Thoughts?

I thought there were some really good thoughts and ideas to post tonight. Turns out, I got nothing! Pretty empty up there right now and it looks like anything I would have to say would just be inconsequential as usual anyway!

Posted by Chef Jeff Bland, Division Chef, U.S. Foodservice, Inc. Roanoke. Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of U.S. Foodservice, Inc.

2011, The New Year...

Hard to believe that 2011 is here. Things are off to a pretty good start and am looking forward to a good year. I hope this new year is financially better for the people struggling in the good ol' USA. May this up-swing be swift and decent for everyone.

My heart, thoughts, and prayers go the victims of the shooting in Tucson yesterday. Why are some people off their rockers like this? I hate that people died, and the congresswoman was injured in such a horrible way. I pray for peace in every one's heart who lost someone they loved and a fast recovery for the injured. God forgive the shooter.

I have no resolutions for this new year! I just want to lose some weight! Back on the exercise and eating right wagon soon I hope, just not so far.

May you have a wonderful new year!

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.