Micro Blog: Something to Think About By Chef Antonio Alano

Professionalism and humility go a long way. It is the way that we carry ourselves in and out of our kitchens, whether it is at school, home, or at work. Sometimes being professional and humble are the qualities that allow us to reach that next promotion.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, professionalism is defined as the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well. Humility is defined as the quality or state of not thinking you are better than other people, the quality or state of being humble, or not being too proud. Two simple words and philosophies that absolutely go hand in hand in the kitchens today,especially with all the exposure from the media and the internet. Being professional and humble become a way of life for restaurants
and their employees.

Micro Blog: Wine for Thought by Mary Margaret McCamic

When the weather warms up and the grill comes out, I reach for a certain category of wine without thinking twice: rosé. I drink it all year-round, of course, but I’m often surprised when others don’t share in my enthusiasm; I hope the pleas that follow can convince readers that rosé is a genre of wine they must try.

Let me first address the gentlemen, and let me be clear: there’s nothing more charming than a man holding a glass of rosé. It tells onlookers two things: one, you don’t buy into the ridiculous stereotype that only ladies drink pink wines, and two, you might actually know something about wine. Because people who truly understand wine know that rose is as diverse and serious a category of wine as white, red, or sparkling, and it includes so much more than White Zinfandel.

I broaden my address to both ladies and gentlemen now, and I politely ask you all to forget the rumors you’ve heard about rosé always being sweet. We can thank the aforementioned White Zinfandel (a known trouble-maker) for that nasty reputation, a wine so popular in its sticky sweetness that it has masked the truth that rosé can be-gasp-bone dry. Such dry examples might include those from France’s Provence, where locals drink their pale, salmon-colored rosé wines like water. Notes of mineral and tangy, tart cranberry can dance on your tongue, and such styles are the perfect accompaniment to fresh, chilled seafood, like shrimp.

If you aren’t afraid of a bit more color in your pink wine, might I suggest trying styles from Argentina or Chile? Here, grapes like Malbec and Syrah shine with their supple red fruits and soft spices. They are fruity not sweet-and the perfect companion for burgers fresh off the grill or foods with a little heath. Have I tempted you enough? 

Shall I goon? I could, but alas, a glass of rosé is waiting-where’s yours?

Mary Margaret McCamic, DWS

Micro Blog: Kelsey Monahan

My sister and I are extremely close in many ways. We are only 15 months apart in age, actually choose to hang out with each other, and have both found the loves of our lives. I think we look nothing alike, but many people say that they can tell that we are sisters. It wasn’t that long ago when we couldn’t even stand being in the same room. We fought constantly, I’m talking knock down drag out fighting. Despite it all I love her dearly and don’t know what I would do without her. I come from a family that loves to cook, and while it appears that I inherited the “good at cooking” gene, it totally skipped over my sister. We are talking like couldn’t figure out how to make frozen orange juice. Her culinary expertise covers boxed mac and cheese, hot pockets, and frozen pizza. Despite the messing up of pasta-roni, forgetting to put milk in the corn chowder, not being able to make frozen orange juice without calling mom; she has begun trying to be more of a little Susie home maker for her beau. Because of this, for Christmas, my family and I have decided to get her many “gag gifts” this year. From a step by step Anyone Can Cook book, complete with pictures and video, to wooden spoons and rubber spatulas. Just to cover our bases, we also got her beau a first aid kit and some tums. With all of this, it promises to be an entertaining Christmas and interesting attempts of cooking by my sister.

Happy Holidays!

Kelsey