April 20, 2016

The LA TImes recently featured a recipe for Sweet Butter Kitchen's Coffee Donut Muffins. They sounded great, so I tried the recipe and while they were very good, I felt they could be even better. Sweet Butter Kitchen, it's not you, it is me. I wanted them glazed like a donut, and felt the sugar-espresso powder topping was too harsh. Plus, the recipe made 24 muffins--too many for me. So. here's my version. Full credit to Sweet Butter Kitchen. No doubt their's are better, but these come out better for me.

February 03, 2016

I've been accepted as a member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International, a trade industry group supporting and protecting Foodservice Consultants and their clients. A component of membership is agreements with an arduous Code of Ethics, and herein lies your protection. Trust me, I didn’t need someone else to write me a code of ethics, I have my own, but the FCSI Code of Ethics addresses issues I wouldn’t even have thought of , and provides enhanced security for my clients. The entire document is fairly long and dense, so I won’t bore you with too much of it, but the Guiding Principles provide you a sense of how seriously FCSI takes the Code.

I’m happy to comply!

ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: GENERAL: Guiding Principles:

●   Members have a responsibility to maintain and advance their knowledge of the foodservice and the hospitality industry and the practice of independent consultancy; contribute to the growth and prosperity of the foodservice consulting community; maintain and acknowledge the impact their professional activities can have on the greater public and exercise learned and uncompromising professional judgment.

●    Members demonstrate a consistent pattern of competence, and shall apply the technical knowledge and skills consistent with the best practices of the foodservice consulting industry.

●   Members will seek to raise the standards of foodservice consulting excellence, education, research, training, and practice.

●  Members only accept assignments for tasks which they have the knowledge and skill to perform.

●   Members follow all applicable principles, codes, regulations and laws against discrimination in their professional and social responsibilities on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or sexual orientation.

●   Members are candid and truthful in their professional communications and keep their clients regularly informed about the clients’ project.

●   Members ensure that advice and recommendations they present are based upon the needs of the client and on the member’s analysis and experience in the industry.  All recommendations shall be realistic, practical and presented to the client in a clear manner.

●   Members safeguard the trust placed in them by their clients.

January 05, 2016

There are a number of online wine deal sites. I'm partial to three, but I'd love to know about more!

Garagiste: daily (more or less) email solicitation with a GENUIS business model, which completely separates the pleasure of the buying decision ("I like it, I want it!") from the pain of payment ("12 cost what?", "I have to pay?!") TIP: Never disappointed once in wine quality. Act fast, they can sell out, long wait for wine to arrive.

Last Bottle: Napa merchant with closeouts, some from the backyard, others from around the world. TIP: act super fast, wines usually sell out quickly. Ask for recyclable packaging--they have it, and you won't be stuck with Styrofoam.

Vivino: discounts on super premium wines.

Shipping wine is complicated and can be a hassle. You have to sign for the parcel upon arrival (to prove you are not an intoxicated 12 year old), which means you have to be home. I use Craigslist or NextDoor to give the shipping boxes away--new they sell for $12-15 at retail, but I just prefer they be re-used rather than become landfill. With shipping at $25 and up per case,. make sure you are really getting a deal, and be sure to throw some business to your local wine shop!

I'd appreciate learning what sites you like.

December 21, 2015

My family used to buy Crumb Buns, as we called them, at Trost's Bakery in Summit, New Jersey by the sheet pan. It was always part of our Christmas tradition. Trost's, which opened in 1939 and was still going strong as late as 1985, probably later, did a lot of things right.  Trost's is long gone but those Crumb Buns, I can't shake them. A couple of times a year I'd try a recipe to see if I could get close, but none caught me, until now. They're moister than Trost's and we forgot to sprinkle them with confectioners' sugar, but that's mostly cosmetic. I think I remember a hint of lemon in the Trost cake, but maybe not. Anyway, these are worth the modest effort and perhaps can become part of your holiday tradition.

December 10, 2015

Zenreach provided free public wi-fi in Ozumo and Lark Creek restaurants. While free for the guest, we collected an email address, that with proper opt-in, becomes a valuable marketing asset.

They conducted a brief interview with me earlier this year.