TJHarris

My knives hit the steel about every hour they are in use. We get to the oilstones about every week for the more often used knives. Some of the lesser used blades may only see the oilstones every four weeks.

Hi gang, I am afraid that I have to change my definite to a maybe. The company that I was working for was bought out and my division was eliminated. So for the time being most everything is up in the air. On another note, If anyone is aware of any unpublished chef's positions available in Southern Michigan or the Toledo, Ohio area I would love the tips. Thanks, Tobin

I won't let the baggers touch my stuff. Too many times they have bagged the berries with the raw chicken or the lettuce with the scouring powder.

Ha! You may be joking about those hardware store hamburgers, but there really is a Home Depot here that has a Chicago-style hot dog/hamburger/Polish sausage stand in the lobby. The smell of grilled onions and grease permeates the air. They do great business with the contractors who stop in for supplies -- one-stop shopping. And I hear there's a laundromat with a door to the adjoining tavern...lots of suds there! ← When I lived in SW Missouri, I did my laundry at a place called Duds 'n' Suds. You could wash your skivies, watch the game on the big screen TV, grab a burger and a beer all at the same time. Talk about multi-tasking.

The forum host can boot this if they feel it is to far off topic but... Last evening, whilst at the local market, I observed a woman with two small children in the check out lane in front of me. In her basket, 12 frozen tv dinners, cookies, ice cream sandwiches, cheese doodles, potato chips, some kind of breakfast cereal that has more sugar than grain. I don't know if this constitutes a crime against food, but it comes close to child endangerment.

What is iodized salt and why is it bad? ← Iodized salt is salt which has had the element Iodine added. This was required by law in many areas for general use table salt. I am uncertain if it is still legally required or not. Iodine, as a nutrient, is essential for proper Thyroid function and the prevention of goiter. Sever iodine deficiency has also been linked to mental retardation as well as other developmental problems. All that being said, Iodized salt tastes nasty when compared to most sea salts or even a decent Kosher salt.

I certainly don't understant the basis for the missing half star from the text. Also, should we be insulted by his "culinary challenged" remark?

I have been to the Columbus, OH restaurant. The beers that I have had were quite good. Sorry, but I can't remember which ones. The food was also better than the typical chain. It has been about a year since the last time but wouldn't hesitate to recommend to someone looking for a good mid-priced meal.

Brooks, I don't own this item but just spent some time looking at the photos. How do you load the spit? I don't see any way to lift the thing out of the extension ring other than to pull it out through the side. Am I missing something here. It seems to me that to load the spit whilst it is being half laced into the extension ring might be difficult. Also unloading a hot piece of meat in a hot ring could be problematic.

I kind of hate to admit it but, I have become a bit of a slow cooker fan for some dishes. I think that the biggest advantage comes in not having to fire up the oven and heat up the house.

That is some darn tasty looking pork. total jealousy!

I have worn Dansko clogs for 12 years now. I used to wear some very expensive work shoes. The hundred dollar work shoes wore out in 3 or 4 months. I also had a lot of knee and lower back pain. Now I usually get 18 months or two years out of a pair of Dansko clogs. The clogs have greatly reduced the pain in my back and knees. Although a few dollars more than the work shoes (generally 10 or 15 dollars). My savings over the life of the clog is better than $200. Good luck, Tobin

Upthread there is a link to a fan site that has a banner saying the entire series will be on DVD August of 05

I've got two good but harmless ones. Years ago while operating a catering house, it would often be neccessary to send a newbie to the market for small quantities of specialty items. One item on the list would usually end up being "white food coloring", something that just doesn't exist in the retail world. Invarialbly there would be a phone call from the poor sucker saying that he had been two three stores and none had heard of it. They always came back kind of red faced. Another, unplanned good one: there is often a roll of plastic film that just doesn't behave properly. It tears or strips or gets tangled. One newbie was having a particularly bad time with a roll. I suggested that it might be past its expiration date. The fellow spent several minutes searching the box for that date to see if it was to old to be used.

I've always had issues with FOH staff wearing fragrances and have asked to have my server changed on more than one occasion.

Alex, For the sake of numbers, I think you can add a +1 to my RSVP. If the Mrs. isn't coming I have a couple other foodies wanting to come. Tobin

I feel like a vinegar under acheiver. Red Wine White Wine Cider Balsamico Balsamico Tradizionale Rice Wine Sherry White distilled (for cleaning windows)

For dining: Coach Insignia in the RenCen Opus One on Larned The Rattlesnake Club in off of east Jefferson Cuisine in the New Center area For more reasonably priced eats: Lafayette Coney Island Pegasus in Greektown Xochimilco or El Zocolo in Mexican Town This is a start and will post more as they occur to me.

How small are your small ones? The Bakehouse website says no children under 6 on the tour, and I expect the Creamery will be the same. The common house has a big kids play room, and there's a playground just outside. And lots of friendly neighborhood kids to play with. My one year old will certainly be around for much of the day. It could be a long day for kids though - I expect we won't be eating dinner until 7-ish. ← The older of the two is seven and the younger will turn six just eight days after the gathering. But you are right, it does look like a long day. Guess that they just might need a day with grandma. ;)

Tammy, Will this be a family friendly outting? Will Zingerman's allow small ones on the tour? Thanks, T.

My local PBS station didn't air the show! DRAT!

You can count me in (barring any changes to my work calendar.

As over the top as this seems, there is a restuarant off of I-75 in Birch Run, Michigan, that claims that counting three strips of bacon is too taxing for their cooks. Every side of bacon starts as a pound raw as does every BLT. This place is a favorite of hunters in the fall, on their way up north.

My favorite way to enjoy morels and asparagus together is to saute them in a little whole butter, toss in a bit of reduced chicken broth fortified with some sherry and add a bit of orzo. Shave some parm reg over the top. Ramps also make a great addition to this.

I enjoy a salad of equal parts sliced radish and cucumber lightly dressed with a little toasted sesame oil, safflower oil, rice wine vinegar and salt.