Who am I and What Do I Want?

I am sitting here sipping cheap brandy out of a fancy glass as my English bulldog, Basil, sits at my side staring at me wondering why I cannot devote my every living moment to her. Instead my mind is preoccupied with how to best present myself in my first blog post. Given Basil’s energy level, she will quickly give up on me and retire to her bi-hourly nap.

OK, thanks for waiting, she is snoring peacefully now. So let’s get back to the topic at hand, me…

I love everything epicurean. I have been told more than once that I am a food snob, and it is a moniker I happily embrace (though epicurean snob would be more encompassing, but I think that is a word mainly food snobs use). I love food made from scratch, craft beers, the occasional cigar, and I enjoy getting odd looks from people in a dive-bar when I order my whiskey neat.

So why am I drinking cheap brandy? I don’t believe you need to spend a lot of money to always enjoy something great. Sometimes half of the fun is just finding the hidden bargain gem. Being a food snob isn’t about spending a lot of money, it is about recognizing good taste.

I want to savor everything this life has to offer. If we eat only 2000 calories a day I want to ensure we all get the most enjoyment out of them as we can. I feel like too many people settle with good enough only because they don’t realize what they are actually missing. If America is going to get fat, it should get fat eating food that is worth it!

I hope to use this blog to discover and promote some epicurean gems around the Fox Valley. You shouldn’t have to settle for pre-made frozen restaurant food at some corporate restaurant just because the TV commercial tells you it is good. Rather than using microwaves, there are some talented chefs doing everything from scratch around the Fox Valley that will give you more bang for your calorie. My goal is to ingrain those type of places into the culture of the Fox Valley.