Up until recently the answer to that question seemed obvious in my  mind. I
like most love to listen to music when I prep food and also when I eat food.
It seems they really go well together hand in hand, like a happily married
couple finishing each other sentences in synchronized  time. I mean think
about it  we listen to music when we are sad we also tend to binge on food
in that same mode. We listen to music when we are happy too and so do we
dine in that same vein.  But one thing I never expected to happen hit me
hard recently.  Its seems to me that creating a dish and creating a song are
really one in the same.

On my “spare” time (Sundays only and late night after service) I have been
going into a recording studio downtown and working on a track I wrote called
“Sunday Morning” . Like a dish it all starts out as a general idea, I have
an idea of where it is going but have not nailed the details or the
polarities of how far I want to take it. All you know at this point is there
is a melody  or an ingredient you want to work with.  So lets then start to
get to know the ingredient or melody better, we play and play until our
fingers hurt or even until we burn ourselves as we get to know our
ingredient or melody better. Soon we become comfortable enough to introduce
it to some friends which means  even more ingredients and more instruments.
As we roll with this melody or ingredient it starts to makes friends with
some of these new introductions while others get dejected within moments of
our next tasting or session. Believe me its a painful experience one minute
its bliss and you think you have something on Bowie or the next you are as
tasteless  as a bad diner in middle America.  At this point I realized
something about music I already knew about food, keep trying until you get
it right. Its okay to be influenced by something but still keep it original
even at the risk of subjective criticism or critical acclaim…

The pay off at the end of the day is why all artists go through this
sadistic process that can physically and mentally drain you…you have given
life to something with your own hands that never existed  until you reacted
to that melody or ingredient that was floating in your head…..g

I often get asked what inspires me, and the truth of the matter is clear in
my mind. The obvious, or shall I say typical, answer as a chef would be
“walking through the markets and seeing what is fresh and in season”. Well
yes, that part of it is true to a certain degree, but for me the real answer
is other people. By other people I do not necessarily mean chefs; sometimes
it’s people in completely unrelated fields. Recently I was blessed
with visits from three guests that I am completely inspired by, and each in
their own way have found success despite the odds against them.

The first was Steve Nash. A fellow Canadian who despite being “too short”
to play professional basketball has managed to win numerous MVP’s and
is arguably the best point guard to ever play the game. Oh, and did I
mention he is really cool as well?  After his dinner, he came into the kitchen,
chatted and took photos with myself and my crew.  He is a classic example that
what may be perceived as a weakness by critics can be turned into a positive strength in reality.

The second guest was a fellow by the name of Derrick Borte who, after
working in television for most of his career, decided he was going not only write
but direct a movie.  That movie, ” The Joneses” was featured at TIFF this year.
The movie stars Demi Moore and David Ducovny and we had the honor of doing the
after dinner screening for Derrick’s cast and crew. This film is awesome and
really gets you thinking about where our society may be heading.  He told me it
took him 7 years from the time he decided to write it, to now being on the silver
screen.  This tells me persistence is the key and never give up on your
dreams…

The third guest (last but definitely not the least) was Emily Haines of
Metric.  Metric is an indy, partially Canadian band that has done what any
successful band has done and that’s create their own original sound.
Whenever a Metric tune pops up on my ipod it instantaneously stands out
from the other tunes.  ”Fantasies” their current cd, is definitely a more
radio-friendly project then the other Metric cd’s, which is probably why
it’s their most successful project to date.  But the trick they have successfully
mastered is that it is still Metric, unique and beautifully crafted music.
They are currently in Australia, then off to Tokyo, only to return to some
back to back gigs at Massey Hall. Ottawa and Montreal.  Seeing them live is
a must see. I had to assure Emily that when “Help I am Alive ” came on during her dinner that it wasn’t a set up and their music along with other indy bands get steady play at Ame. What did I learn from Emily, Metric and Fantasies?  That
reaching out to a broader audience creates new opportunities and done
well can be a beautiful thing with complete honor.  Also to work as hard as
you can to get your message out there and the ones who will get it “fine”,
and the ones who don’t, well move on and don’t “fret” about it…..g