I found the ad in a local paper. The classifieds section of their webpage to be specific. The header was intriguing. Something akin to "Improve School Food." Reading the description I thought; "I want to do that work. I would be good at it." So began the task of filling a web based application. The bane of job seekers in our modern economy. But I digress.
The interview process was deep. A case study presented some of the challenges we could expect to face. Next up, selected reading. Now I'm a book junkie. I've spent many happy hours wandering the aisles in my local bookstore. I'd be a regular at the library but I think I owe them money. I mention this not only as self indulgence but to qualify my next statement. The true test of a great book, or any great work is, will it change the way you look at the world? "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan meets that very high threshold. Section 1 on corn was all I needed to swear off corn fed beef in favor of grass fed.
The reading was preparation for the interview. Four of us were interviewed at a time. A unique experience for me. In spite of a grievous error early on the meeting was successful. I set about renewing my Serve Safe Certification. That instruction can be summed up in three words, "Wash your hands." Who would have thought becoming a certified instructor for Cook for America(R) Lunch Teachers(TM) would be so complex? Not this guy.
In early January sixteen of us gathered in Lakewood, CO; coming from as far as Carbondale. Our work histories as diverse as our ages. One gentleman had a military background. Several others were already deep in the school food trenches. My own history is in catering with some restaurant work peppered in.
To try and sum up two weeks in a paragraph would do it a disservice. Let's content ourselves by saying that the training was intense. Boot camp is an apt title. The only thing absent was waking to the sound of Reveille. I entered the exit interview in a joking mood, wondering aloud if I would need a cigarette and a blindfold.
I survived the process. The sixteen of us have gone back to our respective circles. What do we take away from the experience? I had to reconsider my history in school cafeterias as largely superficial. My culinary training has given me a new set of eyes. I see now a slow decline. Elementary school offered a simple cycle menu. My first exposure to sloppy joes and corn dogs happened here. Middle school added pizza and hamburgers daily. Upping the ante with an a la carte line. Lucky for me high school had an open campus policy. A taste of freedom went well with my daily commute to local fast food outlets.
Each of us had our own reasons for wanting to be part of Cook for America(R). I had an awakening. I see my chosen profession in a new way. I have new reason to examine ingredient labels. My obsession with language can help others decipher all confounding polysyllabic ingredients. They must decide for themselves if it's good to eat. The task of transcending the lunch lady label is no simple task. But it is possible.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
A tax on Soda
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-02-07-industry-funded-super-bowl-ad-rails-against-the-non-existent-sod
The above mentioned article highlights a super bowl commercial I somehow missed. In it a woman is pushing a cart through the supermarket while railing against the notion of a sin tax on soda and other sweetened beverages.
I'm no fan of taxes in general. Though I hold a special degree of enmity for sin taxes, those taxes designed to curb consumption of products deemed "bad for you." I'm not sure where the idea of a sin tax originated. Wikipedia has suggested that Adam Smith alluded to the topic in his book, "The Wealth of Nations" Though he may have been referring to a sumptuary law, a law "intended to curb extravagance." (http://www.answers.com/topic/sumptuary-law)
I am of the mind that government creates more problems than it solves. The term blowback is used in foreign policy circles to describe the unintended consequences of government action. Robert LeFevre's quote that, "Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure" seems apt in this case.
No where is this truer than when government meddles in human vice. The idea of a cigarette filter was thought to lessen its negative effect on health. It also allowed cigarette makers to use less tobacco while charging more for a "healthy smoke." The irony is that all the while government is subsidizing tobacco farmers.
Its is because of Richard Nixon's agricultural policy that corn has become such a ubiquitous ingredient in our modern food system. If the political will existed to learn from history we might actually solve the blight of cheap corn. The solution is as easy as end the subsidies.
The above mentioned article highlights a super bowl commercial I somehow missed. In it a woman is pushing a cart through the supermarket while railing against the notion of a sin tax on soda and other sweetened beverages.
I'm no fan of taxes in general. Though I hold a special degree of enmity for sin taxes, those taxes designed to curb consumption of products deemed "bad for you." I'm not sure where the idea of a sin tax originated. Wikipedia has suggested that Adam Smith alluded to the topic in his book, "The Wealth of Nations" Though he may have been referring to a sumptuary law, a law "intended to curb extravagance." (http://www.answers.com/topic/sumptuary-law)
I am of the mind that government creates more problems than it solves. The term blowback is used in foreign policy circles to describe the unintended consequences of government action. Robert LeFevre's quote that, "Government is a disease masquerading as its own cure" seems apt in this case.
No where is this truer than when government meddles in human vice. The idea of a cigarette filter was thought to lessen its negative effect on health. It also allowed cigarette makers to use less tobacco while charging more for a "healthy smoke." The irony is that all the while government is subsidizing tobacco farmers.
Its is because of Richard Nixon's agricultural policy that corn has become such a ubiquitous ingredient in our modern food system. If the political will existed to learn from history we might actually solve the blight of cheap corn. The solution is as easy as end the subsidies.
The restaurant business and immigration.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110207/us_nm/us_usa_immigration_fastfood
Is there anyone out there who feels as that chosen profession is under attack? Do watch the news and wonder if your industry is being maligned for doing what is necessary in this economy? Before we proceed any further I am not talking about Wall Street banks. Your game has been rigged from the get go. Too big to fail is sure to be considered one of history's great misnomers. But that is a topic for another day. Its unfair that good people must be dragged through the mud; made to look like villains just to make a living. Life is a bitch.
The industry I want to discuss is my own. The restaurant business. The only industry I feel qualified to dissect. It is rare that a week goes by without some new reason to stay home and eat. Salmonella outbreaks, product recalls, health food fads; and now the hiring of illegal immigrants. Perhaps I'm wrong in thinking that this is news to those outside the industry bubble. That some of my co workers citizenship is questionable is an open secret.
I blame what I've coined the Ratatouille principal, the fact that anyone can cook. They may not cook very well or rise to the level of chef. But the Pixar movie was right; anyone can cook. Had I been aware of this fact ten years ago I may have chosen a different line of work entirely. But when you finish high school you're expected to go to college. Its been worth it though. I love the look on a diner's face when they enjoy a dish I created. We could liken it to the "light bulb moment" a teacher has when his student grasps some new idea. And the group of friends I've found is second to none.
Leaving culinary school I had no illusions of stepping into an executive chef position. Or becoming the next Iron Chef. I wanted to work on a cruise ship. Three years into a post 9/11 world the economy was starting to rebound. The world was wide open. Alas it was not to be. A degree means little in a trade that demands you show me what you can do.
Now in 2011 the bubble has burst. In spite of the adage that a man can do without life's necessities when he has a few of it luxuries; consumers aren't going out to eat. So what is a restaurant owner to do. Food prices are rising and rent isn't going down. The only option is to cut back on labor cost. The surest way to do that? Hire someone who will work cheap. Someone with secrets to keep. Which brings us to the article.
So what do we do? Here the discussion gets murky. Few want to be the cold-hearted bastard demanding the illegals be deported. Not a politically savvy move if one is seeking re election. Arizona has made a tough call. I think a bad one. No citizen should have to put up with some cop or bureaucrat demanding to see his papers. Lucky for me I have this pasty white complexion.
I fear the outlook is bleak. All those in Arizona who feel as I do are going to migrate; and probably not back to across the Rio.
Is there anyone out there who feels as that chosen profession is under attack? Do watch the news and wonder if your industry is being maligned for doing what is necessary in this economy? Before we proceed any further I am not talking about Wall Street banks. Your game has been rigged from the get go. Too big to fail is sure to be considered one of history's great misnomers. But that is a topic for another day. Its unfair that good people must be dragged through the mud; made to look like villains just to make a living. Life is a bitch.
The industry I want to discuss is my own. The restaurant business. The only industry I feel qualified to dissect. It is rare that a week goes by without some new reason to stay home and eat. Salmonella outbreaks, product recalls, health food fads; and now the hiring of illegal immigrants. Perhaps I'm wrong in thinking that this is news to those outside the industry bubble. That some of my co workers citizenship is questionable is an open secret.
I blame what I've coined the Ratatouille principal, the fact that anyone can cook. They may not cook very well or rise to the level of chef. But the Pixar movie was right; anyone can cook. Had I been aware of this fact ten years ago I may have chosen a different line of work entirely. But when you finish high school you're expected to go to college. Its been worth it though. I love the look on a diner's face when they enjoy a dish I created. We could liken it to the "light bulb moment" a teacher has when his student grasps some new idea. And the group of friends I've found is second to none.
Leaving culinary school I had no illusions of stepping into an executive chef position. Or becoming the next Iron Chef. I wanted to work on a cruise ship. Three years into a post 9/11 world the economy was starting to rebound. The world was wide open. Alas it was not to be. A degree means little in a trade that demands you show me what you can do.
Now in 2011 the bubble has burst. In spite of the adage that a man can do without life's necessities when he has a few of it luxuries; consumers aren't going out to eat. So what is a restaurant owner to do. Food prices are rising and rent isn't going down. The only option is to cut back on labor cost. The surest way to do that? Hire someone who will work cheap. Someone with secrets to keep. Which brings us to the article.
So what do we do? Here the discussion gets murky. Few want to be the cold-hearted bastard demanding the illegals be deported. Not a politically savvy move if one is seeking re election. Arizona has made a tough call. I think a bad one. No citizen should have to put up with some cop or bureaucrat demanding to see his papers. Lucky for me I have this pasty white complexion.
I fear the outlook is bleak. All those in Arizona who feel as I do are going to migrate; and probably not back to across the Rio.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
South Carolina scientist works to grow meat in a lab.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110130/sc_nm/us_food_meat_laboratory_feature
This seems anathema to me. Images of aborted cow experiments preserved in large jars, like something out a carnival freak show. Any guesses to what names will catch on in the media? Dr. Frankenstein is sure to figure prominently. Were it up to me, I'd go with Meatenstein.
We have to give Dr. Mironov credit for attempting to solve the world's hunger problem. His primary concern seems to be growing meat "the old fashioned way." I'm not sure if he is referring to grazing in pastures or confined feeding operations.
One of Dr. Mirnov's colleagues, Nicholas Genovese, is funded by PETA. Ponder that for a second.
Perhaps in a 50 years our progeny will look at this the way we do TV dinners or canned vegetables. I'll stick with farm raised beef. Even if its is inefficient. Call me a conservative.
This seems anathema to me. Images of aborted cow experiments preserved in large jars, like something out a carnival freak show. Any guesses to what names will catch on in the media? Dr. Frankenstein is sure to figure prominently. Were it up to me, I'd go with Meatenstein.
We have to give Dr. Mironov credit for attempting to solve the world's hunger problem. His primary concern seems to be growing meat "the old fashioned way." I'm not sure if he is referring to grazing in pastures or confined feeding operations.
One of Dr. Mirnov's colleagues, Nicholas Genovese, is funded by PETA. Ponder that for a second.
Perhaps in a 50 years our progeny will look at this the way we do TV dinners or canned vegetables. I'll stick with farm raised beef. Even if its is inefficient. Call me a conservative.
A friend of mine has turned me on to an article published in the Huffington Post regarding Whole Foods Market and the compromise with GMO crops.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronnie-cummins/the-organic-elite-surrend_b_815346.html?ref=fb&src=sp
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronnie-cummins/the-organic-elite-surrend_b_815346.html?ref=fb&src=sp
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
GMO Alfalfa approved
White House pressured Vilsack to approve GMO alfalfa, media reports suggest
Where to begin on this?
On the one hand, I would love to argue in favor capitalism improving the nation's food supply. Then again I think a healthy dose of skepticism is of utmost importance; especially where agribusiness behemoth Monsanto is concerned.
Anytime big business gets together with big government I get nervous.
The first question that comes to mind is; why do we need GMO alfalfa in the first place? Is there a shortage? Is it prone to pests or disease? According to Columbia Encylopedia, No.
You can read for yourself Monsanto's vision for GMO Alfalfa here.
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