Review | Think Like a Chef

A friend was over and spotted Thomas Coliccio’s Think Like a Chef on my bookshelf. He said “This book is the reason I became a chef.” Damn. That’s a bold statement – and it must be one heck of a book. Sheepishly, I had to admit to him that I hadn’t read the book or even looked at it that closely. In my defense, I bought it over five or six years ago when I wasn’t as much of a “foodie”. I appreciate good food, good cooking and good cookbooks much more now than I did then.

So I took that book off the shelf and read it cover to cover. And it is a good book. A really good book. There’s recipes. And pretty pictures. But it’s more than that. Coliccio organizes and paces the book in a way that really does get you into the mindset of a chef. He explains his ideas and approach to food in a way that makes sense and you can begin to see how you can apply them to your own cooking. In fact, I had one “ah ha” moment in particular that I think back to time and again:

“Believe it or not, I rarely begin with the thought Gee, I’ve got some beef. How should I serve it? The proteins – beef, lamb, chicken, fish – are the constants. What do change frequently, bringing the color and excitement of the changing seasons, are the vegetables. So, vegetables make up the building blocks that spark our imagination and let us fly.”

That paragraph changed the way I now think about cooking and creating meals and menus. Not quite as life-altering as going to culinary school, but worth the read.

Review | City Olive

Located on the bustling commercial strip of Clark Street in Andersonville, City Olive is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. It’s a mix of olive oils from around the world and gourmet grocery items including mustards, vinegars, tapenades and sea salt. On my first visit, I purchased a package of Spanish chorizo and a bag of dried Italian pasta (in an interesting shape that I’ve never seen anywhere else). I went back the second time and bought four ramekins for serving olive oil and an olive plate that has a compartment for the pits and one for toothpicks (it’s an ingenious little thing). The owners are very knowledgeable and helpful on all things olive oil and they hold daily tastings so that you can try before you buy. I highly recommend a visit to City Olive – and while you’re there, make sure to visit their neighbors, In Fine Spirits, for a bottle of wine to go with your purchase.

For location, hours of operation and general information, visit their website at www.cityolive.com.