Various Notes from the Inn

Hi, Blog Readers. Hope your day sees you well & happy.

First off, business: Inn at Long Lake will be closed March 3rd and re-opening on March 8. Refurbishment projects are scheduled.

Last night's Top Chef Season 5 Finale was very good. Hosea, Stefan, and Carla competed. Congratulations to the winner, Hosea! And, great job BravoTV.

Carla (of Alchemy Caterers in Washington, DC) was one of my favorites in the show, mostly because of 2 reasons: 1). she backs her food with lots of Love and intention, and 2). she cooks rustic, "homey" food like me. Located in New Orleans (where I lived before Maine for 4 years), these qualities translated well to the great comfort food of The Big Easy. Home cooking takes a certain amount of "spirituality" and Love, I dearly believe.

In last night's show, however, she fell apart---taking suggestions from her assistant, which "changed" her personal statement about her own food. It led to her loss. Carla's lovely personality became detached from what she was preparing. Her food looked different, totally out of her character.

I am all about expanding one's culinary experience but NEVER do this in a competition or right before a party/dinner at your home/inn! All the recipes we read and prepare form our personal thumbprint (point of view). What is yours? How do you define it? Are you a great Italian cook? Are you a gluten-free cooking officianado? Is regional American food something that excites you? Explore the nuances of every dish you enjoy preparing and these may good indicators of the path you need to walk. All in all, be true to yourself. Keep perfecting it.

I am in the process of surveying my closest friends for their feedback on something. The question is simple: When you think of Home Cooking, which 3 dishes/soups/desserts come to your Mind & HEART??(yes, all food should affect the HEART, then the tongue!). This is the essence of the food at Inn at Long Lake. I look forward to getting their answers. POST yours right here on the blog. Hint: These foods would be the last 3 things you would request at a "last meal."

That's all for today. Eat smart, nourish your soul and body. Thanks so much for checking in to the Inn at Long Lake Blog.

Your Maine Innkeeper,
Keith
Naples, Maine