A little off topic-- Cigars

For this blog I thought it would be nice to take a little break from the traditional food based blogs and venture towards to another passion of mine that can be linked.

For those of you who know me, it is a common fact that I am an avid smoker. However, smoking, in the eyes of our society has been associated to cigarettes. There are smokers, like myself that despise cigarettes and choose to smoke cigars. Our smoking is not for buzz or an addiction; it is for the pure enjoyment that comes along with a good cigar. Like a great meal, a great cigar is packed with different flavors and layers that only a well trained palate can detect but everyone can enjoy. I have always been open about my belief that food can bridge gaps between groups of people, and recently I have found that cigars do the same. Take for example the local cigar shop that I frequent. The shop has its group of regulars that I am now proud to be a part of. We have men from every walk of life; a former pro baseball player turned entrepreneur, a retired Master Stgt from the Amy who has been in every major conflict since Vietnam, doctors, Air force pilots, and college students. When we all sit down there is no titles just a group of guys that would do everything in power to help the others out. Our passion for the finer things life is what bonds us. A well rolled Connecticut broadleaf wrapper around Colombian long stem filler is the perfect response to a long week, whether it was a week of multimillion dollar accounts or a history test. Together we sit, smoke, and talk. All the world’s problems could be solved sitting down smoking a Padron 1964 Anniversary. While we sit and enjoy our sticks, tobacco activists across the country are in a constant fight to ban smoking of all kinds from this planet.

We search for the few locations that will allow us to smoke on their patio while smoking. And while we could all by cheaper cigars online, we still support our local cigar shops in order to preserve what scantily we have left. We fight for our right to enjoy our right to smoke cigars. Many will try and ban our pleasure but we will always have our passion and enjoyment in cigars.

I ask those of you who read this that don’t smoke, to not judge our passion, and maybe open your mind to it. You never know what you might discover. To those who do smoke cigars, thank you, pass your passion on to those around you, share a stick with a friend, and support your local shop as much as you can.

Artistic Expression

Greetings all my friends…. How I have missed you. I agree it has been far too long since I last posted and for that I am sorry.

I sit here watching the series of Top Chef called Top Chef Masters. The season is different because it doesn’t feature names none of us have heard; instead it brings together some of the greatest culinary minds our country has to offer such as Herbert Keller, Rick Baylass, and Art Smith. As I sit and marvel at the culinary genius that is being displayed, I ask myself: Where did these great chefs learn the skills they possess? Where did they learn the vast amount food based knowledge? While many of them went to culinary schools, worked under another great chef, or studied their mother work in the kitchen, the fact is that these great minds can only learn ways to harness their skills and put them on a plate to share with others. Their creativity is something that cannot be taught; it is deep inside, an untrained artistic expression that school helps showcase. A chef’s artistic ability is no different than that of a great painter, designer, or photographer. But then why is culinary arts not taught in schools?

Schools around the country offer numerous classes that allow a student to showcase their talent in different media forms, whether that is in the form of clay, wood, or paper. However, very few classes are offered that allow expression in the form of food. Now when I was in school it was required that a student complete a minimum number of art courses. None of the classes offered me a chance to showcase my artistic ability. Painters, sculptors, and even craftsmen were given a chance to perform; but what about those who were like me? There was nothing. At the most, some schools offer courses like home economics, which do nothing to but show how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. This fact upsets me. Think about how many great chefs our world would have if schools would offer the chance for other types of artistic expression. The same emotions can be felt through a great painting can be felt through a well prepared dish. Food affects more senses than any other form of art. What’s the reason? Food is looked at as a craft, a social necessity, not an art form. That way of thinking is a crime. As a society we need to stand up and show that art can be edible, that an artistic mind can do more than make a coffee mug out of clay; it can bring back a memory, bring people together, and feed someone at the same time.

For those who read this (however few you may be) I ask for your help. Speak to the schools, speak to the students, let them know that food is there for them to express themselves.

Explore Fort Collins

Many of the reviews that I have done are for restaurants that many people may never get the chance to visit, however, being that I am a poor college student like many of you who may be reading this entry; this new section is going to be geared towards us. Explore Fort Collins will be reviews but reviews that are geared for college students; the hidden gems that our community has to offer. While all of us have been to the chains that encompass our town, such as Qdoba, Wendy's, and even Cheba Hut, Fort Collins has many others great (lesser-known) restaurants to visit. One of my previous reviews, Fish MRKT, could be included in this new section as it is one of the hidden gems. I encourage you to not only take my reviews into consideration, but also comment on my review; if I was helpful let me know, even if my information was full of shit, tell me. More importantly I encourage you the reader to explore Fort Collins yourself. The town has much to offer, so take a chance. If you find a restaurant that you enjoyed please write me about it and I will share your comments with others.

Happy Dinning