about us
Insatiable
Food Explorer
My parents were always extremely frugal, having lived through war times, then immigrant life as they arrived in Canada with only a suitcase with some clothes and dired sausages, and even as they succeeded in achieving a decent middle class life.
I still remember being very confused in junior high school, when I compared the sandwich Mom made for me that had 1 slice of deli meat, to the mountain of pastrami in my friend’s sandwich. And how my friends always had money for restaurants, while we never did.
This backdrop was a huge influence in what became my food journey. As I started to realize that there was an immense world of food that I knew nothing about, and that I had no money to go to restaurants to explore this, one day I realized I could try making my own.
The first experiment was adventurous. Lox. Despite this being the earliest days of the Internet, I managed to get my hands on a book about smoking fish. Which opened the next challenge .. how does one cold smoke without an elaborate or expensive machine. It took 3 tries before reaching happy success with essential fatty Atlantic salmon!
A combination of luck, circumstance and persistent curiosity has blessed me with a life of extraordinary food exploration and adventures. Here are just a few:
– New Orleans, and the world of Cajun / Creoloe, especially the original blackened redfish (and my first flavour orgasm) at K Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (with chef Paul Prudhomme holding court)
– Before Starbucks was a chain, the original store at the Pike Place Market in Seattle
– Stev and Deanna George’s Casa Bella in their home at the time in Gananoque
– Memphis International BBQ festival and all of the local legendary BBQ
– Mushroom cultivation workshop at fungi expert Paul Stamets’ Fungi Perfecti lab near Olympia, Washington
– 40th? anniversary celebration at Michael and Nobuyo Stadtländer’s Eigensinn farm
– Austin Texas BBQ legends within a 2 hour drive
– The rigorous testing and comparison approach of America’s Test Kitchen
– Kensington Market in Toronto, from the days of live poultry on the sidewalk
This list is in no way meant to brag. Those that know me know that I am a very humble guy. So I shared this list to open conversations, and to see that I love food in all forms, from the most humble peasant food to the most artistic and skilled culinary creations.
Passion for
Helping the Disadvantaged
My beloved parents (RIP) were devout hard-core Christians, and they were immigrants from Hungary, having escaped the Soviet invasion in 1956.
No matter how tough times were, they were always helping someone out, whether it was someone in need, or another immigrant family.
As I grew up, especially as I was blessed to be able to travel for my career, it became quickly apparent just how badly off so many people are, and how fortunate and blessed I have been.
In particular, I have a strong drive to help people that are trapped in human trafficking.. how is this even possible in this age???
When I was the owner of ASAP Cheques in Canada and ASAP Checks in the USA, we came up with cheque designs to feature different causes, such as local food, humane societies, war veterans, cancer research and patriotism, donating a portion of these sales to related organizations.
Financially, we distribute our support both locally and abroad, trying to support organizations that are the most effective and efficient.
Locally, we support the Salvation Army, Lionhearts and Partners In Mission.
My wife has a passion for helping abused animals, and we support shelters and no-kill humane societies.
And I hope to lend my online marketing and business skills and experience to worthy causes and small food industry businesses, especially those that are helping out in their community.
Your Invitation To Be Part Of This Community
Watch for:
– Blog posts,
– Social Posts
– Articles
– Events calendar
– Spotlights featuring people and businesses in the food industry in Eastern Ontario,
– and a Newsletter so you don’t miss out on anything because of social media algorithms thinking they know best what you want to see 😉
While you are welcome to just read and lurk, you can also help to grow and deepen this community !
Please Share on your social channels, Comment, Subscribe 🙂
“I love sharing my passion for helping the disadvantaged, and for exploring and enjoying all kinds of food, from the humblest peasant food to the creations of master chefs.”
Les C. Cseh, Best Eats Ontario East
