Writer vs Author // Chef vs Cook

At the Brockton Writer's Series (hosted by Full of Beans) earlier this month, the guest speakers stated that he viewed himself as a writer instead of an author. I believe this is because writers use the medium of words to educate while authors have a burning desire to write – they cannot chose not to write. Authors have to write or their stories will overtake them.

As my one little word of 2014 is WRITE this little statement reminded me of the interplay between chef and cook. Cooks are generally viewed as lesser than chef (especially due to the cult of the celebrity) but I believe that cooks are the educators and truly passioned individuals of the food industry. Cooks cannot chose an different profession/passion. Chefs chose their career and the motivation isn't food in and of itself.

What do you think of my descriptions of these categories?

What did I WRITE in January?

MonthlyMini: Iss 001 NOG

"The Post-Apocalyptic Kitchen: Aged Eggnog" (Paperdroids)

“BakingThrough Anxiety” (Guest Post)

“SpicyPear Cocktail” (Tall Boys)

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Wordless Wednesday: Coffee, Tapicoa, Puzzles

Working on a Monthly Mini Zine. 

Working on a very hard puzzle.

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My Vintage Kitchen: Recipe Box

What is it? A vintage metal recipe box. The metal is indended on the lid in the back - but it doesn't interfere with the use of the product.
Where did I get it? Thrift store for 99 cents!
Do you use it? Still debating if I should gift this to my sister or not. She has a recipe box - and I just go back to the original cookbook for fav recipes.

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Reusable Straw Collection

From the top: cleaning brush, Strawesome bubble tea straw, Mulled Mine Metal Bubble Tea straw, Bamboo straw, metal drinking straw, Strawesome cocktail straw

I've had the metal drinking straw for years. I got it at the Toronto Vegetarian Food Festival and I do not remember the company. The bamboo straw was purchased in Winnipeg for 75 cents and I have not used it yet. The two Strawesome straws were reviewed here and I like them even less now than when I wrote that review. The ends are not cut straight and because of that the cocktail straw does not look clean after a single use. 

The Metal Bubble Tea straw I purchased from this etsy store. As I love my daily metal drinking straw I believe I will enjoy this metal straw.

There are many reusable straw options so if you happen to purchase one and dislike it - keep on the lookout for something else!     

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Eating the Web: Tumblr Art Edition

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#spoonempire

I carved a spoon yesterday. I took a spoon carving workshop hosted by Toronto Tool Library and put on by the Ontario Woodcarvers Association. After minimal instruction (ie no safety brief) we were handed sharp tools and told to carve a spoon. The teacher came around and provided individual instruction that was taliored to the individual task and person. I learned an amazing amount and am now super pumped to start my #spoonempire. 

This spoon needs some more sanding and an layer of mineral oil.

I've ordered carving tools online and can't wait to start carving some wooden spoons for daily kitchen use.   

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Clean Start...

There is nothing quite like a clean fridge. My fridge is currently a beacon of light - that's how clean it is. I got rid of several failed fermentation experiments and several (dozen) jars of jam - apparently I make jam but we don't eat it. Also beer. Lots of beer. 

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