COOKS

What differentiate a cook from a chef down to the guys who talks a good game but in reality they can't even execute their own game plans. well a lot of us have experienced it , feeling down and out , can't do anything right.holding on so far in the  dark wishing for the light at the end of the tunnel.Critics left and right until you feel the pressure up your spine , you get upset at everything and everyone around but the source of the problem , which is yourself , everyday you walk-in and the chef(s) tare you a new one for something that is to you as ridiculous as washing your hands.you are tired over-worked and not getting paid a lot, you though about walking-out, the hell with it at this point does matter ? constantly you ask , some of  you may have cried once or twice, it hurts the only thing you thought you were good at , surprisingly you haven't even learned how to cook. however you don't quit , you take it in and overcome the fear that was suppressing you , now you start cooking with passion, care, lust and love , most of all you're not trying to impress anyone you're cooking for you. Now you are well rounded, docile, experienced, wiser and a real COOK, most importantly you are UNITED.

WELCOME AUTUMN

if you look outside, you can already see the leaves starting to turn. Fall, season of food, companionship, and time for families around the country to get together .this season always remind me of the first time i visited the union square farmers market, the smell of hot apple cider , friendly farmer and market manager
and the first timers at the market, who would obnoxiously stand in the way; like myself at the time. although the market reduce in size because of the change in season and temperature, there is a generous amount of farms with great quality of food that still comes around.
but unlike  the farmers market the lucky vendors at Essex market don't have to worry and the change in temperature. filled with ethnic and specialty shops the Essex market is one of my favs in this city;
southend fromaggio; a great specialty cheese shop with a knowledgeable crew that will help you make the right choices .
BOUBOUKI; the absolutely stunning and tiny GREEK sweet and savory vender is a new comer at the Essex , but unlike anything new, this tiny shop is full of history.
RONA ECONOMUS owner, not chef not cook, but a ex-lawyer who just become, very inspiring.
 Like a lot of us in this industry RONA the astoria queens born and raised with the face and inviting smile of a spring flower bud learn for the women in her family. to some of us in might be a delicious butter almond cooky  but to RONA  it may be a family heirloom.
 its always good to see, hear  and talk about great success stories to motivate the body and mind
so if you are a cook chef barista vender wannabe or foodie remember you hard work does pay off.
which by the way i'm very happy with way the STARCHEFS convention turned out, an entire week of hardcore planning and prepping and my reward a sore right hand and one day of. well life's complicated and i'll be just fine. because I'M UNITED.


                                  

COOKS UNITED

this is to the good,bad, wannabes,talented, insecure,creative, inspired, strong,men, girls, fast, brave,slow, women , boys, former cooks and others in the culinary world; yes you are; the best of performers/composer of food,melody art, magic and poetry.

today my fellow cooks and chef i andy alexandre unite all of you 

for the great of good for something bigger than life , for passion and love of our line of duty, be proud, be confident , be you, be faster than ever, transform into a vessel of light and last but not least.

become cooks united