Communication | ideas that taste good

Treasures of the dark enlighten the mind

January 25, 2015 by antdina

Her smile can only be seen at night. It lights up the sky. Yet her attention is fickle. She saunters into the month. Just when hearts relax under the warmth of her beams, she snails an exit. We are powerless to retain her. Behind the veil she disappears. And in the solemn darkness we stand empty. But not empty handed. She leaves gifts. From her garden we eat mystery. Small fruits of the earth. Silky sponge with enough tooth to masquerade as meat. […]

Categories: Communication • Tags: A16, Cipollina, Dahlia's Lounge, Easy Tiger, Goodalls, mushroom, Qui, RDG

Language of love

August 3, 2014 by antdina

Some day, and that day may never come, I’ll call upon you a service. But until that day accept this justice as a gift on my daughter’s wedding day. — The Godfather, by Mario Puzo In that chilling scene, the godfather, portrayed by Marlon Brando, agrees to fix a problem for someone else. It begins with a lesson about respect. About using the proper title for a man who carries the most influence in an organization. THE godfather. And while the tuxedo clad Sicilian-American indicates […]

Categories: Communication • Tags: A16, Cotogna, gift, language of love, Pizza, Pizzarie Delfina, Second, Serious Pie, The Godfather

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We elephant when we eat

June 22, 2014 by antdina

The world loves team sports. Most of which involve a ball. A ball which passes between players in the pursuit of a goal. Through the hoop, into the end zone, or in the box. We count points. We hold our breath. We cheer for victory or groan in defeat. Skilled players see the ball with their hands. They pass effortlessly among their team. It’s a conversation between cohorts. Message in. Message out. When play is good we witness the flow of energy. […]

Categories: Communication • Tags: elephant, Lacrosse, low mein, mouthfeel, noodles, pappardelle, pasta, pici, spaghetti

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It worked for ancient Greece. It can work for you.

March 9, 2014 by antdina

The difference between the mundane and the extraordinary is about 3 feet. At least that’s what the Greeks practiced. Make an object of admiration, inspiration or adoration and it sits on a pedestal. Off the earth. Think about it. How many times have you physically looked straight into marble knees or alabaster toes? When we like something we lift it up. How our ancient ancestors arrived at this conclusion is simple. Small objects are easier to see when we are […]

Categories: Communication • Tags: bacon, beef, burger, gourmet, Hopdoddy, local ingredients, pioneer, sandwich, tuna

What old movies teach us about cooking

December 1, 2013 by antdina

Fred and Ginger. Bing and Rosemary. Gene and Debbie. Long before Dancing with the Stars, there were actual dancing stars. People of such grace and fluid motion they stole our attention. With unblinking eyes we watched them twirl, swoon and defy gravity. Man and woman at times in perfect sync and at times in stark contrast. Tied in a gravitational force that has them tumbling through symbiotic space. Existing as individuals and as a pair at the same time. American […]

Categories: Communication • Tags: cotija, cranberry, dancing, duality, Fred Astaire, fugue, Ginger Rogers, mashed potatoes, salsa, smoked turkey, Thanksgiving, tomatillo, tomatillo salsa, yin and yang

the sound of pizza

June 30, 2013 by antdina

Simon and Garfunkel wrote a song about the Sound of Silence in 1964 to point our attention to the sobriety of a fallen president in a time of mass doubt. 12 years before John Cage composed 4’33”, a score with three movements and no music. At least not from any instrument. Rather the audience were invited to focus on the natural ambient sounds. Both meant to sharpen our thoughts by quieting our senses. So why is that when we consider […]

Categories: Communication, Food Finds, Storytelling • Tags: 4'33'', brain scientists, espresso, grilled pizza, John Cage, melody, Paul Simon, Pizza, poets, Serious Pie, Simon and Garfunkel, Slip Slidin' Away, Sound of Silence, Starbucks, Tom Douglas

Draw them closer with symbolic food

June 9, 2013 by antdina

Bavarians got it right. Cars, lederhosen, and dirndls are timeless icons. But more importantly they bring people together. Sure, ein masse of heffeweisen helps with frivolity. However the beer garden with long picnic benches provides THE place to gather, to laugh, and to share. Stands full of fish-on-stick, brats or beer-cheese line these outdoor places. The linchpin for this sacred time is a baked hunk of twisted dough. Funny thing, the shape of the pretzel means something. Southern Germany is steeped in Roman Catholic history. […]

Categories: Communication, Food Finds • Tags: Bavarians, beer garden, beirgarten, Catholics, I'll have what she's having, Munich, pretzel, When Harry Met Sally

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First thanks

August 14, 2011 by antdina

Mt. Desert Island has been a sanctuary for my family for more than a decade. We fell into this vacation land quite by accident. Or rather, we never chose it as much as followed others there. It remains the pristine home to Acadia National Park, many lobster fishermen and a summer crowd which swells while temperatures heat up back home. The air, the mountains, the sea cleanse the troubled mind of the over connected world. Our recipe is simple. Sleep […]

Categories: Communication, Food • Tags: celebration, communication, family, food, Maine, travel, wine

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ideas that taste good

storytelling through food

Category Archives: Communication

Treasures of the dark enlighten the mind

Language of love

We elephant when we eat

It worked for ancient Greece. It can work for you.

What old movies teach us about cooking

the sound of pizza

Draw them closer with symbolic food

First thanks