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Author: John Reardon

“Spirit of America” Happy Fourth of July

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!  

Happy 249th Birthday to the greatest country on earth. Do you remember summers as a child? I loved summer time. Probably because there was no school and summer seemed to go on forever. Before technology, my parents were challenged to find ways to keep five children active during the summer months. Often times, we would find our own ways to stay entertained. 

This is one of my favorite childhood summer stories that I often share for the Fourth of July. Growing up in the early 1960s was a special time and having two brothers meant we were always up to something in the summer. During that time, there was a rocket car called “Spirit of America” and it broke the world land speed record.  This was very exciting for the Reardon boys, inspiring us that we naturally had to break our neighborhood go-kart speed record. We had no idea how to do it, but we were not deterred by something as trivial as that.  During a Fourth of July afternoon, my brothers and I discussed how we could make this happen. Brother Dan (age 8) was our engineer, brother Billy (age 7) was the gopher and would gather the tools and materials we guessed we needed. Myself being the oldest (age 9), I was in charge. As we created a design, I knew we needed a long support beam because this go-kart had to be the biggest of all time. I asked Billy to recruit help and spread the word around the neighborhood to all the kids to help with this project. Also, we would need help to carry our support beam needed for our innovative project. It wasn’t long before the phone started ringing asking my mom what was going on?  Mom would look outside the window to see that her angelic little boys were very quiet and busy sawing and hammering away.  There was no one screaming, fighting or crying. Believing that all was well and under control, my mom invited all the other moms over for some cool cocktails to savor this unusually calm Fourth of July event. Billy went and recruited more friends, Johnny (Babs), Ricky (Smiley) and Karl (Sobie). While we accumulated our helping staff, my dad was at the hardware store picking up supplies for our new family room remodel. While looking around for items to build our kart, my brother Bill found a ten-foot-long oak beam in the back yard that we had not seen before and we thought how lucky Billy was to find it. He was the hero and he and the neighborhood boys helped us carry it, because boy was it heavy.  My brother Dan in designing our kart, decided that we would need three seats for this vehicle. The set up was that I would be in front and steer, then Dan would be next in the middle and be the brakeman. Billy would be in the rear and throw the parachute when I gave him the signal. We got the wheels from donations from other kids in the neighborhood. You see in the 1960s every little kid had a wagon and usually at least one wheel was broken leaving two or three for us to use for our cart. We needed at total of six wheels, so it worked out with everyone’s donations. We would borrow all the materials this way. We needed tools though, and there was only one Dad in the neighborhood that had every tool you can think of, and it was our Dad! One problem was that he had one big rule, John, Danny or Billy were never allowed to touch his tools. My Dad went to great lengths to make sure we didn’t take them. He would warn the three of us very often about this, but there was one family member he never made that order to, our little angelic sister Patty (age 5). Knowing this, we would send her to grab the tools. She loved being included. 

Our house was located near the end of the street at the bottom of a very steep hill. Once we completed putting the go-kart together, we named it the “Spirit of America”. We pushed the “Spirit of America” with the help of ten little kids up to the top of the hill. We made sure we positioned it on the side of the road and not in the middle. It was safety first and our moms who seemed quite giggly, were sitting in chaise lounges watching their boys make history. Billy was ready in the back with the parachute made from his pillow case. Dan was ready on the brake and I had the old bike handle bars ready to steer us to victory. Patty had a flag and called out “go!” With a big push from all the other kids who knew they would get their turns next, we were off down the hill.  The “Spirit of America” was a lot faster than we thought it would be, and we were flying. Just then the only car we saw all day was slowly driving past us. It was my dad who seemed to turn his head in slow motion with a look of disbelief as he watched his handsome little boys careening down the street riding his new family room center beam.  We saw him and I thought that we were making him proud. As we were in sight of the end, I called out to Dan to “start braking”. The moms were raising their glasses, we were heroes. Then Dan tapped me on the shoulder holding the detached brake stick in his hand and said “sorry”. I then called out to Billy to throw the parachute behind him, and he did. As the parachute bounced on the road harmlessly, we realized no one attached the chute to the cart. Our moms stood up in horror while I skillfully steered us through our front yard, through my mom’s flowers and hydrangeas, hitting my dad’s white picket fence which brought us to a halt. Glancing over at my dad, I saw his muscles were ripping through his shirt like the hulk as he raced to grab his boys. Dad asked if we were ok while I quickly responded, “we are awesome!” We were very lucky to be physically OK. For the rest of the summer, we were given very strict guidelines on what types of projects we were going to be allowed to work on. 

My mom did keep the other moms entertained with summer cocktails through the rest of the afternoon. This was a story for the neighborhood record, still being talked about today with my brothers and sister as we reminisce about summers of past. 

Summer time calls for delicious foods, amazing drinks, and wonderful company. Refreshing summer cocktails are the perfect way to stay cool. Fruit cocktails are an ideal way to enjoy a summery drink.  However, before you can entertain your guests with a refreshing pineapple margarita or a strawberry mint Moscow mule, you’ll need the right tools to make them. Be prepared this summer by checking out these must have tools to make the perfect summer cocktail.

An essential tool to use to make a Mojito is a “muddler”. The muddler is basically a stick you use to smash ingredients into a bottom of a glass.  It is used like a pestle to mash or muddle fruits, herbs, and spices. The classic muddler is a rod with a slight flare on one end and a flat surface or teeth on the other side. Both the flat surface and the teeth surface are appropriate for “muddling”.  The purpose to “muddle” is to release fresh flavors to the liquid that will enhance your drink.  Bartenders use a muddler to crush ingredients such as lemons, limes, and mint against the glass before pouring ice in. The muddler can also be used to stir a drink.

Cocktails are fun to make, especially when it comes to the SHAKE. Cocktail shakers are crucial in crafting your summer cocktails as all ingredients need to be muddled, poured and mixed with ice inside. 

Another important tool is the bar spoon. With its tall handle, a bar spoon is specifically designed to stir and mix various drinks by fitting all types of cocktail glasses. Its spiral handle works well when layering drinks and makes for a classy look.

The presentation of your drink is just as important as the quality of its flavor. Pouring your summer cocktail into a stunning glass and adding the appropriate garnishes will make for a picture-perfect cocktail you can enjoy poolside.

To make any cocktail worth the sip, you have to measure your concoction to correctly bring about the right flavors. Mixology is about precision, and you’ll want to serve your guests cocktails with the proper ratios. This is where the jigger comes in— a double-sided measuring tool that measures your favorite spirits to add to your favorite cocktails.

Whether you’re looking to make a quick cocktail for one or a big pitcher of frozen drinks to share, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are a perfect addition to any lazy weekend afternoon. There are plenty of options for every taste, depending on what you’re looking for, from sweet, fruity drinks ideal for cooling off after a hot day. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place for the accoutrements’ you need for entertaining and having those delicious summer cocktails! Sit back and relax with something refreshing as you entertain this summer. Make summer memories that you can share for a lifetime. Remember my Foodie Friends; “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Take Care, John & Paula

It’s in the Cargo

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends! 


It is summer time and travel time for many. We welcome our travelers to Saratoga Springs this summer to enjoy the ballet, orchestra, SPAC events, tours of our area, the historical race track and so much more. Each year, we enjoy talking to many of our culinary guests and hearing about what can be eventful travels from afar.

Our discussions bring back memories of our travels when our children were younger. Specifically, one memory that occurred back in 2004. During that time, going through security at the airport had become a planned task to anticipate when beginning your travels.  My son was 12 and my daughter was 9 at the time.  I was limited to a wheel chair having just had surgery on my foot.  Security had chosen our family randomly to do a full security check. We all moved to the side and cooperated with the officers who held wands in their hands to check us.  My wife, daughter, and I all went through quickly. However, as I glanced to find my son – he was being held by one of the security officers.  We stood watching as the officer placed his wand and tapped on my son’s pocket of his cargo pants.  My son reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of candy.  The guard then moved to the other pocket of my son’s pants and tapped on the pocket.  My son pulled out another bag of candy.  At this point my wife and I looked at each other wondering why my son packed all of this candy – since he never ate it and we rarely had it in the house. The security check was not quite over. The security officer continued to tap all of the pockets in my son’s cargo pants.  As you may know – cargo pants have many pockets.  My wife and I stood with our mouths open and were laughing each time my son reached into his pockets and pulled out more and more candy!! We could not believe what we saw. The security officer tried not to laugh as we kept proclaiming amazement of what we saw.  Once we made it past airport security – our vacation was incredible with many wonderful memories to add to our candy cargo stop.  

My son was able to keep all of the candy he had stashed away like a squirrel.  To this day – we are not quite sure why he had that much candy on him since he was and is still not a big candy eater. 

So how does this story tie into the culinary world? Chef’s both professional and for those who just enjoy cooking, find that storing and carrying their knives to cooking events or various locations can be a task and must be properly done. Chefs love their knives. They carry them everywhere in knife rolls, which are bags designed to house a whole bunch of very sharp knives in the safest and most discreet way possible. You may not think you need to carry around knives and other kitchen tools. But if you’re planning a blowout barbecue at your summer rental house, or a camping trip that will involve fireside cooking, you should consider getting a knife roll.  For many, bringing knives and culinary tools with them to where they are traveling or cooking is considered precious cargo. Consider a knife bag as a way of assisting with those travels. 

We welcome our many visitors to Saratoga Springs, New York and look forward to hearing more of the fun stories that exist in traveling. Stop by Compliments to the Chef to assist with your culinary needs.  We carry “cool tools” for the chef on the go.  Remember: “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.  

Take Care,
John & Paula

“Those Lazy,Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer”

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends! 

The official start to summer is here and it’s time to celebrate the season with luscious dishes that include fresh fruits, salads, light meal ideas and delicious desserts. We are now planning on those cool and cold food ideas for those hot summer nights, or something easy you can throw on the grill. Summer is the best. The days are warmer, longer and just happier. In addition to beach days and family vacations, summer is also one of the best seasons for eating and drinking.

I think about summer adventures. What is on your list of must do’s this summer? My absolute favorite food in the summertime is burgers, and there’s no better way to eat them than by a fire. Anything from the BBQ is amazing in the summertime, and there are so many ways to put a spin on your classic summer favorites. Looking for more of a low budget way to make your foodie adventure dreams come true? Go old school adventure, and grab your best basket, your comfiest blanket and fill up for a picnic. Picnics are great because you get to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine all while chomping down on some certifiably delicious summer snacks. There’s just nothing like pouring a cold beer or glass of wine and sitting down in the backyard with friends or family for an al fresco meal.

Grilling up burgers is a summertime staple for many of us. My Dad was a grill master, and he let us know that every time he would approach his grill. He never got to enjoy his backyard BBQ’s because he wouldn’t leave it.  Uncle Cass was the only person that could take over for him, and Cass felt like he had been given the biggest honor. Dad, Uncle Cass, and Uncle Woofy had built a giant brick and cement grill that was a masterpiece. This masterpiece still stands today. They loved having family get-togethers every weekend. Remember when your cousins were your best friends? My cousins were my best friends who I got to see all the time in the summer. At our family BBQ’s, everyone would marvel at Dad’s burgers, hot dogs and chicken. They were better than any restaurant because of dad’s secret ingredients. One of the things he did that no one but me seemed to notice was use a small cast iron skillet to press his burgers. They came out cooked perfectly.  He also would sing Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole songs to all of the moms (and he had a great voice).   I once asked my mom; “If Dad was so great how come he didn’t cook inside that much?” She responded with a quick; “Why do you think that we eat outside from Memorial Day to Labor Day? I get my summers off!” Very strategic on my mother’s behalf. 

How do you like your burgers? When you get your burger fresh off the grill and they are sitting there all juicy and delicious on that bun…how do you make this perfect food even more perfect? Cheese is a good choice. But which one? American? Cheddar? Swiss? Maybe some crisp, smoky bacon. How about barbecue sauce? We could go on forever. Making hamburgers seems like something that should be simple—how hard can it be to cook those beefy delights? Yet somehow, nailing the perfect burger can elude even the most seasoned home cook. Make the patty too thick and you risk biting into a raw mess. Leave it on the heat for too long, and it’ll end up dry.

The secret to making juicy burgers at home is all in the meat. Did you burn your burgers while cooking them? The culprit is likely uneven thickness. While the shape of the patty doesn’t matter, the thickness does. You really want to make sure the patty is a uniform even thickness, or it’s not going to cook properly, which can lead to a burnt outside and undercooked inside. A solution could be to flatten the patties by pressing them flat using a burger press. 

Burger presses create consistently shaped and sized burgers. The presses allow you to pack patties without squishing the meat between your warm hands. Heat radiated by your hands can cause proteins to denature. Using your hands to pack raw meat can cause the fat to melt and the meat to break apart which causes a mushy, unappealing texture when it’s time to devour your burger. The burger presses make uniform patties: same weight and diameter every time. Uniform patties cook evenly throughout and will come to temperature around the same time on the grill. The burger press also helps to achieve the weight you’re going for ¼, ⅓, and ½ lb. patties. And you get a prettier burger patty. The burgers look good. Who doesn’t marvel at a perfectly round, evenly dense patty?

Elevate your grilling game this summer with less stressing and more pressing. Get the tools you need to make the burgers you yearn for. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, for the cool tools you need to help you with your summer creations. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen” with your family and friends. Enjoy the summer season in Saratoga Springs, NY. 

Take Care, John & Paula

I Scream for Ice Cream

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello  my Foodie Friends!  

June is a full month filled with graduations, weddings, birthdays, back yard BBQ’s, and Father’s Day. I know it’s a cliché’ but time does go by so quickly. Our daughter has a birthday coming up this week. I have also had many father’s days where we celebrated her birthday and my dad day together (making each that much more special). As I reflect on Father’s Day, I realize that the most important part of being a father is being in my children’s lives, to show them my love and to support their dreams and aspirations. I always knew I wanted to be a father and consider fatherhood my greatest achievement.  Once I was asked, “do you miss your children being young?” My response was that I truly have enjoyed and continue to enjoy every stage of my children’s lives. I consider being a father a privilege with the gift of loving and teaching them through every part of their lives watching them change and mature. My children fill me with the important parts of overwhelming pride and joy I have for them. Being a father to them has given me the greatest gift in being their protector, caregiver, and mentor. 

As I watch my daughter grow into the amazing person she is, it just seems like yesterday we were sitting at the Saratoga Race Track with her sitting on her foldable Barbie chair with a Saratoga umbrella watching the spectacular racing horses walking by. We are blessed to have our daughter serving our community as a doctor of Physical Therapy. To this day, she insists that my wife make her an ice cream cake as part of her birthday celebration. My wife has developed various creations over the years. Over the years, I have to admit, I did not mind having ice cream cake as our special birthday dessert. I love ice cream as much as I did when I was a kid. Many of us love ice cream.  We crave for it during hot summer days, even during the cold northeast winters. It is a wonderful treat to have as we watch movies like “Sleepless in Seattle”, or “When Harry met Sally”. Can you tell I am a fan of Meg Ryan! 

One culinary item that my wife relies upon when making her ice cream cake is a spring form pan. Spring form pans are a kitchen essential for producing flawlessly smooth cheesecakes, perfectly crusted tarts, or intricate ice cream cakes without damage to their tops, bottoms, or sides. Meant to eliminate the risks associated with removing cakes from traditional pans, removing your product from the pan is the final step before placing your delicate treats on display, serving to your family or guests, or packaging them to go.

This Father’s Day, take time to show the father’s and father figures in our lives appreciation and to celebrate those who have guided, supported, and taught us through our lives. Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, to treat dad to some cool culinary tools. For Father’s Day, eat together as a family.  Relish the memories and show Dad how much you love him. I am very proud of both of my children, Johnny and Aubrey, and thankful to be their dad. I once told a customer that I’m great at two things: Sharpening knives and being a Dad. The Husband part is a work in progress according to Paula.  Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”. 

Take Care, John & Paula

To our daughter Aubrey: You give us a thousand reasons to smile every day. We are so proud of the woman you are. Happy Birthday to you, our beautiful daughter!

Although I cannot share Paula’s recipe for her ice cream cake, I have included another fantastic ice cream cake recipe to make.

Whose Turn is it to Wash the Dishes?

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

Each week we write about the fun of creating and cooking fabulous dishes. However, with making these dishes comes the mess and dreaded task of cleaning up which becomes someone’s responsibility.
Many conflicts occur within a household on whose turn it is to wash the dishes. I remember in my childhood years fighting with my four other siblings on who would be assigned the chore of doing the dishes. Having grown up in an Italian household with five children, my mother ran a tight ship and made sure all of us were assigned cleaning duties. Fighting over who was going to wash the dishes was a common occurrence even after my mother made it clear whose job it was that evening. Through the years we learned that washing the dishes did not take that long when each of us helped out. When we shared and helped each other in our household chores, we then had plenty of time to go and do what we wanted afterwards. While doing chores and playing together, we became good friends; a friendship that still holds today. 

“You know you’re an adult when you get excited when there is a new sponge in the sink.” Author Unknown. To this day, believe it or not, I enjoy washing dishes. I love bringing home new types of items to help me with this chore. One of our favorite items we carry is the Jetz-Scrubz cleaning sponge. This sponge will not scratch even the finest surfaces. They can last for several months and can be cleaned in the top tray of your dishwasher. The sponge has a foam side that holds suds longer and has a scratch-free scrubber side for pots and pans. Jetz-Scrubz is also made in the USA. 

So, whose ever job it is to wash the dishes, try out this really cool sponge!  Come visit Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery Store located on 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga where we have Tools for Cooks! Have fun cooking and cleaning up.  

Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen”.

Take Care, John & Paula

“Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way…”  ~Simon and Garfunkel

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

We are in the midst of so many reasons to celebrate. Among those reasons are individuals who are graduating from high school and college. I can recall the emotions of pride watching each of my children get their diploma from high school and college. For a parent, there are so many mixed emotions. During graduation day from high school, I knew my children would be fine – they would be great. Their high school graduation was just the beginning of some amazing times to come. For me, it was the start of a very different time in my life. As you watch your child cross the stage, you can feel your heart expand and surge. That moment was precious and overwhelming at the same time. During their college graduations, I cheered them and supported them as they navigated living away from home. They are out there living their own lives, and as a parent you can only sit back, hope and wish them the best. These feelings occur at all levels of watching individuals enter into new stages of their lives. That’s the thing about graduations, they bring out all the feelings. (And so many tears.).

Over the many years here at our store, many customers come in and tell us stories of the love of cooking that so many younger individuals have. The stories and pictures of favorite meals, menus, and creations are shared and now this person is graduating from school.  Do you know someone who is graduating—what an excellent occasion. Or perhaps the person who is graduating is you, in which case, congratulations! Either way, graduation means presents are in order—and it also means it’s time to move out of that crappy college apartment. That’s why, if you’re wondering what to gift your grad, outfitting their new adult kitchen is the way to go. It’s a new stage of life for your proud graduate, so treat them to some useful culinary tools. 

At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place; let us help you select that special culinary gift to congratulate the graduate. To all of our graduates: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln. Remember my Foodie Friend; “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

Take Care, John & Paula

Chef in the Great Outdoors

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends!

The beautiful weather is here and it is time to enjoy the Great Outdoors as part of our Memorial Day weekend festivities.
Everyone loves to cook outdoors during this beautiful weather season. I think you would agree it’s always lots of fun to cook outdoors, since everyone loves to get out of the kitchen and into the great outdoors to prepare a delicious meal. When I think about cooking outdoors, I am reminded about one of the funniest scenes in the movies. I love John Candy, especially his role in the movie “The Great Outdoors”. I still laugh when I think about the “Ol’ 96er” scene in the movie; this amusing scene involved the star’s attempt to consume “a 96-ounce prime aged-beef steak” — and earn his crowded table a free meal.  The scene includes the challenge of eating this much steak and Candy’s meat sweats and the gurgling distress that Dan Ackroyd hears beneath his friend’s stomach. This movie scene remains one of my favorites. I think of it every time I cook outdoors.  There are other reasons I enjoy cooking outdoors. The scent of dinner sizzling on the grill and the joy of eating in the open air — cooking and dining outdoors are simple summer pleasures that deserve to be enjoyed. When you are cooking outside, preparing dinner is part of the fun instead of a chore that keeps you holed up in the kitchen alone. Family and friends can easily hang out and chat with whoever is stationed at the grill, and can pitch in by prepping sides or gathering plates. With slow-cooked barbecue being an option for outdoor grilling, there are also grilling options to fall into the quick-cooking category. Think grilled veggies, kabobs and burgers — it’s so easy, there’s no reason you could not cook dinner on the grill most weeknights, especially if you have a quick-to-heat gas grill.

Below are some fun BBQ items that you can use for your next BBQ.

BBQ Grill Mats (reusable): The grill mats help to maintain grill marks and keep foods natural juices and flavor. The mats prevent food from fall through the grill grates. You can always have a clean grilling surface. Just place the grill mats on the surface of the grill and put the food directly on the grill. 

Tongs: The use of tongs for outdoor grilling can help you maneuver your food on the grill. Not only will a good pair of tongs make for a much more enjoyable outdoor cooking experience, but it will make the whole process much easier, too. You can use tongs to flip burgers, chicken, steak, sliding veggies around, or turning items you make have on skewers.

Instant-read thermometer: named because it gives a temperature reading very quickly, an instant-read thermometer is an essential food safety and sanitation tool. An instant-read thermometer consists of a stainless steel stem that serves as a temperature probe, and either a dial or a digital readout.

Grill cleaning brush:  Grills work better when the surface of the grill grates are clean of food and carbon build-up. This means brushing the grill surface after every use. Using a nylon brush can help to not damage the surface of the grill grates. 

Skewers for Kabobs: One tool that can help those who are firing up in the backyard is the skewer. Creating food on a stick offers the ability to be creative and to offer various food choices for your family and guests. Serving food on a stick is not only convenient, but it’s also fun! Skewers can be made of bamboo, flexible stainless steel or stainless steel. Finding the right skewer for your grilling mission is key, since skewers come in a variety of lengths and shapes, with handle embellishments and smart features.

BBQ tool sets and tools that include:  Grill Spatula, Grill Tongs, Grill Basting Brush, and Grill Meat Spear.

Let’s BBQ together this season and enjoy the Great Outdoors. Stop in and share your stories, even the disasters!  There are always times when everything doesn’t go perfectly.  As in the movie, I’ve had my share of disasters but the good times are worth it.  At one point I did not have a mustache (for a reason!).

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place. We are Saratoga Spring’s true kitchen essentials store, for your culinary needs.  Quality tools for Quality results! We have an assortment of cool tools for grilling. Remember my Foodie Friends that: “Life Happens in the Kitchen or around the BBQ grill.

Take Care, John & Paula

“The People Who Give You Their Food, Give You Their Heart”

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.


Hello  my Foodie Friends! 

When I was growing up, there was a small but very well stocked family grocery store three houses away from my family home. It was called Mule’s Market and it was located on Liberty Street in Meriden, Connecticut. It was run by an Italian family and when I say family, I mean all the brothers, sisters, wives, mothers, fathers, grandparents and well, a lot of people! This was before big chain grocery stores existed. Therefore, this family market had to have a little bit of everything. If it was Italian foods you wanted, Mule’s Market had it and it was delicious. I had the opportunity to work there when I was 16 years old and I was always coming home with giant care packages for my mom, who they loved. They would send me home with spaghetti and meatballs, fresh Italian bread, lasagna and fresh cuts of meat, as they were butchers as well.  All their prepared foods were from family recipes and that is why they were beloved in the community. Whenever they would bring out a new recipe, they wanted to know my mother’s opinion right away. They tried to recruit her, but all they got was me. The store was always filled with wonderful aromas of different foods. My experience in the market and the trying of new recipes began my journey to becoming a “foodie.”

Over the years, more and more people (of all ages and backgrounds) are experimenting with food dishes more than ever before. Hence, the term ‘foodie’ has become increasingly popular and trendy. We can all call ourselves “foodies”, enjoying food, cooking, and experimenting with different ingredients, methods, and recipes. You may find that you are pulling up old traditional recipes from generations past and love sharing your creations.  

Through the many years Compliments to the Chef has been in business, I have had a multitude of individuals come in and share stories of being a foodie. What I truly enjoy seeing are individuals who are very young venturing with the culinary arts. The knowledge and interest in quality tools has been amazing and very rewarding to see. Many are focused on food preparation and optimizing nutrition. Food has become a huge social culture being something that engages all of the senses and brings people together in physical space. For people who love cooking but are not professional chefs, what is it about cooking that you really love most? Many of our customers have stated that; although they are not a professional chef, they absolutely love cooking. They love the ability to be creative. It allows experimentation with different types of spices, cultural cuisines, and cooking techniques which can be educational. Cooking can give you a sense of satisfaction knowing that you created something amazing. Cooking a meal is one of the most personal and intimate things you can do for someone. The best part is when that special someone “compliments the chef’!”

Stop by Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store, located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, and share your foodie stories. Our growth as a business continues through the conversations and recommendations from our customers. We love hearing how you experimented, the successes and “catastrophes,” and your aspirations for learning a new recipe or conquering a family tradition one. I have served some wonderful meals that I am proud of. However, there have been plenty of times that I thought something was a disaster. I just try again. Have fun. Remember ,my Foodie Friends: “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care, John & Paula

“Because I Said So”

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

This weekend is Mother’s Day. Remembering my mother and my mother-in-law at this time, brings those memories that make me laugh and cry. Paula and I have lost both of our mothers, but carry with us the treasured memories of two very incredible women. 

As we reflect on the years that we did have with our mothers, the importance of family and time spent with family is a significant piece that stands out. Our home was filled with emotions, excitement and constant family interaction.

I have talked about growing up in an Italian family in many of my articles. Italians are a matriarchal nationality. It’s the women who carry on the traditions and hand out the majority of discipline, wisdom and nurturing to the children. As I was growing up being one of five siblings, every room in the house involved teaching and training by my mother. Life seemed much simpler and sweeter then. We had parents who loved us but weren’t afraid to discipline us. I continue to reminisce with my siblings on the “Italian” scolding’s we would often get with something being said in half Italian and half English and the constant phrase “…because I said so!”

There are so many of life’s lessons we learn from our mothers, that get handed down from generation to generation. Lessons such as: “it’s the small things that count, or don’t sweat the small stuff; always be honest; admit mistakes, be humble; care about the right things; laugh often, learn from others”.  I can go on and on there are so many. 

Compliments to the Chef would like to salute all the Mothers, who have made life happen in our homes and especially in the kitchen. Who is the first one to start cooking a meal and the last to sit down for a meal?  Who is still in the kitchen cleaning well after everyone else has left?  What room in the house does mom dole out free advice on dating, school, employment and dealing with disappointment?  Where do some of your funniest memories of mom take place?  Moms hold court in their kitchen as a judge does in his court room or Queen Elizabeth did in Buckingham Palace. My Mom didn’t hold a staff like the Queen but she did carry a rolling pin and a wooden spoon.  For a few years it was never very far from her right hand. 

This Mother’s Day when it is time for dinner, seat mom first and clean up so she can enjoy her day.  Call Mom on a regular basis and tell her how you feel about her.  You cannot say “I love you Mom” enough.  Meal time is family time. Look at each other, listen to each other, tell stories, and talk about life. What ever the gift is that you give your Mom on Mother’s Day, the greatest gift is the smile and love you give her. Hold onto these traditions and family time you have created. Enjoy your time at home and make beautiful memories. Thank our moms for the valuable life lessons learned that we continue to pass on.  

At Compliments to the Chef; your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, we are available to help you with finding that special gift to give to Mom. Remember my Foodie Friends and Mom’s: “Life Happens in the Kitchen” – those memories will last you a life time. 

Take Care, John & Paula


Spice Up Your Taste

Written by John Reardon on . Posted in Food.

Hello my Foodie Friends!   

Happy Cinco de Mayo. Many of us foodies may be planning some celebrations for this event. Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Although a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, the day is a popular celebration in the United States. And what better way to celebrate than to eat delicious Mexican food? An essential item needed in most recipes for Cinco de Mayo includes spices. Traditional Mexican cuisine has a distinct taste, and it’s made up of a few common ingredients. That spicy flavor is due to things like onions, garlic, chile powders, herbs, spices, and a few that are specific to this style of food. Oregano and cumin bring a lot to that signature Mexican flavor. Cumin has been around since the beginning of history. Its origin lies somewhere in the Mediterranean but has expanded in popularity because it is grown easily all over the world. It has a toasty yet somewhat bitter taste and gives Mexican dishes a certain flavor that cannot be replaced. Chile Powder is actually a blend of dried, powdered chiles, cumin, and oregano. Other spices are sometimes included in the mix, but those are the key ingredients. It is used primarily for seasoning meats and vegetables but has other uses as well.

When cooking with spices, the room fills with aromas that fill our senses. Have you ever walked into a place and smelled your favorite memories? Smells of cooking can trigger memories so strong and real it feels like you’ve been transported back in time and brings a picture as sharp as a photograph of a special time in your life.  Through food we exchange stories of ourselves and our families. Spices have a way of transporting you to another place and time. Each spice or collection of spices has a story, and a wonderful, beautiful one at that. Spices are flavor enhancers! That might seem rather simplistic, but it really sums up how to think about spices and get the best from them. Rather than seeing these strange little bits of bark, seeds and roots as something to be used only on special occasions, or just when a recipe calls for them, look at your spice shelf as flavor enhancers to be added to your cooking (or even drinks) in small quantities at any time. You can add pretty much any spice you like to anything you cook – you’ll soon find there are NO RULES to making something taste delicious – the only way to really understand it is through trial and error.

Having said all that, you shouldn’t normally be able to clearly identify a particular spice in your cooking – if you can taste a spice clearly, the chances are you’ve added too much. If you taste your food as you go and add seasonings in small quantities your cooking will improve, and your food will have more flavor. The saying ‘you can always add more, but you can never take away’ is a good one to bear in mind, so just add a little at a time, tasting all the time until you’re happy with it.

For some Americans, one perceived impediment to cooking with spices is the dislike of spicy food, even though spices are not spicy hot, per se. Spices can make food richly flavorful and aromatic, but they make it hot only if you add fresh, powdered or flaked chile peppers. That heat comes with a few benefits — spicy hot food reduces the need for salt, plus it helps the body sweat and potentially remove toxins.

At Compliments to the Chef, your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, we offer many spices that can be used to help you with your Cinco de Mayo culinary creations. Stop in and spice up your taste with some unique flavors you have yet to try. Remember my Foodie Friends, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.” 

Take Care, 

John & Paula