Food As A Cultural Bridge!

By, Chef Jim

As many readers may know, in addition to our Personal Chef service, I also oversee operations of a nearly decade old BBQ Catering company.  Additionally, I have been active on the Competition BBQ Circuit as a Team Captain and I am a ‘Certified KCBS BBQ Judge’.  SO…I know a thing or two about slow cooking meats and other stuff (think Cheesecake) over wood flames and smoke.

I bring this up because it was never really my intent to be a Competition BBQ Chef nor a ‘Pitmaster’ in any sense per se, I was simply looking for some great BBQ and there was none to be found in Central PA at the time.  At least, not the kind that I was looking for!  As a tertiary benefit of learning to cook ‘Competition Quality’ BBQ, I also have learned a great deal about the history of American BBQ, which was a dying art when I started MY BBQ journey and has recently experienced an incredible resurgence in popularity thanks to food TV.

Just as with BBQ and many other ‘indigenous’ cuisine styles here in the US, there are many culturally significant, historically important cuisines around the world.  It is a tremendous way to learn about people and their cultures to immerse yourself in the cuisines of their areas.  I spent over a year learning to make a variety of Mole’s from many of Mexico’s regional hot spots for it.  I am still working my way around the spices, seasonings & cooking methods of Morocco and looking forward to my next great adventure which I believe will be India and its curries!

You don’t need a formal agenda or a cooking school to learn about any given cuisine, you simply need a plan!  Do your homework online and find the areas of interest to you.  Read reviews of cookbooks and look for those that are instructional more than simply recipes, pick the best and read through them.  Choose recipes and cook them until you’ve got it dialed in and then onto the next recipe.  Learn about the people who make and eat the food and why it is prepared, seasoned and cooked (if it’s cooked) the way it is!

I have long said that I truly believe the world would be a far better place if we were to all sit down and eat a meal together!  Food is a necessity, yes…but it is a catalyst as well!  It can bring people together and build bridges and there are few better ways to get to know someone than breaking bread with them!

Enjoy your Tuesday and make this a GREAT week!

Back To School Time of Year!

By, Chef Jim

Amazing how fast time flies and how soon the Summer Months pass!  While I REFUSE to hail an end to the Summertime just yet, all the signs of its inevitable arrival are around us!  Kids are going back to school or are getting ready to.  Fall sports and activities have begun their training and schedules are starting to tighten up!  Before you know it, time will be worth more than GOLD for you as your Fall roster fills up!

SO…there’s never been a better time to take advantage of the many benefits that a Personal Chef can offer you!  I know, most folks think it’s a bit of an extravagance to have a ‘Personal Chef’, but truth be told, there’s nothing further from the truth!  You pay folks to mow your grass, or work on your home or do landscaping…why not pay someone to do all or part of your weekly cooking for you?

It all begins with getting to know each and every client personally!  Food is among the most personal things and everyone’s got there preferences!  Additionally, there are a number of conditions from Diabetes to Celiac Disease that may necessitate a special diet…we take the time to fully understand your likes and needs.  THEN, we do all the shopping (where you shop or at one of our ‘specialty sources’), come to your home and prepare meals that you simply heat and eat however you’d like to!  When you look at the time you’d spend doing all of that yourself, the savings can be astronomical, but more importantly it gives you more time to do the things that matter to you!

As if that’s not sweet enough…you can now try us out for ONLY $150 with our new Introductory Offer!  For first time clients, we will provide a free initial consultation and then prepare 4 meals (for up to 4 people) for ONLY $150 plus grocery and container charges.  It’s a GREAT deal and will give us a chance to prove the value that we have to offer you!

For more info, e-mail: Info@ChefJimK.com or visit us online at www.ChefJimK.com for more info about us!  Thanks for reading along, we hope that you make this a GREAT week!

Just Finished Making An AMAZING Grilled Peach Salsa!

By, Chef Jim

Using all home grown and locally purchased ingredients!  In fact, I didn’t really even have to go out of my way to source the incredible ingredients!  As I was on my way home from a brief overnight trip to Baltimore, I stopped by Hollabaugh’s Orchards in Adams County, PA (www.hollabaughbros.com) and picked up some Peaches, Plums, Onions, Beans and more incredibly fresh and beautiful produce!

Making the most of what’s available locally is a great way to save money and to support local producers & businesses!  Without support from the community, family farms are facing increasing pressures from ‘Corporate Growers’ and mass production…SO…wherever you live, find a local farm or farmer’s market and go support them!  It’s a great way to get more connected to your food and it will inspire some GREAT dishes like my Salsa!

I simply Roasted a Peach, Tomato, four Jalapeno Peppers, two small Green Bell Peppers and a bulb of Garlic.  Then I finely diced a 1/4 of a Red Onion and chopped up two unroasted tomatoes, chopping up all the other ingredients however you prefer and then adding them all together with some Balsamic Vinegar, Good Olive Oil, Honey, Ancho Chile Powder, Salt and Pepper to taste…let it sit for 24 hours and then use as a garnish, side or appetizer…easy peasy!

Want To Learn Where To Get The Best…

By, Chef Jim

…whatever you may be looking for?  Central PA is a diverse and agriculturally rich area with access to incredible fresh meats and produce.  Additionally, our Limestone Springs provide nourishment for some incredible Aquaculture operations yielding tasty trout and such!  Our proximity to both the Chesapeake Bay and large seaports in Baltimore and Philadelphia…allows us access to a bounty of fresh and diverse seafood.

If you’ve been looking for a source for a specific ingredient or ‘Special Treat’…such as Oysters, Crabs, Mussels, Sashimi-Grade Seafood, Organic Veggies, Grass Finished Beef…well, you get the point…if you’ve been looking for a source or simply don’t have the time to dedicate to it…we can help!

For nearly 25 years, we have been building relationships with farmers, watermen, suppliers and wholesalers who all have a common bond: a commitment to a quality product!  We can put these relationships to use for you in your search…or if necessary, we can build new relationships…either way, you’re left with the life long benefit of having that ‘go-to source’ that is a perfect fit for you!

For more information about our food consulting options, e-mail: Info@ChefJimK.com or visit us online: www.ChefJimK.com

Need Kitchen Related Help? We’re HERE for you!

By, Chef Jim

While the primary role of a Personal Chef is to work with every client to develop custom ‘heat and eat’ meal plans, do the shopping, prepare, pack and label the meals and adjust according to client’s tastes…there is more to it than that!  We strive to offer a ‘full service’ commitment to each and every client!

Thinking about making a major kitchen purchase or learning a new cooking technique?  Whether you’re planning on dropping $1K plus on a Smoker or Grill or even a few hundred dollars on a knife set…we can provide advice, do research and make an objective recommendation!

Speaking of knives, maybe you’re ready to make the leap and buy a set (or a few) ‘Professional Quality’ knives!  Or maybe you’ve already purchased some great cutlery and you would like to learn how to use it?  No matter your needs, we can help you select and probably even let you TRY knifes from the manufacturers that you’re interested in; German, Japanese or even American steel.  We will also come work with you to develop and enhance your knife handling, care and sharpening skills.

Having a family gathering or party of up to 25 folks?  We can provide a professional chef to work with you in your kitchen to prepare and serve a meal or just Appetizers.  Looking to have us provide a complete Full or Limited Catering service for groups of 25 or more?  We can do that too through our Catering Company (www.GreatQ4U.com)

There you have it…looking for ANY kind of help in the Kitchen?  We are here for you! Info@ChefJimK.com or www.ChefJimK.com

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall…we can help during them ALL!

I am often told “we aren’t wealthy and can’t afford a Personal Chef” and it’s a sentiment that I understand, but it couldn’t be further from the truth!  When you look at the ‘Big Picture’ and see how much it costs to get to and from the store to purchase groceries, put them away, get them out and cook them and then clean up…you’re probably already spending MORE than our services would cost you!

We can offer the flexibility of doing everything from a full weekly meal plan to just a few meals a week.  If you’re having a Party or Family gathering and need an extra pair of hands in the kitchen….we can do that to!  Want the whole event catered…we have a Catering division that specializes in traditional, wood-smoked BBQ and it’s accoutrements that are hard to beat!  Perhaps you have a loved one who’s living on their own, but needs help with meals…we can do it!

No matter what your needs or how you’d like them met…a Personal Chef can save you time, money and hassle!  Let me hear how we can help you! (Jim@GreatQ4U.com)

Hunting Camp? Ski Trip? We Can Do It!!!

Wouldn’t THAT be great!  Load up an Extra Cooler or Two and have your meals ready to ‘Heat and Eat’ no matter what the primary heat source in your Camp or Cabin may be!  Just let us know how many folks to cook for, what you’d like to eat and when you’d like it delivered and we’ll do the rest!

SEE…this ‘Personal Chef’ thing is a pretty versatile and SMART option!  We can help no matter what your needs may be!  From a full weekly meal plan to help with Family Gatherings or Holiday Parties to hooking you up with ONE LESS THING TO DO during your next ‘Get Away’!

Looking to see what we can do for you, visit us online at GreatQ4U.net or call us; 717-254-1937

How Exactly Does This ‘Personal Chef’ Thing Work?

Yes, we get that question a LOT!  AND…the quick answer is; ‘Any way that you want it to’!  OK, so since that sounds a bit generic, I thought that I could expound a bit on it here!

As your ‘Personal Chef’, we start by getting to know you!  What kinds of food do you like…not like?  Do you have any special dietary needs or requirements?  What about food allergies…you?  Anyone else in the house?  Any ‘regular guests’?  All very important as we develop your ‘Menu Profile’ that allows us to prepare meals you’ll love each and every time!

Once we’ve got that dialed in, then we want to figure out what ‘Service’ is best for your situation!  Do you need a meal every weeknight?  Perhaps you just need a few meals a week to give you a break and some extra time with your family and/or friends?  Just having a Party or Family Gathering and want to add the ‘formality’ of a Professional Chef?  No matter what type of Service you need…we’ve got you covered!

Once we’ve got your needs dialed in, then comes the ‘shopping’!  We can shop at our preferred markets or yours!  We LOVE to shop at Farmer’s Markets and small suppliers when possible!  With over 15 years of experience in the catering business and tens of thousands of meals under our belts…we know quality whenever and wherever we see it and we LOVE to bring it to every plate!  So…we don’t just do the ‘cooking’, we save you the time and hassle of finding a parking space, fighting the carts and lines and choosing the best ingredients available!

Needs analysis and shopping completed…it’s time to ‘get cooking’!  We come to your home or can prepare meals for you in our kitchens – either way, we will cook your meals and prepare them so that you can simply ‘heat and eat’ these delicious and nutritious, ‘home made’ meals that are lower in sodium, fat and calories than just about ANYTHING you’d eat at a restaurant! (and…they are WAY more convenient!)  Microwave, Conventional Oven, Sous Vide…however you want to heat them up…we’ll cook, pack and label accordingly!

We are fully insured, licensed and have both our ServSafe and PA Department of Agriculture Food Safety Certifications!  SO…there’s nothing to worry about and everything to gain…including cost savings, more time to do what YOU want and less stress from all those trips to the store!  Need to hear or even better, SEE more?  You’ll have a chance to come see and hear us soon…right in a place where we are most comfortable!  Look for exciting details to come soon!

In the meanwhile…if we can help YOU…please feel free to visit us online at GreatQ4U.net or give us a call: 717-254-1937 and we will be HAPPY to help!

Now We’re Cooking!

YEP…it’s been a few years since we discontinued our Personal Chef service to concentrate on growing the BBQ Catering business and now that we have met that objective, I am HAPPY to be back in the Grocery Stores, Farmer’s Markets and Kitchens of our Customers here in Central PA!  It has been a grand re-introduction and is nice exploring the ‘non-BBQ’ side of my culinary persona again!  (NOT that I’ve got anything against BBQ…I LOVE IT!!!)

There is much going on and LOTS to tell you in coming weeks, but I just wanted to hit on a few things here today!  First of all, I had the chance to visit the PA Gourmet show at the York Expo Center last weekend and I had a GRAND time!  It was especially pleasing to see all of the great stuff that is being produced and sold right here in Central PA!

We had incredible Spirits (Absinthe, Gin and Moonshine) from Philadelphia and caught up with my new favorite Spice suppliers (Spices Inc – www.spicesinc.com) who were thankfully spared all the flooding in Bloomsburg during Irene and Lee!  We got to see Picky Vicki again and experience her INCREDIBLE BBQ sauces (www.pickyvicki.com) and found incredible suppliers of everything else from Vanilla Extract to REALLY good Beef!

Any regular readers of the Blog or my BBQ Blog will know that I am ALL about buying as much stuff from local suppliers as possible and there is a growing number of great sources for just about ALL your grocery needs out there, so even if you don’t need a Personal Chef…get out there and Get Some!!!

OK, Argentina isn’t TOO local, but as a caveat to the above review of our PA Gourmet experience, I must mention Familia Cecchin wines that are ALL Organic and truly something wine drinkers should experience!  I had a chance to get to know the vintner and he is an incredible guy, dedicated to his father’s vineyards as much as his dad was!  All of their wines are quite tasty, but I was particularly fond of their Malbec Rose!  If you get a chance…try them!   I also think that I now have a source for REALLY good Argentinean beef! 🙂

Finally…stay tuned for exciting news about some upcoming chances to see us at work during some cooking Demos and Classes!  If you are looking to have a great time, learn to cook new or different dishes and spend a few hours with us…soon you’ll have your chance!  Details to come!!!

Summer’s Over, but Diversity Abounds!

Well the cooler temperatures and crisp morning air surely confirms that Fall is beginning to arrive!  It’s a season that brings with it a harvest of incredible flavors and opportunities to enjoy a widely varied menu of dishes!  While there are many ‘traditional’ Fall staples such as Roasted Turkey, Pumpkin Pie, Stuffing and all the other trimmings…there are many more cuisines just waiting to be sampled!

In addition to the wide variety of fresh produce that still hits the shelves of your favorite grocery this time of year, such as; Butternut and Acorn Squash, Pumpkins and Brussel Sprouts along with a veritable plethora of root veggies…it’s the time of year when proteins abound!  Grass-fed Beef, Hormone Free and Sustainable Poultry or Pork are abundant!  As hunters return to the field, there’s also an ample supply of fresh game to be had too!

While our expertise in preparing the traditional ‘Meat and Potato’ meals which are so popular to the Central Pennsylvanian palate is extensive, we also like to seek out those locally grown treasures that are at their peak this time of year for our customers.  We prepare them and provide suggestions to present them in new and exciting ways that are simple to ‘heat and eat’, but pleasing to the eye and quite tasty too!

So, if you think that having professionally prepared meals that are home-made and packaged so that you can simply toss them in whatever kind of oven you’d like and have them on the plate in minutes with no muss and no fuss could benefit you…give us a call at 717-254-1937 or visit us online; GreatQ4U.net and let us get to know what you like!