July

Are there chefs in the book from Jersey? Yes. Springfield-based chef Joshua Walbolt of Lovefoodmore Productions created a fried congee with duck confit and truffle chili glaze. We also got fish from Dock Street in Wildwood. We are really trying to do more with Cooks Who Care in the Jersey area so everyone can be involved in this connection with their craft. Do you have a favorite recipe in the book? I love the versatility of the book and recipes, as well as the different tips you can pull from each chef. I made my own recipe for the book, which was beets and salmon. We bought the seafood from Dock Street in Wildwood. I showed people some knife skills and did roasted vegetables and used an infused vinegar with the salmon, which added so much flavor.

What does Cooks Who Care ultimately mean to you? I was terrified at the beginning of the year and asked the food and beverage community to be a part of it, because they have been through so much. When I was embraced by the industry and had people wanting to help, I felt the love. I do this as a self- healing but also because I know there is a community that feels so disconnected from each other. We want to be the place people run to when they’re feeling alone, and [we] help any way we can. We just want to keep doing more.

HOSPITALITY NEWS JULY | Page 45