Telling your food story

I finally got around to watching the finale of Top Chef Masters last night. Out of 24 Chefs who have been in the industry for a long time and who have James Beard Awards, Michelin Stars, and have owned restaurants for years, it was down to three. Their final challenge, to create a four course meal that told their food story.

Course 1: Their first food memory.

Course 2: The first time they cooked something, and they knew they wanted to be a chef.

Course 3: The first restaurant they opened.

Course 4: Where they are now and where they are heading.

From making gnocchi with an Italian mother, to living over a Pastry shop in France, to taking 20 years to get the perfect black mole sauce, every moment was exquisite. My mouth watered the entire time. I would have killed to be at that table taking that journey with them. I loved the true artistry and passion each chef had for food.

So, now I have a challenge for you--write a post about it, post in the comments, send me an email as a guest post--whatever, but I want to know! You do not have to answer all of them.

Course 1: Your first food memory.

Course 2: The first time you cooked something and knew you loved to cook (or ate something and knew you loved food).

Course 3: The first time you had to cook something all by yourself (whether it turned out well or not).

Course 4: What you wish you could cook if you had the chance.

This may just be a dream menu, or maybe we'll have a dining in and you bring one of the above mentioned dishes. I just love the idea of food telling a story, starting relationships, and bringing people together who are passionate about life, love, and everything around them. What will your story be?

3rd Annual Bluegrass for Babies benefiting the NC Children's Hospital

Please mark your calendar for the 3rd Annual Bluegrass for Babies!!!

This special edition of The Carolina Inn's "Friday's on the Front Porch" will be held on Friday, May 29 to benefit NC Children's Hospital Newborn Critical Care Center. The event will take place from 5pm-7pm and will feature the live bluegrass music from The Gravy Boys.

This event provides the perfect atmosphere for kicking back, relaxing and getting a jump on the weekend. The Inn offers its classic southern buffet as well as Tiny Vittles menu with full bar service (including sodas and Shirley Temples), and plenty of comfortable seating under the shady oaks and magnolias on the Inn's front lawn. There is no cover charge for the event.

Please go support this wonderful cause!!

I cannot be there the May 29 weekend, but we would like to invite the EQ to join us for a Friday in June (for Dining Out--we'll narrow down a date soon). "Friday's on the Front Porch" runs from April 2 to October 9th, and is usually a good mix of Alumni, Chapel Hill fixtures, families, staff, and some students, rocking on the porch enjoying good food and fun music. Check out a list of bands here. I'll have more details for June's dining out shortly, but until then. . . Rock (as in rocking chair) On. They may even play some Skynyrd!