Harvest America CUES BLOG

chef

  • CHEFS – HOW COMMITTED ARE YOU?

    On a scale of one to ten there are levels of commitment to any career and in some cases, there is a place for individuals at each of those levels. One does, however, get out what they put in. So,… Continue reading

  • ARE YOU EXCEPTIONAL?

    What does it mean to be exceptional? What does it take to get there? How does one measure exceptional performance? Are some people born to be exceptional? Is it a genetic gift or, is it possible that we all have… Continue reading

  • COOKING FROM JOB TO PASSION

    It started in an unassuming manner – you needed a job, a local restaurant was hiring, and it just seemed to fit the bill. Maybe you began as a dishwasher or counter person in a quick service operation or an… Continue reading

  • PROMISES MADE; PROMISES KEPT

    Harvest America Cues Blog is back! I hope you enjoy this first article after a two-month respite. As a cook or chef, what is your promise to yourself? This may seem like a strange question unworthy of investing time, but… Continue reading

  • CHEFS – TRUST THE PROCESS

    As in the case with many professions, there is a process, sometimes built around tradition and often, proven effective over time. This process is methodically built on results and, as such, is acknowledged by those professions as being effective. The… Continue reading

  • A STORY TO TELL

    Oh, how our careers evolve. With a commitment to constantly learn, a willingness to step in different directions, and an open mind – where we start may not have much similarity to where we end up. That makes life interesting… Continue reading

  • GREAT QUOTES FOR CHEFS TO LIVE BY

    Inspiration comes in many forms. It may be from the actions of others, their successes, or even their failures; it may come from the visual arts, or music, science or medicine, or even from the beauty of nature. But few… Continue reading

  • SO, GOD MADE A CHEF

    Adaption by: Paul Sorgule This article was written in recognition of the wonderful piece that was done by Paul Harvey paying homage to American farmers.  This version is a tribute to chefs and cooks who care for the crops and… Continue reading

  • THANKS TO MILLIE, THE BREAKFAST COOK

    We all have someone to thank – that person who started this whole obsession with being in the kitchen, the one who lit the fire and pushed us forward when we may have seemed a bit directionless. Sure, there were… Continue reading

  • CHEF – SHOULD YOUR BELIEFS COUNT?

    It is an important question that some of us wrestle with while others may simply shrug their shoulders. We are in the business of service and in service to the business. To your employer, the financial success of the business… Continue reading

  • CARPE DIEM, COOKS

    Seize the day! Ah…” when opportunity knocks, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket, in basketball or hockey you’ll miss every shot you don’t take, if you aren’t going all the way, why go at all,”… Continue reading

  • THE 21 KITCHEN RULES FOR EVERY CHEF TO FOLLOW

    Nearly nine years ago, during the first twelve months of Harvest America Cues blog, one of my articles went viral attracting almost 40,000 views in one day. The article struck a nerve with its focus on A Cook’s Kitchen Laws.… Continue reading

  • CHEFS – BE A ROLE MODEL

    Finding your purpose, making a difference, and creating your legacy are underlying goals that every chef seems to hold close. How important is this and in the big scheme of things, does it really matter? We invest so much time… Continue reading

  • YOUNG COOKS – CREATE YOUR FUTURE

    How eager are you to reach that position of chef? Are you hungry enough to do what you need to do, to build a plan and stick with it? Are you serious about cooking, creating, coaching a team, and contributing… Continue reading

  • WHEN THE KITCHEN AND FOOTBALL COLLIDE

    It’s January in the Northeast – a time when the demands of the kitchen and the excitement of football converge. It’s the lull after the holidays in restaurants and the beginning of the NFL playoffs. As the chef of a… Continue reading

  • ANOTHER YEAR – A CHEF’S NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

    I know, I know – New Year’s Resolutions seem to be a waste of time. We all make them and rarely stick to the plan. But lack of execution should never get in the way of planning, dreaming, and setting… Continue reading

  • THE EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN RESTAURANT

    PART TWO: The Era of the Chef: Ah, now things really changed. The once restaurateur-centric restaurant was about to become chef-centric. Seemingly happening overnight – the chef went from a behind the scenes after-thought to a celebrity. Beginning with a… Continue reading

  • THOUGHTS FROM THE CHEF’S DESK

    Okay, I admit I have always been inspired by Steve Jobs – one of the founding partners in Apple Computers and frequently referenced sage of Silicon Valley. So, when I discovered his listed “Habits of Successful People” I knew they… Continue reading

  • TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND AS A COOK

    If you are a cook who is happy working just for a paycheck – more power to you, but you can probably save some time and not read this article.  If, however you have the sense that cooking is more… Continue reading

  • WHY CULINARY PROGRAMS FAIL

    There has never been a more important time for culinary schools than right now.  Sure, I know how much the restaurant/foodservice industry is suffering and how many operations are shutting their doors as a result of avoiding decades of challenges… Continue reading

  • A CHEF’S MANIFESTO – 2021

    An exercise that I have found to be really helpful is to occasionally state/re-state what you believe in as a chef.  Every now and then this can serve as a “checks and balance” activity to keep you on the right… Continue reading

  • THE KITCHEN MAGIC OF CHEF PHIL LEARNED

    Our industry recently lost a giant of the professional kitchen.  Chef Phil Learned stood tall in the kitchen of The Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch, NH.  In its day, the Balsams was one of the finest destination resorts in… Continue reading

  • THE 2021 CHEF SKILL SET

    It is always safe to say: “things change”.  Change is an inevitable part of life and as we all know if we fail to recognize that and adapt – we can become obsolete.  Throughout history there are countless examples of… Continue reading

  • COOKS: A CALL TO ARMS – DON’T SETTLE!

    There exists a real dichotomy of enthusiasm towards working in the restaurant business. I realize that this may have always been present at some level, but in today’s kitchens there appears to be a polarization of those who love the… Continue reading

  • COOKS AND CHEFS – THINK ABOUT THE STORY BEHIND WHAT YOU SEE

    Some of you may be too young to know the band – The Moody Blues, but their lyrics always inspired me, especially during challenges that life occasionally brings. One such lyric asked us to view the story in peoples eyes… Continue reading

  • COOKS – THE COMFORT OF HEAT, SWEAT, AND HARD-WORK

    Staring at the POS printer, waiting for those orders to start their tap dance building to a crescendo in an hour or so, clicking a pair of tongs by your side, shifting weight from one foot to the other, and… Continue reading

  • A COOK’S NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

    Yep – another year, another moment in time to reflect on where you are and where you might be going. To many people a resolution is a futile attempt at changing poor behavior, lost opportunity, broken promises, and failed attempts… Continue reading

  • A CHEF’S LIFE – IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

    In the Blink of an Eye “Looking forward has no limits Looking back reels you in Thinking about what could be Gives pause to what might have been Vision is energy for an active mind while Reflection is food for… Continue reading

  • WHEN COOKING BECOMES MORE THAN A JOB

    Typically, it starts off that way – old enough to work, they’re hiring, no experience required – it’s a job. Maybe it’s a local diner as a dishwasher or assistant to a short order cook; maybe it’s a fast food… Continue reading

  • COOKS AND CHEFS- BUILDING YOUR CAREER TAKES EFFORT

    The best things in life are never easy, and with your career, if you truly want to reach for that rewarding chef position or chef/owner opportunity then it is essential that you set your goals, chart a course of action,… Continue reading