my favorite event of the year is almost here! common threads world festival brings together chicago's best chefs along with some of our favorite chefs from around the country such as michelle bernstein (love her!) and ming tsai.
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well the wandering goat is ready to find its home on randolph, but there was need for one final celebration. this time the goat got a little nuts and found its way to a beautiful old church (along with 150 other fun folks) that our dear friend michael has transformed into his home. was a bit jealous since my condo would fit inside his basement, but was just excited to be there and thankful to be cooking in such a sweet space. it was actually funny to see all of my helpers’ reactions when they arrived...
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recently i got to go on a winter wonderland adventure in yosemite. i had never been before, and to be honest was not even sure exactly where it was (even when i was there), but i will go back for sure.

the ahwahnee hotel in the valley of the park is full of history and is a beautiful and charming place to stay. every january they host various chefs from all over the country for a series of events called 'chefs holidays'. somehow i was lucky enough to be one of these chefs this year. go hang in one of the most beautiful spots in the country and all the 'work' i have to do is a cooking demo (which i love doing anyway)? would have been tough to pass up.
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(photo via bbaltimore's photostream)

a super huge thank you to everyone who kept us entertained today with the jokes and riddles. there was a bit of everything from laffy taffy wrapper jokes to dirty jokes to jokes tailored specifically for the last wandering goat dinner. so obviously, we've gotta share a few...
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last week was very exciting in the world of cooking schools as my alma mater celebrated the renaming of all of their campuses around the country! i am a graduate (a very long time ago) from the now named le cordon bleu school out in scottsdale. it is great that all of the schools have taken on the name that has been respected and looked up to in the culinary world for so long!
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