As summer draws to a close, I am returning from my literary travels to my home in San Francisco. Despite my love-hate relationship with the city, I appreciate its rich cultural history. San Francisco has been built on the dreams and aspirations of many, including native residents, artists, civil rights activists, beatnik poets, and visionaries. Across the bay in Berkeley, Alice Waters has played a significant role in shaping the culinary landscape. Her philosophy of cooking with care and using seasonal ingredients has had a profound impact on our relationship with food.
In her book, "Coming to My Senses: The Making of a Counterculture Cook," Alice shares her passion for food and how we can reverse the trend of obesity by teaching us how to grow and prepare our food. Alice's philosophy teaches us that quality is more important than quantity. Even the simplest ingredients can create something extraordinary when cooked with care and attention. At her restaurant, Chez Panisse, the finest ingredients are always at the heart of every dish. The team there takes great pride in serving meals that reflect their passion for food, nutrition, and home. It's worth the wait to know that every night is a different menu. Alice Waters made it happen for her at the age of 27, while walking into a movement that will continue on for many years. Having friendships with farmers doing farm-to-table, and teaching a Montessori school to children where it inspired Michelle Obama's campaign to have a garden at the White House. It's very important to know how health is affected by process foods and little physical activity.
In "What's the Difference? Recreational Culinary Reference for the Curious and Confused," Brette Warshaw provides a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in ingredients. Whether it's learning about the right flour to use for pasta or bread or the differences between baking powder and baking soda, this book is an excellent resource. Even experienced chefs can make mistakes, but it's essential to learn from them and continue to improve our skills. Achieving excellence takes time, patience, and dedication. We must learn to leave our egos behind and let our passions guide us. With practice and perseverance, we can all achieve greatness in our chosen field. Remember to always do things with care and attention, and success will follow.