This past Sunday was Father's Day and I realize that most people don't think of food when you think of Father's Day, but with my father and I food always is a hot topic of conversation. I have great memories of times my father and I spent traveling around and where ever we went finding something good to eat was as important as finding a gas station. I remember having a fresh pecan pie in southern Georgia, where knowing how to say pecan is as crucial as how to grow a pecan. There was the over the top cheese pizza in Tampa where neither one of us could finish it and that's saying something considering we are both accomplished eaters. Those are just a few of the food memories I have with my father, but the best for me is the time we spent together making his "world renowned" coney sauce for hot dogs. I didn't realize it then but the reason it was so good is the fact that we made it together or the fact that if we made it, it most likely meant mom was out of town and we could eat whatever we wanted to and didn't have to make our beds. Whether or not mom was gone cooking and talking about food has always been important to my father and I. I can't express how much those coney sauce moments have impacted my thoughts as a chef and a son.
I know there are many sons out there that have some of the same type stories, I encourage you to send in some of those stories about your fathers. Maybe it is grilling out, going to the ball game and sharing hot dogs and ice cold (fill in your beverage of choice) Coke, whatever that story is share it with us and everyone. Your father would appreciate it.
Brilliantly written article. You make all fathers and sons proud.
Posted by: John Smith | June 17, 2008 at 05:39 PM