Its all about the ingredients

[Botanique]

Forgive me, please. Perhaps sometimes I say too much, perhaps not enough. I have said it before, and I will say it again -- I am so grateful to be part of this family. Its not just about cooking, or "chefing," or whatever you want to call it. Its about understanding the underlying makeup, spirit, soil, skin... character, that we share. If I offended anyone, I deeply apologize. That was never my intention. I felt, and still feel, that I found a place to go and share, even if my education and awards weren't in the culinary field. However, my many "teachers" as I grew up I think would be very proud of me in that even though I have a masters in biology, it is the identification of herbs and spices at the knee of Mrs. Feeley that I identify with the most.....

We are all human, and sometimes our emotions cause us to quiver. okay. Just let me say, that what I love most about this group/forum, is that we "get it."

So, when are you all coming to my house for supper?

[Mezzaluna]

Botanique, we're glad you're a member here. Keep the posts coming!

I'd love to come for dinner, but for the moment it'll have to be a virtual one. I'll keep the invitation in mind.

Mezzaluna

[Botanique]

OK -- virtual dinner coming up. Sorry, its gonna include food in content -- don't forward me! ;-)

I did coq au vin yesterday... perhaps I should do a rerun of lobster ravioli, with a cajun sauce, arugula for greens with shredded jicama... mustard, definitely. It needs something else though.....

[Botanique]

BTW -- Mezz, thank you.

[ogreplate]

I'm glad to hear we have someone with a biology background in our midst. About a year ago I started a new hobby. I love the outdoors, when I'm not in the kitchen odds are I've got a pack on somewhere in the woods. My new excuse to get out is mushroom hunting. I recently moved to Texas, so its not as prime picking as Oregon was, but I want to start getting back to my new hobby. People have said their is plenty to be found in this state as well. If you don't mind I may pick your brain in the future. I don't know if their is a way to send pictures of specimens through this site or not, but some help with ID would be wonderful. Are you up for it? Please. Thanks.

[Mezzaluna]

Ogreplate, Shroomgirl is quite well-informed when it comes to fungus. You might want to contact her too.

[Botanique]

ogre -- be more than happy to help. I'll do the best I can. I used to help identify shrooms at the botanical gardens in Mendocino while I was there.... However, I must agree with Mezz, that Shroomgirl may be your best bet, and she's a sweetheart and probably wouldn't mind at all.

[ogreplate]

Thanks. I'll also check with shroomgirl. The more help the better. Its always fun to be able to share your hobbies and interests with others. Does anyone know how I can send specimen pictures to cheftalk members? Thanks. I appreciate everyone's offers of help and suggestions.

[Botanique]

PM me and I'll give you my email address.

[chrose]

Originally Posted by Botanique

If I offended anyone, I deeply apologize. That was never my intention. So, when are you all coming to my house for supper?

Don't be silly, and as soon as possible!

[Botanique]

OK. You all need to make a trip to California -- to my "in the process of looking less of a disaster" 6 acres on the delta, with the 1125 square foot octagon house with a blue roof soon to be a bed and breakfast after we win the lottery and build the big house....

Lets have an event. Eating, wine tasting, motorcycles, laughter....

[castironchef]

I'm not too far away, so just let me know when you want us over!

I, too, have enjoyed your posts. Keep 'em coming.

[Chef Kaiser]

hi,

i think you found a friend, to support you, even though i grew up as a chef. However my master was a true chef and teacher with Gold Medals with the Swiss Team in all Culinary Olypics in his time. Every Friday afternoon i had to sit in his office and he asked me the Why of cooking.

i can support you, many chefs dont even understand the sience of cooking, they learn from mistakes every day, at the point a reasonable customer complaints.

Biology is an very important subject to be a chef, it was one of my favorit subject as a young boy, besides geography and math in my school days. Language i failed in that time but today not anymore as i caught up with it.

but lets laugh together, how many Chef have to understood HACCP imposed by USPH first, as biologically they are no true chef with dirty kitchens.

regards

Originally Posted by Botanique

Forgive me, please. Perhaps sometimes I say too much, perhaps not enough. I have said it before, and I will say it again -- I am so grateful to be part of this family. Its not just about cooking, or "chefing," or whatever you want to call it. Its about understanding the underlying makeup, spirit, soil, skin... character, that we share. If I offended anyone, I deeply apologize. That was never my intention. I felt, and still feel, that I found a place to go and share, even if my education and awards weren't in the culinary field. However, my many "teachers" as I grew up I think would be very proud of me in that even though I have a masters in biology, it is the identification of herbs and spices at the knee of Mrs. Feeley that I identify with the most.....

We are all human, and sometimes our emotions cause us to quiver. okay. Just let me say, that what I love most about this group/forum, is that we "get it."

So, when are you all coming to my house for supper?

[shroomgirl]

Put the pot on to boil........middle of April is wide open and I am so ready to play in Central California. Let's see if I can finish organizing Kid's Day at the market, catch a cheap flt and head your way. Randii McNair (Davis Farmer's Market manager) wants info on the university program in which I'm consulting, Alice Waters owes me dinner....maybe this time our schedules will cooperate.....Kelly McKowen said he'd hook me up with a wild edible forager in Napa....ok it's time let's shake off the winter and have a Spring Fling!
I've got the goat cheese, leaf lard and black raspberry jam....plus assorted shmellies.

[Botanique]

Wow. <sniff sniff> Tears are actually welling. LOL

Hey shroom, if Alice owes you dinner, that's excuse enough to head on out!

I say we shoot for the end of April. I presume weekdays not weeknds are better for most of you. If this flies, I am quite excited!

I promise not to do a ROTFLMAO in person

Need coffee, then I'll be able to post with both eyes open in a bit.