"Can I Have this Dance?"

Greetings, Blog Friends.

The warm days here in Naples have begun transitioning into crisp, cool evenings. In this innkeeper's world thoughts of the busy, glorious Fall Foliage are considered and cast a certain happiness on my heart. After all, people travel from all over the world to see New England in Autumn. It is like the anticipation before a fireworks display yet...afterwards a calmness and quiet that is felt, rather than sensed through the human ears.

I've heard some static about the new season of "Dancing with the Stars." (Tom Bergeron, by the way, used to come into the restaurant I had my first job, earlier in his career!) Well, admittedly, as much I adore music (from classical to dance), I was never blessed with a "Get Done and Boogie" gene. My dear Creole friend Denise in New Orleans said I dance like a "white boy." (My favorite dance song is still "I Feel For You" by Chaka Khan). Well, you know what they say: Bad dancers should be choreographers.

In the inn kitchen, my own little stage of food production, I reflect on how well I move. How about you in yours? Is everything laid out in a way to promote efficiency? Are all your spices in the same location? (Hey, not being able to find the right spice can really slow you down, and be frustrating, too!) Do you surround yourself with music that puts you in the "right groove?"

Most times I wear my chef coat and some non-slip shoes (dress shoes, I swear, attract brownie batter like nothing else! hahaha). For this reason, hosting parties requires that much more care than when I am in my "inn chef" mode. Remember the old housewive photographs? Dresses paired with tied aprons and dress shoes?! Ummm....I think jeans and sweatshirts have replaced that! What is your favorite cooking "outfit?" Whatever it is, that's okay---as long as can "shake it" in your most comfortable clothes, the performance of your food will get lots of applause at its tasting. Cooking is coordination blended with love and creativity. Isn't it the best?!!

Consider what works for you in your preparation of food. Enjoy the process from backstage to bow. That is my thought from this kitchen countertop in a little town called Naples, Maine.

Catch you soon...

Keith A. Neubert
Innkeeper-Chef