Back in October 2009 I took my crew on a trip to vist local sustainable farms, brewery and cheesemaking operation.  This video is a snapshot of our weekend and we had such a great time!  I have more trips planned for my staff this summer, its great to get out and see where your food really comes from.  Thanks Michael Mason for putting this video together.

I love cheese, what’s not to love about it?  I was searching through some photos on my computer and came across my cheese cart when I was the Chef at Caliterra.  What started out as some California and Italian cheese grew into this cart in about 3 months.  Either myself or my Sous Chef Trevor would wheel this around the hotel (even up to guests rooms) to sell cheese.  There would be nights Trevor would go the bar/lounge area for hour’s just selling cheese while I expedited in the kitchen.  Guests we simply amazed that I had 50 plus cheeses and knew the story on every one, it really was great to talk cheese with people.  I could get to know someone’s palette by talking to them and walking them through a tasting.  One of my favorite memories was when a couple who I had a feeling was on a first date ordered the cheese cart.  The guy was insisting on epoisses, it doesn’t help I dubbed it the” bad boy of French cheese”.  This particular cheese was especially ripe; it was going to stay on his palette all night long if you know what I mean.  So I had to ask the question, are you two on a first date?  The lady responded yes.  I made a statement like it must be going well if you’re staying for cheese.  She replied it going very well as she gazed across the table.  I looked at the guy and he was happy to hear her response.  This is when “Chef Law” came into play, I turned toward the gentleman and said “I’m doing you a favor tonight; I can’t serve you this cheese.  If I give you this epoisses your night will end earlier then you want, trust me on this one.  You can come back anytime; I will serve you this cheese for free, but tonight is not the night.”  He understood what I was saying; they had a great cheese course and went on their way.  About 2 weeks later they were back; I kept my promise and served forth the epoisses.  Afterwards she came up to me and gave me a big hug; she thanked me because her first kiss was forever not a kiss full of epoisses!  I’m happy to say that every now and then I see them out, married now and still laughing about their first date.