Chef Charlie Trotter

So it has been quite some time since I posted but todays post is sad news for the city of Chicago.

Chef Trotter passed away today at age 54. His family, friends and a lot of big names in the food game have done nothing but pay respect to a man who really in the end helped shape some of Chicago's food culture.

Chicago chef Graham Elliot (Master Chef judge) tweets: "CHARLIE TROTTER: chef, mentor, trailblazer, philosopher, artist, teacher, leader. He now belongs to the ages."

The first time I heard the name Charlie Trotter was because of Anthony Bourdain and "No Reservations"

Cities with major food culture there are men and women who have helped shape the face of food in there cities and what I have read and learned about Charlie Trotter was he was one of these men

I am not sure what to say but here at FoodXCore we offer our condolences to his family, friends and to all those chefs influenced by him in one way or another do not forget what he taught you because someone has to pass it on!!

Cheers!

Aloha Spirit...Sometimes It Is A Food Thing

So this morning I got to my work set up and did what I do almost every morning and that is walk down to Char-Cu-Te-Rie in here in downtown Visalia, Ca for my morning coffee and time to kick back and do some reading.

 This week I have been reading The Ethical Butcher but today I grabbed the travel issue of Lucky Peach magazine and started reading an article that featured Roy Choi (Kogi and A-Frame) and Christina Tossi (Momofuku Milk Bar).

Roy starts talking about the "aloha spirit". "The aloha spirit happens in many ways. Can you think of letting someone in your house without feeding them, or let them go on the road and not pack them a lunch?" This question got me to thinking about food, friends/family and being involved in the hardcore scene.

One of my favorite things in life is when my wife and I open our home up to friends. Whether it was for a special occasion or just to say "Come over I am firing up the grill". You could almost always count on after any-show our house and yard would be filled with friends and bands who were on the road.

I knew first had that bands on the road did not get good meals on the road so if they were in my house they got fed. There is nothing better then a bunch of guys hanging out around a bbq grill in the snow drinking beer.

In September of 2007 I put together a going away party/birthday party for my wife (we were getting ready to leave Spokane and return to California). I used my buddies restaurant and cooked three pork shoulderes and prepared Kalua Pork, tons of rice and potato salad. Beth made her garlic bread that everyone freaking loves (she has only given the recipe to one person and the is Joey). It was an evening of just spending time with friend.

I think about the times of sitting around a diner and eating food that may not be the nest on the planet but you sit there for a couple of hours with your friend and just b/s the whole time. Everyone has had those late nights at Dennys.

Sometimes I think people miss the point of food. I think food is about community. I was not trying to do something awesome when I would cook late nite after a show it was about bringing people together. The truth is some of the best food around is not always the "best" food but the best times.

When you are eating or in some cases feeding people think of what Roy Choi said about the aloha spirit...Sometimes that is what it is all about.

It Is Burger Time You Suckas!!

Molly Hatchet

    So today I go to lunch at Brewbaker's Brewery in downtown Visalia,Ca. I pull up a stool at the bar order my beer (Dopplebock) and asked what was the special called "Australian Open" and as the bartender began to describe what was in on the burger and as soon as he got to the fact that there was on egg on the burger I say "That will do...Lets go with that".

    Recently I filled out an application for one of my favorite restaurants in Santa Ana,Ca and one of the questions on the application was asking about my favorite burger and why. So this got me thinking...What makes a good burger?

Double-Double Animal Style

   First and for most how do you have your burger cooked? I like my burger medium rare to medium because there is nothing worse then an overcooked burger. If you are out and you order anything over medium you are looking at an overcooked burger, especially if it sits under heat for a few minutes.

    I put the question out there "What make a good burger?". David Villalpando for Fist City MX says a good burger is "sirloin, chorizo, bleu cheese, jalapeno and onion rolls oh yeah and bacon!!"

    One of my favorite things to do when in LA is hit up the Grill Em All Truck because the truth is they have some of the best burgers around. Not only do you get burgers based on your favorite metal bands but just good damn food. Oh yeah by the way have opened a brick and mortar in Alhambra! Can not wait to visit there real restaurant.

Waste Em All

Well in the end is there a such things as the perfect burger, I don't know because like anything that is good it is subjective. A good burger is only as good as its ingredients. If you use crappy meat, crappy cheese or mediocre then guess what you are going to get a crappy burger.
   
   If you are at home making burgers use the time to experiment, do not just slap meat into a patty and if you are out grow a pair of balls and try something new when it comes to your burger. Trust me it is the best way to go.

Food Goals of 2013...Yes I have Goals!!!

So I do not normally have any resolutions or anything but this year I have a list of things I want to do and here they are!!!
   
    1) Food Recipe Contest: April 13th 2013 is national Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and I am wanting to partner with a local restaurant and collect a bunch of grillled cheese sandwich recipes and the winning recipe will hit a menu on April 13th. Keep your eyes peeled!!

   2) COCHON 555: 5 chefs, 5 winemakers and 5 pigs and 10 cities (including SF and LA). It is not a super cheap event but I am willing to spend the money on it,

   3) Another visit to Jason Quinn's "The Playground" and I think another visit to "INK"

   Last but not least I am really going to try and develope the Fat Boy HC blog into something dope this year. Working on some recipes to put up here as well. Keep your eyes peeled going into the next year.