Michelin Stars

After reading Gordon Ramsay's autobiography I got to thinking about how many Michelin Stars there are in Canada and if we have any three star restaurants. Well after doing some investigating on the Internet, I was sad to discover that Canada doesn't even have a single Michelin Star. This bothered me and as I dug deeper I found out that the guide does not even review Canadian restaurants. I do not know why they don't, surely we have great food in Canada. After all we are the home of Poutine and well it is not a fine dining dish it does show that we know good food. I am a proud Canadian and know that I live in the greatest country in the world. This seems to not be the perception when it comes to food for others around the world. We are only two years removed from hosting the Winter Olympics where we showcased to the world what a great nation we are. But it makes me wonder what all those thousands of people were eating while they were here. Did not one of them enjoy the food enough that our country had to offer that they went home and told their family and friends. I know we have great restaurants and great chefs in this country and I think it is time we got the world recognition that we deserve. So maybe this blog is my challenge to bring a Michelin Star restaurant to Canada and I think the right place to start is Vancouver. With our diverse array of cultures and cuisines and an abundant ocean full of the best seafood the planet has to offer we can easily go head to head with any restaurant in any city in any country in the world. Add to the fact that the best wines in the world are produced in our back yard and I think we have as strong of a chance as anyone. So consider this my declaration to the world that Vancouver, Canada will get a Michelin Three Star restaurant and will be known around the world as one of the best cities to dine in.

Roasting In Hell's Kitchen

I recently finished reading Gordon Ramsay's autobiography Roasting In Hell's Kitchen. It was a very compelling read and I found myself unable to put it down. There are very few books that have the ability to do this to me. Of course it was fascinating reading about a person I have nothing but the utmost admiration for. His struggles growing up and starting out in a cut throat industry are told in witty and very raw manner that give you a glimpse into a world that most of us have no idea about. We have all seen the celebrity chefs on television and have seen how glamorous they make the life of a chef to be. But after reading his story I now know that is just Hollywood's spin on it. One will not make it in that profession without grit, determination and a very thick skin. It is a must read not only for his fans or aspiring chefs but for anyone who has a love for food and a good old success story.

It was all a dream

Ever have one of those dreams you wish would never end. When you wish you could just sleep forever. When everything seems so real and you are happy. Everything you have ever wanted is playing out right before you. If you could somehow watch yourself sleep you would have a never ending smile on your face. Well last night I had one of those dreams. I was in the kitchen with Gordon Ramsay just cooking. No television cameras, no executive chef job up for grabs. Just him and I enjoying our passion and doing what we both love. It was like I was in heaven. I was absorbing everything he was saying, memorizing everything he was doing. My taste pallet was his canvas and he was creating a masterpiece for me. If I was dead this would be my heaven. It was the real Gordon Ramsay no make up, no scripts and he was there just for me. Of course there F bombs dropped and he even gave me a "shut it down" just for the hell of it. And he even showed me how too drizzle my cream sauce for decoration =P But then unfortunately my alarm went off ripping me away from my paradise. Real life kicks in and it's time to get up and go to work. Taking my place as the Gordon Ramsay of baking.