It has been a while, there has been a lot on my plate, and I have not made time to write. I have not really had much to say and honestly just wanted to get through the holidays, but as another year has come and gone I wanted to take a moment to look back and reflect on what has happened and what may be to come.

This whole site came to be because I was looking to go into to 2010 with a way to self promote my work, the kitchen that I was running, as well as other people (Mark Newman of Newman Farm), interests (Bourbon), and issues that popped up in the hospitality industry. In a world that has been saturated with social media I started to realize that the philosophy of “Self Reliance” is becoming more embraced when it comes to marketing and public relations.

My efforts worked in some ways better than others. It did help to attract some attention from colleagues in the industry, guests of the restaurant, and prospective employers. This site was able to provide a living portfolio of some of the work that had been done, and sadly I wish that I would have chronicled a few more of our endeavors, but alas it was not meant to be (at that particular time).

Five months in to the sites existence it came time to move on from AAP, a decision I still have no regrets about. It did however create a bit of a gap, at least for me. I continued to put posts of dishes that I had created however none of these would be available to experience by any consumers. I was no longer at the restaurant and interestingly enough AAP closed its doors months after my departure. I suppose I have a good sense of timing, I was feeling that it was time to move on to a different market and see what all was out there waiting for me. This was a risky decision, but I was confident that things would pan out soon enough.

After being scouted by some high profile Restaurant groups and Chefs in other cities I was able to make my way to Atlanta, GA. And have the opportunity to work with Concentrics restaurants. Not only is this new gig providing me with financial stability, but it is also allowing me to pursue other ambitions and interests. As for what some of those are I am still keeping those cards close to my chest, and will divulge more information as things develop. I have been able to experience and explore the great City of Atlanta, and slowly but surely getting to be introduced to passionate and dedicated people that make up the industry here.

As for the next couple of weeks I will be planning and prepping for huge event at Murphy’s (the restaurant that I am currently working at). That event is a wine dinner featuring none other than Shafer Vineyards, you might have heard of them. Doug Shafer himself will be there and I am all too thrilled to have the opportunity to write a menu to be paired with his stellar collection.

As for what else 2011 will have in store, well who can really say? Life as you all know is full of surprises and as always I look forward with great anticipation to see what is around the corner for me.

Some things that I am planning on and look forward to sharing with you all will be visiting Tom  Detko at Enchanted Springs Trout Farm in the Carolina’s as well as my upcoming trip to wineries of Napa Valley and attempting to eat my way through San Francisco. So it looks like there will be some fun things to come this year and I am sure there will plenty more.

Until next time… “Stay hungry my friends”