Chef Otto's Blog

He was raised in Appalachia. The son of farmers. Enlisted as a Private and became a General without a college degree. Was a Flying Ace, shooting down 5 German planes in a single day. Along the way he became America’s Greatest Pilot. Mr Right Stuff himself broke the speed barrier and remains an inspiration for all to break existing barriers. A badass, a hero, a national treasure. The epitome of American Exceptionalism. Proof of grit, determination, Yankee ingenuity can result in soaring accomplishments. A thankful nation owes a debt of gratitude to this extraordinary man. A phenomenal example of a

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (RIP) genius musicians. Artful, abstract and avant-garde their music stands the test of time. I was fortunate to see them twice. The sound, so crisp, the band, so tight. Recalling Fagen introducing the band he referred to Carolyn Leonart, Cynthia Calhoun, and Victoria Cave, the three ladies behind him as “The flat-out best background singers on the planet.” Indeed, human songbirds, voices kissed by angels filling the sold-out theater with their heavenly harmonies.  The ladies reflect the exacting standards of this progressive band. Fagen & Becker met at Bard College forming their first band The Bad Rock

Some people dread the holidays. The preparation, the out of town guests, the shopping, it’s enough to make one red as a wattle. I have worked plenty of Thanksgiving Days. Planning, prepping and executing Tom Turkey for thousands who were smart and decided to leave it to the professionals. No fuss, no muss, no cleanup. Others who stay at home plan the day with exacting detail like the D Day Invasion while others fly by the seat of their pants. Be your approach mirror Eisenhower or bomb like Erma Bombeck, one thing for sure. Take stock of the situation.  The

MAGA. It has morphed to Move Along Get Along. Donald J Trump, the brain trust of the original MAGA catchphrase has been defeated. MAGA, like Trump, was marketing brilliance. Madison Ave slick, selling millions of dollars of merchandise. It has lost its punch along with its pugilistic parent, the Donald. Pugnacious has been KO’d by compassion. Chaos took a hook from calm. Lying was upended by truth. Empathy decked ego. Straight in the eye gave tweeting a black eye. Election 2020 was a slug fest. Bigger than the Thrilla in Manila, and the Rumble in Jungle combined. It was R. O. C.

After the most raucous, contentious, divisive, election in modern history We the People have spoken. This is democracy in action. Regardless if your candidate won or lost, gloating or bitterness is harming you and no one else. Disrupting you on a deep spiritual level and hence the orderly manner of the universe.    On August 15th I posted to take an 80-day sabbatical from political posts. On 11.7 an awakening has led me to share some things. My opinion and beliefs on social media platforms are doing absolutely zero in the big picture to heal this nation. I hope you share