Mise en Place

30775_PhotoWelcome to My Journey

I am one of those crazy people, who has decided to put my corporate consulting business on hold and enter into the culinary world as my hair turns increasingly grey.

The first phase of my journey is already in progress. I bought a 1887 water front building (former failed bar/restaurant) over looking the marina in the beautiful Village of Gagetown. The building is a bit of a “fixer upper” and that’s being polite. Renovations are continuing at a snail’s pace because we had to spend so much time jostling the long line of bankers wanting to finance the project. Banks love restaurants! But that love, unlike your mother’s, is conditional. Banks prefer restaurants that are fully functioning, generating a profit, and really need money to buy a few paper napkins.

So I’ve taken a vow of poverty. Sold the big honking house with garage and hot tub and moved into 980 sq. ft  above the restaurant with my lovely wife. Most the of 980 sq. ft is kitchen. Kids still come for meals, but they can’t move back in because we don’t even have a basement anymore. All this being said; I wake up every morning, coffee in hand, and look out my back window and think; This really is a nice spot.

The Three Questions?

No matter where I travel in the world, I always get the same three questions- Where you from? What do you? Wow!!!! What’s Next?

Answer to Question One

I am a gypsy, who has lived all over North America, including Hollywood, embracing a  nomadic lifestyle of collecting useless travel points. Now I am content to split my time between The Village of Gagetown, New Brunswick (That’s Canada, not New Jersey) and the “Real Margaritaville” in Mexico (The nice part where they feed you, instead of shoot you).

Answer to Question Two

What exactly do you do? That is a tough one. I’ve been many things; Broadcaster, Marketing Machine, Educator and Strawberry Picker. Right now I am like the Corporate Batman. Most times I am wandering around the village in my “workin round the house clothes” and then the corporate bat phone rings. That’s when I get into a dark suit and shiny shoes and disappear for a couple of days. Some of the locals are thinking, “He’s either an accountant or organized crime.” Rumour also had it that I was the “most unemployed person in the village”. He also seems to be going out on these long job interviews, but never seems to get the job.

So putting it altogether; I was an unemployed accountant, who turned to organized crime and was forced into the witness protection and is quietly living in The Village of Gagetown walking the streets dressed up as “Batman”. I love colourful rumours. If you really want to find out about me. Here’s a link to my company website. I own the joint and most of the information is true.

Answer to Question Three

I am heading off to Lyon, France to attend a condensed 6 week course at the Paul Bocuse Institute. Don’t know who Paul Bocuse is? He’s been named chef of the century. I will be blogging about my journey. So Stay Tuned