Welcome to Simple Food Affair, I am excited to journey with you through the world of Culinary delights.
– My Journey –
My love of food started young. I think it began the weekend I made my parents the now infamous Strawberry pancakes. The look of surprise and joy on their faces had me hooked. They weren’t smiling because I made pancakes, I hope any parent would do that, they were genuinely surprised those pancakes tasted so good. What a shock for all of us.
Not long after making those pancakes it occurred to me there are few things in this life we must do everyday. We must breath every minute, we must drink water, and we must eat, the rest is up for interpretation. When I thought about this I decided if food was something I had to consume everyday why not try making it as enjoyable and delicious as possible. Hence the beginning of my journey into the culinary world.
My journey started slowly but I finally made my way to Culinary school in Vancouver. After finishing school I worked in film, corporate, and event catering followed by one amazing summer as owner/operator of my own food trailer.
It was an amazing experience going to so many events in such a short period of time. I served up Fried chicken and Fries at The Cloverdale Rodeo, incredible Hickory Smoked Fries at Molson Indy Vancouver, Symphony of Fire and Merritt Mountain Music Fest, and amazing tender Sloppy Joe’s in Toronto. Unfortunately it was a case of a chef knowing more about cooking than how to run a business, still it is one of my most memorable summers ever.
A few years after my food trailer adventure I met my beautiful amazing wife. We have two high energy red headed boys, of course they are the most amazing talented boys in the whole wide world. After having our first child I made a decision to leave the culinary world. I did not see a world where I would be able to coach their sports, help them with homework, and give them a shoulder to lean on if I continued down the culinary path I was on.
Several years went by before I made the hardest and best decision of my life, to become a stay at home Dad. I love my kids to death but those first few months were strange and awkward for all of us. I’m sure the kids were wondering what the heck was going on here. A few years later we have come a long way. We have all grown very close now and despite the bumps along the way when I look back I can’t imagine making a different choice. I am extremely thankful that I have had this opportunity.
“You Learn A Lot About Someone When You Share A Meal Together”
-Anthony Bourdain-
– Simple Food Affair –
This brings me to my indulgence “Simple Food Affair” and why I decided to create it. I have never stopped loving food, it is my canvas, my art, my muse all in one. I see a fresh apple or Heirloom Tomato and wonder what can I create with this. I love taking ordinary family dinners and turning them into tasty delights that my wife hates because she can’t stop eating, sorry honey.
There is nothing complicated about my meals. With two young boys in hockey who has time for complicated. I remember one instructor saying ” Whatever amount of butter a recipe calls for DOUBLE IT “, he was French. Not always the best policy but sometimes all it takes is a very small tweak to change a meal from mildly amusing to something so delicious people want to lick the plate. I don’t recommend licking your plate in public.
I decided I wanted to share my love of food and show it doesn’t have to be complicated to taste great. Yes fresh is best but sometimes we all need to take shortcuts. Between kids Hockey, dentist appointments, even laundry I take as many short cuts as I can in the kitchen. Tomato sauce in the jar, pre cooked chickens i find all sorts of ways to make my life easier. We all take short cuts but wouldn’t it be nice to make some things from scratch that don’t need a lot of prep work. Or maybe learn some short cuts that don’t sacrifice flavour.
I make many meals that aren’t from scratch but I try to make at least one component fresh. Sometimes that is all it takes, one really well done component like fresh Meatballs and that is what everyone will remember. They won’t realize you used a tomato sauce out of the jar, I won’t tell if you won’t.
Thank you for visiting and I can’t wait to hear questions and comments you have as we travel on this fun food journey together.
