“Chef?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t you remember me?”
“You do look familiar…” (my inability to put names with faces in full
play.)
“You cooked for my wife and I a couple years ago. My sister-in-law
gave you to us as a gift. Dinner for two cooked in our home by a
chef.”
“Of course.” (not convincingly)
Right. His wife was also a Dr. and we spoke of music mainly. They were a nice couple.
This is how we recently re-met. The guy who’s been managing
my monsters getting you routine walked into the exam room and
recognized me. 90% of my pain is gone thanks to him and the McKenzie physical therapy exercises he prescribed that
include some yoga like poses with progressive extensions. 3 times a day everyday.
There’s also the two epidurals he’s administered to better than hoped for results and so for this I hold him in the highest regard. Pre second
epidural a nurse confided in me “I don’t know who you are but I was
told ‘get him in and make him first’.”
What’s it like to make such a positive contribution to someone’s life?
My nephew’s offer to come to Mexico and stay at a villa he’s
rented for the family is now accepted (with trepidation and refundable tickets) coupled with the ever present thought that it’s too much but maybe not
Only one way to find out.
It’s humbling to need a wheelchair but traveling through large airports I’d never make it otherwise. I’m good for a few blocks but that’s it. The silver lining is cutting to the front of security and pre-boarding. On the Sunday before Xmas for an international flight (including customs) it took all of 30 mins from cab to gate.
We’ve never spent an extended amount of time together and it was
top notch. Other than a couple meltdowns childwise Uncle Alan loved
teaching backgammon and the backstroke and dj’ing old jazz and soul songs while telling stories and cooking together.
“You say you like rhythm and blues and don’t know who Al Green is? Allow me…”
Add a few private moments with my nephews and niece and it was a beautiful way to spend a week.
The food was a bit disappointing with few “a ha” moments. Very little impressed me. I eat better tacos in Chicago than what we were eating but that could easily be our fault. Besides the mango on a stick, sliced, sprinkled with tajin and drizzled with lime eaten on the beach only 2 meals were memorable. A touristy one on the main drag where we had grilled lobster and ribeye. The other, when we went to the farmers market Xmas eve and bought whatever appealed to me and I made with the kids helping (zucchini blossoms stuffed w/Oaxacan cheese, tempura battered and fried then served with a fresh tomato sauce; some day boat red snapper that was swimming hours before, simply sautéed served over braised Swiss chard; and a salad of asst greens, pecans, pear, radish, tomatoes, cucumbers, jicama and Mexican blue cheese with a creamy lime dressing.
As the new year begins more memories like the above are what I’m
hoping for. Some publishing progress would be nice as well.
And for anyone reading this- a healthy, happy new year to you and
yours.
Chef/percussionist/writer/reprobate and lover of all things beautiful & delicious, Chef Alan Lake’s culinary career includes East Bank Club in Chicago; Sunset Marquis in W. Hollywood; Izakaya Hiwatta in Ichinomia Japan and legendary nightclub Purpur in Zurich, Switzerland. Working all around the world for over four decades, he's won numerous awards, professional competitions and distinctions. He’s the author of Home Cookin'- The Stories Behind The Food and The Garlic Manifesto- the history of garlic going back to 10,000-year-old Neolithic caves and contains facts, fiction, folklore, myths and legends (besides 100 recipes).
A lifelong musician that plays 70+ percussion instruments, he coined the term “Jazzfood” to describe his cooking style i.e. “solid technique coupled with tasteful improvisation.” He views his food as he does his music and writing and has been known to bust a pout if subpar in any way.
Life is short so spend time with those you love!! HNY Chef!
I know I’m the young turk of y’all, but I believe we were hep to the Tajin sprinkler since childhood lol. Really enjoyed this. Thank you. Irene & I wish you Health & Happiness for 2025 💛
Here’s to a better and “pain-of -all types” Ny for all! 🥂