i’m off to red hook

for the summer to be a Chef at the boys leadership camp. I touched on this in a previous post, but I just want to say how lucky I am to have this opportunity. Back in 2001 I was introduced to Camp Rising Sun by my dear friend Peter. He was to be the hiking counselor that year and asked me if I'd like to come to the camp and give cooking a shot! I had no idea the amazing lessons I would learn and how much fun I would have cooking. I have mentioned my deep love for cooking and creating and enjoying flavors and spices etc, but on a daily basis I don't get around to it. For one person, cooking can be weak sauce! (no pun intended). I am delighted that get the opportunity to cook for 80 campers and staff three times per day. I plan all of the menus and make most things from scratch. I can't wait to plant my herb garden and have basil, sage, rosemary at my feet within a week. Everything in New York grows bigger and faster. What's better is that I get to cook for literally the most amazing people I have ever met. The campers come from all over the world. About 27 countries and different areas of the United States are represented. They come on scholarship, recommended by teachers and alumni associations. I have countless journal entries of stories from campers that have changed my life. Chopping carrots and chicken for two hours doesn't seem like fun to most people, but when you get the help from a camper from Palestine, telling you what life was like during the conflict, or get to make meatballs with someone from Sweden, and smell real curry from Japan, I really can't think of a better way to spend a summer. Most of these campers go on to do amazing things, be world leaders, and change other people's lives. I know they have changed mine and I will continue to update throughout the summer. Because food is universal, I'm pretty positive being the chef is the best job at camp! I can't wait to get there and start cooking!

This is Peter and I in 2001 after making chocolate chip cookies for the campers. We may have stolen a few to dunk in our milk! So fun!