I am excited to start this blog and coffee shop. The learning curve is steep, but worth it in the end. As the site develops, there more features will be added. The chef’s corner is my favorite page as it highlights my mentor and teacher, Art. He was the one who planted the seed for this site and my upcoming book. We are also developing a coffee shop that sells the Wicked Jack collection and within a month or two will also sell The Jazz Pantry’s own brand as well. I have a ton of recipes to share, and some will come out in the book, The Sea Cook. The Sea Cook is a memoir/cookbook about my life on a tugboat. As the site progresses, I will add updates on the progress of the book.
Along with tugboats, I am passionate about culinary arts, traveling, and ocean conservation. I have found throughout my travels that the world of food is very diverse and ties together all my interests. That is the point of this site: to extend chef Art’s legacy, share great coffee, and swap stories with like-minded people. What is is about culinary arts that make it so interesting, exciting even? Is it the sense of pride? The joy of pleasing others with something you crafted?
For me, it is the challenge of learning new things and applying them in an artistic style. The genius of culinary arts, like anything genius, lies in simplicity. Cooking need not be complicated. Wolfgang Puck uses a simple sprig of fresh rosemary over the fire while grilling a steak. This simple act adds subtleness and depth to the finished product. These are the culinary ideas that excite me and I will bring them to you. I will also post blogs about all things coffee, from farm to cup. Thank you for joining the Pantry. I cannot wait to see where this leg of the journey takes me!
