A year has gone by, and it’s been a year like no other. We have all — everyone on Earth — been affected. This year has been an awakening for many of us while the world’s priorities shift like tectonic plates. Kate and I have hunkered down while learning to adapt and adjust to an evolving reality of our daily lives with as good of an attitude as possible!

"Carpe deim," the Roman poet Horace said, to express the idea that one should enjoy life while one can. I have absolutely become even more mindful, grateful and thankful for all my relationships with family, friends and the world around us — truly reprioritizing the importance of the amazing humans we are blessed to have in our orbit. My wife Kate is my soulmate pandemic partner. We each have taken turns being each other’s rock. During this time, I’ve become more aware of my own mental health and wellness. I don’t know about you all but I have fended off a few bouts of depression as it rolls in and out like the ocean’s tides this past year — what a rollercoaster.

On the cooking front we have had time to explore and resurrect old favorites and make up new recipes from multiple cuisines and fermentation. We’ve taken a pro-active approach to planning our food consumption. We make a loose plan weekly since we do curbside pick-up, year ‘round farmers market (local meats and mushrooms), local take-out and grow/forage/catch what we eat. This has helped reduce buying too much and our waste factor. It certainly helps that we are both chefs and can take just about any ingredients and leftovers and morph it into a next-level 2.0 meal.

Like many, our work scaled back as more businesses closed and large food companies reorganized. Fortunately, we were able to pivot when the focus went from foodservice to retail. Now we are getting back to innovation vs. retooling with protein companies and plant-based food manufacturers. Traction has begun again and 2021 is promising. (Phew)

We all have a story. We have all been through the ringer. In retrospect I believe that the mental health of our world is going to need some focus, time and TLC. There are more people out there than ever that have been through, and still going through, hell. Stay strong and be smart about your actions and your words. We are all in this together, with a glimmer of light not too far away, let’s not go backwards now!!!

How are y’all doing out there? Coming up for air yet? I truly welcome you to share your thoughts.

Live well, always …

A year gone by …

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