tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-180863202023-10-28T08:32:34.470-07:00Food, Design and Business at the Culinary Institue of AmericaJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1137702688757849952006-01-19T12:21:00.000-08:002006-01-19T12:33:27.336-08:00

1. I have absolutely no idea what to do with my free time or as a 'free' individual. Since moving up here and starting my own life, my own script, I feel a bit lost. I guess I've been living according to so many rules for so long that I became a bit institutionalized. Now that I'm out here on the edge it's a weird, loose feeling. A bit too loose at times. 2. For some strange reason, I've been

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1137375317598501182006-01-15T17:28:00.000-08:002006-01-15T17:35:31.956-08:00

Well, we're in our new space now. Settled and waiting to start. I have about a week to go before orientation. Done some exploring. Made it to Clinton vineyards, but it was closed. Millbrook is close by too, but it's about 40 min. Alison Vinyards is much closer, at 15 min North of here. I'll probably make my way there this week.So far, there are some interesting eats here:Gigi - hip, trendy

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1134663039449427812005-12-15T07:58:00.000-08:002005-12-15T08:10:39.466-08:00

I had a great dinner last night with my old boss at Rats, in Hamilton NJ. It's on the Grounds for Sculpture, which is a very cool place set behind indutrial type warehouses. You would never know any of it was there, but the food was great.For an app I had homemade pasta with a poached egg and white truffles (shaved at the table). It was very nice but a bit bland. It needed a little kick, pepper

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1134352728859116562005-12-11T17:58:00.000-08:002005-12-11T17:58:48.883-08:00

I rented a Jancis Robinson DVD from NetFlix kinda halfheartedly. I wasn'texpecting much, but inspiration strikes when you least expect it I guess.Partway through disc 1 she introduces you to a French winemaker from Puillywho makes wine from Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Here's why I'm inspired:1. He looks like a mountain man. Long, frizzy, bushy hair. Long beard.2. He's a rebel who doesn't care much

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1134235240235343892005-12-10T09:20:00.000-08:002005-12-10T09:20:40.243-08:00

Well. Here it is. Day 1 of my "sabbatical". Actually, I've quit my job inadvertising so I can pursue my dream at the Culinary Institute of America.I'm taking the month of December off so I can spend time with my familybefore moving to scenic Poughkeepsie, NY.My boss has yet to replace me at my newly old agency even though I gave themtwo months notice. He tells me the market for strong AE's in NJ

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1132508290999396872005-11-20T09:29:00.000-08:002005-11-20T09:38:11.006-08:00

I just saw this in a new TV spot for Saab:"Saab. Born from jets."Are you kidding me? How did a line like this make it into a communication? Sure, it's on strategy (After watching the whole spot, it's kinda obvious that the strategy is to connect their cars to their heritage in developing high precision machines, like jets.), but who in their right mind thinks that a line as clunky as "Born from

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1131461617575463712005-11-08T06:41:00.000-08:002005-11-08T07:13:29.083-08:00

Please forgive me for any errors in the retelling of this story, but I heard it for the first time this morn and wanted to share. Brahman & RushkaRushka is an ugly, little troll-like figure in Indian myth. One day, Brahman, the head god (like Zeus), left his throne to go for a walk. Rushka happened by the empty throne and decided to sit. All the other gods saw this and were outraged. They scolded

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1131034851155762612005-11-03T08:01:00.000-08:002005-11-03T08:35:41.003-08:00

A friend was telling me about a very New Agey idea about the mind, soul and ego. Don't let the 'New Age' thing fool you, this is a very cool, seriously good idea. Basically, we all have a Soul and Ego. The Soul likes to fly and dream and move and some say it is "where the divine meets humanity". The Ego existis as a survival device but also as the 'hands and the feet' of the Soul. It is there to

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1131033662625112022005-11-03T07:52:00.000-08:002005-11-03T08:01:02.640-08:00

Why do people keep telling me I'm 'crazy'?Some are impressed, but others are just horrified. And these are people in The Business. Are they trying to keep me away? Is it all just for them? Or, can they smell something in me that tells them I dont't belong? Like animals do in the forest. But, when I think about it, I kinda like the idea that people look at me differently. I like the idea that this

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130338218699511062005-10-26T07:50:00.000-07:002005-10-26T07:50:22.976-07:00

Talk about design and Experience. We rented an '05 Mustang when we arrived in Houston for groups and it is a great car.I'm not a car "guy" and am usually happy with my honda. But this car was sumthin else.Purrrs when you start it- really more of a Grrrrrr. Smooth ride. Great pick up. You're easily doin 85 and don't know it.The interior is simple and direct. No extra "stuff" on the dashboard.I am

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130286073379054992005-10-25T17:21:00.000-07:002005-10-25T17:21:13.383-07:00

About 3 years ago we started going to serious restaurants. I've always wanted to make a list and write down the dishes I remember. In a life where I can't remember wherei paked my car, there are some dishes I will never forget. Here is a qick list:NYCGramercy TavernGothamBalthazarPer SeLes HallesUnion Sq CafeNew OrleansNOLAIrene'sCafe du MondParisChez GeorgesLauderee

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130283102918507002005-10-25T16:31:00.000-07:002005-10-25T16:31:42.940-07:00

WOW! I'm sitting at focus group testing in Houston, 20 min away from game 3 of the world series and I would like to stick a pencil in my ear.Groups are great for the first 3 minutes...and then things really slow down. I can't wait until we recap this "learning" later.Don't get me wrong. I did realize that people will build a story around whatever you show them. They'll add in personal details

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130186403239005322005-10-24T13:24:00.000-07:002005-10-24T13:40:03.243-07:00

A recent article in Business Week was both scary and reassuring (if only slightly). Here is a quote:"SELLING IGNORANCE. All this marketing muscle for mediocre wine worries me. Increasing consumption of wine that's well-marketed but not very well-crafted could pressure wine regions to concentrate more on vineyard yield instead of quality."This was said in regard to a new brand of wine from

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130184465201956402005-10-24T13:07:00.000-07:002005-10-24T13:43:45.736-07:00

I've seen this idea a few times over the last week on the web.Essentially, you script the events and interactions the way advertisers and film makers script a movie or commercial.It sounds very interesting...but having spent 5 years making commercials for myopic clients who made very creative people slaves to the board, I am hesitant to script my life.What about chance and risk and things not

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130181874891158312005-10-24T12:20:00.000-07:002005-10-24T12:28:13.343-07:00

Hmmmmmm. I just read an article in the NYTimes Adv section about an Eddie Bauer pop-up store in rockefellar center. They sell only 'down' merch (jackets, hats, etc) plus some misc bags and ipod cases and will close by Dec 31. This is just like the Illy store in downtown NYC. They'll only be open for a short time, but they are doing it very 'creatively'. Their space is well designed, with Illy art

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130164660855140002005-10-24T07:32:00.000-07:002005-10-24T07:37:40.863-07:00

My designer friend Chris just came back from Maine where he saw a place that reminded him of me. It was a small bar/ café that served wine and small plates. A place like that would be great: I could do small bottles, small, 2oz flights so that customers could explore and try new things. A flight of light, med, full reds or a flight of Spanish wines or a flight of new world stuff, or a varietal

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130077940316023072005-10-23T07:16:00.000-07:002005-10-23T07:33:32.006-07:00

21 E. 16th St. (Flatiron/Gramercy/Union Square) between Fifth Ave. and Union Sq. West212-243-4020WOW! This is now my favorite restaurant. (Just edging out Gramercy Tavern.)We went the Wed the NYTimes published a story about the "founding fathers" of mordern NYC cuisine: Bouley, Jean-Georges, Neirporent, Danny Meyer. I had always wanted to eat there.App: She had fresh pasta with lobster and sauce

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1130076833643443042005-10-23T07:13:00.000-07:002005-10-23T07:16:47.213-07:00

411 W. 42nd St. nr. Ninth Ave. 212-239-3060We had dinner there last night. I've got a soft spot for bistro food and have wanted to try this place since I read about it in the paper. Since it was a rainy, windy day...What better than comfort food French style? Well, at least the Heidseik and the Kir were interesting. Apps were interesting: I had butternut squash soup that was smoky but a bit salty

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1129987461969133882005-10-22T06:14:00.000-07:002005-10-22T06:27:25.300-07:00

Food is fuel. It keeps us going. We need the energy and the nutrients contained in food to live. But a trip to any supermarket or GNC will tell us that we don't need to actually "eat" anything to get at that fuel. We could get all that we need from a pill, powder or shake.But how fun is that? Can a powder get you excited? Can the smell of a pill remind you of the first time you visited Paris? Do

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1129917487009443642005-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:002005-10-21T10:59:25.873-07:00

So....I'm off, soon, to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. This blog will be a place for me to post my thoughts and expereinces at the school while I train to be a top shelf Culinary Professional. But, when I think about it, maybe I don't want this to be about school. Maybe I dont want this to be about anything. Maybe I would much rather prefer to have no agenga for this blog

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1129908406059851112005-10-21T08:14:00.000-07:002005-10-21T09:14:51.520-07:00

When are Doctors going to get it? They, too, are a business. They, more than anyone are selling a "solution"...an "experience". But a visit to one of their offices is far from an enjoyable experience. (And I only went for some shots and a quick look under the hood. Needed to get some paperwork out of the way before school starts. More on school later.)Here's what I "experienced" at both of my

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18086320.post-1129823749238212432005-10-20T08:41:00.000-07:002005-10-21T08:13:53.586-07:00

There was me and my ideas. I shared them with a few, but not many. Then a forward thinking friend said "Why not write a blog? Share your thoughts with The People." I thought "Nah. Who wants to hear me rant? What do I have to offer the citizens of the web?" But...What if...I didn't care about sharing or communicating anything of meaning to the public? What if I just wrote for the sake of writing?

Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603089182497559434noreply@blogger.com0