New but not new ...

[Pooh]

Dear Colleen,

I don't have much on Japanese cooking, except for dessert. Click here:
www.cheftalkcafe.com/cgi-local/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000264

Pooh- thanks for the Japanese truffle recipe. It looks wonderful. I have only made simple truffles before that had orange liqueur, so this will be a nice challenge for me.

Papa, thanks for your posting - my husband has told me that's he spoke with you on the phone at one time- he said you were such a dynamic, enthusiastic person. Are you called "Papa" because of your wisdom, or because you're a father figure? Just curious.

[ May 22, 2001: Message edited by: Nicko's better(?) half ]

[Pooh]

You're welcome, Colleen.

Let me know how they turn out!

[Papa]

Dear Nicko's Better Half:

In answer to the question of how I came to be called “Papa”, the nickname was given to me many, many years ago as a compliment which I could not begin to earn if I lived a thousand years.

As a boy in Greece, I was stricken with wanderlust which was inspired by the literature written by such authors as John Steinbeck, Victor Hugo, Dostoyevsky, Hemingway, Kazantzakis, and many, many other wonderful writers. I traveled across different continents and worked at various jobs to pay for these voyages. These odd jobs usually involved animals in some way because they were often seasonal and universal in job descriptions. The people I met taught me so much and, since DVD’s and MTV were not exactly in vogue in places like the former Soviet Union, Hungary, Mongolia, Tibet, Papua-New Guinea and the Greek islands, the men shared their sports activities with me as well as story telling in the evening, usually over a fire for cooking and/or warmth purposes. I came to love hunting, deep sea fishing, fly fishing, literature, fine Cuban cigars, wonderful traditional food and “real” people (not the kind you meet as a tourist). My friends at home, however well meaning but regrettably overstated, likened my interests to those of Ernest Hemingway who is fondly known to his admirers as “Papa”.

I am using this name in my internet explorations to honor the memory of these old friendships.

Papa
What a fascinating story! And written so eloquently; it is a joy to read your postings. What a rich history you have. You must be so thankful to have had the opportunity to have truly experienced a variety of cultures and to enjoy the simpler, more peaceful way of life.

My husband and I went to the Greek island for our honeymoon. We often dream about moving to some remote place or small town to enjoy the simple way of life, and escape this busy, materialistic society.

[Papa]

Dear Nicko's Better Half:

Thank you so much for your kind comments.

I have been blessed with a lot in my life. I have met great people and I have made wonderful friends. Although we might be separated by great distances, age or even death, I believe that the wisdom that my friends gave me is always with me. My greatest blessing is my wife.

Here is a small example of my travels. I was staying in an isolated light house as a guest of the light house keeper. He used to cook these wonderful omelettes for breakfast made out of seaweed and seagull eggs. What a wonderful man he was. For someone who had spent most of his life in the company of loneliness and solitude he had great stories to tell. Amazingly, most of his stories were about people. People of the sea whom he had never met. He used to communicate with the sailors of passing ships with a mirror. These messages were his inspiration for his stories. When I left the light house to continue my travel, he had told me that we will never part because our stories will keep each other company for the years that were to come. He was so right!

[Pooh]

Dear Colleen:

I just found this new book titled:

Tetsuya: Recipes from Australia's most Acclaimed Chef

TETSUYA presents the master chef's unique cuisine, a winning combination of Japanese minimalism, the techniques of traditional French training, and a commitment to using the freshest ingredients.

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/books/15800829 47/reviews/ref=pm_dp_ln_b_6/107-5829172-6623765

[ May 22, 2001: Message edited by: pooh ]

Papa
Your experiences are like none I've ever heard, except in books. Hence, you are appropriately named "Papa".

I am reminded of the time I went to Erfurt, Germany with my college choir almost 10 years ago, just after the "Iron Curtain" came down. I stayed with a middle-aged couple who were so generous. They had very little - in fact, only a 4 room home, but they treated myself and my friend like we were royalty. He was explaining to us that during the time of communism there were only two types of cars available to the citizens, for which you had to get on a waiting list if you wanted one. Of course you couldn't get on the list until you reached age 16, and it was a 10 year wait for the German model and a 12 year wait for the improved Russian model.

Each "nik nak" or decoration in their home had been given to them by friends of theirs from around the world.

The husband of the family was the town's tour guide! He took us to the top of this hill which overlooked the whole town, where Napoleon once stood with his army.

I truly enjoyed getting to know the real people of that little East German town.

[Papa]

Hello and Welcome Colleen!

It is great to have you here!

I hope to meet you whenever you and Nicko decide to visit our part of the world. You have an open invitation for breakfast, luch or dinner in our place.

I am looking forward to your postings.

[Nick.Shu]

eh, tetsuya, the guys a wanker.

A Wanker! ha ha ha. Pooh, thanks for the book reference for Japanese dishes. Looks great. Have you tried any recipes from that book?

[Pooh]

Your'sooo welcome.

I didn't even purchase it yet, LOL!! Amazon.com e-mails me "What's new" on a regular basis. I just happened to check it out and there it was. How fortuitus!



Nick.Shu

You wanker too?

Have you met Tetsuya? or have you heard of him?




[ May 23, 2001: Message edited by: pooh ]

[Greg]

Colleen, I think most of the places I've worked at were a different restaurant when you were here (I've only been here since '96). I've worked at a place on Grand Ave called The Wild Onion that was Lyon's Pub then. I also recently worked for the owners of Tavern on Grand in a German restaurant they opened last year. Currently, I'm a lead cook at an upscale public golf course in Lakeville,MN (about 25 mi. south of St Paul). Did you go to William and Mitchell?

Hi Greg
I remember Lyon's Pub - went there a couple times with my friends in college. I didn't know it changed hands to a different owner.

No, I went to Bethel College which is a private Baptist school in Arden Hills (just north of St. Paul). I really enjoyed going there for undergrad.

[Greg]

I've been to Bethel for a job interview; Marriot's contract foodservice division does their food. I didn't get the job, but it's a beautiful campus. One of the waitresses I recently worked with is a student there.

There's still a Lyon's Pub open, it's somewhere in the south suburbs.