Wake me up when September ends....

Summer has come and passed....the tired has barely last, Wake me up when Sept ends. My summer on FI has ended. Whoohooo. All good things must come to an end at some point right? It was time. I made it thru Labor Day weekend and man were we slammed hard. Tumbleweed tuesday is the day after Laborday as the town becomes a ghost town. I was sick in bed for those 2 days off and slept away most of it. 4 months working and living on FI was everything, nothing and more than I thought it would be. I learned so very much both culinary wise and personally. I gained invaluable experience working in a restaurant and under another Chef. The ALA CARTE experience was amazing, even though it was backbreaking and exhausting. I know now that the past few years I was right in saying I never wanted to work in a restaurant setting. I DON'T. EVER! ( ok maybe not ever- if I owned it I might just be open to it ) LOL. I also learned I dont like living with approximately 10 college kids sharing a bathroom either. I felt like a house mother in a coed frat house. Although I did learn to back off ( I was not their mom ) it was an experience I dont think I want to experience again. That was the worst of it. The best parts were, I had alot of fun working with Chef Bobby, I met some awesome people, I had the beach and the bay steps away from me on a daily basis, and people most important to me came out to visit me. I read about 30 books ( I wasnt into the socializing after work- it was more like Spring break week at nite ) so I would retire up to my room, shower n camp out in my little bedroom and read. Thanks to my brother Marc, who brought me some incredible books ( mostly about chefs ) and some goodfriends who sent me or lent me some good reading, I was never really bored. I got home 2 weeks ago, and think I have finally unpacked and feel comfortable sleeping in my own bed again. Although my suitcase is still in my room as I am getting ready for 12 days in Dallas visiting my brother and his family. I am sooo excited about it, that I cant wait. Then I will have to come home and back to reality and look for a new job. Not quite sure what I want yet, I would love another small catering hall, I have a new outlook, new menu ideas and a desire to be different.....but I am also thinking about maybe something corporate. Weekdays, reasonable hours, benefits....the stuff we need. Guess I will see what happens when I get home from Texas. In the mean time, my dear cuz-in-law ( CIL ) Jill sent me the email addy for the application for Hells Kitchen. HAHAHA funny thing is that I actually filled it out and sent it in. I must be crazy. I have finished my Christmas shopping since I have returned home, and it actually feels really good. I know you all think I am nuts since I was asking you all about our secret santa thing in august, but as they say i culinary school......its 99% prep....Tommorow I turn 47!! Not really a milestone but pretty unbelievable nonetheless. Where has the time gone. I know those of you older than me ( not too many of ya ) are laughing as you read this, but guys...its gonna come fast. So technically all ya'all are right behind me. ( is that the correct usage of all ya'all ?) But I think the very best thing this week of all is that I went to buy a pair of jeans to bring to Texas since the ones I have were very big on me, and what do I find, but i went down 2 sizes since april. WHOHOOO..... guess all that hard work and eating good fresh fish all summer paid off. Life is good. Life is short, take time to be with those you love, tell them you love them, and laugh ALOT!! Thanks to those of you who came out to visit me this summer. I loved having you come!! xox

The Sofa King Invasion of Ocean Beach

The Lessard's came to Ocean Beach!! On tuesday, almost all of my family trekked out to Ocean Beach. Scoot, Ama, Cassie, JP and Jill, Nat and CC, Amanda and Jeanine all ferried over to see me and spend the day. We walked th 2 1/2 blocks to the beach, fortunately it was low tide and set up the chairs, blanket, umbrellas and paraphenalia. The kids immediately ran to the water. Jellyfish and sealice were also visiting Ocean Beach so we kept rinsing off alot. The kids got hungry so Scoot and I took them up to the Sandbar where I work for some kids meals. Pizza, hotdogs, chicken fingers and a couple of Rocket Fuels later we were off back to the beach. Jeanine had to leave early for work, so I set her up with a Rocket Fuel and said goodbye. When the adults got hungry, we packed up our gear and headed back to the Sandbar for sofa king good food and drink. Everyone ate and drank and had some laughs. I just want to thank my family for loading up and coming out to see me. I miss them all alot this summer and it meant alot to me. To those of you who couldnt make it out here - you were missed. We had a great day !! Sofa King great day!!!

T'was the Summer before Christmas

They told me the summer would pass in the blink of an eye. It must have since Santa was here on Fire Island last weekend. The restaurant was packed, band was playing and it was standing room only. When all of a sudden, I heard bells. In walked about 15 people ( maybe elves ) with Christmas Hawaiian shirts on and Santa hats. Then all of a sudden I heard the infamous.. HO HO HO, and what to my eyes did suddenly appear? Santa ! Hawaiian shirt, cutoff red velvet pants, suspenders, flip flops and a straw cowboy hat. Here he was, in Ocean Beach on Fire Island. His red bike and wagon were parked outside as he was handing out candy canes to the tourists and townies. The band started playing Christmas carols and Santa joined them on stage. I had to run out of the kitchen to be a part of it. Fortunately being THE CHEF here, I was able to get a picture of me and Santa. I was so giddy with holiday spirit ( exhaustion most likely the culprit ) that I couldnt get back into the kitchen. Orders had to wait, Santa was HERE!! I think I may be using the pic as my Christmas card this year. Now to top this all off, this weekend, we had a craft fair here in town in the square. Well after last weekend with Santa, what else could I possibly do? I pretty much finished my Christmas shopping!!! How cool is that? So I guess anyone reading this will know, your gifts will be from Fire Island this year....LOL.

Believe it or Not?

Well another weekend has past, I cant believe I am here on Fire Island 13 weeks already. They told me it would fly by. They were right. Yesterday was my day off, and my brother Marc trekked over to visit me and spend the day. It was raining on the mainland and he was already not in a good mood coming over by ferry. It had rained briefly here and the sky was clearing up. I gave him a tour of Ocean Beach (quite a small town although the largest community on FI ). We started the day having lunch at the Island Mermaid. The same place I took my mom to. Food was fabulous as always and we enjoyed sitting by the bay. Since Marc is continuing to lose weight, we decided to take a walk over a couple of towns. Not much to see or do there but the homes are lovely to look at and the bay breeze is a pleasure. We came back and changed, I into my bathing suit and Marc into a new pair of shorts and flipflops. Believe it or not!! We headed for the beach. The water was beautiful and a tad cold, but again we took a long walk along the water and enjoyed the peacefulness and beauty. Funny though, I havent seen my brother on a beach in yrs, and he admits he hasnt done this in many. I told him about all the deer on the island and fortunately we got to see a few. First time for me seeing an antlered buck!! ON the beach!! very cool. We headed back to my restaurant, and decided to have some food. Chef Bobby was in the kitchen and Marc was in heaven. He started with the Tuna Tataki. #1 Ahi tuna, seared and sliced served with a ponzu soy sauce. It melted in his mouth he said. Then he opted for the Mahi Mahi sandwich served with Mango salsa, I had my favorite Maple rum glazed Salmon on spinach greens. He was thoroughly impressed and full. We took a walk around town, did some shopping and stopped at the little candy store for some treats. Key Lime pie fudge was the special of the day. YUMMY!! Packed up and headed for the ferry, the day was great and I cant wait for more of you to come see me and my little summer home!!

And the RocketFuels red glare......

I survived 4th of July weekend here on Fire Island. Everyone was warning me how busy we would be, I believe to encourage me both mentally and physically. The weather was great, people were arriving by the boat load, and we were prepped to the max. The town has a parade every year and the floats are made up by the community from their wagons. The kids had a ball, the adults drank alot of Rocket fuels ( the island drink of choice ) and I cooked my butt off. I am now officially an ala carte Chef. One of the reasons I took this job was to gain that experience in my culinary career. Not to sure if I want to pursue it further than this summer but I am loving the experience. By sunday nite I was completely and utterly exhausted. I couldnt wait for my day off on tuesday. My mom came out to FI with her husband and spent monday after the holiday weekend here. She spent a few hours on the beach and then came to my restaurant for lunch. I dont let my mom look at the menu and she allows me to order and cook for her. She started off with my Stuffed Fried artichokes with Roasted garlic tomato aioli. Then I prepared her a Mahi Mahi sandwich, with mango salsa on a rustica roll. I also sent out a Rum Maple glazed Salmon on spinach salad. She was impressed !! LOL She stayed at a cute little B & B so we could spend my day off together. I have vowed my days off will NOT be spent here at my restaurant at all. We spent the day at the beach, came back n changed, walked around town shopping in the little family run stores ( Angie would love it here ) and then went to an early supper at The Island Mermaid restaurant on the bay. Overlooking the water, we ordered Pomegranite Margaritas and ate the best Fried Calamari I have ever had. Lobster rolls as the entree oh sooo yummy. Now understand being a Chef here in town in one of the 9 restaurants we have, we pretty much all know each other. I seem to be treated especially well when I go out. Service and Food were both amazing, and for some reason people ( in this case my mom ) seem to be impressed with the special treatment I do get. Needless to say, my mom is proud of me. In all honesty, I am too!! I cant wait for the rest of you hop on the ferry and come see my little summer home.

Encore Encore!!

Where to start? On June 12 Kathy and I attended the Jimmy Buffet concert at Madison Square Garden. It was my second time seeing Jimmy, and I was ready this time. Hawaiian shirts and lei's and all, I was totally prepared. I dont consider myself a ParrotHead like some of his fans, but I have to say, he is one of the most down to earth, fun preformers I have seen. We danced at our seats for over 2 1/2 hours and had a blast. Thinking it would be my only concert of the summer, I enjoyed it immensely. Then late the other nite, I got an email from my good friend of over 38 years, Carol in Florida, asking me if I wanted tickets to see Chris Botti at Carnegie Hall on June 24. Well after a bunch of phone calls and some changing my day off plans, I went. My cousin Jeanine and I took the LIRR into NYC and met up with cousin Jill. We had a light supper around the block from Carnegie Hall and laughed alot. When we were shown to our seats the girls were quite suprised. I never told them the seats were in a box on the side balcony. Botti is a trumpet player who has a very impressive history. He was fabulous. Jazzy tunes made up the 2 hours of music with a band that was just as if not more impressive. We had a great time and I cant wait to hang with the girls again! My next outing will be going to see Young Frankenstein on Broadway with Kathy in August. I cant wait for that as we have 7th row Center Orchestra seats for it. September I am hoping at the end of the month to go to Texas and hang with the Lessards and the Mckenzies, maybe stop in at the Texas state fair. Then October its Radio City Music Hall for the Celtic Thunder concert. Maybe squeeze a few other outings in there as well.

Chillaxin'

Its my day off, unofficially. I am going to be off on thursday this week, as Kathy and I are going to the Jimmy Buffet concert at MSG. I started my day off this morning with a long walk on the beach. It was hot already and absolutely beautiful. I put in a good 2 miles walking in the sand, worked up a good sweat, and came back to finish off with a healthy breakfast of fresh fruit and an iced coffee ( skim milk and a splenda ). Chef Bobby returned from his days off on the mainland and asked me why I was dressed for work. Told me to take the day and CHILLAX!! This word is used alot these days, its a cross between chill and relax. I am totally chillaxed now. I went over our food purchase with him and threw on my bathing suit and headed for the beach. I encountered 3 deer along the way. Kinda freaky to see deer just wandering the streets and eating out of peoples lawns and gardens. They are plentiful here. As I walked down the stairs to the beach from the little boardwalk I got to see another deer wandering the dunes. Incredible, as I never realized deer hung out on the beach....there are tracks everywhere along the sand. I am back now, had a late healthy lunch of tuna, and getting ready to take a shower. Its really hot today again. Not sure what my evening has in store for me but I can tell you this, it will be somewhere airconditioned so I can continue to CHILLAX.