As the wife of a chef I often have people say to me, “Wow, you must eat great!”
“Why are you eating that slice of cheese on a grocery store roll; you are married to a chef.”
Etc.
Well, I do eat well, IF I go into his restaurant. But 5 to 6 days of the week we are on our own. And when dinner is Mark’s job, he is kind of pooped so his fare is simple–but good– grilled steaks, sauteed vegetables.
One thing he is good at doing is making something out of nothing.
When we were dating he would drive over to my apartment when he was done. Seems crazy to remember that he could show up at midnight, and I was awake and happy to see him. As opposed to now when I fall asleep at 10:30 and growl if he wakes me up at midnight. Poor guy, bait and switch.
So, one night I said, “Please bring me something to eat.” I waited in my little pad thinking of all the yummy food he would be bringing me. But he had spaced.
He brought nothing.
I said, “But I have NOTHING TO EAT, and I’m hungry. I’ve been waiting for your fine food.”
He said, “I will fix something.”
“No, no there is nothing Mark, nothing!”
Well, like in some reality show challenge, he made me a great tomato salad and something else good I can’t remember.
In our current life when we are both too pooped to shop and cook, Mark has birthed FESTIVAL OF LEFTOVERS. In this picture, he made a nice salad with cold steak and other ingredients. It was what we had on hand, and it did taste good, but his presentation really sells it.
When he isn’t home we often eat practically standing up. With Mark, it must all be Plated.
And please note Rex’s onesie. My dear friend Heather made this for him. She is a crafty little child-free friend.
Wow! I want to come over to your house for left overs! I think all my favorite foods are on that plate! My oldest son loves to cook. When he was in college, he saved on food money because he told friends, “You bring it. I’ll cook it.” And they did! I guess being married to a chef is like being married to the engineer who doesn’t get to all the fix-it problems in the house.
So, so right…ANYTHING tastes better when someone else makes it for you. You can give me a box of cereal, but if you pour it for me, and add the milk: it’s a queen’s meal. All b/c I finally didn’t have to cook something.
Oh, and don’t Rex and Viv have Mark’s mouth. Adorable children.
What a sweet gift from your friend! Rex wears it very well!And that meal Mark whipped up looks fabulous! The man is miracle worker with leftovers!!!
My favorite is to be in bed and smell the delicous aroma of a wonderful breakfast being prepared and the key here is it’s not me! I wake up peeky and happy and just love it. It doesn’t happen often but I savor those moments and I am looking forward to it soon as my birthday is coming!
Got Mark’s cookbook! LOOOOVE IT! The pictures are awesome, and I just knew his personality would come across in the text…it does.
Feels like he’s right next to you, talking you through the salt rubbed roasted chicken (YUM!)
It’s all yummy, but not as yummy as the dedication to you, Daphne. You are living my dream life, believe it or not…a master chef dedicating his cookbook to you…you got it goin’ on, girl…you really do.
Congrats on the book , I just love all of it.