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To Mumsy: My Ode Ala Mode

Written by Chef Lori Eaton

Is anyone else staring blankly at the May 2006 calendar thinking, May? Already? I guess what my mother told me is turning out to be true…the older you get the faster time goes by. My mother (I affectionately call Mumsy) is a pretty smart lady for knowing all of these things! She’s taught me a lot over the years and this month I would like to dedicate my column to her. My mom is a whiz in the kitchen. Growing up I watched her pull together an endless meals for drop-in guests, without running to the grocery store. My mom always acted like she had planned on our guests stopping by to assure they felt comfortable, she would nonchalantly pull together a meal, snacks, dessert, whatever was needed. Anyone who’s ever been over to my parent’s house will tell you, it’s nearly impossible to get and in and out of the house without having something to eat…it’s just the way it is. Guess what people say about coming over to my house? Yup, they say the same thing. I credit most of my ‘foodie’ roots to my mom. Even though I have worked with CIA chefs and Le Cordon Bleu grads, it’s really my mom who taught me the bulk of what I know in the kitchen.  My mom shaped my culinary left brain with her out-of-the-box-in-a-pinch thinking. To be able to utilize what’s available to create tasty meals is something of a gift—and thank you Mumsy for passing it on to me at such an early age! I grew up with a garden in the backyard, canned goods in the cellar and a second refrigerator full of farm raised meats (and wild game thanks to dad, but that is next month’s topic). My mom showed me how to make it all come together. We share a food philosophy and true passion for cooking…it’s what led us to open a restaurant in 1996. Our time in the ‘business’ together was short lived, but a great experience for us none the less! When thinking about my mom I instantly think back to some of my favorite childhood memories. Cutting wood with my older sister and dad, all day, outside in that nippy Central NY October weather (we didn’t walk uphill both ways knee deep in snow until November) is just one of them. I remember my nose being so cold and my stomach rumbling all the way back to the house. I’d smell the smoke from our chimney about a quarter of a mile away and instantly begin to pick up my step because my mom’s Sunday dinner was waiting for us. Sunday dinner for our family was between 1 and 2pm and was the heartiest meal of the day. My mom would make all sorts of soups, stews and roasts on those glorious Sundays. I remember walking into the house and inhaling a deep nose full of aromas; delicious apple pie, savory beef roast, steaming hot potatoes… the memories flood back to me in one delicious aromatic melody. Then I think about college and my popularity as a first year, largely due to my mom. She worked at the college I attended and would regularly bring me her cookies, cakes and pies. I would give them to the upper classmen in my hall, helping me to become the most popular first year around. In fact, a visiting father tasted my mom’s apple pie and offered to pay me to have her make another pie! These memories go on and on. To this day she is helping me with my current business as a personal chef. I call her from the grocery store constantly, “Hey Mumsy, remember that apricot topped cream cheese appetizer you whipped up, can I have the recipe?” “Do you know a really quick quiche I can do for six people?” and so on. I ask her to give me input on menus, dinner parties and events, because she always has the best ideas for quick and simple entertaining. So in closing, I want to say, “Thanks Mumsy!” for helping to shape me and support me through my culinary adventures in life. I love you from the bottom of my heart (and tummy!) My column this month is like your apple pie ala mode…it’s smothered in deliciously rich tender loving care. For those of you who have a mom like mine, celebrate her and remind her of what she has helped you become. For those who may have lost your cherished culinary matriarch, remember her and the sweet memories of all she has given you. Happy Mother’s Day to every woman who’s children, hopefully became the apple of their eye. All my best, Chef Lori This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)

Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 July 2006 )

 

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