Food for Thought - The first steps in our journey

Food for Thought – The first steps in our journey…

May 7th 2012.

Welcome to my introductory column. I see it as a first step in a shared culinary journey with you, the readers of the Hamiltonian.

Whatever my bio may say, at the heart of it, I love everything about food. I love shopping for it, prepping ingredients, cooking and of course sharing a meal with family and friends. I love talking about it, and I love a glass of wine, though I still have much to learn in that department. What don’t I love? My wife will tell you I’m not so besotted with everything about food that I embrace tidiness or washing up!

Ultimately I'm very much a foodie with eclectic tastes from Gorilla Cheese to Blacktree! (And if that means something to you then you’ll have an inkling why, as Publisher, Teresa was so enthusiastic about this new venture for the Hamiltonian.)

Though we’ve been in Waterdown for over a decade, and have eaten out our fair share, the truth is we’ve
tended to stick to a few favourite spots close by. I’m ready to venture out on our collective behalf, but want to be clear that I don’t want this column to be primarily about restaurant reviews. I don’t aspire to be a critic, rather I want to write about places I’ve enjoyed and think you might too. (I don’t see any point in writing here about places where the food or service has been poor.)

I want to talk to the people behind the food (and beverages) we enjoy. I hope to share culinary finds with you, whatever they might be. Columns might range from a quick “heads up” about an event, to lengthier pieces, illustrated with photos. They may borrow from the Hamiltonian’s style of posing respectful questions to interesting folk, or simply seek to provoke some thinking or a response. That eclectic mix might include:

· Pieces and interviews around food/cuisine;
· Food Personalities, Societies and Movements;
· Techniques, recipes and kitchen gadgets that work;
· Restaurant reviews and views about food from chefs;
· Wineries/Wines/Winemakers;
· Interesting shops in the area (Delis, Butchers, Country Stores, Supermarkets, Farm outlets);
· Specific products/produce or seasonal items ranging from Maple syrup, to vine-fed lambs, and for the Reverend Baldasaro, this pointer to a local source of gluten-free beer (from Nickelbrook) which he might be able to use in his cooking!

I’m open to feedback, suggestions, and discussion. I see reactions from readers as an integral part of the conversation we’re starting. Together we’ll be exploring and publicizing another face of Hamilton, as seen by its residents.

The column will reflect that while Hamilton is where I reside, the reality is we all live in a larger area. For many of us our extended home region includes, Burlington, Halton Region, St. Catharine’s, and even the Bench, Niagara and Toronto…

And some of us are fortunate to occasionally venture further afield. (In fact I’m penning this first piece from a screened porch in Marathon, Florida, and would love to tell you about the fantastic Stone Crab claws served us by our dear friends Mindy and Sam, but that’s for another day!)

My next piece will describe my first venture further afield, all the way to Stoney Creek!
Alex


Food for Thought logo, designed and kindly donated by Ninka Bielak. Ninka can be reached at ninka.bielak@gmail.com.