rather than raking and bagging.
- The wife got a new job and am very excited for her!
- Still trying to embrace my inner Facebook and Twitter!
- Have discovered that I can not shave with shaving cream! Lotion works much better.
- I want a dog. Not to replace Elmo but to keep Sushi company. WOW I still miss her.
- People say "Money does not go anywhere these days". Yes it does; it goes away from my wallet!
- It has been a few years since I have done this so, I am going to make a gingerbread house for Christmas!
- We are going to see the new Harry Potter movie this weekend.
- Contrary to popular belief, things do not just happen and appear out of thin air.
-We often have to work very hard to make things happen, while making it appear it takes very little effort.
- Bumper Sticker: "A man who receives something when paying nothing means another man
was paid nothing for making something." I just loved that one!
- We are often promised riches and glory for doing good deeds. We need to do good deeds because it is the right thing to do, not because of a promised reward.
- Fall is my favorite season!

That is it for now. Please keep safe and check back here soon for more stuff going on with Chef Jeff.

Time with Paula Dean...

I have seen and heard many opinions over the past week about the Paula Dean Show so I thought I would share my perspective, good and bad.

Not Worth It: For the people who had a negative experience; This was only her third show in this format so I am sure she is still learning how to perform in this style. When it comes to an performance style show; buyer beware. If you love an artist and want to pay $60 to see them, go for it and if you do not like an artist, why would you pay? I am a big Seinfeld fan and paid $85 for a ticket and he was on stage for 1 hour. I got 2 tickets to see Frank Sinatra back in 1993 (for my parents, $150 total) and 4 songs into his set, he passed out and hit the floor. Paid $100 for my wife to see Cher and a week later, the show was on prime time network television. Buyer beware!

Not Cooking: Many people have been complaining that Paula Dean did not cook. It is extremely hard to cook live in front of an audience, while you are trying to entertain as well! Paula Dean does not want to cook while on stage; she wants to tell stories, interact with the audience, connect with everyone there. You can not do this while cooking! If you want to see her cook, check her out on television!

Leaving Quickly: Many people were upset that she left right after the show. She filled her obligation as far as I can tell. She and Michael left the stage and went right to the limo and head to the airport. I wish she had stuck around but it is her life and she had a schedule to keep. I do not blame anyone for that.

Cussing and Innuendo: I did not really hear much. It was there but there was nothing which would be rated more than PG. If you have ever heard the term, "Cussing like a sailor", Michael is a sailor!! Not a big deal from anything I can tell.

Me on stage: Since I was back stage and on stage, I really did not get to see the show. The total time I spent with her was about 1 minute; everything on stage was really improve. It was fun but a little confusing at times. Since there was no plan or discussion before the show, I did not know what to expect. Someone said I was RUDE, not funny, and a yahoo. I do not know if I was rude or not, but I do not think I was. Some made it out that I did not know where I was. I stated that I have been living in Roanoke for 12 years, and that is true, I live in Roanoke, not Salem. Were were in Salem, but that is not where I reside. Saying you live in Roanoke encompasses the whole area, including Salem, Vinton, Hollins, Grandin, Crystal Springs, etc. Me a yahoo? Arn't we all? I do not know what context that woman ment in the Fridge Magnet blog? Perhaps this person could of done a better job than me? Me not funny? I am not a funny man, nor did I try to be; I am a cook! I was asked to help with the show for my cooking skills, and was told to play it straight on stage. I did my best to accommodate what I was asked. People were there to see Paula Dean, not Chef Jeff!

I think Paula Dean put on a good and entertaining show. She is a remarkable person if you listen to her story; she has been through and and recovered for many hardships! I left that night a bigger fan than when I walked in. I hope she will do more shows and they will just get better and better in time!

I got to cook with Paula Dean...

Yes, it is true! The past Saturday night, Paula Dean was here in Salem, Virginia and I was her assistant on stage. I must say that it was pretty darn cool. Was a long day and a bit surreal but cool non the less! I got to cook pork tenderloin with cherry sauce and chocolate pecan cobbler. Both were great but I must tell that the cobbler was better than excellent!

Paula Dean is a really great lady! I hope I did a good job for her.

And the winner is...

Me, Chef Jeff. I took home the win tonight at the Al Pollard's Memorial Chefs Challenge! Really great chefs competed against and they are all just excellent!

Much going on...

There is so much going on right now, it is almost overwhelming. So lets get right to it...

- Just finished our companies fall food show. That is a difficult event to pull off but it went excellent! Might be the best one I have been a part of since I have been with USF!! Very busy time for us over the past few months.

- Friday Night, September 24: Participating in a chefs cooking competition for a local scholarship fund.

- October 12: March of Dimes Signature Chefs Challenge, another cooking competition.

- There is something so BIG, I do not even want to talk about this yet, but it is going to be very soon and it is really REALLY BIG!! Check back soon!

Observations...

Here are a few random thoughts I have had in my shell of an empty brain the past few days...

- American Kobe or more commonly know as Wagyu is AWESOME!
- It stinks that 3D movies are so much more expensive than a regular 2D film. I boycott 3D whenever possible!
- Spiders scare the crap out of me! For real!!
- I have no confidence in the Washington Redskins this season! Will this be Joe Gibbs revisited?
- I am still trying to embrace my inner Facebook, but it is hard to believe I have anything interesting to say at all.
- Our Pug, Sushi the dog is very silly! He is so funny at times!
- I find cutting the grass strangely relaxing!
- I want to go deep sea fishing!
- I really need to start exercising and eating right again! Have been saying this for a while now.
- I am a closet astronomy junkie! Love looking up at the sky at night!
- Very dissapointed in the new Miller Lite "Vortex" bottle! Just another gimmick.

I guess that is all for now. Cheers!

Feeling Better...

Finally!

I got a new bed! The weird part is I purchased on-line with out trying out. Very scary but I think I like it. Really needed a new sleeping gig, the old bed was so done! Tonight is the first new night.

Had a great work day today! A busy few weeks and probably months coming up! Bring it!

Under the weather...

It seems lately that all I am doing on here is bitching and complaining. Have been sick for most of the week which equals no posts. The flu really stinks; it is an energy zapper! Feeling a little better today. Hope it will be a good weekend of rest, I need to be 100% for next week!

It is a jungle out there...

My hip is feeling better. Most likely an arthritis flare up. It really did hurt!

The grass is so tall, it is really tough to cut. It has been a hot dry summer and have not really had to cut much grass. The temps right now are a bit cooler and it has rained rained rained like crazy the past week. Grass in spots is over 2 feet tall. It is rough but will muddle through it!

Hope it will be a nice quiet weekend!

Getting old?

Most days I feel pretty good but today I feel old. I hate complainers just as much as the next person so I apologize for this little "pity party bitch" session! My hip huts like hell, am almost ready for the emergency room. I tweaked my left shoulder today; my right shoulder has been bum for a year. I guess all of this is just a part of getting old.

I have never really taken very good care of myself and body and it is catching up! I NEED to start walking and exercising again. Not tomorrow, not next week, RIGHT NOW!!
I just need to get off of my fat butt and put one foot in front of the other!

It sucks to be me right this second! OK!! I am over this!

MC Cheffrey!

I was honored to host a small event at a local foods expo yesterday at Botetourt Commons; The Taste of the Blue Ridge Local Foods Expo College Chef's Challenge. It was very challenging to do this live. I could not walk around because of a hard wired mike but it was so much fun! Three chefs from local colleges were competing "Iron Chef" or "Chopped" style with a live audience watching on. Just about all of the food they were cooking with was local! This really was so very cool! I hope I can do something like this again soon!

I am ruined, really.....

Have you ever tasted something so good, it possibly may have ruined all other eating experiences forever? This very well may have happened to me, two different times, over the past week.

Case #1: Wine
Last week, I drank wine! Not just any wine but a truely excellent Cabernet; it was amazing! It was a private label and you can not purchase this wine and I really do not know if I can really ever drink another red wine again, unless I am at this persons house.

Case #2: Steak
Tonight we tasted Kobe beef or commonly known here as American Wagyu. It was tender, juicy, buttery, flavorful, just amazing! My job is based on center of the plate items like beef and what we tasted was beyond measure of any other steak. I know we will continue to eat steak but nothing will ever compare.

OK, maybe most of this sounds dramatic but I am serious about the wine! I was amazing!

2 Days in a row...

That's right; I am on a roll! Here are a few more random thoughts:

- I need new work shoes!
- I work with some really great people!
- Captain Morgan's "Lime Bite" is pretty darn tasty.
- Our dog is a pug and he is goofy!
- Having chef block for TV this weekend.
- I am tired!
- Depression sucks!
- I have been working on my chef career for 30 years!
- I need to cut the grass, really bad!
- I miss my best friend Tom!

I guess this is kind of like tweeting, just all at once! Still trying to embrace social media!

Ramblings and other things

It has been a while since I have posted so here are some updates and random thoughts.

- My small garden did ok this year. Candy sweet cherry tomatoes, no cucumbers, big tomatoes are hard to come by. Stupid deer, rabits, and groundhogs!
- We saw a fox in our back yard a few days ago.
- I picked a bunch of peaches off of the peach tree. I should of used bug spray! The fox enjoyed eating some of the peaches!
- My fig tree is flourishing!
- Charleston, South Carolina is one steaming hot city! Can you say hell?
- I am exhausted!
- I love looking at Facebook and hearing about others but I hate posting. I feel like I have nothing interesting to say at all.
- I miss my dog Elmo!
- I have gained a bunch of weight back that I had lost. Hate it! I am working on trying to get back into it, but it is really really hard to do so. I look like SHIT!
- I got to work with Chef Spike from "Top Chef" Season 4.
- My chefjeffonthe.net web site has been up and down. Chefapoloza is down. I think avahost is a horrible web hosting site and service! I will never do business with them again!
- I love books on CD!
- I have found myself cussing more than usual lately.
- I love Gillette Fusion razors but they are too expensive to purchase! I now use disposable, if nothing more than for the principle. Sorry environment!

So I guess that is enough crap for now. Am working on redesigning my chefjeff website. I want to work hard and post more often here! Can not make promises but I am going to really try!

The quest for beef, good beef...

A few years back, on a totally different blog, I started a quest to find the best "retail" beef around town. The final result was, there really is not much good retail beef out there, at all. All of the major grocery chains failed to produce any beef product with a good flavor, any substantial amount of tenderness; there was just no good eating experience when it came to retail beef.

Flash forward to right now; has anything really changed? My first answer would be not really, retailers have not changed they way they do business so I would expect that there really is very little palatable beef out there. Please keep things in perspective, what is good to some may not be good to others so if you do eat beef from a major chain and enjoy it, there is nothing wrong with that. Are there exceptions? Sure there are. You may be able to find a "local" beef producer which has taken the proper steps to give you a great eating experience and maybe markets, some markets, are making real changes.

Why can you get OK beef in a retail store but the beef you eat in restaurants is generally much better? (This statement does not apply to all restaurants! I got a steak at a "national chain" and it was inedible, so inedible, my dog would not even eat it!) Here are the reasons why with a general explanation:

Grade: Most steaks served in restaurants, specifically higher end, upscale, white table cloth, steak houses, etc. use USDA grade choice or better grades of beef. This means there is more intramuscular fat (white specs) contained in the flesh of the meat. Consumers grew up wanting and buying lean, ruby red meat from markets; this grade is USDA select or lower. Higher grades cost more and lower grades cost less. There really is a difference between choice and select grades of beef.

Aging: This is the single most important factor determining flavor and tenderness of beef. Most beef served in restaurants is aged more than 14 days and often over 21 days. Beef sold is markets is generally aged less than 6 days (termed "green" meaning young). Well aged meat can turn brown very fast and "green" meat will stay red much longer. Well aged meat is significantly more tender and has more flavor that "green" meat. Wet and Dry aging give different flavor results but that is for some other time (along with grass fed verses grain finished cattle).

So what should us consumers do to find great meat in retail stores? I really have no answer but I can tell you this; get to know your butcher and ask many many questions! By local if you can and help support local farmers! Continue to eat at your favorite restaurants and visit personally owned, local "Mom and Pop" restaurants rather that national chains. Your chances of having a better beef eating experience will be much greater!