And the Summer Adventures Continue

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

This week I will continue Part II of my infamous summer adventure story. As it ended last week, I was given the call to be part of a crew that would assist in bringing a 50-foot yacht from West Palm Beach Florida up the intercoastal waterway to Narraganset Rhode Island. The adventure included Ron (the owner of the boat), who was also my next-door neighbor and was closer to a second father to myself and Paula than just a neighbor. Ron had no sons and always called me son. I loved the man very much. One of his favorite movie lines came from the movie “The Graduate” and was by the character Mr. McGuire to Benjamin, it was one word, “Plastics!”.  Ron was a genius inventor of plastic items and made very good money. The yacht was ultimately gifted the name “The Graduate”.

In planning the excursion, Ron and his wife Deedy were worried about me from the toll of the last year of my limited mobility and saw an opportunity to help me out. I can still hear Ron’s words in my head today; “Will you come and crew my boat with me and bring it up the intercoastal to Rhode Island”. I told him that I knew nothing about crewing a boat and never been on anything bigger than a rowboat. He then asked if I knew how to drink beer. I let him know that I was considered a pro in the area. He said “good then we can teach you the rest”. The crew consisted of two retired Coast Guard lieutenants, a Yacht Captain and his wife, Ron, a newly licensed boat captain and me, a cool guy who was willing to learn anything about boats. I was off on my adventure and landed in Palm Beach airport to a beautiful warm and sunny day. We taxied to the dock in West Palm Beach, and I looked at my sleeping arrangements for the next three-weeks to a month. I was in awe of this big 50-foot boat. It had a living room and a big kitchen and separate bedrooms for everyone except for me who had to share a big bedroom with one of the coast guard lieutenants, Jim, who made me laugh every time he talked. Now all of the crew was over 6’ 3” in height except for me, who stood tall at 5’7”.  I was considerably lighter in weight than all the retired crew members. I am mentioning this because as all the experts were touring the boat, there was an area of concern for all of them and that was the engine room. The boat had twin 500hp caterpillar diesel engines that were tucked under the floorboards and the only people that could fit down there were myself and the beautiful wife of the Yacht captain. All eyes then looked at me. Now your favorite foodie friend had to repeat to everyone that I could cook them a great meal, but I knew nothing about engines. :No problem, John”, Ron exclaimed, “we can coach you through any situation that may arise” – and the engine room is where I spent a lot of time as situations occurred that required me to channel my way to help in the repairs as we made our way up the intercoastal waterway. 

Food was our reward at the end of each day. Ron and his wife Deedy were all-time great gourmet cooks, so I was not needed in that department. Ron was a master captain in boating and came from a military background in the Navy. He was also a master chef. Ron was always very proud of serving his crew incredible seafood dishes.  Clams and oysters were one of Ron’s favorite seafood items to create delightful dishes with. Special tools that Ron would use included a clam and oyster knife and a cut proof glove.  The clam knife was important for proper shucking of the clams. Once you learn the basics, shucking clams and oysters is not difficult. Practice makes perfect and the reward is delicious. 

At Compliments to the Chef, we carry an assortment of clam/oyster/ and seafood tools to assist with your seafood dishes. We also carry the Coastal Kitchen Collection and Shuckers Bundle sets from “Toadfish”. The company devotes its success to improving water quality by rebuilding oyster beds. By repeating and expanding this process through their “Put ‘Em Back movement”, they are working towards healthier coastlines nationwide. To achieve their mission, Toadfish has pledged to rebuild new oyster reefs with every product sold and has created a line of unique, eco-conscious products. 

This summer, make some seafood meals to remind you of the ocean and those precious memories you have made with friends and family. Unfortunately, Ron is no longer with us to share and laugh at these stories. However, they are memories that I hold dear in my heart every day. Here’s to you Ron. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for your seafood clam and oyster knives. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” with good times, friends, and great food (gathering safely).

Take Care,
John & Paula