Today I read a post on the Huffington Post by Marcus Samuelsson, chef extraordinaire from Aquavit in New York City. In the article he discussed his Swedish heritage and the techniques that he learned from his family’s kitchen. He notes that he never would have imagined that those same techniques would now be so trendy and modern in New York City, 30 years later. My favorite line of his post: “It’s now become cool to take a class on pickling in your free time…”
So true!!!
When did the culinary world become so cool?
It’s not only chefs and restaurants that are cool; the food itself is trendy.
Don’t believe me? Let’s think about it…
What’s not cool?
It seems weird, but certain foods are just not cool anymore. What about a tableside Caesar? What in the name of a 1980’s Carnival Cruise is that??? Don’t get me wrong. I like a Caesar. It is just not cool.
Know what else isn’t cool? Processed foods. It’s so cool to eat healthy these days that fast food is quickly becoming the new cigarette. You’re going to have to hide in the alley with those chicken McNuggets one day really, really soon. I was shunned recently for drinking a regular Coke. I’m telling you, the day is coming.
OK, so what’s cool?
Local, sustainable goods. These are so cool that they’re almost uncool, though they’ll never be uncool because it’s the way we should be eating….get it?
Farm fresh vegetables. Don’t believe me? Try making your way through the farmer’s market at 11AM. It’s almost impossible.
Gourmet Hot Dogs…
OK, this is a weird one. I was in NYC for Valentine’s Day and went to PDT (short for Please Don’t Tell), a speakeasy in the East Village. Much to my surprise, they serve four different kinds of deep fried hot dogs at the bar. On the surface this seems to counter my processed food advice, but these dogs are homemade, baby. Maybe they’re not good for you, but they’re not as bad for you as a Hormel’s.
I think the premise here is to remake something that seems familiar into something new and fresh. How ‘bout artisanal marshmallows? Now that’s cool.
It’s really a bit dizzying to try and figure out what’s cool and what’s not. You better keep up, though, because if you’re not on top of your game, by the time you think you’ve found something cool, it will be passé again.
***Come in and mention a Caesar Salad to your bartender any night this week and get your first drink for $1. House beer, wine, and liquor only.
April 12th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
you know whats not cool!? the fact that most of our local restaurants use mostly sysco bought goods…… you know what IS cool!? tha very permanent tattoo of an insanely cool chef that loves all “veggies” big or small!!!
buy in bulk,sure!
be willing to feed/eat your offerings to the people you so love and care for as well as the paying guests!!!
get on the bus! buy local foods whenever you can,talk about it,demand better/fresher food quality from your favorite hot spot. and yes buy me a beer!! Budweiser WILL DO!
April 12th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Nice! Thanks for the comment, Mr. Guerrilla Cuisine!
April 12th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I feed my kids healthy, more vegetarian than most food at home. They are very good about eating their veggies too! What do I get for trying to make my kids healthier than I am? My mother tells me that I’m not feeding them real food, and feeds them only chicken nuggets, mac-n-cheese, ice cream and pancakes at her house. Please tell me why people who do not like to eat healthy feel the need to sabotage my efforts?
I refuse to be one of the moms who keeps the fast food industry going!! And I’m proud that my kids see the inside of a Whole Foods or Earth Fare more often than they see the inside of a McDonald’s!
April 12th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I have not seen it yet but apparently KFC has a commercial for a “sandwich” of fried stuff and the “bread” is two pieces of fried chicken.
Don’t look around when you are out eating. These people have never read a list of ingredients…and they always add salt. Before they taste anything.
Damn, my shiny halo is tight today.
April 13th, 2010 at 9:03 am
@Jenn: Keep it up! I’m sure your mom isn’t intentionally trying to sabotage your efforts, but rather do what grandmothers do…spoil the kids! As long as you teach them the importance of eating healthy at home, I think that they will take that lesson with them.
@Chuck: I’ve seen that monstrosity!!! It’s insane.
April 13th, 2010 at 9:42 am
Here’s a link to the hilarious NPR response to KFC’s Double Down:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/waitwait/2010/04/kfc_double_down_live_blog.html?sc=fb&cc=fp
this one’s pretty good, too!
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2010/04/kfc_double_down_review.php
Looks like everyone is talking about this “sandwich.”
April 13th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
I hadn’t seen the Double Down before. GROSS!!!
April 13th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Yes! Sick!