by The Chef And The Writer | May 12, 2020 | Uncategorized
It was a scary dream come true. After a few years coming to this little island paradise in Central America, Danny and I decided to dive in. No looking back we took the last of our savings and put it down on what would become his “retirement”project and my writing...
by The Chef And The Writer | May 10, 2020 | #ChefDannyMellman, #dannyandmichelle, #litlpond, #saverestaurants, CovidChronicle, Uncategorized
I have been writing in my head for eight weeks now. Or I guess ranting would be a better word. Maybe ranting doesn’t even describe it. Each day I wake up and remember where I am and what’s going on in the world, well I don’t remember straight away. Sometimes if my...
by The Chef And The Writer | Jul 27, 2019 | #ChefDannyMellman
There are so many things I love about Belize. The wide-ranging shades and depths of blue; the sunrise on an open horizon of the sea; the ingredients and food; but what secures Belize firmly in my heart are the people. They are – as many people in the world are...
by The Chef And The Writer | Jul 7, 2019 | Uncategorized
There are few places in this world that stole my heart on the first visit – Lisbon, Tel Aviv, Blue Ridge and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. And when I mean “stole my heart” – I mean the moment I first wandered the streets of these places, I knew I would...
by The Chef And The Writer | Oct 27, 2018 | The Chef, Uncategorized
Ah, Fall is here. It’s about time. I am longing to wear sweaters and warm snuggly boots. I lust for loud snow, crunchy beneath my boots as I wander our pastures capturing images of worn barns that have fed and housed generations of families and livestock. I...
by The Chef And The Writer | May 14, 2018 | The Chef, Uncategorized
What is Barbecue? Is that one of the most loaded questions in the South? I must admit, I was born in the North. And while my heart is Southern now, I am still one of those uncommitted barbecue enthusiasts. I have a confession to make, and I will apologize now, but...
by The Chef And The Writer | May 6, 2018 | The Writer, Uncategorized
Do I want to really say I have been pondering my next blog post for a year? No. But well, I have. And I have had great thoughts and major subversions. And finally, I am here. Computer keyboard and a blank slate. And babbling words. The past year has been a whirlwind....
by The Chef And The Writer | Jan 8, 2017 | #BestofBlueRidge, #ChefDannyMellman, #MasseriaKitchen, #SustainableFarming
This New Year brings us exciting news. We worked to create a vision for the next 10 years for our company and part of that was building our restaurant properties to a place where we could own the land beneath our business. Along with that goal, comes many other...
by The Chef And The Writer | Jan 7, 2017 | Uncategorized
There is such a sense of place for me in Portugal. I have never been able to explain why – it’s just a comfortable feeling like going home. I recognize the people as they pass by me as if I have met them in some other life. I somehow was raised on their cuisine. I...
by The Chef And The Writer | Mar 14, 2015 | #BestofBlueRidge, #ChefDannyMellman, #Homestead, #MasseriaKitchen, #SustainableFarming
I sit, watching the sky darken, and contemplate the task of mucking out our sow’s stall. I need to dispose of the straw she’s kept so warm for her litter this winter, the lice have not died off despite bone-chilling weather. I’ve finished my basic daily chores. I...
