Alex

Thanks so much for the detailed and kind report. I very much agree about the camaraderie. It was an easy Gathering to be at (and to isolate from for a little while, if one so chose, without anyone wondering why). Tammy did a yeoman's (yeowoman's? yeoperson's?) job of organizing the event. Edsel's Vita-Mix must receive a portion of the credit for the basil oil, as should Tammy's filtering apparatus. I had made some at home that I intended to bring with me, but of course it became the inevitable forgotten item. Fortunately, the common house had a huge herb garden, so there was no shortage of basil. At home I used a KitchenAid blender and a fine-mesh gold-toned coffee filter, but the new combination was far superior, producing a deeper green oil with no discernable solids. I took home the remaining oil and used it for a simple dinner last night: spaghetti with basil oil, butter, black pepper, and Parm-Reg. Tonight we'll be having a tomato-shiso salad with shallot dressing, the shiso courtesy of White Lotus's generosity.

While a person's MBTI type can indicate a preference for certain behaviors in certain situations (including cooking), it's really not terribly well regarded in the larger psychological community. There's actually a very good Wikipedia entry about the test that I'd suggest reading. I've found the test's greatest value to be its emphasis that none of the 16 types is either right or wrong. FWIW, I'm an ENTP.

More photos... Lamb I am from Sam Iam Lettuce and tomatoes, eGullet style Cocktail hour begins... Tammy doing her mixology thing (and very well, I might add) Chris Hennes, enjoying one of Tammy's creations A Clover Club changing hands Kerry Beal, being a dedicated physician, knows the value of balancing one's alcohol intake with green leafy vegetables.

Here are some early photos... Baklawa ready for the oven, from Chef Crash and his wife Tammy's mandolined beets, ready for blanching, then the dehydrator A collection of batards and foccacia, from our master bread baker Tino27 (Tom) Fat Guy peeling a "dragon carrot" Joyce (Mrs. Sam Iam) stripping some rosemary Joyce's handiwork Chocolate truffles from Kerry Beal. The famous Thermomix is in the background. Tom checking his phone to see if there are any posts about his bread. One of many trips to the compost pile

Agreed about the banquet--amazing, almost overwhelming (but we managed somehow). This morning we had an interesting and informative tour of Zingerman's Coffee Company, then enjoyed a leisurely sampling of the wares at the nearby Bakehouse and Creamery. It's such a beautiful day here in Ann Arbor that we (well, at least me) could have hung out there at the picnic benches for hours. But onward we must, so the larger portion of the group headed out for the Dearborn/Detroit food tour, while SamIAm, his wife Joyce, and I browsed Kerrytown Market (boned leg of lamb! lobster rolls!) and Zingerman's Deli (where I tasted but didn't buy a $59.95 bottle of 120-year Sherry vinegar). I suspect that pictures will be posted before too long.

7:00

Here's the full story. What do you think about that recommendation? Is campylobacter contamination primarily a supermarket chicken issue? I almost always buy whole chickens freshly killed, so I rinse them to get rid of the last traces of blood, then dry them well (and wash my hands thoroughly, of course).

Here in Michigan, we're big on cherry wine, which can be good if the sweetness is kept under control. Here's one example.

Coffee #1 or #3 would be the most interesting for me, I think. I might be up for the Tour de Food (and can drive)! Let's talk Thursday night. I was planning to pick up some supplies at the Deli either later in the afternoon on Friday or when we're at the Farmers Market on Saturday; the Roadhouse is near Tammy's place.(N.B. The Tour has to be completed within 24 hours.)

coffeecoffeeCOFFEE!! I'd do it Friday afternoon, so long as it's not too late. I love coffee, and would like to learn more about its nuances, but it tends to keep me up at night if I have any after about 3.

This might be somewhere in the forum and I simply missed it, but what are the starting times for the restaurant meals (and the bread workshop and the tour)?

Spanish chorizo is available via Zingerman's mail order, so you can call them to see if it's also available at the deli. I suspect that Tammy knows other places, too.

OK, I see that Jaccard makes this one, in a 1x16 or 3x16 configuration and a white handle, and this one, in a 1x15 or 3x15 configuration and a differently shaped black handle. Is there any practical difference between the handles? Also, for a very occasional user, will the one-column version be adequate or should I still opt for the three-column?

OK, I'm thinking poached shrimp served cool with a mild tomato-avocado-corn-lime salsa and homemade basil oil. A bright Marlborough (NZ) Sauvignon Blanc would be perfect with this. I might bring a bottle or two of the 2009 version of this one, which recently received a 92 from Wine Spectator and is on sale here in GR for $12.49.

It depends on the community, which police force (state, county, or local), and, some cynics say, how close it is to the end of the month. In all but the pissiest communities, you usually have at least a 4-5 mph (7-8 km) leeway. The Michigan State Police and county Sheriff Departments (at least here in west MI) usually enforce 10+ mph over. Ann Arbor, I don't know.

For folks who'll be driving, especially those flying in to DTW and renting a car, be careful with your speed. In 2008, The Detroit News ran an article about quotas and speed traps, one of them reportedly on I-94 near the airport. Almost the entire city of Ann Arbor also was listed as a "hot spot," according to their readers. I haven't seen any reason to think that's changed since then. Tammy, do have any further information or insights about this?

Isn't it depressing that we even have to consider asking the question? In any event, I don't see why not, but then, you never know with DHS. You might want to give them a call. I have one I can bring, but it's pretty small.

A little less sarcasm and a little more proof, please. You and I started posting on eG about the same time, but I don't perceive the same global animus toward the man that you do. From what I recall and from what I see via a quick search (and from the small sample now on this thread), the comments are within shouting distance of balanced. For an interesting and somewhat related (and long) forum, here's the one about Rick Bayless and Burger King, mostly from 2004.

Because Auguste Gusteau is his hero.

We actually have (farmed) shrimp here in Michigan, so I think I'll pick some up on my way to the Gathering and make an app with them for our Feast. Tomatoes and basil in some form will likely be involved.

Hey, if we can have a forum about the Best Fast Food Burger, why not one about Popeye's? For what it is, it's good stuff. According to their web site, there's one not too far from you, in Roslindale. Give it a go and let us know what you think.

One of my favorite books, What to Drink with What You Eat, actually has an entry for Popeye's Fried Chicken. Paul Grieco, general manager of Hearth in NYC, says, "Popeye's should offer [dry Spanish] sherry at all its locations! It helps cleanse the palate, and that salty tang to it mirrors the saltiness of the fried food. It's a staggering match."

Echoing Beebs, I believe that at the very least you have grounds for a complaint to the EEOC if--and this is a big if--they actually wrote that they weren't hiring you specifically because you were younger than the other finalist. Management experience is a legally defensible reason; age in and of itself--including its relationship to comfort level--is not. I understand if you hesitate doing this out of legitimate worry about possibly gaining an undeserved reputation as a "troublemaker" in your community.

Not my style, thanks, but others might enjoy it. I was planning to enjoy some quiet free time and maybe a bit of socializing in those hours betweeen the bread workshop and Grange. In fact, I was contemplating seeing if a couple of folks wanted to join me for an informal drive around the area--perhaps lunch at The Common Grill with a stop at Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, or maybe a visit to Zingerman's to stock up on supplies (it'll be less crowded than on Saturday, I imagine) and to bring back some stuff to eat with our bread. I also want to spend a little time at Motawi Tileworks.

It would be great if you wanted to talk to MetroTimes. It also occurs to me that I know someone who writes for the Ann Arbor Observer who might be interested. So Fat Guy, maybe loop me in to your conversation with Alex? I've sent info out to my local foodies and some are definitely looking forward to attending. I just need to get those last couple menus, and then I'll be able to get the reg site up and point people there, and we'll get a better sense of confirmations. I just remembered that I was a friend of one of the Observer's editors, although we haven't had any contact in over 20 years, so I don't know how much that would mean, if anything.