A prelude to an upcoming restaurant piece, that’s exactly what this is. I want to talk about something positive for a second. Although I’m not a Blue Smoke for life type, because those bonds kept more people stagnant than ambitious or evolving, I’m grateful for this man right here. Chef Alex Harris. Before meeting him I was a kitchen disaster. No one let me cook, because I couldn’t. Once in fifth grade my mom told me to warm milk, I ended up burning her tea kettle. How was I suppose to know? My comprehension didn’t increase with age, it became a trait of mine, getting me kicked out of copious kitchens. Until I met with Alex.
Working at Blue Smoke I only had time to be a server’s assistant, a duty that includes running food. A well oiled machine, Alex hated when I was assigned to a different position. If I were, he’d tell me to run food when I could. My food running skills were it. I’m talking carrying three plates and a side dish, coupled with speed and grace, that made us an indomitable team for the 700 covers that night. Watching Alex Harris work was awe inspiring. I started asking him how to make things, his answers turned a daunting task fun. Alex didn’t demonstrate anything, he simply gave verbal instructions, that’s how fucking good he is.
I couldn’t cook kale, despite having watched my ex-boyfriend hundreds of times. Inedible was an understatement.
“3 to 5 minutes medium heat,” he answered while expediting. Boom, life changed.
Anytime I had a question I’d go to him.
I started to watch what he was doing, asking him why he was doing it. He taught me what brining is.
One of my favorite childhood memories is the smell of home cooked meals, wafting through the hallway afterschool, as I ascend the stairs to our apartment. Wanting my own kids to experience that, I put in the work.
Never let failure define you. Okay you’re bad at something, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. A lesson the people I outgrew seemed to miss, change is the only constant. Never stop evolving, challenging yourself, pushing yourself. Comfort zones are death. Don’t let someone else dictate your limits.
It took some time convincing people to trust me with their palates again, making their surprise and pleasure over something I created ten times more enjoyable. No one doubts me now. I can make a full Thanksgiving meal on my own easy, all thanks to the great Alex Harris. I don’t know if he teaches cooking classes, but he should, without him I’d still be a culinary joke. UPDATE HE DOES EXACTLY THAT WITH EMMA’S TORCH! Via: 1 To 1 Foods
Updated: 4/7/2024 11:38pm