Planning a New Year’s Eve Menu
I write and develop a lot of menus over the course of a year. From small little snacks to elaborate menus for a fundraising gala based on a specific theme. After all these years some of the questions I ask myself when thinking about what to serve are instinctive and come very natural to me. I want to stop for a minute and take some time to write down the process I go through when putting together a menu. In this case it was putting together a menu for new year’s eve for my family and best friends. I break down the menu writing process into several steps: Inspiration or...
Read MoreOrganic farming may be outgrowing its ideals
I started my working career on a organic farm at the age of 11. I undertsand how hard it is to maintain a stocked shelf of ripe and ready produce even during the growing season. I worked on a small 1 acre farm that was completley organic for its time in the mid 70′s. Natural fertilzers made from animal manure and cut nettles were part of our watering supply once a week to help restore the soil. Hand harvesting and pest control by walking the fields with a small can where we would deposit the the bugs we picked of the leaves. However we only sold what we where able to pick that day. If...
Read MoreWhat’s Your Favorite Local Ingredient?
If is grown, baked, raised, fermented, hand made or brewed in your "backyard" and you use it in your operation we want to know.
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John Reed is a professional chef with over 30 years experience. John has extensive knowledge of culinary techniques, ethnic cuisines, food history which he applies to present day menus by using strong organizational skills, leadership, problem solving and the appropriate use of technology. His understanding of the culinary arts comes from experience in the following: A la carte Dining, Off-premise Catering, Corporate Dining, Conference Catering, Hotel Foodservice 



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